Lucas turned to his side and tried to ignore the pain in the pit of his
stomach. It had been there for weeks, or was it months? He sighed and sat
up, dangling his legs over the side of the bed and he jumped down. Tony
didn't stir. Sometimes Lucas thought he could sleep through anything. He
opened the door to the bathroom and stepped inside, closing it behind him
he made sure it was locked securely. The light came on automatically and he
looked into the mirror. Worthless, he thought as he looked away. His eyes
traveled to the little toilet, his eyes feeling as if they would bust from
his skull. Slowly he lifted the seat and sank down to his knees in front of
it. The bitter taste stinging the back of his throat as he gagged himself,
over and over until the green bile came up out of him. He flushed and wiped
his mouth on his sleeve.
Tony closed his eyes as Lucas stepped out of the bathroom. Lucas had
been doing this for a long time. He waited until he heard a soft snore come
from the boy and he stepped out of bed and left the room. He walked down
the hall to the Captain's quarters and he knocked softly. In a moment
Bridger came to the door, drowsy and questioning.
"Piccolo?" his voice sounded horse
"Captain, you think I can talk to ya for a minute? I know it's late-"
Bridger stepped aside and let Tony walk in, the room was bigger than
his and Lucas'. Once he was in Tony turned to the Captain.
"I-I came to talk to you. Lucas-I don't know what you'd call it. He-at
night when he thinks I'm sleepin' and sometimes I am-he goes into the
bathroom and I can hear him-tossing his cookies. I ain't a medical doctor
or nothing but I know that ain't right"
The Captain turned from the sailor when he spoke, his eyes closed in
thought. Have I seen Lucas eat? When was the last time? He turned back to
Tony.
"Go back to sleep, if you can. I'll deal with this tomorrow."
His smile wasn't very convincing but Tony left and went back to the
room. He opened the door slowly and entered, the smell of vomit hitting his
nostrils. He closed the door and fell into bed, he felt as if he would
never sleep. The morning seemed so far away.