Something Beyond Me

Chapter 4, Walkie Talkie Talking

Have you ever has something happen to you, then all you think is that it didn't happen? Like, it happened, but you didn't want to believe it? Yeah, that didn't happen. The driver barely missed us, and my father flashed a finger. A real pretty finger. We pull into a gas station and grab some food, and got the blankets. After that, we continued on our way to Westings, Maxwell continued asking where the hell were we, Sawyer fell asleep, and I had my earbuds in, not giving a damn in the world.

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I woke up, on the ground, an ambulance man came and picked me off the ground. I was not hallucinating, I was awake. A heart monitor was put all over myself. I look around the scenery, my mom, on the ground, a woman performing CPR on her. I must be dreaming, at least I thought. My dad, also on the ground, pronounced dead on the scene. Sawyer, barely breathing, gets lifted into a ambulance. Maxwell, is unknown. This cannot be happening. No. No no no. No.

I lay in the gurney, the man says my name about 10 times, and asks me to grip his hand. I try, but my wrist hurts, like maybe it's broken. All I hear are buzzers going off, heart monitors, blood pressure, and whatever the heck is in this cab. On the radio, I hear the conditions of my family.

"Miranda Sanswood, 48, in critical condition. Broken arms, legs, ribs, possible internal bleeding," the radio speaks, barely audible for myself to hear.

"Sawyer Sanswood, 8, puncture in lungs, not able to breathe by herself," another report.

"Maxwell Sanswood, 8, barely alive, broken arms, legs, neck. Internal bleeding," one more to go, I hear my heart monitor go faster, I'm panicking. This can't be happening I tell myself. This can't be.

"Scott Sanswood, dead," I hear the last report. I wish I could cry, but I can't breathe. I wish I could of said goodbye. A single tear starts to somewhat develop in my tear duct, then the driver picks up the walkie-talkie and speaks.

"Adaline Sanswood, 16, punctured lungs, possible brain trauma, broken arm and leg," the driver slowly speaks into the radio. I hope I don't die, please don't die. I can die, I'm freaking 16!

And on my name, my legal name is Adaline Kate Sanswood, but everyone calls me Adalee. Don't ask, I don't even know why.

We pull into the hospital, multiple doctors and nurses pull up with files and IV hook ins ready to be stabbed into skin. I faintly saw my mother being rushing into surgery. Same with Sawyer and Maxwell. And me.

The small crowd of doctors and nurses and miscellaneous people crowd together, speaking Doctor language. I couldn't make out anything. I saw one nurse shoot some stuff into my IV and....