For charloft Are you scared of the [insert object here] ?... Ne

[call_me_snake]

Snake didn’t usually scream from pain but when the metal gouged into his arm even his stern indifference broke down. The cry had Taylor up from beneath the other car faster than Plissken would have thought possible. Snake was too busy inspecting his arm to notice though. A large wound ran from the elbow nearly to the wrist on the outside of his right forearm. As gently as possible he pulled the little flakes of rust out of it.

“OH Man you need to get that looked at.” Taylor winced at the wound and the blood spilt on the inside of the car.

“I’m looking at it.” Snake snapped knowing that Bill was suggesting a hospital trip.

Taylor came up closer to get a better look. When he saw the flakes of metal in it he shook his head. “You need a tetanus shot Snake.”

As soon as he said it Taylor regretted it. Plissken bristled and pulled away. The word shot could only be compared with the words Crazy and Berrigan in Snake’s long list of dislikes.

“Do you want lockjaw, man?”

“No.” Snake grouched and sighed. He knew Taylor was right.

“I’ll drive you.” Taylor offered but didn’t expect Plissken to say yes.

Snake didn’t he walked past him toward the Firebird in the small lot. “Lock the place up.”

Taylor did so but his eyes were on Snake. He could see the panic in his expression. Bill was well aware that he would have to warn the doctors somehow before they brought a needle in the room with him. Plissken might kill them. That wasn’t a bluff either. Snake and needles did not mix; especially after what happened in New York.

Taylor got in and rode with Plissken in silence. The man seemed to be ready to stop the car and run off but he made it to the hospital lot without much incident. Snake lingered in the car while Taylor got out. Bill didn’t stop to tell Snake to come inside. He knew better. He might even find himself waiting inside for Snake to join him but it was the only way. He had to do it on his own or it wasn’t going to happen.

Taylor was almost to the door when Plissken joined him. The scowl in his expression and blood on his clothes caused everyone to get out of his way. Snake took a seat in the waiting room for the ER like a disgusted child. Taylor shook his head and went to the desk.

“What’s the nature of the emergency?”

Taylor froze a little at the question before speaking. “My friend cut himself on rusty metal. There are pieces in the wound.”

“Have him go to room 3 and wait.”

“Can I talk to the doctor before he sees the patient?” Taylor asked it tentatively.

“Why?”

Taylor leaned in the little window and whispered as if he was afraid Plissken would hear from across the room. It was possible he would because his eye was riveted on Taylor with intensity.

“He has some severe phobias the doctor should be aware of.” Taylor mentioned it as off hand as he could.

“Fill out his papers.”

Taylor looked down at the clipboard and started writing. “You don’t understand... Man you don’t understand.”

“I’m sure I don’t.” She had an attitude.

“You don’t. He could kill them if he gets triggered.” Taylor was as sincere as possible.

“Oh, I’m sure he can.”

Taylor sighed glancing over at Plissken. He wasn’t wearing his guns which was a godsend but that didn’t mean he wasn’t dangerous. Taylor knew the man was dangerous in all circumstances. Shaking his head he handed the clipboard back without a word.

“Snake we’re in three.” Taylor declared as he came back up to Snake. The gaze that came up at him caused Taylor to take a step back. The only thing that came from that look was death. Taylor headed for the room with a reluctant and grouching Snake in tow. This was going to be bad.

Snake went inside and sat in the chair glaring at the bed like it was an enemy. Taylor stepped to the door and smiled. “Look man, I gotta take a piss. I’ll be back.”

“Alright.” Plissken gave a disgusted sigh and waved him off.

Taylor closed the door and stood outside watching for the doctor. One was coming toward the door.

“Excuse me.”

Bill realized he was standing right in the door. This must be the doctor. Bill looked up at him and sighed. “Need to talk to you before you see him.”

“I’m busy. Can’t it wait?”

“No.” Taylor spat the word defiantly.

“What is it?”

