Lost In Translation

chapter 1

Storming. Thunder claps loudly, applauding the clouds for the downpour it was causing. Many people were running, seeking shelter from said rain.

Alex Brown was one of those people. He held his dark brown briefcase above his head as he ran. He stopped in front of his car and fished his keys out from his pocket.

He had received a page from the hospital saying that a patient was admitted and they needed extra staff. So after saying goodbye to the household, he left.

Alex didn't really know what to expect with the patient. They didn't really explain in the page, just that he was young, no idea who relatives are.

And one more thing.

He knew little to NO English. Hardly enough to communicate. That or he just wouldn't.

So when Alex made his way to the patient's room, he was shocked.

The room was dark. And the patient was sitting on the floor in the corner instead of in the bed. Alex glanced at the chart for a name before frowning.

The only thing written was unknown. He sighs and makes his way slowly around the bed. They boy was small, but older. Presumably 15-18, Alex thought.

Said boy held himself tighter when Alex came close.

"Hey there.... Can you tell me your name..?" Alex asks. The boy just stares at him.

"Name?" Alex tries again. The boy only stares at him blankly. One of his eyes was fogged over, he noted. Alex sighs. He starts going through languages.

"prénom? Nombre? Nome? имя?"

"Меня зовут Rakieta...." He mumbles in a hoarse voice.

"Rakieta...?" Alex asks. The boy nods. He licks his lips. "And your Russian?" he asks. The boy, Rakieta, nods again. He nods and pulls out his phone to translate a sentence for him.

"Does it hurt anywhere I should know about?" after Rakieta listens to the voice read it he swallows.

"It's okay to tell me. I'm Your doctor."

Rakieta bites his lip and stands up and pulls his shirt up slightly to show lacerations.

"Why haven't you told someone"

He stiffens and backs back into the corner. He mumbles what Alex figures out, is apologies. Alex quickly types something else

"It's okay I'm not mad, I just want to help.."

"I... hurt... I... am... scared... he will... come..." he tells him in very scattered and broken English.

"Who?" Alex asks. He was glad that Rakieta knew a little. It was probably since he was calmer.

"Him... man who... Cared over... Me..."

"Your father?" he asks. Rakieta shakes his head violently, and winced slightly.

"No... Not dad... f... Foster....? Yes... that... he... hurt... Me..."

"..." Alex types something.

"You mean your foster father? He hurt you? Is that why you're like this?" Rakieta nods, now tearing up.

"Hurt... I ran... car... Hit... now here."

"You ran away, and got hit by a car?" He asks. Rakieta nods. "Can I look over you? I have to make sure it's not too serious."

After debating with himself, Rakieta sits back on the bed. Alex smiles and gets closer. He doesn't turn the lights on, as there was probably a reason the boy had them off. He uses a small flashlight instead.