With All My Senses

asking for help

I am a house on fire,

an acid rain under your skull

Repeated pounding in my head, muted pain, the heaviness. All that heaviness keeping me underwater. I want to grab onto something, but only the void welcomes me, it spreads its arms for me. It's so kind.

Eleonore, is everything alright?

The voice feels muffled, as if coming from behind a wall, soft fingers leaving pressure on my wrist. Bringing warmth but not calming my thoughts. The voice belongs to a woman. I want to focus more on it but can't.

What's wrong with her? Was she like this when you found her?

The other voice belongs to a male. But my mind is one big messy place build of chaotic thoughts; I can't even master any names to fit with the voices.

Yes, she must have passed out, she's not responding yet, but breathing regularly. I checked her pulse and it seemed normal just a bit weak.

Good, yes. Let me handle this from here, Joan.

Are you sure I can't help with anything?

No, no. She will be fine; she just didn't take her medication on time.

Medication?

Heart issues, the arrhythmia family.

But her pulse...

It has got stronger now, it's how it works with her; a form of bradycardia* that sometimes causes her resting heart rate to drop too low when she ignores the symptoms for too long. Besides she chose not to sleep last night. It wouldn't normally be an issue, but with that and the lack of medication - you know how stubborn she can be.

Yes, I do. Well, this explains why she always looks a bit pale and restless; she should take more care of herself - like she seems to do for others around here. Alright, Charlie. I will be on the third floor if you need anything.

Okay, thanks.

My eyelids weigh a ton, but I make myself open them as things start to become less hazy.

That's right. Try to keep your eyes focused on me. Just perfect, now follow the light. Yes, your vitals seem fine and your pulse is in order now. It's a good thing you don't actually have any heart issues.

His voice is calm and professional, fingers wrapping themselves around my wrist, sending weak warm energy through my veins. I make myself breathe peacefully, watching his blue eyes closely and imagining a blue sky in summer, the best kind - the warmth finally reaching every part of my body, resting in my tired brain. His next words turn into an urgent whisper.

What happened, Nora?

He helps me sit up, as I hold my head with one hand, my skull pounding like crazy. I fear I might throw up and look around in a panic, searching for a bucket or a trash can. I really didn't want to vomit all over the carpet, this situation was embarrassing as it was, no reason to add to it.

Eleonore.

He speaks again, this time with more pressure, slowly catching my attention back. 

Huh? Oh, I... I don't know, Charlie. I honestly don't know. My head started to hurt bad. It just got so loud.

That's' because the medical team was handling an accident that happened on Main Street, near the docks; we had a lot of patients to take care of.