Freedom

Out of my Mind

{Chapter 13}

"Mr. Reynolds."

"Uh, yeah, that's me."

"Could you follow me? Your brother is in a room. His condition is, uh, just follow me."

What about Persephone? Oh well, I'd see her later, but my brother left me curious. Parker was fine at the accident. He had a few scrapes, but nothing too terrible. He was even walking around and had helped with the bags. Parker was probably the best looking out of the bunch in terms of injuries.

I followed the doctor down the hall into a sterile white room. There was Parker lying on the bed, but he didn't look nearly as well as he did earlier. Parker's face was pasty white and his usually ruffled hair was slicked back with sweat, but he had goosebumps on his skin.

"While his friend, Jake, was getting looked at, he dropped to the floor. He really hit his head hard. He might have slight trauma in his brain."

"He was fine earlier." I gave the doctor a concerned look. Then I realized how it made sense.

Parker was sitting on the passenger side. When the car was pulling out, the other vehicle collided with the drivers side. Jake wasn't as hurt, because it hit more towards the nose of the vehicle, so he jerked right and the seatbelt caught him.

Parker, on the other hand, must have slammed his head against the window. I didn't because I had leaned over to protect Persephone with my arm.

"Well, your brother had seemed to pass out earlier. We're not sure of the cause yet, but we know he hit his head. There is already bruising around the area."

"Okay. Thank you. Can I ask you two questions?"

"Go ahead."

"Where is Jake?"

"He is in his sisters waiting room right now. He got cleaned up and is doing well."

"Would I be allowed to go in that waiting room as well?"

"Yes, you would. You were part of the accident, correct?"

"Correct, but how'd you hear we were in an accident?"

"I'm afraid you've run out of questions Mr. Reynolds. I really must be going. Alert a nurse if your brother wakes up."

With that the doctor hurriedly walked out of the room. I couldn't believe the day I'd been through. I also still could not believe that Parker had passed out and my have brain trauma. This day seemed to be getting worse. At least he had passed out in here rather than at the scene of the accident. I buried my face in my hands.

"Travis."

My mother walked into the room with curls bouncing. She always looked so prepared, however today she looked worried.

"Travis, are you okay? What happened to your arm? Your head?"

"I'm as okay as I can be. I broke my arm. They had to put a stitch in my head. It will dissolve though." She looked at me unsatisfied.

"Your brother? What's wrong?"

"Well, as much as I could gather is that he passed out. I figured out he slammed his head against the window in the car. They're afraid he has brain trauma, but that is the worst case scenario."

We sat quiet for a few seconds. I let this all sink in for her. I had a few minutes for me to process everything, she deserved some time as well. Then she looked at me with a stern, yet caring face.

"Do you think he has brain trauma?" I knew she'd respect my opinion.

"Honestly, no I don't think so. Earlier he was walking around and was fine. I don't know what made him pass out."

"Gosh, Jake, I'm sorry for blacking out on you. I can't handle seeing needles. When that nurse walked into our room... Hey. What are you doing in here?" Parker had woken up and was very alert. So he passed out when he saw the needle! I'd forgotten about his terrible fear of them.

"Nurse!" A nurse rushed into the room, looked at Parker and went to the phone. Once there, she typed in a number. She walked back over to Parker and began to examine him.

"Hey there lady. Sorry I passed out. I promise I didn't mean to. Can you take this out of me?" He pointed down to the IV coming out of his hand. Good thing he didn't realize it was a needle or else he'd pass out again.

"No. Not until the doctor comes in and looks at you." It was like her words were magic, because as soon as she'd got done saying this, the doctor had walked into the room.

"Ah, you're awake! Good." He walked over to my brother and started to examine him.

"Really, sir, I only passed out. I saw a needle and whenever I see needles I get weak in the knees. Can I go home?"

"You'll be able to go home in two hours. We need to make sure you are stable before then. Everything looks good so far. As long as you don't pass out again, you'll be fine. Your head may be in a bit of pain for the next week or so though. You hit it pretty hard." The doctor walked out of the room again. The nurse moved a few more things and walked out.

"Thanks for coming mom." I had said this, because in reality I was glad she was there.

"Wait, where is Izzy?" Parker had asked this, which I'd become curious of her whereabouts as well.

"I dropped Izzy off with Clara. Clara's mother offered to watch them. Clara's dad is here."

"Hey Travis?"

"Yeah Parker?"

"You can go see Persephone if you want. Just make sure when you come back you bring my bag from shopping. Jake has them." He snickered at this.

"Thanks Parker."

I got up and walked out of the room in search of Persephone.