Survivor

Chapter 11

 I look around the room starting to my right and slowly working my way to my left. I see my father and mother holding unto one another. Then I see Vikki's parents at the end of my bed with Sophia still lying there by my legs. To my left is Vikki sitting in wheelchair all bandage up from head to toe, well almost. They all look so scared.

I begin to feel dizzy when I see two nurses come running in. I fall backwards and everything goes black. Before it does, I hear someone yell, "Carol? What's going on?"     

                                              *                                             *                                           *

I come back to beeping noises beside me. It's high-pitched and annoying. I can feel a soft touch on my right hand, and a gentle pinch in my left arm by my elbow. I squirm in bed and feel the hand tighten and the pain become even more unbearable.

I squirm and open my eyes. My whole body is tense, hurts every time I try to move. I look around the room again, everyone is still here. "How ... how long have I been out?" my voice cracks as I ask.

Everyone has tears in their eyes, but my mother speaks first. "You've been out for a few weeks, dear. We've all been so worried about you." She gets all choked up at the end.

'A few weeks?' I think to myself. I look around the room again, confused. "Where's Jake?" The nurses are by my side checking my vitals. Now they look confused. "Where is he? Why can't I feel my leg?" I look down, but the nurse stops me. I look up at her.

"I was going to wait a little longer to explain what happened to you. You were in a car accident which led you to have internal bleeding. We, the doctors, were able to stop it in time; unfortunately we could not save your right leg."

My mind is racing with a million thoughts. How bad was this accident? What's next? I'm missing a liver or something? I grab the blanket and force it off of me, and there I see my leg is cut off just below my knee. "What? What happened?"

"Shhh. There, there. It's okay, we'll be with you every step of the way. Don't worry," father says.

My breathing is increasing, "That's great! but my leg! how did I lose it?" I'm freaking out now. "Why aren't you telling me where Jake is?"

The nurse begins to talk, so I turn to face her. "I do want to get to Jake in a minute, but as for you, your leg, got pinned during the accident. When the truck hit the car you were in, it pinned you in. I believe it pinned your stomach area but not as bad which is why the doctors were able to stop the bleeding. Your leg, it was too far gone. I'm so sorry."

I'm in shock. I don't know what to think. I look down at my leg and go to touch it.

"Like your father said, we'll be here for you, as well. Guide you all through everything you need to know about having a stub. Therapy, prosthetic, or anything else you need, okay?"' the nurse says.

I'm still freaking out over my leg, or lack there of it, and what happened that when I hear the word 'prosthetic' ... well let's just say it doesn't help. Also, nothing about Jake still. I swallow and nod. "Therapy? A prosthetic? ... What about Jake? Vikki?"

"Yes, you'll go to therapy, as in physical, to help you learn how to walk again, especially on a prosthetic leg. It will be difficult at first but you'll have your family there to help you through it," the nurse says.

"I'm right here, Carol," Vikki says grabbing my hand. "I've visited you every day I was allowed to. It's okay, don't worry. Like everyone said, we'll help each other through this." I just stare at her in confusion. When did she get here? I could've swore I just saw her in her room.

I can feel the tears coming. "What happened to you? When did you get here?"

"I broke my arm, my leg, and got a bump on my head. Now, I'm stuck in a wheelchair until everything heals." She pauses for a moment with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I am so sorry. I just wanted to take you home safely, not like this. I got here a few minutes ago."

Now I'm crying. "It's not your fault. I don't blame you. Hey, we're both alive, and yes, we will get through this." Just then three young males my age come in with concerned- looks on their faces.

"There you are, Vikki! You scared the shit out of us!" Chris exclaims. "You weren't in your room."

"Um, guys. She's awake. Just awaken. We came to visit here and surprise," she answers, pointing to me. I wave slightly.

There's Chris. About time, but I guess I've been out longer than I realize. "OMG! How are you? I am so sorry for everything."

"Hey it's alright. It's just an accident, I mean I don't know the whole story, but it sounds like it was the other guy who hit us. Right? How is he?"

They all look at me with confused looks. The nurse speaks up first, "The other person who hit you was a male driver, and came here in an ambulance. By the time he got here, he didn't make it, I'm sorry."

That 'sorry' felt a little bizarre like she knew something and wasn't telling me. Made my hair stand up on my arms. Creepy. I feel my heart break. "Me too, for his family. Why are you telling me this?"

She looks sad as she says, "The name you keep asking for 'Jake', that's what his name was."

I am stunned and everyone just stares at me.