The Eye of the Storm | Closed to Dirk, Dave, and Feferi

[mustachioedmaiden]

 A week had passed since the battle at the park, and Dirk still had not risen from his comatose state. Following the battle, Jane had taken him home and instructed Feferi (who had stumbled in close behind) to try and get some water in him before going out and searching for Jake. Upon returning, there was obvious signs that she had been crying, but she said nothing about what had happened. With her, she brought clothes and supplies, and proceeded to set up camp. There was no way she was leaving before Dirk was safe; that much was certain. 

The week that followed was filled with tension as Jane worked to care for him as best she could. She purchased a heart rate monitor using a portion of her inheritance and set it up in the room, checking it regularly to be sure that all was still well.  Upon learning that feeding him was difficult at best, she also purchased equipment so that he could have a feeding tube. Within a few days, Jane had learned more about hospital equipment and how to care for a comatose patient than she had ever imagined she could possibly need. It was difficult work, but she didn't care. She had lost her best friend once because of her own selfish behavior. She refused to lose him again. 

Blackouts intermittently prevented anyone from getting close to the room. It was strange to say the least, but only solidified what they all had expected: this was related somehow to his developing powers. Never one to back down, Jane pressed forward, continuing to care for him to the best of her ability.

Dave as well needed care of his own. He refused to leave his brother's side, even when the blackouts rendered him unconscious. He lay there motionless, curled around his brother's own unmoving body, refusing to eat. Jane gave him vitamins and water whenever he found the energy to take them, and sat with the two often, doing her best to provide support in any way she could. Dave would not speak, but she knew he was grateful. And worried. So was she. 

Feferi had stayed with them from the start, and though Jane still was far from frond- Ahem, fond- of Feferi's actions, she could not deny that without her she would have had far more bags under her eyes and a far emptier stomach. Despite the fact that Feferi knew nothing of nursing, she was very helpful when she wasn't annoyingly underfoot. She took watches often so that Jane could rest and make them meals, and despite Jane's wariness of her pushy tendencies, she was beginning to see why Dirk might have taken such a shine to her. She was helpful and caring, two qualities that Jane valued immensely. 

Today Jane sat in an armchair near to Dirk's bed, reading a mystery novel. Or attempting to, anyway. She read the same line over and over again, getting no where. Her eyes flicked up to Dirk's pale form, and his brother who still clung to him as if that was all that tethered him to this world. Jane took off her glasses and rubbed at her eyes, her own heart seeming to keep time with the slow, steady beats of Dirk's heart rate monitor. Soon, she would try and get Dave to take a vitamin, but now, she watched them, eyes filled with love and worry. "Please Dirk..." she whispered into the air, voice barely louder than a breath. "... Come back to us..."