Nothing's Fine

Chapter 20

He stood there staring at me. I closed my eyes, and within a second he was by my side.

“Shush, don’t fall asleep. Please? I need you to keep your eyes open for me. Sarah…” He shook me.

I opened my eyes to face a tear brimmed Liam. His hand slipped under my legs and the other behind my back. He proceeded to pick me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck so it wasn’t as much work for him. I buried my face in his chest and closed my eyes again.

“Sarah! Please? If your gunna close your eyes, you need to talk to me.”

I groaned. I didn’t want to talk to him, so I lifted my head and opened my eyes. By this time, he was laying me down in his car. He reached over and grabbed the seat belt, buckling me in.

“Keep your eyes open.”

He ran over to the driver’s side and jumped in. He started the car and he grabbed my hand. He started running his thumb up and down it. I looked over at him. I knew I looked bad. I could feel the blood drying on my face.

“It’s going to be okay. I’m taking you to the hospital. You’re going to be okay.”

He kept saying those words over and over. I kept my eyes open, but my brain practically went to sleep. I couldn’t remember where we were at or where we were going. I left my hand in Liam’s, but didn’t use any effort to hold it back. I stared at Liam, and in one swift second, a tear rolled down his face. I wanted to wipe it away. He was supposed to be the strong one. He never cried for me. Ever. Why now? Did I really look that bad?

He told me I would be okay again. It was starting to sound more like he was trying to convince himself than to convince me. I had survived millions of beatings like this. I knew I was going to be okay. He was just over-reacting.

I felt the car turn and the hospital door came into view. I used that as a sign that I could close my eyes. I was still awake, but I couldn’t hold my eyes open anymore. No matter how many times Liam asked me to open them, I couldn’t. I was beyond exhausted.

I felt myself being laid down on a bed. I was out. I couldn’t stay awake any longer. I heard hushed whispers and frantic voices all around me, but that was the last thing I heard.  I let the sleep over come me.

The next time I woke, I was alone in a room. I heard the faint beeping of the heart machine but other than that, it was deadly silent. It was dark too. I saw a little bit of light streaming in through the crack of the door. That was the only source of humanity within reach. I began to rise up, waiting to move. I was greeted with IV’s and wires all around my body.

I suddenly got extrememly thirsty. I felt like my whole body had been dropped in a desert filled with absolutely no oxygen. I couldn’t breathe I was so thirsty. I tried to yell out. It sounded as if nothing came out, but by the way the nurses rushed in, I knew my whisper had been heard.

“Lay back down. You’re not ready to get up.” She gently pushed me back down. “What do you need?”

“Water!” I croaked.

“Okay. I will be back in a second.” She promised as another nurse walked in.

“My name is Dr. Ramsey. How are you Sarah?” He ran a thermometer across my forehead.

“Tired and thirsty.” I spat.

“I know. Your temperature looks good. Let’s check your pulse.” He put the stethoscope to my back, then to my heart, down to my wrist.

“Sounds good. We’re going to take some blood. Do you feel any discomfort?”

“Yes! In my throat and chest and everywhere!” I hissed.