Survivor

Chapter 5

 We move out of my room, and into the hallway. "What are we doing out here?" There's a commotion at the desk, but I don't think it has anything to do with me.

"Shhhh. Listen, over there," he says, and points in that direction.

I look back, and look closer. I see nurses behind the desk, and the doctor in front by a man in a dark uniform. I take a few steps closer and see he's a police officer. He's holding a clear bag in his hand and is offering it to the doctor.

"This belongs to the young ladies that were brought in earlier. Maybe it'll be a little bit easier to contact their parents and inform them where they are. We already did what we needed to do with them, so do whatever you need to do with them."

"And their conditions, leave to me when they get here. I'll take care of that in person for I fear the passenger isn't doing so well. Thank you, I appreciate this, and so will their parents. I can only imagine what they're going through."

"I don't think I even want to know," the officer says. As I watch, I become nervous and anxious; I can't imagine what our parents are going through. I do wonder how long it's been?

They shake hands, and the doctor turns to the nurse. "Can you do the honors? I have other patients to check on."

"Of course, Doctor, right away."

"Thank you."

A male nurse comes around the corner with a concern look. "We need you in room 220. He's flailing real bad, and is out of control. All we need to do is give him his meds, but he will not let us!" They start walking away and I can't hear anymore.

Watching the doctor with the police officer, makes me very nervous; I can't imagine what our parents are going through. 'How long has it been?' I wonder. I look up at Jake, "Thank goodness it isn't me or Vikki. I don't know how much more I can handle."

"It's okay. I'm here with you. Do you want to stay and see if they get a hold of them?" he asks. I do feel better with Jake here beside me; I don't know what I would do without him. He makes me feel better; I like him beside me.

I swallow and nod; he smile. We turn our attention back to the nurse at the desk, and she is now on the phone. "Hi, this is the Hospital calling; I'm a nurse in the ICU. Are you Victoria Heilman's parents?" There's silence for a moment, which makes me very nervous. "Yes, she's very well. She's ... maybe it'll be better if we discuss it when you come in?" There's more silence. "Yes, sir, I understand. I'll see you both whenever you get here. Bye now." She hangs up the phone. "One down, one more to go," she says to herself.

Another lady behind the desk turns to her and says, "Do you need me to help? I don't mind making it, really?"

"I appreciate that, but Dr. Scott put this responsibility on me. I have to go through with it," she says. I can tell this is hard for her; she really doesn't want to.

"He doesn't have to know. Just as long as the parents do. That's all that matters," the other says.

"I suppose you're right, but still it's my responsibility, though. Thank you."

"As you wish, dear." She turns back to her computer, and begins typing away. The nurse smiles her thanks one last time, and inhales a deep breath. She digs through the paperwork until, I guess, she finds my information. I become nervous.

"It'll be okay, Caroline," Jake says. I swallow and nod back my thanks to him.

The nurse is on the phone already, and she's talking to someone. "Yes, we have you're daughter; she's here at the hospital, in the ICU center." Silent at the moment. "She's alive, but she's in critical condition. That's all I can say at the moment." Silent. "Please, it would be best if you both came in as soon as possible." Silent. "I'll see you then. Bye, now." She hangs up the phone.

I'm scared; for me; for my parents; for Vikki. I don't like any of this. Somehow I think Jake senses it, "Come, that's enough of this area for now. Let's check on Vikki, shall we?" he says, gently pushing me away. "Trust me, they care, so don't fret."

We begin walking away, "It's not that. I'm just worried for them. I wasn't expecting any of this to happen; I didn't want to put them through any of this."

"It's okay. They understand; they just want you to be okay," he tries to reassure me. "What's wrong? What's going through your head?"

We stop just outside Vikki's door, and I wonder how to answer him. "I don't want them to be mad at her because she was driving. I don't want it to cause trouble between us. I mean, I know we barely know each other, but she seems so nice. I'd hate for her to be caught in the middle."

"I see. Would they really blame her?"

"Possibly. I'm not sure." He cocks his head towards the door, and allows me first. I go to put my hand on the knob, but nothing happens. "What the..." I try again, but the same thing happens. I look back at Jake with confusion, but he just smiles back at me and laughs. "A little help here, please?" He walks towards me, and without touching the handle, just walks through the door. "What the..." He puts his hand through the door, and gives me a wave. I follow his order, and walk through the door, slowly.

We walk through the mini hallway, and there she is still in the bed, sleeping. I'm in shock at what I see in front of me; Vikki half white, half hooked up to a monitor. She looks so lifeless, "Is the anesthesia still in her system or just sleeping?"

"I'm not sure, but her vitals do look normal to me. I'm sure she's just sleeping. Keep calm and have no fear, everything will be fine."

"Thank you. I'm sure you're right. I just worry that something bad will happen to her, too."

Before he can speak, there's a small noise coming from the bed. We turn to look to see Vikki squirm in bed.

"She's waking up!" I exclaim.