Fading Embers

The evening sun had long since dipped below the hospital's horizon, casting a dim glow over the room. Harry lay in bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling as he struggled to come to terms with the fragmented memories that still lingered. His stomach growled with hunger, but the thought of eating repulsed him. He turned to Lloyd, who sat beside him, his eyes sunken and his skin pale. "Lloyd, I'm starving, but I don't think I can eat," Harry said, his voice weak. Lloyd's response was a faint smile. "That's okay, Harry. You don't have to eat if you don't want to." His voice was barely above a whisper, and Harry noticed that his friend's eyes seemed to be gazing into a void, his expression distant and detached. As the night wore on, Harry began to feel a creeping sense of discomfort. He shifted in bed, trying to adjust his position, but it was no use. He felt a warmth spreading through his bed, and his face flushed with embarrassment as he realized he had lost control of his bladder. "Lloyd, I...I think I need some help," Harry whispered, his voice cracking with shame. Lloyd's expression didn't change, but he nodded slowly and pressed the call button on Harry's bedside console. The nurse rushed in, her face etched with concern, and quickly changed Harry's bedding. As the nurse worked to clean up the mess, Lloyd's eyes dropped to the floor, his gaze fixed on some invisible point. Harry noticed that his friend's skin was clammy, and his teeth chattered softly. "Lloyd, you're cold," Harry said, his voice filled with worry. The nurse overheard Harry's comment and quickly grabbed a blanket to wrap around Lloyd's shoulders. "I'll get him some warm clothes and a heater in here," she said, her voice soft with concern. As the nurse worked to warm Lloyd up, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that his friend was slipping away from him. Lloyd's eyes seemed to be fading, his expression growing more distant by the minute. The nurse administered some medication to Lloyd, and after a while, he began to show some signs of improvement. His shivering subsided, and his eyes seemed to focus on Harry's face. "I'm sorry, Harry," Lloyd whispered, his voice weak. "I'm just...I'm really scared." Harry's heart ached as he looked at his friend. He felt a deep sense of helplessness wash over him, and he didn't know how to reach out to Lloyd. As the night wore on, Harry's own condition continued to deteriorate. He felt a growing sense of despair, as if he was losing himself, piece by piece. His memories were still fragmented, and his body seemed to be failing him. The darkness closing in around them, Harry reached out and took Lloyd's hand, trying to offer what little comfort he could. "I'm here, Lloyd," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I've got you."