A Long Hard Fought Journey (Completed)

Chapter 1: The Tragic Accident

A/N: I added a song to this chapter and it is called Heartbeat by Mat Kearney. I think this song might fit a few chapters so just go along with it if you see it more than once. Most of this book will be written in Izzie's POV but some will be in other characters too.Enjoy.

             Izzie's POV
My name is Izzie. I don't remember how it happened just that it did. My dad had taken me to a cow field not far from where we live so I could start practice driving before Driver's Ed. I would take Driver's Ed. in 10th grade when I turned 16.We were on the other side of the fence by the woods since it was safer there or so he says . I am guessing my dad wanted me to practice driving on my own so he went to the cow field,leaving me all alone. I guess we both thought I would be fine. But things aren't always fine. I kept driving. It was my 8th grade year,I was 13 turning 14 in 3 months.What we didn't know that it was going to be a long hard journey fighting for life ahead for all of us. I lost control and the old truck I was in rolled down the hill and once on flat land,again, hit a tree,out towards the woods. The front where the engine was,was smoking,with the front and sides all bent and caved in. The window on the driver's side wasn't down but must've broken off as it rolled down the hill. I felt dizzy and was wondering why so I brought my hand up to my head and when I brought it down it was red,soaked with my blood. I eventually lost consciousness. I knew why and even just the thought of it scared me but it was probably from all the blood I have lost,mostly coming from my head,which was hit pretty hard. I don't know why I thought I was fine. When I reopened my eyes,I could stand but hardly move if I did move it was only very slowly. Wait,how did I get out of the truck , I just woke up in the grass, I'm all alone and I thought I lost consciousness so how did I get out of there ,I wondered. I walked over to the truck and saw my body and it made me want to get sick and cry,it was terrifying,and I eventually went and sat down leaning against the tree the truck had hit trying to figure this out. I stayed strong though and avoided crying.Am I dead? I asked to myself over and over. I felt oh so tired and my eyelids were so heavy it was hard to keep them open but I made myself because I had to see what happens next and I had no hope left to live because I am almost dead and there is no one around that could save me. I guess I have to hope though because where there is hope there is life.If I wasn't dead then I knew that I most likely would die here and soon but since I can't feel anything maybe it will be a painless death.About 30 minutes later,I guess, Joseph, my fifth half cousin was visiting his dad for the weekend ,beings his parents are split and his dad is like mine just not as bad with the drinking and worse with housekeeping.I guess that they were planning on going hunting. I also guess that having a little hope wasn't a bad thing after all.Joseph saw the truck,with the dents and the evident smoke coming from the engine. He hollered at his dad. He ran over,apparently,not remembering that I was the one test driving today on the farm. I think he wanted to get sick or cry as much as I did. He and his dad pulled me out of the old truck. He felt for my pulse. I feel your heartbeat Izzie you are still alive just please keep fighting for me I can't lose you now and who left you like this,he whispered to me. She is still alive but fading fast we have to hurry,he yelled to his dad who was finding his phone to call 911. I heard as he explained our dilemma and where we were. I had a faint,feeble pulse which 2 minutes after his dad called 911,stopped all together. I am guessing that he must have learned CPR in a Hunter's Safety Course or from his mom,who I think is a nurse. He started CPR and after a few minutes of trying,felt for my pulse. There was a small,faint pulse. He picked me up bridal style carefully and had me in his lap,holding me close,despite all the blood I seemed to be losing by the second. Some of my hair was in my face but that was okay because I'm still alive I guess. Half of me wishes that I was conscious because I want to hug him,reassure him,tell him I'm here and alive,move my hand on his shoulder,thank him,and bury my head into his shoulder. The other half wasn't sure of feeling the excruciating pain I knew I would be in if I could feel. I had a few small strands on my bloody hair in my face. I could feel his heartbeat next to my head even though I was unconscious. He was panicked though and probably afraid of losing me.My breaths were fast,small,and shallow against his neck. I was lucky to be breathing at all.Once we got away from the woods and back over to their house,he told his dad,"go get something I can use to put pressure on her wounds to try and stop the bleeding so I can keep her alive and breathing with her heart beating and I want to help her fight through this I can't lose her". Alright,his dad said. Joseph moved some of my bloody hair out of my face. I wasn't in my body but I apparently wasn't dead,either. I couldn't feel anything, only could see and hear, what was going on. Well at least could not feel the physical pain although I still had pain.His dad had brought back a few cloths. Joseph tried to stop the bleeding and I hoped I would live not die in his lap after living through the accident I just had to live now. I guess I was a ghost or something like that. I looked around for my dad's vehicle, which was of course gone ,so he must have gone for a drink being the alcoholic he is. The ambulance was finally here. Good thing they were here because I am not sure how much longer I was gonna be able to breathe on my own. Joseph told his dad, I am so sorry I know it was supposed to be our day but I really need to go with her,I will make it up to you, he said.Fine with me,but you better make sure your momma knows where you are,his dad said. The medics were shouting things to one another.They were running me to the ambulance,which he joined them. He had his stuff with him ,at least. He told the medics who were assisting me,that they needed to get me to WMH, the big trauma hospital an hour away from here. No one argued with him which was a good thing cause I know why,and where we were going,at least,plus I trust him. He knew how to help me and save my life. I ,guess now,I will have to fight to stay alive for him.I hoped that he would inform my mom because neither of my parents knew what happened.