Kings of the Night Read online

  Chapter 4.

  “Now then, John, let’s make you nice and comfortable.” Hands are pulling me, lifting me up and I can almost feel something but not quite. It smells good though and I realize it’s the pretty nurse who is leaning over me, her scent filling me, her breasts rubbing against my bare chest. Maybe this isn’t so bad after all.

  I find myself sitting up, staring ahead, for the first time. Well, this is a little better. A much better view. None of that bright white light shining into my eyes, now I can look out of the huge window and get a great view of the corridor. Way more interesting, I can see everyone going past, busying themselves with their day to day routines and important stuff and everything. I’m sure they’ll start soon. Right now, it’s empty and I’m staring through glass at a blank, white wall. I’m thinking they should put a picture up there, the seaside (no? too clichéd?) or sunshine (even worse?) or maybe the inside of a strip joint (yes – much better. Why don’t they just put up pictures of naked women, and if a woman’s lying in the bed they can switch it to naked men, I’m not sexist). I wonder if they have a suggestion box or something like that? Make it my first priority. Maybe I’ll tell the pretty nurse, what was her name, Jane? Oh wait, I forgot, I can’t speak.

  “Right, so where are we?”

  Erm, still in the same bed, same room, same hospital, I think.

  “So… I checked on the next of kin.”

  And?

  “Oh, I see. Nothing at all?”

  “No… apparently a bit of a loner.”

  Great. Thanks Mark. You’re on my Christmas card list too.

  Jane took a long look at me. Her blond locks fell around her perfect face and I looked deep into her misty green eyes. You’ll support me, darling.

  “You know” she said, “I hate to say this, but I can always tell. There’s something distant about him.”

  Of course I’m distant! I’m in a fucking coma!

  “Yeah, poor guy. Parents died. Brother disappeared, couldn’t quite get to the bottom of that one. No kids. Lived alone. No close friends from what I could tell” Mark paused. Yes??

  “Well, when I say poor guy”, he continued, “who knows, maybe he brought it on himself. There’s always a reason, isn’t there” he says softly.

  “Anyway!” Jane said briskly, “makes it easier for us. Means I can sign the consent form. Have you drawn up the plan?”

  “I have” Mark sighed, handing her a sheet of paper. What’s on it? Let me see?

  “Hmmm… she ran her fingers down it as she was reading. “Okay, that seems okay… Do we really need to stretch it out over two weeks? I mean, wouldn’t a week be enough? It’s not like there’ll be anyone sitting by the bedside, and, well, we need the space.”

  “Two weeks is much more humane” Mark replied slowly. “Wouldn’t a week be a bit, well… brutal?”

  Yes! It would! Absolutely! Even two weeks! Why not make it two months? I mean, I know it’s not a lot of fun here but then I’d prefer it to…

  “No” she replied firmly. “He’s not going to feel much anyway. It’ll probably be more merciful that way. Why drag it out? Make sure you change it”

  You really are not my friend anymore Jane. But she’s not listening to me. She hands the paper back to Mark, turns and leaves.

  Mark walks slowly over until he’s close to me. He leans over me and whispers “I’m sorry my friend, I really am. We’ll try to make it as painless as possible.”

  Thanks. I take it all back. I would do the same for you.

  And then I’m alone.