# Fallout - Life Goes On

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Albino, Hospital, Husky, M/F, Military, Mink, Siberian Husky, Snow Leopard, Story Series, Various Species

#2 of Fallout

 
                I sat up in bed, fur damp from sweat, the covers ...

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I sat up in bed, fur damp from sweat, the covers torn off me.&nbsp; I panted, focusing on slowing my breathing, taking deep breaths, and trying to calm my body.&nbsp; I clenched my eyes shut, closing out my night vision, but the dream was gone.&nbsp; Jaimie rolled over in bed.&nbsp; I must have woken her.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Another dream?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes," I replied quietly, not wanting to meet her gaze.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Can you remember it?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Just like the others, just pain."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She sat up and tenderly ran a finger down my ear and across the side of my face.&nbsp; Her fur tickled a whisker. &nbsp;I twitched and grinned.&nbsp; Jaimie could always make me feel better.&nbsp; I leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Go back to sleep," I said, "sorry for waking you."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay, are you..."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm just going to clear my head, and then I'll be back."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie settled back down and pulled the sheets over herself.&nbsp; I straitened them absentmindedly, still distracted, before pulling the wheelchair up beside the bed and lowering myself into it.&nbsp; I rolled quietly out of the room and onto the balcony, eyes cutting through the dark as if it were daylight.&nbsp; Outside, the cold mountain air brought me fully awake.&nbsp; The sky was clear and moonlight reflected off my white fur but a light breeze blew a few loose snowflakes across my vision.&nbsp; .

