Magnolia

Chapter 21

"Luke" I heard Emma's voice in my ear "don't close your eyes. You have to stay awake" I could practically hear the tears in her voice. "I'm going to roll you on your side now okay?" she asked. I was so weak and disoriented I couldn't respond. Emma's hand gripped my shoulder as she slowly rolled my body onto it's side.

My vision was becoming blurry now as I looked around the wear house trying to make out shapes but my eyes wouldn't stay focused. My eyes became teary as I had a feeling I wouldn't make it. Instead I focused on the feel of Emma's hands on my body, helping me to stay alive.

I then felt Sam's hands under my shoulders as he lifted me from the ground. He threw one arm over his shoulder and Emma took the other side. "C'mon Luke, we just have to make it to the car" Emma said. Sam and Emma dragged me to the car and I only felt amazement that the girl who had been starved and tortured was saving me. It felt like forever as my feet dragged across the ground and out of the wear house.

When we finally reached the car, Sam and Emma stopped. They looked at each other and back at the car, worry written on their faces. I looked around confused and when my eyes finally focused I realized what was wrong. The back seat of the car was empty, scissors and scraps of duct tape was all that remained of my mother. Emma grabbed the handle and pulled open the door. 

"Sam you drive" Emma said as she laid me down in the back seat. Emma sat next to me and put my head on her lap. She pressed on the jacket which was stopping the blood loss. "Just stay with me okay?" she asked, as she used the back of her hand to wipe tears that were running down her chin. 

I focused with all I had left. I focused on looking up at Emma's face as I watched light reflect off the tears. The ride was quiet besides Emma reminding me to stay awake and her telling Sam to drive faster. She ran her fingers through my hair, soothing me. She knew I liked it, it sometimes was the only thing that lulled me out of my night terrors. I started to go in and out and I knew I was drifting away slowly.

+

Eventually we got to the hospital. I was pulled out of the car and laid on a stretcher. I saw three doctors standing over me along with Emma. She ran next to me and held my hand. When we entered the emergency wing, they made her let go.

"No I have to go with him please" Emma cried.

"I'm sorry miss he is in critical condition. You need to stay here and be treated to" the doctor said, quickly addressing her severe wounds..

"No please-" Emma went to step forward, to follow me.

"Emma" Sam said holding her back with a gentle grip. The doctor nodded at Sam and then I was pushed away. The last sight I had before blacking out was Sam holding Emma, as Emma watched me, with teary eyes, being wheeled away, finally collapsing into Sam's arms as she to could no longer hang on.