Exceptions

13. Can you feel it?

Third Person

Jade hopped up from the bench and ran across the field noticing he wasn't getting up.

"Ma'am you can't go on the field!" A security guard said as he ran after her. Ignoring his protest from behind she made it down the twenty yard line before she fell to her knees next to Odell.

"Why can't I feel my legs?" He asked as tears rolled down his face. She said in a comforting tone. "It's okay, it's okay." The ref recongized her from the recovery center and waved the security guard to hold back. 

The guard held down the push-to-talk on his walkie and put his lips to the microphone. "Engine 43, we have a code red-11 for a player down on the field. We're gonna need a bus."

Coach ran over with a few other players. "Keep his head elevated." Jade did as told as Odell's panic started to rise.

"What's hurting you the most?" Coach asked.

Odell was hyperventalting so much it felt like his air was choking him. "M-my legs-s and my back." He scratched at the jersey trying to get it off. "I can't breath."

"You have to relax. Take some deep breaths with me." Jade said placing her hand on his chest. "Deep breath in, deep breath out." He shook as he tried to copy the technique. "That's it. Keep going."

He blinked a few times as Alexis stood over him with a smile on her face. "You ready to come home with me?" Her voice come out in a soft echoe. "I think I'm ready for you now."

He shook his head quickly. "No, no, I'm not ready."

"Hold him still! He might have a concussion!" The EMTs from the on sight ambulance rushed on the field. The stadium full of thousands became so quite the people in the sky box could hear them. "Good job ma'am. Keeping holding his head like this. We're going to put this neckbrace on the best we can with his helmet on. We don't want to remove it incase he has any cranial swelling." They got the neck brave on as quickly as they could. Another EMT came rushing over. "I got the board." The five of them slipped a long neon orange board under him for transport.

"What's going on?" Odell asked as he felt himself being moved around. 

Alexis squated down. "They're going to bring you to me. Isn't that what you want?" The pain had made his lower half go numb. A bright light behind her began to blind him. "I'm waiting for you."

"Ma'am he's falling asleep. Keep him awake we need him to stay with us."

"Come home to me." Alexis placed her hands on his face his eyes fully closed.

"Keep him talking!"

Jade started freaking out. "O-Odell... Can you open your eyes for me?"

"My eyes feel heavy."

"They're not, okay? You can't fall asleep later. We're still gonna get food after the game remember?" He nodded the best he could. "Good uh, they're going to take you now."

Alexis smiled.

His eyes shot open and he grabbed Jade's wrist in panic. "Take me where?"

"To the hospital. There gonna take care of you." He slowly let her go as he noticed how much of a grip on her.

"Get ready. Stand on three. 1, 2... 3." Four of the EMTs held a grip on the thick plastic handles on the board. "3!" They stood up at the same time elevating the 5'11" 198 pound football player. Jade followed them as they carried him off the field. Odell kept his eyes on her she walked beside them through the tunnel.