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It had been close to two months since I had woken up in a bed at Raven Fire Hospital and Trauma Center.&nbsp; Woken up to find a gaping hole in my life.&nbsp; I had returned from a world of black unconsciousness to find that I had no memory of who I was, or who I had been.&nbsp; On top of that, both of my legs were paralyzed.&nbsp; The only things I knew were that I had a drivers license claiming my name was Xavier Snow, because I sure couldn't remember what it was, and a bank card accessing an account which was much healthier than I was.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I hadn't been abandoned though, as I had feared.&nbsp; Two individuals had been there to help me through my difficulties.&nbsp; First was Dr. Hall.&nbsp; The doctor had been extremely helpful after I first came to and began to fully grasp my situation.&nbsp; She would sit next to my bed for hours, just talking about whatever.&nbsp; Whatever came to my mind to talk about, be it my condition or an update on current events, she obligingly would continue the conversation until I had exhausted myself, or she absolutely had to go.&nbsp; I believe this time spent helped me keep my sanity.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The other had been Jaimie.&nbsp; Once Dr. Hall decided it was okay for me to have visitors, Jaimie had been to see me the very next day.&nbsp; Apparently she had connections within the hospital and made a personal trip to visit every patient she either picked up for, or delivered to, the ER.&nbsp; Somehow though, we developed a personal connection during that first visit.&nbsp; After that she came and saw me often, and we quickly became friends.&nbsp; Once I got out and we could properly interact, we became more.&nbsp; I'm not sure if it's love, but we defiantly both need each other on some deeper level which I still don't entirely understand.&nbsp; It was Jaimie who helped restore my determination and will to move forward.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Over the past months though, I had been prone to strange dreams where I all could remember afterward was an emotion or feeling, usually pain.&nbsp; Dr. Hall wanted to keep an eye on my condition and do further research, and had asked me to keep a journal of these incidents.&nbsp; I decided to go back inside and fulfill that task before going to bed.&nbsp; I picked the small book off of the kitchen counter and wrote down the most recent event, not that there was much to write.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I heard the soft sound of a paw depressing carpet and turned to see Jaimie standing in the bedroom door, framed by the moonlight from a window.&nbsp; She was beautiful.&nbsp; I smiled warmly.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You coming back to bed?&nbsp; It's a little cold."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Of course."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I wheeled myself back into the room and slid into the bed.&nbsp; Jaimie curled up next to me, pressing herself into my body.&nbsp; I placed one arm around her, running my finger through her smooth fur and soon we were both asleep.&nbsp; This time soundly and dream free.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The next morning we had breakfast at a local bakery.&nbsp; I was still thinking about last night among other things.&nbsp; I looked up from my pancakes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I was thinking a bit last night.&nbsp; I don't think my memory was the only thing affected by the accident."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What do you mean?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, from my talks with Dr. Hall and my own personal observations, I think I sense things differently than others.&nbsp; I pick up details that other people don't."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Like what?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Like, without looking around I know there are currently 17 people in the dining room, two behind the counter and three in the kitchen and of those 13 are female and 9 are male.&nbsp; I know the license plate number of every car in the parking lot.&nbsp; I noticed that the quilt on the wall over there," I gestured behind me, "has a block out of place in the lower right corner.&nbsp; I know that at this altitude I could ski cross country for 12 miles flat out before needing to slow down.&nbsp; I could tell you how the current atmospheric conditions would affect the velocity and flight of a bullet and that the best place to find a gun is under the apron of the bus boy.&nbsp; I also know if he were to pull that gun the three fastest routs of egress and the two best ways to disarm him.&nbsp; Those can't be normal facts."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This had been bugging me for more than a week and I had been waiting for a chance to tell someone about it.&nbsp; I said this all in a flash and I wasn't sure if Jaimie had picked up on any of it.&nbsp; I looked at her for support though.&nbsp; I had worried about this for a while and was hoping for some consolation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Her expression changed from one of mild shock to that of reassurance.&nbsp; She took my hand in hers and looked me in the eyes, her gaze seaming to wipe away all my worries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier, I'm sure you're fine.&nbsp; You're still a little shook up.&nbsp; Look, if you're really worried, go talk to Dr. Hall.&nbsp; You know she'll be more than willing to help you.&nbsp; And you can always talk to me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I calmed down a little.&nbsp; I didn't know why I had been on the edge so much lately.&nbsp; I hoped Jaimie didn't notice.&nbsp; I just needed to relax a bit.&nbsp; All of my time recently had been spent either working or trying to find out anything about my past.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay, you're right."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We finished breakfast and I said goodbye to Jaimie as she left for work.&nbsp; I was off today and decided to take her advice and go see Dr. Hall.&nbsp; I called and made an appointment before making my way to the bus stop.&nbsp; Jaimie's condo was in Fairchild but Raven Fire, where the hospital was, was only a twenty minute trip away.&nbsp; I waived my tail lazily as I waited.&nbsp; Thank god I hadn't lost control of it along with my legs.&nbsp; The embarrassment would be unbearable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As the bus pulled up I looked into the front window to see that Reynolds was the driver today.&nbsp; He was an older terrier with a funny accent who I knew rather well now.&nbsp; He pulled the bus close to the curb and opened the side door for me.&nbsp; I rolled onto the lift, bumping as I crossed the small gap between curb and bus, and grabbed the hand rail to stabilize myself as I was slowly raised onto the passenger deck.&nbsp; Once I was secure the doors shut and the buss rumbled onto the main street.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The hospital was one of the stops on this rout and I exited in a similar fashion when we arrived.&nbsp; Soon I was inside the building I knew so well.&nbsp; I should after living here for three weeks.&nbsp; Nothing had changed; I signed in and sat in the waiting room reading three month old magazines.&nbsp; There was a fascinating article in one about some general who had gotten out of a trial on a technicality.&nbsp; Some suspected money had changed hands to work it out.&nbsp; I was only mildly interested though as I waited for thirty minutes after my appointment had been scheduled.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A large, tabby, nurse clad in pale pink scrubs, which clashed horribly with her fur, walked through a set of double doors holding a clipboard.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Xavier Snou?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How the hell do you mispronounce Snow when you live in a ski town?&nbsp; I ignored this though and wheeled my way over to her, maneuvering through people in casts and screaming children.&nbsp; I followed her to an examination room off the main hall where I was told to 'please wait'.&nbsp; What had I been doing?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I passed the time by playing a game on my smart phone.&nbsp; Finally the door opened.&nbsp; I looked up eagerly but was disappointed to see another nurse.&nbsp; This one was a male mouse who wore blue scrubs.&nbsp; He sat down at the computer, completely ignoring me and typed for half a minute before turning in my direction.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright, what are you here for today?" he asked cheerily.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "To se Dr. Hall," I said, exasperated.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes, but what for?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I glared for a few seconds before answering, "Because she asked me to come in and see her."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This was technically true.&nbsp; She had asked me to see her if anything came up.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Oh, well I'll go get her then."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You do that."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I waited another five minutes before Dr. Hall stepped in.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sorry about that Xavier.&nbsp; The system works great for the usual patients and checkups but..."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Her voice trailed off and she pulled out the data pad I had always seen with her.&nbsp; I was about to speak when she cut me off.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm glad you came in today.&nbsp; I was going to call you until I saw your name on the appointment list.&nbsp; This is much better.&nbsp; You're not going to believe this but, I think I found a way to fix your legs."

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/keNB0vMe
Part of the series Fallout
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