The Lazarus Phenomenon

by Sid

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/ass/sid/lazarusp.php
Summary: Jack is dreaming about Charlie. A 200 word double drabble.
Info: The Lazarus phenomenon refers to an event in which a person spontaneously returns to life (the heart starts beating again) after resuscitation has been given up.

Charlie had the croup. He wheezed, and cried, and fussed. He squirmed in Jack's arms and hit Jack's nose with his little fist, and Sara laughed and cooed. Jack rocked him in the steamy bathroom and sang to him softly, but Charlie would not, could not be comforted.

And then his labored breathing grew louder and deeper, and Jack cradled him in his arms and felt him slipping away and cried aloud in anguish while Sara screamed.

Blood. Blood on his hands.

~~

Jack woke; trembling, sweating. Listening. He rolled over and hit Daniel on the arm. Hard.

"What?" Daniel sat straight up.

"Let me ask you, how the hell am I supposed to sleep when you sound like you're about to take your last breath?"

"I..I'm sorry."

Jack fell back onto his sleeping bag. "See the doc. Your allergy meds aren't doing the job." He could hear his voice shake.

Daniel sagged back down. "Okay. Remind me. Because I'm not really awake." His breathing grew heavy again within seconds.

Jack gaped first at Daniel, and then at the ceiling of the tent. Fond exasperation slowly replaced terror.

~~

Jack watched, fascinated, as Charlie slept, his tiny chest rising and falling peacefully.