Jackson's story

Chapter 12

"Blood makes you related, loyalty makes you family."

Once I pulled onto the road, I knew I had to find the closest city, or one with a hospital. Bella didn't have long, and I had to get her to one immediately. At this point, my adrenaline was running due to the anxiety of Bella's condition. I sped on and on, looking helplessly for a sign, informing me of a nearby city. I silently begged just to see one car, so I could at least get help.

While I was driving, more like racing, on the lonely Arizona road, I saw something in the distance. It looked like a sign with writing on it. I slowed down just a little so I could make sure I could read it. The lettering on it read, Phoenix 20, meaning that the capital was twenty miles away. I did the mental math, and if I went on a constant rate of eighty miles per hour, I could make it in fifteen minutes, give or take a couple, since I may have to actually obey traffic laws in Phoenix. I prayed Bella could survive the trip, and I kept driving down the road, hoping to get there soon.

Our argument kept replaying in my head.

"You're selfish, I wish my mom were here instead of you."

"I'd rather be selfish than stupid. Your mother died giving birth to you!"

"Arrogant, selfish jerk!"

The city was insight before my mind could think of another thing she had said. I slowed down a little, to sixty, due to the fact I was approaching the city.

What was I going to say? I thought. Was I just going to walk in there and say, 'yeah, I let her drive, sorry. Please don't arrest me.' Could I lie without having any police investigate my car? That is, if there are any doctors or policemen, what if the vampire-zombie things got there before I did? I was going to lose her, and possibly Joseph, I can't do surgery!

Finally, I turned onto the city. I looked around cautiously, and anxiously, for someone, anyone, to make sure the flesh eating, blood suckers hadn't hit this city. Before I could place my foot down on the pedal, I heard an impatient and annoyed honk, and looked to where the sound was coming from. Another vehicle! I was so overjoyed, and gave a sigh of relief as I saw pedestrians. They crowded the sidewalk, walking into stores. I heard another annoyed honk behind me, and advanced quickly as I had unknowingly stopped at a stoplight.

I scanned the area in front of me, even though I saw strangers give stares at my torn up Hummer, I didn't care. The only thing that was going through my head was "hospital, hospital, hospital." I didn't have a second more to spare. I pleaded as I turned left and right, to just see a sign. I stopped, and did realized I was lost. I looked ahead, and there was a building that read "tourist center." Thank the good Lord. As I pulled into the parking lot, I jumped out of the car quickly, not giving any thought on how bad my parking was. I ran inside and heard a bell jingle as I burst through the doors of the tourist center.

"Welcome si-"

"I need a map," I cut the woman off, who was standing around an map of Phoenix.

"Oh, well, what ar-"

"Just tell me," I paused as another pain shot up my chest as I made my way to the front counter where some maps were laid out, "where the nearest hospital is, please."

"Sir, are you in some kind of pain. Should I call an ambulance?" She made her way over to me, and I fell short of breath, causing a look of worry to fall on her face.

"No," I managed to get out, clutching my chest, "I just need directions."

"I have to call an ambulance," she stammered, reaching for her phone.

"No, please," I begged, "I can't leave her, she can't die."

"Sir, wh-"

I grabbed a map, and ignored the agonizing pain as best I could, and fled, before she could dial her cell phone. I made my way back into the car, desperate to get the map open. I fumbled with it, and opened it, looking for a red cross sign near to the point which read "you are here." Once I found the red cross sign, I calculated how far of a drive it was. To my relief, once again, it was just a few miles away.

Not wanting to waste another second, I turned on the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot. Making a couple turns here and there, I heard the sirens getting closer, and I pulled into the hospital space. Not caring again, where I parked, I threw open my door, and ran to the passenger side, grabbing a still conscious Bella. I saw her chest rise and fall, which was a good sign, she was still able to breath. Due to the sirens, and the noise, Joseph rose from his nap. I guess it was a good thing he woke up, but I didn't understand why it had to be now.

His eyes widened at the sight of the hospital, "where are we, Jackson, JACKSON?" he cried.

I really had no time to explain, "Joseph, look there's been an accident, jus-just stay here, okay?"

I took Bella in my arms once again, and ran inside the automatic doors of the Phoenix hospital.

"Help me," I exclaimed helplessly, and all eyes fell on me and the girl in my arms, "ther-there's been an accident, an-an-"

I saw a few nurses rush at me, "sir, I need you to stay calm," one of them stated.

"Please, don't let her die," I begged, looking into one of the nurse's eyes.

"Get a stretcher," commanded another nurse, who had been at the side of the other.

Immediately, I saw other workers rush in with a stretcher, and I placed her carefully onto it. Her wound on her lip was still open, and blood remained at the side of her head.

"Let's get her hoo..." I tuned out the nurses while they moved quickly into the emergency part of the hospital. I remembered Joseph was still in my car.

As I was about to head out the door, I heard a male at the front desk say, "sir I am going to need you to fill this out for me," as he held out a clipboard.

"Just a moment, I'll be right back."

I made my way back outside, and found my car. As I was approaching it, I saw Joseph still there. Good, I didn't need him talking to a police officer or anyone else. I opened the car door to where he was.

"Are you alright?" I asked him.

He nodded, "yeah, I'm glad I had my seat belt on."

"No kidding," I added.

"Jackson, is she going to be okay?"

I didn't answer, the only thing I managed to get out was, "I-I have to go inside and fill out some paperwork. You want to come?"

He looked at me, "sure."

We walked toward the hospital once more. As we entered, Joseph found a seat in the waiting room as I walked up to the front desk. The man recognized me, and took the clipboard.

"I'm going to need to ask you a few questions before I can give you the paperwork." the male worker stated, looking at his computer.

"I'll answer what I can."

"Can I get her name, please?" he asked.

"Bella," I answered, looking at him.

"Full name?"

"Bella, um, Daniels," I stated nervously. I had said Daniels instead of Coleman,  I gave her my last name.

"And your name please?" 

"Jackson Daniels."

"And, finally, your relationship to the patient?" he questioned, handing me the clipboard.

"I-I'm her father, her adoptive father."

I didn't care what last name she had at this point, I just wanted her to be okay.