Two Hearts, One Leg

Chapter 1 | Katie

Zach's pov:

At the first sound of gun shot, I froze. I couldn't move, nor could I speak. I felt a stinging in my leg, I knew I was shot. I stumbled. I braced myself for the ground. I felt the ground beneath me begin to rise, I knew what was coming next, an explosive. I tried rolling away, but my leg was caught. I tucked my hands over my neck to help with impact, I knew it wouldn't help. I waited for the terrifying noise to blow me to bits, but it never came. I moved closer to the area of ground where it was located...

I woke up breathing heavily, I have had the same dream thousands of times since I had to come back from Afghanistan. I felt around my hospital bed, for my left leg hoping it was really just a dream. I felt the top of the stub I cried.

I hear a nurse, coming in. I hope it's Katie, I hope it's Katie, I thought.

Trish walked in, well more like stumbled. She is just about the fattest nurse I have seen within my two month hospital stay. "How are you doing Zach?" She asked.

"I'm fine." I replied in an upsetting tone.

"What's the matter this time?" She asked.

I stayed quiet.

She rolled her eyes. "I can tell that you were just crying."

"So, that doesn't mean anything." I angerly replied.

"Ok fine, I give up Zach. I have real work to do I just came in to see how you were. But..would you talk to Katie?" She asked.

"Yes." I replied.

Trish yelled for Katie and she came rushing in. Katie has blonde hair, green eyes that shine, and the cutest small amount of freckles.

"You ok Zach?" she asked.

"I have been having the dream again." I replied.

"The one about Afghanistan and you losing your leg?"

"That's the one." I replied. She laughed.

I love her laugh. I thought.

"Thanks for giving me a small laugh I really needed it."

"Why what happened?" I asked.

"I was taking care of a guy for years, helping with cancer treatment, and we became close friends. Well yesterday I get a call that he was being rushed back to the hospital after his 78th round of meds. They told me that he was declining fast, and they didn't think he would last the night. So, I sat by his bed telling him my last goodbyes, when I here the sound of the heart rate monitor flat lining."

I see her start to cry, and I try to comfort her.

"It's ok Katie you must have been strong." I asked her in a comforting voice.

"Not as strong as I could have been." She replied.

"Think of it this way," I told her. "If he died almost right when he got set up to the machines, he must have been waiting for you to say goodbye before he left you."

"I think you might not be crazy on this one Zach." She replied. "Thank you for letting me talk about this with you!" She smiled.

"No problem, it was nice." I told her.

"I think I need to get going. But before I leave, is there anything you need me to do for you?" Katie asked.

"Yes, well, it's to much to ask." I sadly replied.

"Come on, tell me."

"Can I see Shadow." Shadow is my K-9 dog from back in Afghanistan, she was the best partner. She was by me when the bomb exploded, the last time I saw her, she was in very critical condition.

"I don't know," Katie replied in a saddened tone. "You aren't supposed to get out of bed."

"Can't you just help me in a wheelchair?" I asked.

"No I'm sorry Zach I wish I could, but if you want I could go check on her and show you a video on how she is doing?" Katie still sad replied.

"Ok, I guess it's better than nothing." I sadly replied.

"I really wish I could take you to see her, but I just can't." She told me.

"I know. I need to get some sleep anyway."

"Ok, get some rest, see you soon."

As Katie walked out of the room she stopped, she was thinking, hopeing that Zach didn't find out who she really was.