You Saved Me

Hour Ten: Noah

NOAH'S POV

"Hoy shit, holy shit, holy shit," I breathe as I run for the exit, our terrorist only meters behind us. I don't turn around to see where he exactly is knowing that will only hinder my pace. Kate's blood is making my grip slip but I continue to push and taking the ultimate risk, I push open the door to the outside, not checking for these alleged bombs on the doors. Cries and screams of relief punch at my face from every direction. My heart is pounding but all I can think about s the monster behind me.

He is holding a gun to the side of my head.

I close my eyes and just listen to my pumping heart. Not being able to bear it anymore, I sink to my knees, taking Kate's limp body with me. His gun never falters and follows me down anyways. What I assume is Kate's family runs directly into my vision, they are staring at their daughter's closed eyes and shallow breathing. Her pulse is slow and I do all I can to tell myself she will survive.

"Don't move, no one, if you even raise your gun I will shoot the both of them. In fact, police, drop your weapons. Drop 'em!" the monster shouts behind me and I hear the collective clang as police all around drop their guns to the ground. I close my eyes, Kate is getting heavier, her body sagging further and further into my arms. I don't know what to do but I just close my eyes. Close my eyes and shut out the terrified faces of everyone around me. I start to replay the images of Kate today, a day spent with her has felt like a lifetime. I forget about the threatening metal against my forehead, the stress of school, baseball, and college all drifting away and I know...

I know in that moment that if today is the day I die, I was meant to spend it with Kate. We were destined to meet today, to find happiness in each other for that short school day that would change the history, present, and future of our lives. Lennon, she said her mom's name was Lennon. Her Uncle and Aunt were Harrison and McCartney and there wasn't a fourth kid for Starr. I smile, knowing that little thing gave me a piece into this girl's life.

And for some bewildered reason, I start to sing. I don't if that's odd or corny to you as I write this, but I did.

"When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom

Let it Be

And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me

speaking words of wisdom

Let it Be."

And then Kate's mom, Lennon was joining and so was the whole crowd. And I was crying along with everybody because the one moment I had felt in between our escape and the gun against my head was overwhelmingly beautiful yet tragic. And I hated having to experience that, it just meant that I went through that moment, a moment I didn't want to relive it. Lyrics kept pouring from my lips, broken and hoarse. The hum of everyone's voice kept me sane as I thought about death, how would my family take it. Would Kate survive?

It was too difficult to think of nothing but death and as hard as I tried, I couldn't get rid of the horrific feeling. And then, I pushed out my foot with all my might. Something I should have thought of earlier I suppose. A groan came out from behind me and the cool weapon left my temple as the man toppled the ground. Police were on him in seconds and paramedics were surrounding me at the same time. One lifted Kate from my arms but I gripped her hand in mine and followed that paramedic until I was pried off in a different direction by other paramedics. They forced me into one of those gurneys and before I could blink my eyes again, I was lifted into an ambulance.

---

I'm thirsty.

I'm awake.

I'm AWAKE.

I'm alive.

Where's Kate?

What's that beeping noise?

Why is it so bright in here?

Oh no, there is a needle in my arm.

Oh God, I am gonna pass out, look at this needle in my arm.

Oh my Go-

THREE HOURS LATER

I am awake again.

When I fully open my eyes there is a nurse at the other side of the room on a computer. I hoarsely shout for water and it grabs her attention so she quickly brings me a cup full of water.

"You had no fatal injuries, Noah. In fact really nothing too bad. You have been asleep for about ten hours, the needle in your arm is just some vitals. Relax for right now, I'll call your family in and let them know you are awake." the nurse informs me but my brain is still foggy and I just want to find Kate.

"Kate? Where is she? Is she okay?"

"Kate is in surgery, she will be in there for another hour or so, from what I have heard she is doing okay. I'll keep you updated with what I can."

Peggy, the nurse's name tag read, left the room after that and I chugged the rest of the water. My thoughts have cleared up a bit and I realize now just how tired I am. Ten hours did nothing for what low energy I have.

All of a sudden the door opens and my family comes bolting in, one after the other. After fussing around me for what seemed like forever  they all just stop and stare.

"I am fine, where's Kate?", they all look at each other after my question. My heart drops and I close my eyes, ready for whatever response I will be getting.

"We have no news on her right now, just that she's in the ICU." one of the voices from my family replies. I feel so foggy I can't detect who it is with my eyes closed. My only focus is Kate.

—-

It's been three days without her. I'm now home laying in my bed just staring at the ceiling. I feel so heavy and depressed. I miss her.

She's just at the hospital recovering, but half the time she's asleep and the other half she's with family. I get the occasional phone call from a family member of hers updating me on her condition.
"She is recovering great", they usually say and "still only family allowed, we will get you in here as soon as possible."

I want to see her so bad, but my heart twists every time they say that. What if things have changed after the shooting? What if it was just a moment where we bonded just because of what we were experiencing? All these doubts flow through my head get overwhelming so I just turn around and scream into my pillow.