Purpose ↬ Zaniel Heavey

1

z a c h a r y
My heart dropped at the sight of the boy. I was never one that was good with seeing too much blood, that's why I froze. A nurse shoved me out of the way as they rushed him into an operation room.

The boy looked around my age, from what I could tell. He seemed to have been in a pretty bad accident. His face was covered in cuts, blood seeping out in huge amounts. It also seemed like he had broken a few bones since his posture didn't look right.

I shook my head and walked towards the elevator. That's why I don't volunteer on the emergency floor. It's always hectic and overwhelming. I did want to be a doctor someday, but my heart was weak and I couldn't handle scenes like the one that was just displayed.

Once I reached the second floor, I felt safe again. The hospital's environment wasn't a great place to be, but this floor was a small exception. It only contained the patience with minor illnesses, things I can handle.

"Zach, where were you?" Lorraine, the nurse in charge of the floor asked. "I was just getting you coffee." I handed her the cup. "Thanks darling." She gave me a tired smile. She's going onto her tenth hour in her shift now.

"Is there anything else you'd like me to do?" I asked her. "Maybe go check on Mr. Nelson, he seemed a little sad today." I nodded at her. "Okay."

I knocked on the door three times before I heard a quiet "come in." I walked in with a smile on my face. "Hello Mr. Nelson." The older man immediately gave me a toothless grin. "Zachary, so glad to see you!"

I took a seat by his bed. "How are you today?" I reached over for the chess board. "Not too great, the pain is getting worse." I frowned. Mr. Nelson was the first patient I was ever asked to check up on when I began volunteering at the hospital.

"Maybe I could take your mind off the pain." I set the chess board on the small table next to his bed. "Okay kid, but be ready to lose." I laughed, I really did always lose. I wasn't necessarily bad at chess, I just liked seeing him smile when he wins.

•••

1 week later
"Zach, help me get a room set up." I immediately followed Lorraine to the last empty room we had. "Who's it for?" I asked as I replaced the bed sheets. "A boy in a coma."

"Shouldn't he be in an ICU or something? It seems pretty serious." Lorraine shrugged. "Dr. Styles said that there isn't much more they can do for him." We were interrupted by other nurses wheeling the boy in.

I stepped out of the way as they got him onto the bed and hooked him up to the machinery. "Alright Lorraine, keep me updated on any progress." Dr. Styles said before he left.

Lorraine stared at the lifeless boy. "Poor guy, I hope he wakes up soon." I nodded slowly along to what she said. It took me a few more seconds of staring to recognize that it was the same boy from last week. He just looked different without the blood on his face.

It took a lot for me to ever feel bad for someone, but for him, I did. It's not because I'm cold hearted, it's just because I've become numb to most emotions. Happiness, love, hope... they're overrated. "What's his name?" I wondered. Lorraine looked down at his file, "Daniel James Seavey."

Hey guys it's KimlovesWDW  & dolanschonce and we're writing a book together!