“He’s afraid of needles…” Taylor’s eyes widened. “Lying on the bed, the room being dark, your hands being cold and the folder being where he can’t see it.”

“I’m sure he is.” The doctor reached for the door.

“You don’t understand. Man, you don’t understand.” Taylor was worried. Snake would easily snap and rip this doctor to pieces if his PTSD triggered here.

“Why don’t you enlighten me?”

Everyone in this place seemed to have a poor attitude. Taylor sighed in disgust. “Look, the man in there makes the navy seals look like pansy asses. He’s got Post Traumatic, got it bad and if you trigger him in a hospital a lot of people will die.”

The doctor seemed to disregard it as he walked inside the room. Taylor had warned him. What else could he do? Bill followed the doctor into the room and stood at the far wall opposite Snake. The look he had was nothing short of death.

“Up on the bed so I can have a look at your arm.”

“I’m fine here.” Snake growled looking up at the doctor like he was a wounded animal ready to bite.

The doctor glanced over at Taylor as if he could do something. Bill just shook his head. The doctor sighed and took Plissken’s injured arm to have a look at it. The tweezers came out to remove all the metal and rust flakes. Snake didn’t move or make a sound through the whole process. Even when the antibiotic wash hissed in the wound.

Everything seemed fine until the doctor spoke again. “You’ll need stitches and when was the last time you had a tetanus shot?”

“I don’t need one.” Snake’s voice had dropped into that cold range Taylor was too familiar with.

“I’m going to suggest you have one now.”

“I don’t need a fucking shot.” Snake’s voice growled and his eye turned on the doctor with a cold, hard look.

The doctor got out the suture kit and then the needle came out. Plissken stiffened up.

“Man, I wouldn’t do that.” Taylor warned. Snake’s eye didn’t even waver. He didn’t even blink.

The doctor didn’t listen. He filled the needle and made to grab Plissken’s arm. That’s when things started going wrong. Snake backed away and the doctor tried to pin his arm. Plissken exploded into a frenzy of movement. He had a hold on the doctor before anyone could breathe and threw him full force into the door. The doctor wasn’t exactly injured but he was terrified now.

“I told you, man.” Taylor threw the comment out with a cocky air.

Snake stood there; chest heaving and a defiant look on his face.

“He needs that shot.” The doctor directed the question at Taylor even though Snake was standing right there.

“I don’t need no fucking shots.” Snake growled.

“Get it to me.” Taylor eyed Snake nervously. “I can do it.”

Taylor thought this might be the stupidest thing he’s ever done. Plissken’s fury was directed at him when the doctor handed over the needle. Taylor cautiously approached Snake.

“Come on man.” Taylor motioned for Snake to cross some of the distance.

“Don’t do this Taylor.” Snake warned.

Bill knew that Snake wouldn’t attack him and this certainly wasn’t the first time he’d given Snake a shot. The key was to get in, jab and run. It was like working with an angry animal. He suddenly wished he had one of those long sticks with the needle on the end that they used at the zoo.

“It’s me. I’m not going to jack you, man. Not going to jack you.” Taylor was trying to stay calm as he approached. It was hard to since he knew what Snake could do if he snapped. Taylor got close enough and brought his arm out and plunged the needle into Snake’s shoulder through his shirt. Plissken lashed out and Taylor dodged leaving the needle there.

The doctor was on his feet and Taylor all but drug him out the door. Bill slammed the door and leaned against it. The noise on the other side was horrendous.

“What’s…?” The doctor got wide-eyed.

“Just give him some time. Man needs to calm down.” Taylor felt the chair slam against the door from the other side. Taylor frowned. “Man, I told you.”

The doctor walked away leaving Taylor there to hold the door. If Plissken got out now people might die. Bill just stood there frowning. No one ever listened. Probably because no one knew what it was like to be Snake Plissken. Taylor knew enough to know it was hell.


Holy 1,552 words Batman!!!