Forbidden Freedoms

The cry for help

When Billy came to a paramedic was kneeling over him adjusting the oxygen mask which seemed tight around his face. His eyes still couldn't focus and were blurry making everything around him seem like a grotesque water colour. Each breath felt like he was inhaling hot sulphur and each swallow felt like it was tinged with acid. "Is the boy ok?" Billy croaked out in a garbled gritty bark. The paramedic tried to calm him down and told him to remain still. "Is the boy ok?!" This time the words tasted like smoke and old blood. The iron taste made his stomach spasm and he rolled to the side to vomit. The dry heave and coughing made his ribs ache like he'd been in a car accident. The paramedic saw that Billy wouldn't settle till his question been answered so gave him a thumbs up " Olivers doing ok. You saved his life my friend. Now how about you let me make sure yours is in tact to". Billy surrendered and allowed himself to get the attention he needed.
More people had gathered and as the human race seems to do the need to film everything on their phones took over. Billy tried to cover his face with his hand. There was sanctuary as the doors of the ambulance slammed shut. The trip to the hospital seemed to take forever and was in the wrong direction from where Billy was headed. "I need to call someone" Billy squeaked. "Plenty of time for that young man when we make sure your ok, now please lay back and rest" the paramedic was more authoritive in his tone this time. Billy again surrendered to the orders given to him. The call would have to wait.
The hospital seemed mad with life. People moving around constantly like ants busy in their work. Occasionally someone would come and check on Billy and ask him a few questions. The rest of the time was filled with the hustle and bustle of the hospitals many moving parts. It was like watching a big machine whose parts worked independently of eachother yet somehow together. Billy thought about how maybe that drink with Charlie would have been the better option. He had typed out a message to her a couple of times whilst he was lying on the stiff hospital bed but couldn't bring himself to press send. As if by fate his phone buzzed and vibrated. It was a message from Charlie. It read

- hope your evening has been more eventful then mine. Turns out Adams as big a bore outside of work as he is in it. Not even the free drinks he plied me with could make up for the dullness lol.

Billy thought for a few seconds before replying. He was unsure if he should share the details of his plight after all it wasn't her position to look after him. She had her own worries and stresses. He put the phone down beside him to compose himself. He took a deep breath to reflect on what had happened. He broke down and the tears came. Even they burnt his face. He wiped him them away and picked up the phone to reply

- I need you
He pressed send.

Upon getting this message Charlie instantly rang Billy and learnt of the events of the evening. "I'll get a sitter and be there as quickly as I can, please be ok" her voice quivered as if she herself was more shook then Billy was.
When she arrived she hugged Billy as hard as she could. It hurt Billy physically she gripped so tight but emotionally it was the connection he needed . The moment didn't last as a police man entered the bay. " Hi Billy I'm PC Carver. I just wanted to check up on you and update you on what's happening". Billy tensed up at the sight of the uniform and Charlie felt his aura change to one of unease. Billy didn't seem capable of saying anything. Like a captured animal playing dead. Sensing the unease Charlie broke the silence "is everyone else ok?". "It seems everyone is shook up and has breathed in a lot of smoke and aside from some minor burns everyone is doing ok" elaborated PC Carver with a broad smile on his place. He patted Billy on the arm "this young man's been a real hero tonight. Stepped up and because of that young Oliver is here to tell the tale. You should be very proud of your man". Charlie corrected him "we're not together... we're just friends". The words make Billys aches seem dull in comparison to the feeling that decended upon him. The awkward silence needed to be broken again. "Do you need me to contact anyone to let them know where you are son?" Inquired PC Carver. Billy glanced at Charlie. It was an odd glance like he wanted to talk but couldn't while she was there. Sensing the mood Charlie made an excuse to leave them alone."I'll go and get you a coffee or something Billy. Black two sugars yeah?". She was curious who Billy needed to tell he was there as she had never heard him talk of a girlfriend or wife and as far as she knew he was estranged from his family. He has only told her that he doesn't see his mum anymore and that he misses her but it was for the best they stayed apart. She never questioned him as she understood how complex family could be.
Upon her return to the bay PC Carvers body language had changed from relaxed to professional and rigid. He no longer smiled when talking to Billy. This had been replaced by crossed arms and clenched jaw. "Is all ok?" Enquired Charlie. "Yeah yeah all sorted" Billy replied "just had to get a few details down for the their records". Charlie saw how PC Carvers eyes did not move from Billy as he spoke. The tension was palpable. Billy looked panicked "can you please let them know where I am and why I haven't checked in?. Please sir". PC Carver took his note pad out and wrote a few lines. He carefully folded it back up and without removing his vision from Billy responded "I will contact them on your behalf and let them know the situation. I'm sure they will be in touch". He turned to Charlie " can I have your name and details please. Its nothing to worry about I just need to know who I've spoken to". This seemed odd as she was just there as a visitor and had nothing to do with the events of earlier. Charlie told him her details though she didn't understand why. With that he wished Charlie a pleasant and safe evening advising her to get home safely and let the hospital do what they needed and then left. Charlie thought it strange he didn't wish Billy a speedy recovery or even shake his hand. Whoever Billy had asked him to contact seemed to make the atmosphere turn very sour.
A nurse came in and echoed the same sentiments as PC Carver that Charlie should go home. The nurse said Billy needed to rest and they would take good care of him. The nurse seemed far more caring and civil to Billy. "I'll be fine, thank you for coming to see me" Billys tone had changed to. Gone was his need for comfort. He had built a wall around himself. Confused Charlie agreed to go and would check up on him tomorrow. She went to leave then came back embracing Billy and kissing him on the cheek. She lent into him and whispered "I'm very proud of you. Your a hero. Im always here if you need me. Talk soon". She kissed his cheek again wiped a tear from her eye and reluctantly left.