Complement, p.5
Complement, page 5
part #3 of Connectivity Series
He took out his phone and snapped pics just like all the other tourists and hikers were doing. The sight was truly beautiful and the red rock combined with the gorgeous blue sky made for some stunning photos. Maybe Nick would have to look into an actual camera to really capture the beauty in nature and his new-found enjoyment of being outdoors, but that would probably mean he’d need a job to be able to afford a camera and he was not about to let his thoughts wander down that road again. So he lined up a few more shots and then set to exploring the area a little more closely.
Even though there were lots of people around, Nick still managed to find a few quieter spots with some shade and took a few refreshing sips of his water. The excitement of the hike and the build-up of his morning were wearing off and while he wasn’t giving up on the rest of the hike, he knew it was going to be a challenge to finish it in a timely manner.
He could feel the heat of an impending sunburn setting in on his skin and wondered if it would be too weird to casually ask someone to borrow their sunscreen. He was sure no one would care and probably be happy to share, but it felt so weird to bring up the question to a stranger that he just pushed it aside and figured he’d deal with whatever sunburn he got after he got home. At least he had his hat and sunglasses.
When the area seemed to clear slightly, he made his way back to the lower arch and, just like everyone else, had to walk through it. It was just one of those things that was irresistible when you were faced with the temptation.
The wall, or fin, that the arches were formed from was only about five feet in depth but when he stood under the arch he found he could walk through easily with plenty of overhead clearance. The upper arch must have been dozens of feet larger since the people standing in its opening looked quite small in comparison.
Not wanting to forget the moment, Nick took a quick three-sixty shot on his phone and then figured he’d better get on his way. The sooner he finished his hike, the sooner he could get back to his car to make some lunch.
He set out again, following a small worn path and a pile of Cairns in what he hoped was the correct direction. He didn’t see any other people up ahead but there were shoe prints in the dirt so that gave him the confidence to continue on his chosen route.
He quickly realized, however, that the trail was indeed difficult to follow. Whenever he saw a gap between bushes or more than one set of footprints, it took a moment of scanning his surroundings to determine what he thought was the right course before he continued on. The terrain varied quite a lot and there were steep ledges as well as flat expanses and combined with the heat and sweat dripping down his temples and back, it was a very difficult hike.
After stopping in another shady spot for a moment to have some more water, a young couple came around the rocks and nodded a greeting.
“Hey,” Nick nicked his chin out. “How far from this point back to the trailhead?” he asked.
The man, who was probably in his mid-twenties and looked like he could jog the trail for a warm-up, replied, “Probably another two miles or so, but some of the harder rock scrambling is that way.” He indicated behind him with a thumb over his shoulder. “We always come around this trail counter-clockwise because it’s easier to climb up the rock faces than to fall down them. If you’re headed that way, be careful. Especially since you’re alone.” Nick nodded. “You have enough water? It’s already a scorcher.”
Nick held up his water bottle showing them the last bit that remained. “This is all I have left, but I have another gallon in my car. I just didn’t plan to carry it all with me.”
The man shrugged off his backpack and unzipped the main compartment. “Here,” he handed over a half-frozen disposable water bottle. “We both have on our Camelbacks and we usually run across a hiker or two that need a little extra water. We always carry a few frozen bottles with us just in case. This should cool you down and get you back to the parking area.”
“Wow, man. Thanks,” he nodded to the couple, “I appreciate it. I’ve just been sipping on mine, trying to make what I have last.” Nick held the bottle up to the back of his neck and the touch of the cool plastic against his overheated skin felt heavenly.
“Well, rehydrate and hang in the shade for a little while. You look like you’re getting a pretty good sunburn too so try to take it easy and just make it back to your car without overdoing it,” the woman said.
Nick nodded again. “I will. This is my first time out on a trail alone and I guess I forgot a few things. Thanks again, you guys. This water feels amazing.”
The couple nodded and after the man resecured his pack, they were on their way just as quickly as they had come. Nick uncapped the bottle and took a nice long pull of the cool refreshing water. He poured a little bit over his head and neck then tucked the bottle into his waist pack and carried on, feeling in slightly better spirits after his little respite.
Unfortunately, that good feeling wilted as he rounded another bend and found himself at the foot of the path that literally went right up and over the top of one of the bigger fins he’d come across. He groaned internally but went on to navigate his way up via small foot and handholds along the worn face of the rock.
He could feel his heart and pulse pounding under his skin as his body tensed and his muscles protested hefting his large frame up higher. He was by no means a small guy at six feet three inches, and even though he usually favored his size and stature, he might have wished to be a bit smaller at that moment just to make the climb a little easier.
In all, the top of the fin was probably only twenty feet up but getting there felt monumental as Nick’s palms grew sweaty and he had to keep glaring up into the sun to see where he was going. The wall wasn’t completely vertical and he wasn’t really all that worried about slipping, but it was still the most nerve-wracking, physically demanding thing he’d ever done. The internet hadn’t lied when everyone said there was going to be some rock scrambling and climbing involved.
