Alyssa's Journey

Chapter 3

Alyssa shrieked in terror. Instantly, someone fired from the crowd and hit the bear in the shoulder. She howled in pain and she and her cubs ran into the woods.

"Help! Somebody help my dad!" Alyssa screamed. Havoc spread like wildfire across the villagers. Mr. Levine yelled to Dr. Ross, one of the villages' doctors who was another bystander, and they rushed to Mrs. Levine. Dr. Ross took out his medical kit and started treating Mrs. Levine, who was groaning in her husband's arms.

"She'll be alright, with a few days of rest," Dr. Ross said and handed Mr. Levine some pain reliever for his wife. Dr. Ross scanned the area, and looked upon Mr. Carter, who was being crowded by villagers trying to help. He was unconscious and bloodied. Alyssa was almost hysterical by now and looked to Dr. Ross, who was quickly putting his medical things away. He ran to Mr. Carter.

"Out of my way, out of my way! Someone, quick! Get me a big board!" Dr. Ross said. One of the villagers ran into the school house, which was not far, and brought back the black board. Alyssa understood what he was trying to do.

"Help me push him on! Be gentle, though!" Alyssa ordered. Some of Mr. Carter's coworkers helped lug Mr. Carter's unconscious body on the black board and started to carry him to Alyssa's house hurriedly.

The terror, sadness, and shock that was in Mrs. Carter's eyes when villagers burst into her home carrying her husband's mauled body almost broke Alyssa's heart. The coworkers gently lifted Mr. Carter's body onto the couch and left after whispering grieved words to Mrs. Carter.

"Honey?" a paled Mrs. Carter whispered. "What happened...?" She rushed to Mr. Carter's side as Dr. Ross was treating him. Alyssa explained with a tear-streaked face what had happened to him. By the end of the story, Mrs. Carter was shaking and her eyes were welling up with tears.

"This will take a lot of work. He has broken many bones, some of them clean breaks, but others...I need to put layers of stitches on some places and bandages on other parts, as well." Dr. Carter took out a big syringe and Alyssa looked away. "He will need a couple months to recover. It's a miracle he is alive."

"Months?" Mrs. Carter whispered. "That's a long time to be in pain. Not to mention his job...It's the only income we get."

"Also, we must discuss my payment," Dr. Ross mentioned quietly. "I can lower it a bit, for you, but the amount of materials I am using for him is immense and I need pay." Mrs. Carter's face drained of color as he was speaking.

Dr. Ross finished with Mr. Carter, and Mrs. Carter said, "Alyssa, please go up to your room. Dr. Ross and I must discuss something." Alyssa obeyed. Well, sort of. She went up to her room and shut the door, implying that she was in her room, but was actually still outside. Then she tiptoed to the top of the stairs and listened.

"How much will the bill come to?" Whispering. A tiny horror-filled shriek.

"That's...expensive." Mrs. Carter said through a tightened jaw.

"I'm sorry. That is the bill when I'm lowering it," Dr. Ross said.

"I can pay you that...but without the income from his job..." Mrs. Carter looked at her husband, tears filling her eyes. "You know we aren't on the richer side."

"Yes, I know. I'm so sor-"

"No. I'm sorry that I let my family go out there. It's my duty to make sure they are safe. I will try and get a job." Mrs. Carter was filled with guilt. "I'll go get the money."