Betrayal Pt 5

Continued from here

@appleejuice,@lonesome–hunter

CW: Graphic description of infected burn, blood, aftermath of being stabbed, passing out, bruises

“Whumpee?” Caretaker forced strength into their voice. “Whumpee, I’m going to get you down.” They staggered over to where the rope was tied at the wall and untied it, lowering Whumpee gently to the ground. Their arms screamed in pain at the use of torn muscles, but Caretaker ignored it— at least as much as they could.

Whumpee crumpled in a heap on the ground without even so much as an attempt to stand.

Caretaker sat on the ground next to them, just breathing for a moment before starting to untie them.

Whumpee whimpered as Caretaker moved their arms. It was easy to see that they had dislocated from hanging so long. In addition, Whumpee’s clothes were bloody and torn. They were covered in bruises and cuts— although thankfully none looked too serious.

The large burn on Whumpee’s left arm, however, looked extremely serious. It was yellow and oozing pus. The area was fevered— even hotter than the rest of Whumpee’s body. If they didn’t get help now, they weren’t going to make it much longer.

Caretaker pulled Whumpee against their chest, bracing themself to stand. They didn’t know how they were going to get up, but failure wasn’t an option.

“Whumpee.” They said softly. “Hey, I… I’m gonna need some help. Can you stand at all?” Whumpee didn’t answer, just looked up into Caretaker’s face with glassy eyes.

Shit. They weren’t going to be any help.

Caretaker closed their eyes and tried to brace for the pain they knew was coming. In one movement, they stood, drawing Whumpee off the ground as well. It took every bit of resolve they possessed not to scream.

Caretaker didn’t dare attempt to lift Whumpee. Instead, they dragged them down the hall and back into the med bay.

“Ah! You found them!” Whumper was waiting in the med bay for Caretaker’s return. “Are… they alivestill..?”

“Yes.” Caretaker snapped, using all of their strength and focus to get Whumpee up onto a hospital bed.

“You’re bleeding.” Whumper commented.

“Well, I wouldn’t be if someone else would’ve brought them in here.”

“That wasn’t our deal.” Whumper clicked their tongue. “You need to lie back down before you really hurt yourself.”

“I’m not lying down until I’m sure that Whumpee is okay. You said you’d allow me to help them. Unless you’re willing to modify our arrangement and get your medical staff to help Whumpee, I am willing to risk life and limb to make sure they’re alright.” Caretaker gripped the bedrail so hard that their knuckles turned white.

“I need you alive to carry out our agreement.”

“Then you better reconsider this whole fucking situation!” Caretaker snapped, stumbling across the room to rummage through a drawer. “I’m not going to do what you want unless you hold up your end of the bargain. You need me to do what you want. I won’t do anything until I know Whumpee is stable. If you want me to rest— if you want me to have my injuries treated— then you’re going to have to arrange for someone else to take care of Whumpee. Someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Whumper was quiet for a long moment. “… If I get one of my doctors to look after Whumpee and make sure they remain stable, you will agree to any and all treatments that I deem necessary to a fast recovery from your injuries. If you try to refuse a treatment or you try to undermine me once we get to the second part of our agreement, I’ll see to it personally that Whumpee doesn’t make it out of this room alive.”

“Fine. But as long as I do everything you say, you let them leave when I come back.” Caretaker braced themself against the countertop, no longer interested in the drawer open in front of them.

“Then it’s a deal. You have my word that one of my doctors will do everything in their power to keep Whumpee stable while you receive treatment and carry out your promise.”

Caretaker felt ready to pass out from relief as Whumper led them back over to their own hospital bed.

“You’re having the surgery that you refused earlier.” Whumper said as they helped Caretaker lay back down.

“Whatever it takes.”

Dont understand why everybody doesn’t have migraines when they’re such a great bargain. Like you’re telling me I get to experience all the fun of a subway car popping my head like a dumb little grape under its wheels.,,,, from the comfort of my own home?? Without even leaving my bed????? Bro. It simply cannot be.