Survivor

Chapter 3

He turns and walks away from me, and I just in confusion. As he walks, he disappears just before he makes it to the sidewalk. Now I'm even more confused, but before I can call after him, I feel a weird sensation and a flash.

"We've got a slight pulse! She's coming back!" a male says.

I'm in the ambulance; I feel pain all over me. I begin thrashing back and forth, until something takes over and helps calm me down.

"There, take it easy, honey," the younger one says.

"We're here!" the female says, and stops the ambulance. I feel them begin to pull me out once the vehicle doors open, but once they've get me inside I feel myself pulling away again.

"What do we have? ... We're losing ..."

I'm standing by the wall, and I see the three paramedics and the other staff all by my stretcher. "Great, I'm dead again."

"Welcome back, Caroline."

"Jeez! Really!" I jump and turn to the man in white. "Where did you come from?"

"Uh...let's just say I'm stuck with you; to keep you company."

"Seriously? Great, but you still have a lot of explaining to do."

"In plenty of time, when you're ready to hear it all." I'm frustrated he won't tell me anything, but I leave it alone ... for now.

"When I'm ready? What does that mean?"

"Oh! Look they're moving." He starts to move with them, and I follow after him, still not very happy.

I let it go, for now, and turn my attention back to the staff working on me. They're rushing me down the hall, many halls, an elevator, and I see a sign that says emergency surgery.

The paramedics let go at the door, and more nurses take over and push me through the door. I stand there watching through the little window, while they rush to put their gowns, gloves, and masks on and get their tools ready.

The man in white puts a hand on my shoulder gently, "Come, lets check on your friend." It's not a question, but I nod anyways with a tear streaming down my cheek. We begin walking away and down the hallway. "Maybe I'll begin with a little something. My name is Jake, and I'm a friend."

"A friend? So, you're not here to hurt me then?"

"No, I'm not. I'm here to help guide you through this journey. I'm here if you have any question, if I can answer within reason."

"This journey? Am I going to like this journey?"

"I don't know? .... Here we are. Your friend's room, let's see how she's doing?"

"I do want to see her, but I want to know more. You're not off the hook!" He smiles and lets me in the door first. "Are you sure this a good idea?"

"It's fine, don't be nervous. Besides no one can see us anyways, so no worries."

"I did think it was a little rude that they were all ignoring me earlier. I just didn't realize it was everyone who couldn't see me." I turn and walk into the room. At the end of the little hallway, I see Vikki lying in a bed with tubes and needles in her arm, and she's wearing one of their white gowns. Her right leg and arm are in a white cast, and she has a small white bandage on her forehead. Wow, I hadn't realize how bad she's been hurt; I feel awful. My hands begin to shake, and I feel for her.

She's still sleeping from the surgery, but she looks so peaceful. I'm just standing by the wall watching her when Jake comes up beside me. "She'll make it, just the amnesia in her system which is making her asleep still." I don't leave her out of my sight; I feel bad. "It's a lot to take in, but she'll be fine. It wasn't your fault."

I look up at him with tears in my eyes, beginning to stream down my cheeks, I say, "Thanks." Just then a flash of light and darkness is surrounding me. My eyelids are so heavy I feel as if I can't open them, but I hear a female shout next to me.

"She's coming back! I've got a heartbeat!"

"Good, that's very good. We're almost done here. One more stitch... and she's done. Let's get her all clean up and back to her room," a male says.

"Yes, doctor. Sounds good to us," she says but trails off.

I feel myself trailing away again, when something goes flying onto my face. I try to stay this time, but suddenly I see a glow, only different.