Free Busted Flush by George R. R. Martin Page A

Center in San Antonio. Which was hell and gone from his dad’s ranch outside Pyote.
    “I want my mom and dad. Where are they? Where are my brother Bob and my sister Sareena? Why can’t I go home?” He crossed his arms across his hefty stomach like a pouty, underaged sumo wrestler.
    “By now you should know better than to ask, young man. You know what’s going to happen if you keep this up.”
    Drake knew exactly what would happen. “I don’t want to sleep anymore. I have nightmares. I’ve told you that.”
    “A new doctor is coming here later on today, to ask you some questions. Are you going to be a good, cooperative little boy, or not?”
    Drake shook his head and gave the nurse his coldest stare.
    She sighed. “I’m asking you nicely, son. Please try to help us.”
    Drake wasn’t interested in cooperating. Maybe if he caused enough trouble they’d kick him out. “Go away. Leave me alone.” He pulled the pillow from behind his head and threw it at her.
    She caught it with one hand and used the other to open the door. “Orderly. I need assistance in here.”
    He put up a decent fight, but the orderly was a big guy who didn’t play games. Eventually they got the needle into him. Seconds later, he felt like his body was an empty shell; his skin made of brittle clay that shattered and collapsed in onto itself. Darkness came, but it wouldn’t last.
    He was naked and curled up in a ball on the ground. Something was wrong with the ground, though. It was hot and his feet hurt. Drake saw small fires here and there. There was a big fire, too, behind him and to his right. He could feel the heat on his back and legs. He stood up and started walking away from it.
    He started shuffling forward, feeling with his toes for anything he might be able to cover himself with or use as a weapon. Unfortunately, if there was anything on the hot ground, Drake didn’t find it. His legs began to hurt and he collapsed to the ground, crying.
    After sobbing until his tears were gone he stood back up and wiped his runny nose.
    He continued shuffling slowly forward. The fire he was heading away from still seemed close, or maybe it was the other fires. There was no way to tell. Drake felt the ground rising slowly beneath him. It was a small hill, but by the time he made it to the top, his sides were burning and he was gasping for breath.
    In spite of the fact that Drake was scared and uncomfortably naked, he lay down and closed his eyes.
     

     
    Waking up from the drug was like swimming up from the bottom of a very deep pool. His hospital room came slowly into focus. Drake rubbed his eyes. The good nurse was there. Gerald, that was his name, was friendly and would talk to Drake about video games.
    “Hungry, buddy?”
    Drake’s senses were coming back online. His stomach was empty enough it hurt. “Is it breakfast or dinner time?”
    “Foodwise, it’s whatever time you want it to be,” Gerald said with a smile. “But timewise we’re talking late lunch. I can get you a sandwich or a burger with fries. Maybe some ice cream.”
    “Oh, snap. A burger and fries would be killer.” Drake’s mind was now firmly focused on food and wasn’t turning loose until he was comfortably full.
    Gerald gave him a high-five. “I’m on it. You may have a visitor before I get back, or so they tell me.”
    “Another doctor?” Drake asked.
    Gerald laughed. “I expect so. There’s not much of anyone else around here.” He ducked out the door with a wave.
    Drake was annoyed when the new doctor showed up before Gerald got back with his burger. Drake had been expecting a mad scientist type, mostly because this all seemed like a bad movie. Instead, the man was younger than Drake’s dad, maybe in his mid-thirties, had all his hair, and didn’t wear glasses. He did have a white coat and a clipboard, but that was standard issue for this place.
    “Hello, Drake. I’m Dr. Fitzhugh.” He extended a hand. Drake shook it warily. “I understand