A Home for Scales
Written By : SecretSerpent22
Warning: some content may be disturbing or upsetting to some viewers, discretion of/for the viewer is advised. Ok here we go!
Chapter 7; Danger
POV change; Nikalandra
The talk with Hudson had me stressed. More than normal I might add. I can't believe I got so nervous thinking he'd be frightened that I had to take a medication. Then again I suppose it's better than spilling a bunch of stuff, don't need them worrying about me after all.
Soon Monday whipped around and classes again started. I was already running late. Woke up past my alarm yet again and rushed out without eating anything or drinking anything. I made sure to bring a pill with me just in case, as well as my required notebooks and homework.
Academic classes were kind of a bore. Not at all like back in the orphanage. Jon and Mrs. Petterson at least tried to make them interesting. As the day progressed it only got hotter; this drought just appeared out of nowhere and we were experiencing it in full swing. I went to grab my water from my bag but remembered it wasn't there. Maybe I have time before the next period starts to- I checked my phone. 10:40, nope, not enough time.... I ran through the courtyard and into the classroom just before the bell rang at 10:45. Fine it's fine, just don't work yourself up. I told myself, trying to keep a steady mind.
When class finished, I went to the Dunkin Donuts. The line was outrageously long. Of course they had to start a new special today. My stress only grew from this point. If I don't get some sort of hydration I'm... no, no I won't. Just relax...
The next class wasn't easy either. A lot of new calculus problems and blank staring at the page in front of me. I wish Jon were here to help with these problems. They just don't make any sense? Why can't he be here? Why'd I leave?! I felt my body drain more and more as I tried to rush and figure out the equations while keeping up with everyone else. As I finally was able to leave the class I was shaking, my scales itched, they were dry and felt as if they were chafing. Not good, how are they this dry already? I thought to myself. I decided to take the pill there, there was only one more class. I didn't care if others saw me despite me trying to be discrete. I needed this, now!
I watched the clocks ticking every second. I was growing delirious. My fluid levels were low, my pill was already taken, its effect barely even kicked in. I was getting more stressed about what would happen. I started overcomplicating the assignments and I thought about going to the bathroom to wash my face. Yet I couldn't even bring myself to make a scene and ask, so I just sat there struggling.
I finally stepped outside, the heat wave greeting me once again. I didn't want to move. I wanted water. Needed it. Droughts like these some might enjoy because of the heat or because there was less rain, but I was different. Some crocodilians enjoyed the sun, but I couldn't take the hot months at all. My scales dried, my body overwhelmed itself. It's another fantastic part for me being crossbred. My genes ended up causing my stress factors to get easily overwhelmed. And the more stress I experienced, the easier I could dry out. The pill wouldn't work, my mouth was dryer than a desert, and my scales began to burn. At first I thought shade would help, but that only got me out of the sun's rays. Not the waves of heat lapping around campus. The pool! I started heading that way. I was right in front of the building when parts of my senses came back to me. The Chlorine! Dammit I forgot. I remembered that the chlorine prevented my scales to rehydrate , my scales and body wouldn't absorb the water and it might only hurt my scales worse. I needed fresh water. Any...
I started to hyperventilate. I couldn't think, my mind was emptying. I was beginning to close my eyes. They were so sore and dried out. I stumbled through the heat, losing any and all direction. Should I just go back to the pool? Find a diner or restaurant? I couldn't see where I was going. I didn't know people were staring again. Some were a little concerned, others scoffing and thinking I'm high as crap. No one bothered to help. I didn't even have enough fluid left to sweat. My reserves are already used up. fuuuck. I tried walking more. Maybe just a nap to gain back some strength. Maybe just a quick one? My delirium spoke for me. I hit the ground hard. No one cared, they probably thought I was crazy. No one cared to get security, no one bothered to care that I was overheating ........
"Nikalandra?"
POV change; Hudson
I saw Nikalandra laying in the sun. At first I thought he was being silly, but after the talk on Saturday I knew he wouldn't want people looking at him. Somethings wrong, my mind told me. I went over and bent down to look at him. Passed right out. What'd he not get enough sleep? I reached my hand out to wake him, should I wake him? I mean he shouldn't be sleeping here anyw- As my hand made contact it burned, like touching anything metallic in summer. "Youch!" I said pulling away. I realized he wasn't sleeping, he's overheated. It was obvious, he was burning right up. I overheard someone behind me watching say something about him taking a pill earlier right in the open. No that can't be true, he doesn't do drugs right? Even I know drugs can have long lasting effects. What about his overheating? No that can't be it, he must've passed out in the sun? Is that why he seemed so calm after he got back from the bathroom the other day? I grew panicked. We weren't too far from the dorm. Even if he did pass out from this drug he still is too hot. I tried to pick him up, drag him over to the building. He was so hot, it was hard to keep physical contact with him. Should I ask someone for help? There were a couple people looking at me struggling. He doesn't like the attention. But his life could be on the line. He was absurdly heavy. Even though he was taller by only 3 inches he weighed much more than one would expect. I was able to get him over my shoulder a bit slumped over and began to half carry, half drag him back to the room. That way he was out of sight from people, we could cool him off, and talk to him about this pill thing. I wasn't mad, I was horrified. I was scared he might die because he was so hot and seemed so dry. Even through my shirt he was burning me.
