Our Hill of Stars

Chapter One Emory

       "We have a code red Emory." Marquee shouts at me barging through the door. I was busy checking a young boy's height and weight. He was in for an ear tube procedure. My eyes flicker over to Marquee. She is panicked with wide eyes. I drop my clipboard, apologizing to the twelve year old letting him know to reschedule. I'm dashing through the halls as my hair is blowing from the wind due to the speed of my running. Once I'm outside I notice my surgeon crew gathered in a circle.

     An ambulance is parking. I was so panic stricken to see what the emergency was today. Apparently a young man was in a car accident. It wasn't his fault though. the man did not appear to be older than approximately twenty one. I climb into the ambulance to get a better look. I clasp a hand over my mouth. A yelp is the only noise leaving my mouth when I notice he is losing blood and his breathing is rapid.

     "Hang on sir it's going to be alright I've got you." I yell for assistance. Marquee helps me pull the young man's hospital bed out of the ambulance truck. She goes to the side of the bed holding the man's hand to comfort him. He knows he isn't going to make it but we still rush into the emergency room to do a quick surgery and find his information. Marquee closes the curtain, as I use a pair of scissors to cut through his shirt making sure he isn't injured anywhere else. I notice he has a couple of scrapes.

     Not to mention he has an open cut wound that is gushing out blood. I use my plungers on his open cut, I flinch slightly but not much. I've dealt with situations similar to this before so it does not bother me. Marquee is trying her hardest not to hurl. I twist my head to Marquee. "He's losing a lot of blood Marquee hand me the fucking needle!" I holler at her. She's just staring at me, her eyes nearly popping out of her skull as she mumbles with a trembling voice.

     "His brain... I can see it." I roll my eyes snapping at her. "Marquee, I'm not kidding hurry." Marquee nods, she runs out of the room looking for a needle. I feel an arm that grasps me tight, staining my white coat crimson red. The man's voice is strained and thin. An aching noise that makes worry wash over me. "No honey it's alright stay with me okay? Stay with me." I smile calmly, but his head falls back, his legs drop. His pulse has stopped and I huff. "Shit, oh goddamn it no please stay with me honey please." I press my hands to his chest managing cpr but it's no use. The patient is gone. I could not save him. It's the first time someone has died on me. I'm a failure.

     Marquee finally comes back to the surgeon room but she is too late. "He's gone." I mutter in disappointment. "But how could that be? You have never lost a patient before." Marquee mentioned. Thanks Marquee, that makes me feel worse. "I know." I mention dryly, tugging off my latex gloves and tossing them into the trash. I turn my head to the clock and it reads 4:45 pm. It's time for me to head home.

     I'm driving my way home, I live in a two story apartment. It's plain white, some cracked windows but it's enough to manage. The floors are creaky, the basement is creepy as fuck but I live with my cat Milo that gives me enough company to not be so scared all alone in my apartment. I've been saving up for a better place to live. There is this house that has an egg chair in the backyard and I have my eyes on it. That's why I started working on weekends as well for extra money to afford it.

     I have to see my dad this weekend for his birthday. My mom and I had planned a surprise for him, before he went off to a trip in Chicago for work with his crew this weekend. My mom had already warned him he'd better not be cheating but I know he isn't. I know my dad so much better than that. My mom knows he wouldn't cheat either so she just teases him.

    Finally I drive into my parking lot noticing Milo pawing at the window and meowing. I plunged my keys into the door,twisting and turning until it finally clicked. Twisting the knob,I pushed open the door, noticing there had been a note left on my coffee table.