When he finally made it to the top and regained his stable footing, he found himself in awe at the view that lay before him. There was an expanse of canyon beyond with row after row of the same red sandstone fins standing against nature and time. They were stacked like dominos on their sides and Nick had the quick thought that if the first one were pushed over, the rest would topple in succession.
The sight was truly inspiring and he found himself grateful to whoever had been crazy enough to design the path over that particular spot. It really was a wonder of nature and as Nick surveyed the area a little more closely, he realized the way down the other side of the fin was a slick and smooth rock face that would probably require him to slide along on his butt.
But for the moment, he took in a few deep breaths and just contented himself with enjoying the view. He thought about the journey he was on and where that journey might take him. He allowed himself a quick moment to wonder what Cory was up to and whether he’d be proud of what Nick had accomplished, but shut those thoughts down pretty quickly, not wanting to dwell on the past. If anything, the present was where he should be focusing his attention and that was the gorgeous view right in front of him.
Again, Nick grabbed out his cell and decided to document his little moment with a three-sixty panorama shot. He slowly spun in a circle, but as he was completing his rotation, he must have tripped on his shoelace or something and he nearly lost his balance as his arms flew up to steady himself. Unfortunately, with his sweaty palms, his phone slipped out of his hand and bounced on the rock below then tumbled over the edge of the fin.
Without thinking, Nick had a knee-jerk reaction and tried to grab for it before it was gone completely, but his boot came out from under him as he slipped on some sand and gravel. His heart pounded and adrenaline rushed into his veins as his palms slammed into the rock and his large body came tumbling down after him. He collided with the rock face as his arms couldn’t support his weight and gave out under him, sending him hurtling ass over feet as he slid and tumbled and slammed down the slick rock face, yelping out a sharp cry of pain as he landed with a thud on the beautiful red rocks below.
-III-
Everything was fuzzy. As consciousness finally began to creep into Nick’s mind, the first thing he became aware of was how cottony and jumbled his head felt. Without moving a muscle, he took a moment to try to orient himself and pull his thoughts together, but there was some kind of beeping in his foggy mind that didn’t allow him to concentrate on anything and just made him want to go back to sleep to get rid of the sound.
Without even opening his eyes, he turned his head ever so slightly away from the noise. When the sound of whatever it was diminished, Nick gratefully allowed sleep to claim him once again.
~
The beeping was back and Nick must have made some kind of groaning noise because only a few seconds later it was almost completely gone. His scattered thoughts finally had the chance to draw together enough to notice other sounds and sensations that he’d been unable to focus on before. There was some smell that he couldn’t place and when he tried to flex his fingers, something warm squeezed his hand in return.
Somewhere in the back of his hazy thoughts, he realized he must have been dreaming again because the only touch that had brought him that much comfort was Cory’s. And even in his half-awake state, he knew Cory would never hold his hand. But the warmth of that one touch felt reassuring and Nick tried to squeeze back, letting his action speak for him, saying what his muddled mind couldn’t.
He noticed the murmur of some soft conversation between muffled voices but the effort to try to unravel what they were saying was too much for him and he simply focused on the warmth of that one small connection that provided him with a reassurance that someone was there.
Other sounds made their way to his ears and he tried to swallow. He made some sound that drew another hand squeeze as he realized there was something in his mouth and throat.
Murmuring nearby and a soft voice near his ear told him to rest and try to get some more sleep and he found that voice to be enough of a comfort that he let go of his concerns and did what it asked.
~
When he woke again, his throat felt raw and he tried to swallow, feeling the sticky dry sensation of not having anything to drink in a year.
He cracked his eyes to slits and found wherever he was to be dark and relatively quiet. There was a low beeping and some whirring in the background and as Nick turned his head to see what was going on, he caught sight of a smallish figure curled up in a chair at the end of his bed. The person had one arm tucked under their head as they slept against his bed and Nick squinted trying to see better in the dark room. It looked like their other hand was up under the blanket and as more awareness crept in, Nick felt the warmth of that small palm against his lower leg and he remembered that feeling from earlier as the warmth that had held his hand.
Whoever that person was, Nick felt grateful to them for staying with him as his brain pieced together that he was in a hospital.
In fragments, Nick’s thoughts coalesced to remind him that he’d been hiking and had stupidly taken a nosedive off the rocks after his cell phone. He brought his hand up to his forehead and his fingers encountered a bandage or something running across his forehead and up onto his scalp. He winced as he probed the area lightly and then groaned as he realized his head had been shaved in that spot.
The person at the end of his bed shifted slightly and squeezed his leg but didn’t wake, and Nick found himself thankful so he could have a few more minutes to take stock of his situation.
He was obviously in the hospital but didn’t remember anything after that all-consuming panic of falling down the rocky face of that fin while hiking. Where was he and how had he gotten there? What had happened to his car and camping stuff? Had his family been notified that he’d been hurt? The only person he’d seen or noticed had been the one resting against him at the moment and he had no idea who that was.