Somehow I was able to drag him inside where I saw Jagal getting off an elevator into the foyer. He noticed me. "Hey Hudsooonn?" He dragged out my name confused as he noticed who I was carrying. I must've looked distraught because he rushed right over. "Woah woah what the heck happened?!" He said, startled.
"I-I don't know, I just found him like this. He's burning up and I overheard someone saying they saw him take something?" I was getting distressed.
"Take something? Like medicine or...?" Jagal questioned helping me lift him, "woow he's heavy."
"Yeah something I'm not sure, but we need to cool him down."
We brought him over to the elevator and we all got ourselves in. We started heading up as he asked me more questions. I tried my best to explain but it wasn't coming out right? I had no idea if this was the right thing to do or not. I had panicked. When we reached our room we tossed his stuff on the bed, making sure his pockets were empty. We took his shirt off. His scales began to chafe and were extremely dry, not to mention extremely dull in coloration. He was still burning hot and it was hard to get him into the tub. We turned the cold water on, dumping out of the faucet. We began to splash it over him trying to revive him. It kept steaming as it came in contact with him.
As the water rose and he was more submerged, he stirred little bits after some time. Moving or twitching slightly. He thankfully, eventually opened his eyes weakly as Jagal started pouring water on his head, running down his snout. "Whaa?" he said deliriously.
"Oh thank god," I said, "Nikalandra.... What, what happened, I was so nervous, scared about you?!" I started to cry, I honestly didn't know what had happened with him.
"You passed out, and were burning up? What happened?" Jagal said, trying to get him to move. When he noticed he was in water he sighed, but realized we had him half naked.
"Woah woah" he said startled, splashing around as his senses became clearer.
"No you, stay here and cool off. You really had us worried." Jagal said. He stayed quiet, flipping himself over in the tub, looking away from us. He rubbed at his scales. He breathed easier, bringing his temperature down in the cold water. He submerged himself at one point as we watched. He didn't respond. He stayed under. I gasped, he wasn't trying to drown himself was he?!
"Nikalandra what're-" I reached my hand in and touched his scaly back. His snout surfaced as he looked at me shocked.
"Did you... just touch me..." he sounded shocked. I myself hadn't even realized I had carried him all this way. I came in contact with his scales....
"Oh no-no I just," I stuttered trying to find the right words, "I thought you were drowning yourself?" He laughed and coughed, spinning upwards so he was facing us again.
"Oh no sorry I... was submerging. I can hold my breath for much longer." he explained. I sighed a sigh of relief at this news.
"So what happened?" Jagal questioned. He looked uneasy. "And what were you taking anyway, someone saw you take some pill?" He froze. Staring at us.
"I...I-I didn't.... It's nothing. I just got overwhelmed is all. I hadn't had anything to drink all day. I woke up late again. Heh, alright?"
"And you didn't think to head to a shop?" I said.
"Or the pool, or even here?" Jagal said. We weren't mad but worried, he could tell.
"I didn't mean to, I tried but the lines at the Dunkin were too long, and the pool wouldn't help saturate me, eh maybe it would've but I might have been too delirious to think straight." he sunk back in the water, "sorry for causing this mess." The silence was uneasy. "Shouldn't you two have another class right now?"
"Yeah" we replied in unison. "We should head out soon before we're more late," Jagal said standing.
"You go too Hudson, I don't need you missing class time." he didn't give me a chance to respond. "I'll be fine now, thanks." He smiled at me. A real smile from him, yet it still held a look of uneasiness to it. "I really am thankful, grateful. I... I might have... well I don't know." I nodded, said goodbye one more time, and left for class. As we made our way to class, we talked a little more.
"We just gotta say our roommate had an episode or some problem, but it's all settled now. We're all good. Right?" Jagal asked looking over at me.
"Yeah, I think we have to talk to him after though, as a group?" I replied. Jagal nodded as we made our way to graphic design. I guess it was never mentioned before that we were both majoring in it. But that doesn't matter, it's time we all talked.
Thanks again for making it this far. Lotta stuff happening now in the story so I hope you stick with it. Work and school haven't been leaving me with a lot of time recently so things are harder to post atm. But it's not the end yet! More parts are on their way, just gotta rearrange my schedule a bit more to make time for writing/editing/revisions/posting. Man life is hard.
Anyway thanks again for reading this far, have a good night!
-SecretSerpent22