On The Darkest Night [2]

How To Save A Life

16
How To Save A Life
Season Two: Episode 7
Warning: Suicidal thoughts

"He's not getting any better, Dick." Dawn's hushed voice woke Alister.

"Yeah, I can see that, Dawn." Dick hissed back.

"And you don't think that's cause for concern? I've seen him heal from a gunshot wound like it was a bee sting. These dressings are still soaked in blood."

"This isn't a gunshot wound, Dawn!" Dick's voice jumped to a higher octave. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I know that, and I didn't expect him to be good as new three days after something like that but Dick... This is bad. He sleeps all day, he barely eats, he hasn't moved, he's..."

"He's traumatized. He has every right to be. Deathstroke cut... He cut off his fucking wings. He mutilated him." Dick felt his throat constrict as he spoke.

Dawn sighed. She leaned against the wall and took the bag of day-old dressings from Dick's hands. "You need to call Bruce."

Dick scoffed. "Bruce? What's Bruce gonna do for him that I can't?"

"Bruce worked closely with Carter and Sheyara, maybe he can shed some light on Thanagarian anatomy that'll help us understand what's going on."

Dick shook his head. "We know what he knows. There's no textbook for this stuff, at least not on this planet. All Alister needs is some time, he'll get better."

"Who are you trying to convince here, Dick, yourself or me? I know how you feel about him, but this has gone on long enough. We need help."

"I appreciate your input, Dawn, but I can handle this. Just give me some new dressings, I have to change them."

"Maybe if you'd let me help you..."

"He won't let anyone else touch him, you know that. Not even Donna, and she's practically his sister."

Alister wanted to bury his head in the pillow. He wanted to drown out Dick and Dawn's bickering. He wanted all the noise to cease.

He didn't know what day it was. Or what time it was. He didn't even know how long he'd been lying in bed.

All he knew was pain. It started out as physical pain. Excruciating pain that made him want to cry every time he moved. Then it became both physical and mental.

His wings, his only connection to home, they were gone. They were sawed off of his back. Deathstroke maimed him.

Of all the pain he'd felt in his life, that took the cake. He'd truly been broken. So broken that he wasn't sure if he could be fixed again.

He shut his eyes tight. A familiar wave of despair washed over him. He wanted to cry some more but his tears were all dried out.

A soft knock against the door stirred him out of darkness.

"Al, it's me. It's been a day now, it's time to change your gauze." Said Dick. He hoped for a response but he didn't get one.

Dick shut the door behind him. He set the supplies on Alister's nightstand. He reached out for Alister. Dick's gentle hand rested on Alister's shoulder.

Alister flinched.

Dick retracted his hand. "Did you hear me, Al? I have to change your bandages now. Can you sit up for me?" He got no response.