DEAD INSIDE

(35)

The light was blinding when I woke up. I put a hand above my eyes as a shield and blinked several times at my surroundings.

What was I doing lying fully dressed in my sweats and hoodie on a hospital bed?! And why was I alone?

I blinked a couple of extra time and when I finally remembered what had brought me here, it was as if somebody had poured a gallon of ice water on me.

Marla...

I sat up and let my legs dangle from the bed until the dizziness subsided.

It couldn't be real. She couldn't be dead... No.

I shook my head.

I hopped down the bed and ignored my wobbly legs as I went to collect my phone and car keys on the small bed stand before heading to the door.

It opened just as I was reaching for the handle and I would have been knocked down the floor if I hadn't caught myself on a chair nearby.

"You're awake..." A nurse, who was probably in her mid-thirties, said looking relieved.

"Yes, sorry... I-I don't know what happened to me... I'm good, now..." I hurried to say.

"Wait, Alison. Sit down a minute, will you?" Something in her eyes told me that I should listen to what she had to say so I sat on the chair.

"Do you remember what happened?" She asked sadly and I nodded.

"My friend was admitted here after trying to stop a fight..." I muttered. "S-she..." The thought shook me like an earthquake. "She's dead..." I broke down in front of her and I saw her almond-shaped eyes widen before she shook her head quickly.

"Your friend's not dead, Alison!" She exclaimed with a hand on my arm.

"She's not?" My heart started racing in my chest as her words filled me with hope.

"She's not." She confirmed.

Then why did her Mom...

"Is she going to?" I asked, barely above a whisper.

"Don't we all?" She shot back teasingly before straightening up. "Sorry, this is not funny..." She shook her head quickly. "No, your friend Marla has several fractured vertebrae that could result in paraplegia..." She muttered after patting me on the arm.

My heart went from racing to sinking.

"But she might fully recover?" I asked.

She grimaced and I suddenly felt the urge to go and see my best friend. She needed me by her side right now so I stood up but the nurse tightened her hold on me.

"The chances aren't good but it is possible..." She said. "Do you remember why you ended up in this room?"

I shrugged. "Her Mom..." I sighed sadly. "She thinks it's my fault..."

"OK. I'm just going to check your vitals to make sure everything's ok." She took my temperature and then my blood pressure. "There are many people waiting to talk to you..." She said once she seemed satisfied with what she'd read on the screens.

I groaned.

"Can't I go and see Marla, first?" I asked.

"She's still recovering from her surgery. She won't be allowed visitors before a few days..."

I crinkled my nose.

"But she needs us..." I argued.

"Right now, she's still in a medically induced coma, Alison." She answered sternly. "Doctor Preston said he might wake her up tomorrow or on Wednesday according to how well the scars cicatrize." She added. "After that, we might allow a few visitors for short visits."