"I take back what I said the first time we met. I never could have been more wrong."
"Oh, and what would that be?"
"Every thing about you - every thing you do, or say, or even when you scrunch your nose when you don't really like something - just ma...
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IT WAS A SUNDAY MORNING that started out like any other. The sun wasn't particularly apparent, but when was it ever? This is was Forks, Washington for crying out loud. I briefly woke up when Paul's warm embrace left mine at around 4:45, before falling back asleep. I wasn't sure how much good it did me, as I was fully awake by 6:30. I scrambled together some breakfast for myself, as well as my usual three mugs of coffee, and Koda sat dutifully by my legs. I felt like I hadn't seen much of him as of late, since he was always roaming around with the boys, acting as if he was king of the forest. It had been almost a full year since the little rascal had come into my life, and I didn't regret a single moment of it.
The two of us then went on our merry way to Emily's to help her out with whatever she may need. Not even two hours later, dread--no, death--filled my bones. "Shit," I hiss, dropping what I'm doing.
"Josie, what is it?" Emily asked, frown lines creasing her face.
"Emily, stay here," I demand. "Koda," I begin. "Make sure she stays safe." Koda gives a reassuring yip before I run out into the forest. The wind whistled past my ears and felt cool against my face. My heart rate remained shockingly steady as I allowed myself to grow comfortable in the deadly feeling that seeped through my skin.
I made it to Harry Clearwater a mere moment too late. He was on the ground, showing clear signs of a heart attack. At that moment, I didn't think; I merely acted. Kneeling down beside Harry, I looked up to my father with wide eyes. "Dad, get everyone out of here... and call an ambulance." My father nodded his head rapidly, only sparing me one last brief glance as I'm stipping Harry's chest base with the spare knife in my boot.
"Alright guys, let's just head over here..." My father notes. His voice, as well as the sudden pained howl of wolves, becomes white noise as I focus all of my energy into my hands.
"Blood is a liquid. Cholesterol and plaque are solids. The heart rate is controlled by electric impulses," I mutter to myself. "I can do this. I can do this." My voice whispers among the rustling of the leaves. Closing my eyes. I hardly feel anything as the wind picks up around me.
Visualizing the block, I see the cholesterol disappear with my right hand as my left places electrical impulses on his breastbone to the tune of Staying Alive. If it wasn't such a dire situation, I would smile and sing along, reminiscing on my favorite episode of The Office.
I felt a release, shocked that I had managed to remove the buildup of cholesterol and plaque. Saturating the neglected portion of the heart with blood, I let out a sigh of relief when the SA node began to fire independently again. Pulling my hands away, I smile faintly as I watch Harry's chest rise and fall once more. Looking up, I meet my father's eyes only to see his awe-stricken expression. Sluggishly, I try to stand. The moment I put my weight on one of my legs, my eyes roll back in my head. All I can see if darkness as my body thumps against the forest floor.
<>
I pried my eyes open. I was welcomed by bright colors and a stiff mattress. "What happened?" I mumble, unable to make out the people around me.
"You passed out," my father sighs. "Doctor says over-exhaustion." I nod, sitting upright.
"Not what I meant, but okay?" My father chuckles, a grin stretching across his face. "How's Harry?"
"I don't know how you did it Josie... but he's alive." My eyes glossed over with happy tears, matching my father's expression. "You saved his life." I let out an exasperated laugh, ignoring the IV connected to my arm and wrapping my father in a hug. "But if you ever do that again," he sniffles, "I'll kick your ass." I continue to giggle, holding him tight.
"Deal," I grin, pulling away. "As long as Harry's really okay."
"He is," Dad chuckles. "Well, now that you're awake, I can go and get you discharged." I nod, watching as he walks out the door. I let out a deep breath, looking around me at the hospital. I'd been in here a few too many times, though I didn't seem to care. Since my life had changed, each visit to the hospital had been done in service of someone I card about. I was helping people. I was keeping the ones I love safe. And that was more than I could ever ask for. I pulled the sheets off me as a nurse walked over. She gave me a soft smile before disconnecting me from the IV.
"Can I see Harry?" I ask, looking up to my father and the nurse with wide eyes. Both nod, the nurse with a sympathetic smile and my father with a proud grin. The woman lead us over to his hospital room. The moment I made eye contact with Sue, she bolted up running into my arms.
"Josie! Josie, my darling!" she sobs.
"Hey Sue," I note softly. "How is he?"
"He's sleeping right now," she informs, wiping the tears out of her eyes as she sniffles. "But oh, my Josie," she whispers, pushing the hair away from my eyes. I smelt like the hospital, and I looked like shit, but I didn't care too much for that.
"Where are Leah and Seth?" Sue's eyes started too fleet around before meeting my eyes.
"They're, uh, they're with Sam,"
"Leah too?" I ask, shocked.
"Yeah," Sue nods. "When we thought... when everyone first heard... before you got there, you know..." Sue trails off, trying to find the right words. I nod understandingly. "Oh, Josie," she mumbles again. "I don't know what I could ever do to repay you."
"Nothing," I reply firmly. "Nothing in the world. You're family, Sue. And there's nothing that I wouldn't do for my family. It was an honor." Tears come to Sue again, and this time, I begin to cry as well. The two of us stand together, hugging one another tightly. My father stands a few feet away, unaware of anything bigger than me roaming in the woods. He simply took in the touching moment between two women who cared deeply for Harry Clearwater.
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Hey, I know the ending's kinda weird, sorry about that.
Ya girl is just trying to hit her word minimum.
And plus, I wanted to make sure that Leah and Seth still shifted.
So yeah.
Hope quarantine is going better for y'all (I'm going a little crazy)
