Michael’s eyes slowly opened, breaking away the crust that held them shut as he crawled back into consciousness. His mouth was dry yet he no longer felt dehydrated, and something was roiling around in his gut now, he was sure of it. That all consuming pit of hunger was gone, and in its place was a sense of fullness, as if he had eaten a full-course meal for five men on his own. He was in… he was in a tent, that much was for sure. Looked like a med tent based on the rows of white cots he saw running the length of it. There were a few other people in here, but not many, all occasionally turning in their cots or grunting in discomfort. Was this really a medical tent? Those people didn’t look like they had grievous injuries…

It must be though, where else would he be taken to after his… after that. Did he really remember the details of his rescue right? Let’s see… He knew there was a Hoplite, with angel wings at that, that told Michael ‘ya did good kid’ and then they high fived. Michael was pretty sure that part actually happened, but he wasn’t too sure about everything else.

Two faced monsters, elves, magic and whatever the hell that warm glow was. He could remember that far more clearly, that glow that made him feel so… at ease, so relaxed. He sighed at remembering it. Hopefully he was remembering that right, he’d like to feel that way again if possible.

He could smell something… mediciney wafting from one end of the tent. It smelled like boiled bandages. Grandad always boiled bandages before using any of them, that was why he could recognize that smell. Michael hadn’t smelt that particular scent in a long time. Marines didn’t boil their bandages, what was the point when they were covered in advanced antiseptic?

So why were people over there boiling them?

He shook his head, slowly rising from his cot, shocked at just how weak he had become in the darkness. He lifted his bare arms, seeing that they were now significantly skinnier than they had been before. A shame, he had worked on those pipes for a long time. Oh how the ladies had loved them! Ah well, nothing eating a bunch wouldn’t fix given enough time right? Michael was more concerned with his overall frame anyway… he could see his ribs!

That simply would not do, it was now officially bulking season.

He swung his legs from the cot, nearly stumbling as he stood. The blanket fell away to reveal that he was as butt-naked as the day he was born, and he felt his face grow hot with embarrassment, leaning down as quickly as he was able in order to cover himself. It was a disturbingly long time before he managed to get that blanket up around his shoulders. Man, they didn’t even leave him with his underwear? The hell was the big idea around here? Maybe the nurses had wanted a peek?

If that was the case Michael understood.

With that thought, he stumbled on skinny wobbling legs toward those working at the end of the tent. Right next to them was an open flap going into daylight, and he smiled at seeing it. It was actually quite dim here in the tent… the sunlight bleeding through the canvas didn’t illuminate enough of this dark tent… oh God it was so dark. Michael decided that right then, he was going to be a day person from then on. No more nighttime binge drinking, that was now reserved for when it was light out.

Yes the light. He needed to be in the light… It was simply too dark in here!

He fell to one knee after another step, groaning with pain as the people boiling the bandages finally saw him. His vision blurred and their faces were obfuscated from him as they chided him for being ‘foolish’ and being ‘in too much of a hurry’ and ‘you really must rest’. Michael coughed and retched as he felt arms lift him from the ground, carrying him back to his bed and laying him down.

“Get the fu- get off me, I got to get to the light!” He screamed as panic suddenly overtook him “I gotta get out!”

He struggled vainly as hands held his shoulders down. The press of cramped bodies and the stink of rot filled his nose and he screamed again.

“The light!” He wept “Please!”