ONLY THE LONELY

"This is Maya Grainger, fifteen years old, she has a deep laceration to her right wrist. Deliberate self-harm from a maths compass. I'd say she lost about 600m of blood at the scene. Resps of 20, pulse of 85, BP 120/80 and a SATS of 96. We've dressed the wound and given 500 grams of paraceatomol" Dixie says thoroughly as she wheels Maya into Resus with Stella, Zoe and Connie close behind. 

"Okay Maya, I'm Doctor Hanna and this is Mrs Beauchamp, we'll be treating you today. Could I possibly have a look at your wrist?" Zoe begins professionally. 

"Can we also get a line in and some bloods out please. Okay Maya, I'm going to need to check your hand for any nerve damage." Connie says. 

As Dixie goes to wheel the bed back to the ambulance, she invites Stella to come with her so the doctors can have some time to examine Maya. They leave and walk out the Emergency Department together. Stella keeps her head low and sniffs a bunged up nose.

"Are you alright darlin'? Your mind must be running wild at the moment. Fortunately for you, I've just gotten off duty, so if you want, I can get you a coffee and we can have a chat?" Dixie speaks softly to Stella, ensuring she is sympathising with the trauma Stella is going through. Stella nods, and once Dixie replaces the bed in the ambulance, they walk inside and over to the café. 

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Back at the reception desk, Noel joyfully piles some paperwork and hands it over to Rita. Louise continues to work hard, her face blank. There's a coffee next to her, and it has been untouched. It is evident there is something lingering on Louise's mind. 

"Is everything okay?" Asks Noel politely. Silence falls upon the pair and Louise continues to tap away at the computer. 

"Do you want another coffee? That one must be cold by now, Louise." Says Noel, awaiting a reply. Louise rolls her eyes and then rebounds.

"I've got it, it's fine. These files need to go to Connie's office, can you take them there please?" Louise asks Noel before getting up, picking up the coffee cup with its contents still inside and dropping it in the bin. She gets back to work.

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Rita walks back over to Doris's cubicle and pulls Cal out. Doris is led in bed with Ruby by her side. 

"It took quite a bit of persuading to get her consultant to disclose any information with us, and in the end he said he'll come to the ED and break the news with her. He's coming to cubicles now. All we can do is wait." Rita tells Cal. 

"Okay, we best let them know what's going on. Oh, and Doris's husband is also on his way in." Cal tells Rita. They both walk on into cubicles and explain the situation. 

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Zoe walks back into Resus and gives Maya good news. She's not damaged any nerves in her hands and fortunately for her the wound is not infected. Maya sighs relief, and she then looks at Zoe.

"I didn't mean to do this much harm." Maya begins. Zoe responds by giving her a gentle, warming look and smile. 

"Could I ask what drove you to doing this in the first place Maya? You don't have to answer it's okay, but if you let us know what's going on we can help you. You're not on your own just remember that." Zoe replies, and she smiles again, the smile that just makes anyone's day. 

A tear falls from Maya's face and she wipes it away. She asks for a tissue and Zoe hands one over to her. She wipes her eyes dry, but the tears continue to fall. She sobs. 

"Please don't tell my Mum, she'll be so mad at me. But there's a guy at school who asked me for a topless picture. I stupidly gave him one and now it's spread around the school. I'm constantly getting looks and being shoved. People are making remarks about me in front of my face, I'm the heart of attention at school and I don't like it. I don't know what to do, my bullies are bullying me more than ever and I just can't carry on. They've made my life hell and I can't cope..." Maya begins, but she's cut off speaking as she struggles to hold back the river of tears. She breaks down in her bed, utterly heartbroken that what is happening to her is no dream, but a cruel consequence of her actions.

"...Everyday I let them get closer and closer to destroying the real me. They tear away at what's left of me, and I can't do anything to stop it. I try, and I try, and I try to block their cruel words; convince myself I am the stronger person and that I can walk away, but each day is a day closer to me falling from the edge of humanity. I try to help myself, I try to be optimistic, but you can't help me because my problems are up here." She raises her fingers to her head and points frantically as the tears pour from her face. She's broken.

Zoe's face falls flat. It's clear this has affected her at least a little. "Hey, hey, it's alright. Anything you want to talk about, just remember I am here. Anything you say to me goes no further unless you want it too, okay? You're not on your own and I will listen to you for as long as you need me too. If you want I can book you an appointment with a counsellor. Would you like your Mum in here? Do you want her by your side?" Zoe speaks softly, connecting with Maya and making her feel as comfortable as possible.

"She's gonna find out eventually isn't she. Can you tell her though, please? I don't think I can bring myself to repeat myself." Maya says as she continues to try and wipe away her tears.