Nick wiggled his toes and brought his left hand out from under the covers. He had an IV in his left wrist and could feel more tubes and wires connected to him on his chest and lower. He cringed when a quick exploration proved that he did indeed have a catheter in his business. How mortifying that he’d been unconscious and some doctor had seen his junk. He wasn’t wearing any underwear and other than a few more bandages here and there, he didn’t notice any other glaring injuries from his fall.
He mentally slapped himself and closed his eyes at his own stupidity of trying to save his phone while balancing atop a large narrow rock formation. The action had been completely involuntary and a simple response to dropping something you didn’t want to get ruined. He wondered where the blasted thing was and a quick check around the room had him glaring as he saw the offensive device sitting almost unharmed on the rollaway table next to him. The stupid blue light was even flashing periodically indicating he had messages waiting for him.
Of course his phone was fine while he lay with whatever injuries he’d sustained trying to dive after the thing. Stupid cell phone.
He shifted slightly and noticed for the first time there was a small plastic cup of water on the roller table. Not wanting to make any movements to dislodge his companion, he tentatively reached for the table and just managed to pinch the edge enough to pull it closer. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see what was under the bed and the table banged into something causing him to cringe and his companion to startle awake.
The boy, he could see now, immediately sought out his face and his hand slipped from Nick’s leg causing some machine to beep faster. They both looked over at the machine and the boy quickly moved over to turn off the beeping. He was back at Nick’s side in a blink.
“Sorry,” Nick said softly with a rasp to his voice. “I didn’t mean to wake you up. I can’t see what’s going on under there and the table crashed while I was trying to get some water.”
The boy nodded and quickly moved around to the other side of the bed to sort out the situation and held out the cup of water to him.
Nick took it gratefully and felt a small thrill run through him as their fingers brushed when the cup was passed over. He looked up at the boy and he hitched up one corner of his mouth. Nick’s eye was drawn to the movement and he studied his companion as he brought the cup to his lips for a drink.
The boy looked young but possibly around his own age and seemed to have slightly feminine features. He was probably quite a bit shorter than Nick and had a smallish frame that reminded him of Cory and the guy Travis had been with. His light brown hair was cut really short on the sides and faded up to longer strands on top. He was wearing slightly baggy clothes and a gray hoodie that looked well worn.
The boy looked right back at him with his big brown eyes and tucked his hands into the pocket of his sweatshirt.
When Nick lowered the cup with a grateful smile the boy smiled in return but ducked his head a little and Nick couldn’t tell if he was blushing or not. He looked a little nervous.
“Thanks. Uh… I don’t want to seem rude, but, what’s your name?” Nick asked in a soft voice. For some reason, he felt it was important not to scare the boy off by being too abrupt. After all, whoever he was, he was the only person with him and as far as Nick remembered had been holding his hand throughout whatever had happened while he’d been in the hospital.
“Oh my gosh,” the boy brought his hands out of his pocket and offered one to Nick. He had a soft, pleasant sounding voice that Nick liked immediately. “I’m Ash.” Nick took the boy’s smaller hand in his own and the same warmth and feeling of contentment stirred in Nick’s veins as they shook hands for far longer than was necessary. “Sorry I didn’t introduce myself. I guess I’m a little more tired than I realized.” As if to drive the point home, a huge yawn overtook him and he pulled his hand away. The long sleeves of his sweatshirt enveloped his hands and he covered his face in his embarrassment. “Sorry,” he said with a soft laugh, peeking out from behind his hands.
“It’s okay,” Nick replied gently. “I’m Nick. But I get the feeling you already knew that.” Ash nodded and he lowered his hands but kept them tucked into the sleeves of his sweater. “Can I ask why you’re here? Not that I’m not grateful for your company,” he rushed to reassure, “but I have no idea what’s going on and who you are and why you’ve been holding my hand every time I’ve woken up.”
Ash nodded and looked down at the ground, fiddling with his sleeves. His soft expression from a moment ago seemed to wither away and uncertainty took its place. “Um, I’m not really sure about some of it, but I guess you had an accident and were brought into the hospital. My mom is friends with Rick Smahl and when he told her what had happened, we drove down so someone would be with you when you woke up. I guess you were hiking or something and the people who found you called for help and called the last person on your phone history. Rick came right down with his boyfriend and they got your car and packed up your camping stuff. They parked your car in the hospital lot but had to go back to work and stuff. They left two days ago.”
Ash crossed his arms over his chest and bit his lip, doing his best to look anywhere but at Nick. He used his sneaker to kick at the wheel of the roller table. “Um, my mom could only take a few days off work and since I’m on summer break, she let me stay with you. She left last night. She’s a nurse and wanted to make sure you were getting the care that you needed before she left.”
Nick took a moment to unpack what Ash had just told him.
“Rick came all the way down here?”
Ash nodded. “He’s a really great guy. He and my mom have been friends for years. He’s kind of like an uncle to me.”
Nick nodded. He could see that about the man. Even though they’d only spent a little bit of time together, he seemed like the type to take others under his wing and offer his friendship easily. “Wow. I guess I owe him one. And you and your mom. You don’t even know me and you dropped everything to come down here. I don't even know where I am, honestly. Do you know if my parents were called or if they know I’m alright?”
