A Tough Choice

Chapter Sixteen

"There's been a major RTC, three trauma victims on their way. ETA ten minutes." Tess announced.

I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. Today had been exceptionally busy and now we had more to deal with. I stood with Caleb in resus as we waited for the first victim to arrive. Eventually the paramedics burst through the door.

"This is Charlotte, she's been involved in an RTC. Has been complaining of chest pains but nothing else to see other than a few lacerations. She has been given morphine." they quickly told Caleb.

I looked at the girl sadly. She must only be about eight years old. I saw her mother being taken over to the other side of resus as the paramedics handed her over to Ethan.

"Okay I'm going to need bloods and a chest CT." Caleb told me, after he'd carried out his initial assessment.

I nodded and quickly hooked Chloe up to a drip. I gasped as the machines began to beep at me.

"Caleb, she's arrested!" I exclaimed.

I quickly lowered her bed so that she was laying flat as Caleb started CPR.

"Okay we need some adrenaline please." he said.

I nodded and quickly administered some.

"Still no output, okay clear." Caleb said.

I stood back and watched as he shocked her.

"Still nothing." I whispered.

Caleb sighed and started CPR again.

"How long has she been arrested for?" he panted.

"About fifteen minutes." I answered as I glanced at my fob watch.

"Okay I'm going to call it, all in agreement?" he asked.

I nodded slowly.

"Time of death 15.30." he said quietly.

I jumped as I heard her mother shriek as his words sunk in. I had never heard a sound that was filled with so much anguish before.

"Bring her back!" she screamed.

"I'm very sorry, we did everything we could, she must have had some internal injuries." Caleb reassured her.

She screamed and cried. It was a pitiful sight. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. I looked down at my hand as I felt Caleb squeeze it gently.

"You should take five minutes." Caleb whispered.

I nodded and quickly walked to the staff room. I threw myself onto the sofa and put my head in my hands. It was the first time I'd ever lost a patient and to make it worse she was a child! I knew we'd done everything we could to save her, but that was little comfort right now. I glanced up as Ethan walked into the staff room and watched me closely.

"You okay?" he asked me.

I stood up and crossed the room quickly. I virtually flung myself into his arms. He held me tightly.

"It was awful." I whispered in his ear.

"I know, but it wasn't your fault." he reassured me.

"It's the first time I've lost a patient." I admitted.

"Maybe you should head home." he suggested.

"It's okay, I can stay." I told him.

I quickly stood up and left the staff room. I needed to get back to work, in an attempt to distract myself. I could hear Ethan walking closely behind me.

"Hey Emma." I heard a voice say.

I froze, my feet completely rooted to the spot. I felt Ethan bump into the back of me. I knew that voice only to well. I sighed and turned to face him.