The Strongest Force (ON HIATUS)

Part 5: Close Encounters

They cycled to set up and ran into positions that afternoon. Just as they had planned Christopher and Elizabeth were cycling together. Aaron and Ru Han pulled the trip wire to trip Christopher. His cycle smashed into the wire and cartwheeled in the air before crashing down on the concrete floor. The bike was in a mangled mess and Christopher was sprawled on the floor with scrapes all over his body and blood seeping from cuts on his elbows and knees. To make matters worse his left arm was twisted unnaturally and he was wincing with pain.Elizabeth looked stunned and tried to help him up without causing him more pain.

Her tries just put him through more pain. Everytime she tried to pick him up he just winced even more.Giving up she put him down and called for an ambulance. Minutes went by and Christopher was losing more blood by the minute. Aaron couldn't bear to see his friend writhe in pain anymore. He jumped out and acted shocked like he didn't see everything. Elizabeth was quite confused but didn't question it.

He signalled for the whole gang to come like they were running normally. They carried him up to the ambulance which had just arrived. That day Aaron and the rest of the matchmakers swore to each other that day, there would be no more of their matchmaking pranks. They weren't allowed in the ambulance so all of them including Elizabeth grabbed their bikes and went cycling after the ambulance at high speed.

Luckily the hospital was only nearby so they didn't have to cycle long. By the time they reached there Christopher was already in the ICU. Sighing they just stayed outside waiting for any news to reach past the solid white doors of the hospital.Out of the blue there was a hollering sound coming through the hallway. Everyone turned around to face that direction. Christopher's parent were running through the hallway. His mother looked hysterical and was wailing loudly. Aaron and rest of the matchmakers gang were struck with guilt. Due to their silly antics their best friend was in ICU and his parents were grieving terribly. Every loud wail Christopher's mum let out struck Aaron like a lightning to his heart.

Hours passed. A nurse came by and told Christopher's mum to be slightly quieter and calmed her down. Soon the wails had reduced to pitiful sobs. All their parents were present in the room waiting for answers, The doctor walked out. There was a sharp intake of breath from everyone. The doctor opened his mouth to speak. Another sharp intake of breath. By the look of his face the doctor was certainly very annoyed. Everyone fell silent. The doctor began, " He'll live. He's lost a lot of blood and we're replacing it now. He has a fractured arm and a sprained ankle and has a lot of cuts all over. He might've bruised a few bones but he should be fine. The landing was unnatural so it hit the poor lad hard. He finished this sentence and walked away quite professionally.

Everyone let out a humongous sigh. Christopher was alright. What a relief. Aaron and the matchmakers were most delighted as they were worried sick about him. Christopher's mother fell to his knees and thanked the gods for giving back her precious son.The nurse came in and told they could visit him when he comes around. It seemed like ages before he did come around but when he did the nurse rushed out and announced the good news.

If the nurse hadn't controlled them Elizabeth was sure there would've been a stampede between the parents and children waiting to see Christopher. Quite a few kids from school had also arrived. Only them and his parents were allowed immediately as his VIP guests. He had bandages around his arm and leg and a lot of plasters. His parents spoke to him first in rapid Cantonese which not any of the group understood. Then they left leaving him and his friends alone.

Hui Xuan asked immediately, "Chris are you okay?" This earned a giggle from everyone including Christopher. He replied jovially," Genius,I'm in a cast for both my hand and leg with cuts all over my body. Do I look okay?" Realizing the idiocy of her question Hui Xuan grinned once more and shrugged it off. For the energetic bunch they were, it was a large effort not to make any loud noises but they pulled it off. After asking him a few questions about how he felt they let him rest and left the room.

Christopher's recovery process was slow and tedious but his family and all of his friends were there for him every step of the way. In a few months he was almost back to normal once more.After that experience all of them truly wished they didn't have to visit the hospital ever again.