The Machine God Series: An Endless Nightmare

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: 

The coach was yelling at the students, scolding them. Yahnhinko could feel their glaring eyes fall upon him. As the coach left, one of the students threw the ball at him, aiming a little higher than they should for a pass. He didn't know what was worse, sitting on the side lines, or playing in a game where everyone was sure to be aiming specifically for him. He almost wished he could be in a classroom.

As they took a water break, Yahnhinko looked over towards the school building. Something had caught his eye. Over by the pool was an enormous tree, a very majestic and beautiful tree with strong branches that stretched out to the point of scraping against the school's side. Some branches up near a third story classroom were swaying, which struck him as odd. There was hardly a breeze, and it was only an isolated section of branches. Then, others started swaying violently, some even breaking, sending a shower of leaves down. What the...? Yahnhinko thought, straining to get a clearer view.

Suddenly, a body came tumbling out of the tree, having hit several thick branches. It twisted and contorted painfully, going rag doll before splashing into the pool. Was that...!? It looked like Nehna. There was no doubt in Yahnhinko's mind that she was unconscious, if not worse, dead. Luckily for her, she had landed in the pool instead of the ground. But, if she really was unconscious, then she was in trouble. Not waiting another second, Yahnhinko took off, using all of the speed of the trained mountain hunter he was, rushing after his prey. There was no time to lose. He dove straight in, grabbing the girls' limp hand, as she floated just above the bottom. Yahnhinko hoisted her up under the arms, as the coach, panting and out of breath helped drag her from the water.

"She's not breathing. " The coach said as he checked her vitals. "But she has a pulse." He then looked expectantly at Yahnhinko, a weak smile on his face. Oh don't make me...

Forming his hands into the correct forms, the coach started compressions, encouraging breathing and pushing the water out of her lungs. A student from the crowd observing the scene ran to get the nurse. One of Nehna's arms was distorted, bone bulging unnaturally in the middle of her arm, but not poking through. It was broken, and the break looked bad. In addition, she was covered in scratches and gashes, one of which was bleeding a worrisome amount from the back of her neck. She was now breathing, coughing to get rid of the rest of the water that had flooded her lungs. But, she was barely conscious, unalert and not very responsive. A school nurse came hurrying out, first aid kit in hand. An ambulance was on it's way.

Just what was she thinking? Yahnhinko wondered. Her father really wasn't kidding..... Hmm? Clutched tightly in the hand of her good arm, something gold shinned. It was a locket, the same one she had been wearing earlier. That's strange. Yahnhinko looked up to the open window out of which she must have climbed out. The faces of curious students were pressed to the glass of all the other classrooms, probably taking pictures and blogging about it. Even more faces starting appearing as the ambulance sped across the sports field.

He watched as she was loaded onto the stretcher. The girl who had previously looked so strong, been so confident and outgoing, was now pitiful, soaking wet, bleeding, and soon to be in a lot of pain. Honestly, it was a miracle she wasn't hurt more badly. She could have just as easily broken her neck. The thought disturbed Yahnhinko deeply. Blankets were thrown over her as they pushed the stretcher into the back of the ambulance. A tap on his shoulder drew Yahnhinko's attention to the nurse who stood next to him. The nurse nodded his head in the direction of the ambulance, where the coach was talking to one of the responders. They motioned for Yahnhinko to come, and to hurry. He sat next to Nehna, recounting what he had seen, as the ambulance sped off.

***

Bright light stung her eyes, the constant beeping of a machine making her headache worse. Cold swept over her, the thin sheets that lay over her not providing much warmth. When Nehna finally did open her eyes she found herself in a white room, fluorescent lights keeping the room lit as it got darker outside. Soft and sleepy breathing came from somewhere to her side, though her body begged her not to move her neck. She could feel something wrapped around it, pain throbbing somewhere on the back of her neck.