A journey to change Autumn

27

Tyler's POV

The cold hospital waiting room isn't very comforting when you are waiting for news. Any news. Just to know something will be good. But the waiting is what kills me. I have been sitting in these cheap chairs for what seems like hours before the doctor comes out.

"Autumn Laine's family." The doctor says.
We all stand including me even though I am not her family.
"I am afraid I have some bad news," the doctor starts as me and Luke hold onto each other for support,"When Autumn fell off the top of the pyramid she had some injuries. First, when she fell she broke her leg and sprained her wrist. The blood that you saw was from her head. She hit the back of her head which caused brain damage and the bleeding. There is more news I need to tell you but first would you like to see her?" The doctor finishes. We couldn't say anything so instead we just follow him down the hall.

We pass a family holding onto each other and crying. All I can think is that might be us soon. We pass a woman in a wheelchair with a man pushing it. She has two newborns in her hands and a huge smile on her face.

By the time we get to Autumn's room we have passed a few different families. All going through different struggles and obstacles.

We walk into the room and the first thing I see is a worn and beaten down Autumn laying on the hospital bed asleep. She looks horrible but still beautiful. I go up and sit in the chair closest to her. I put her hand in mine.

"The brain damage only hit in a spot to produce blood and put her into a coma. We went ahead and made it a medical induced coma by giving her a certain type of I.V. This will help her heal better and quicker. There were more injuries then what the fall caused. I don't know how they got there but they did. There was more bleeding in her back. Something happened to her back and it caused some nerve issues which we handled in surgery a few minutes ago. She might have trouble having kids in the future. Also she had 3 broken ribs and bruising on her stomach. The ribs should heal fine but she might have trouble lifting things, bending down, or reaching for something. One of those ribs got close to puncturing her left lung. She might have trouble breathing because of it. That is also why she is attached to this breathing machine. Lastly, with all of these injuries she should wake up by this time next week. She will spend a few days in the hospital to make sure she is in stable condition to go home. She will then spend a few days at home with someone with her at all times. She can go back to school a week after that. She is lucky we could do this much. I will leave you guys alone. A nurse might come in to check her vitals later."

We all sit shocked. I stare at Autumn. I think about what the other injuries could be from. She didn't say anything about it. We all sit in silence until part of her family leave me and Luke to go get coffee and food.

"You really like her don't you?" Luke starts breaking the silence.

"Yeah I guess I do. She always finds a way to brighten up my day."

"Well I am glad she has somebody like you. But if you ever hurt her you won't live to see the next sunrise."

"I promise I won't. I think you are the best brother she could ask for."

"Why thank you. I love and care for her so much. I couldn't ask for a better sister."

"It must be nice to have siblings. I am an only child. Sure I get anything I want, but I always get lonely."

"Yeah that must be bad."

"Yeah." I sigh. I want to cry for Autumn but I am so overwhelmed I can't.

"Dude let it out." Luke advises.

So I do. And I fall asleep crying next to Autumn.