Sirens. It was the only thing that registered when he opened his eyes. “It’s okay. Just stay still. You’re going to be alright.” He felt a hand pushing him down as a faraway voice in his right ear said. What happened? He wanted to ask but what came out instead was a painful whimper that sounded somewhere between a groan and a grunt. He could sense the chaos around him and it hit him all at the same time; the voices, the footsteps, the crying and the screaming. God, the screaming—he’ll never get the screaming out of his head.
He tried to move but the splitting pain that erupted at his side convinced him that it was a better idea to stay still. He was lying on a stretcher, waiting to be rolled into the ambulance since he was obviously nowhere inside a hospital. A girl in a white paramedic uniform was standing beside him one hand adjusting to the machine beside him, her other hand resting on his shoulder to keep him down. Right, as if he was going to jump on his feet anytime and run off into the sunset. He managed to chuckle weakly at that bit of irony.
His entire body was in pain; he couldn’t feel his limps or his arms. And from the dampness he felt on his cheeks and ears, he was sure he was bleeding quite profusely. That, and the fact that was beginning to feel a little dizzy. He couldn’t remember how he ended up here but he must have gotten himself into some sort of traffic accident, that much he knew. The first thing that flitted across his mind was that his face was definitely going to be on the papers tomorrow morning if he died right now, considering the magnitude of the accident. He was assuming it was major because there was nothing besides the sea of stretchers and ambulances from as far as the corner of his eye could see. And then there was the panic and dread in the air that was so overwhelming, he could feel it in his bones. He hoped at the very least he wasn’t the one who caused this mess.
“Stay awake. Try not to sleep. We’re getting you to the hospital now!” About time, he thought and mentally rolled his eyes. The pain was starting to get unbearable and he wished somebody would stick a tube of anesthetic into him. He felt the stretcher rocked furiously before it came to an abrupt halt and he knew he’d landed safely in the ambulance. Now all he has to do is to stay alive till they get him to the ER.
He saw the girl pierce an inch-thick needle into his arm, but strangely the pain didn’t register, much to his relief, because he was not sure if he could handle any more pain. And then the comforting beep of his heartbeat started on the tiny monitor beside him. Always good to know his good old heart was still thumping.
“What’s your name? Tell me your name.” The girl was suddenly in his face and it dawned on him that she was really quite pretty. There was an odd white light that seem to emit from her as she stared at him with those huge almond eyes. Like an angel, he mused. “What’s your name?” She repeated, louder this time—an attempt to keep him awake.
He was beginning to feel giddy and her face was slowly blurring in front of him. I must be losing too much blood, he figured. “Tell me your name.” She demanded for the third time. He managed to pry open his eyes and made an effort to answer that seemingly simple question. It was definitely rude to ignore a person when they’ve asked you the same question for the third time. “It’s…Sam—“ he choked before he could finish and began to cough furiously, each cough bringing a fresh pew of blood rushing up his throat. He panicked as the thick liquid began to stifle his breathing. Dear lord, he was going to choke on his own blood!
“No.” The girl turned to the direction of the driver and screamed. “Step on it Dan, he’s coding. We need to get him to the ER, pronto!” She turned back to him and the panic on her face didn’t bring him any reassurance. She gathered her strength to sit him up and that was when he threw up. Lying back on the stretcher, he felt the numbness begin to set in.
For the first time since he regained consciousness, it occurred to him that he might not live through the day. Pity too, he was so young. His heart sank. He was too damned young to die!
“Hang in there, Sam. You’re going to be fine.” And so you keep telling me, he thought. He liked the way she called his name, although he would appreciate it if she could take the panic out of it.
“Keep your eyes open. Don’t sleep…” He couldn’t help it. His eyelids were getting heavy and despite the alluring sight of the pretty paramedic, he couldn’t keep his eyes open. It was as if a blanket had been thrown over him and gently, he felt himself drawn into the darkness. “No!” A small cold hand grabbed his and he was jolted back into consciousness for a moment. “Keep talking to me, please. Look at me.” She sounded so persistent that he had to oblige.
“You’ll be alright.” He could see her mouth the words, but the sound of her voice didn’t come across. You’re playing with my head. He wanted to snap but he soon realized it wasn’t just her voice he couldn’t hear. The beeping, the screams and the sirens were gone as well. As if somebody had punched the “mute” button in his head.
Just as he was beginning to relish in his new found peace, the lights went out.
Heather knew the second he closed his eyes that he was gone. A moment later, the monitor beside him droned a long monotonous tone confirming her deduction. She wasn’t new on the job but each time, the absolution of death still hits her hard. That a life could be snuffed out in a matter of seconds. Way too easily.
“Don’t give up. Please.” She stood up and positioned her hands on his chest and started to pound. “One, two. One, two…Wake up! One, two. One, two…”
