Reid, Captain Talerum and the rest of the rescue crews scream their way along the county roads, getting ever closer to CJ's farm.
"Reid, reach in between the console and the back seat for me, there's a metal case, inside of it will be a medical form. I'll need you to fill out what you know about CJ on there for me, don't worry about filling in everything, just get everything you know." the Captain called from the driver's seat.
The radio chirps as the ambulance arrives on scene and starts relaying back information about what they see, requesting that the Captain ask about getting a helicopter in the air in case they needed to air-lift CJ to the hospital. He takes the radio mic and gets to work organizing with his dispatch. He hated that he knew exactly what dispatch was going to say.
"Sorry Command, the bird is grounded due to the weather hitting the city." He slammed the mic on its hook, and let out a audible and frustrated, "Fuck!" as he pushed the throttle. Once at the farm, he set up near the fallen branch and started to setup the tools to get CJ free.
"Oh Reid, I haven't told you yet, but my name's Fraye by the way." He looks over at Reid as he parks the truck and reaches behind him to grab his helmet. "Were you able to give me any information about him?"
Reid gives the form, most of the information was filled out. CJ is a pretty healthy horse, not much about him to be concerned about. Reid never takes his eyes off of CJ's unconscious body. He was so focused on CJ, he didn't notice the other horse standing to the side, out of the way of everyone.
Fraye jumps out of the truck and beckons Reid to jump out and follow, after going to the back of his truck and grabbing an extra helmet and eye protection. He stops. "A lot of good this will do you huh?" He tosses the helmet back towards the truck and tosses the glasses to Reid.
Reid nods. "It's ok, I'll be sure to keep a look out. I will take these, though." He puts the glasses on.
The scene was getting worked on by the lead engine, starting to get braces under the branch and trying to use the heavy equipment to lift the branch up off CJ's body. The EMT's and Medics get to work assessing CJ. The lead medic takes the form that Fraye had and nods approvingly, relaying info to his team.
"No medications, no drug use, no known diseases, presuming just trauma at this point, but lets not rule anything out."
Fraye grabs his gloves out his jacket pocket and and takes the chainsaw off the engine. He gets to work with trimming down the large broken splits of the wood. The EMT calls for Reid to come and help them at CJ's head.
"I need you to hold his head completely still, we want to try and limit him moving his head, okay?"
Reid's paws shake, but he follows instructions. He gently takes CJ's head and holds it still. The EMT wraps a neck brace around CJ's head as the fire crews get to lifting the log off and rolling it away from the patient. The medic starts assessing CJ's lung sounds.
"Alright there's been some crushing with the ribcage, lets get him loaded and rolling asap!" he calls out.
Fraye brings over the backboard and looks at Reid while everyone sets up to roll him onto it, "Reid it's on your count of three." Fraye looks at him expectantly.
Reid takes a couple slow breaths. "Okay. O-one ... two ... three!" In one fluid motion the crew lifts CJ up and places him back down on the board. The EMT secures CJ's head and fastens some other straps. "You can let go, he's secure now." The crews move to the edges of the board and preps to lift him as Fraye grabs Reid's arm and backs him up a tiny bit so they can lift easily.
"You can ride with him, he'll want you there." Reid nodded. They loaded CJ onto the stretcher then rolled him into the ambulance, the EMT offered his arm to Reid, who took it and lunged into the ambulance. He closes the door behind the both of them and they begin to drive away. Reid not noticing the extra car that is now behind them.
LATER: Reid sat next to CJ in the hospital room. CJ appeared to be fine on the outside, apart from some scrapes and some gnarly bruises. He stood up and grabbed CJ's hand. His other paw resting on his face. He began talking, as if CJ could hear him.
"Damn, CJ. You scared the hell out of me, you know. I know you can't hear me, but I have things to say. And maybe I will have the courage to say them one day, when you can actually respond." He breathed a shaky sigh.
"You have given my life a restart. Once we met, it felt like my life was brand new again. I can start over. I can be a new me. You've done a lot of good for me. And I cannot thank you enough. I just hope I have done the same for you. I know we haven't said this word yet, but I know now that this is how I truly feel. I love you so much, CJ." Reid's eyes began to water.
Something happened next that caught Reid off-guard. He could have sworn CJ's hand tightened it's grip ever-so-slightly. Just then, the door swings open, causing Reid to look over to see who was coming in. He let go of CJ's hand.
In walked another horse. He looked very similar to CJ, but a little on the heavier side. He seemed to be just as surprised as Reid did.
"Oh, umm, you off-duty or somethin'?" The horse asked. He had a slightly thicker accent then CJ did.
Reid tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"I saw y'all at the scene, you were helpin' the crew. Are you not with 'em?" he asked.
Reid answered. "Oh, sorry. I'm not. I'm his boyfriend, I was just there. It's a long story. May I ask who you are?"
The horse was taken aback. "I'm uhh. I'm his dad. I was the one who called for help."
Reid's eyes grew wide. "Oh, I'm so sorry sir. I didn't know that was you. He's talked about you, but this is the first time I'm seeing you." He walked over and reached out his paw. "My name's Reid. Umm, Y-you're ok that I'm dating CJ, right?"
CJ's dad looked at Reid's paw, and back to his face. He took a moment to look Reid over, as if he was 'sizing him up' for a fight. Finally, he took Reid's paw and shook it firmly.
"You seem well put-together. If you two are happy, then I don't give a shit who he's seein'."
Reid smiled as the door swung open again. Revealing this time a familiar face.
"Well now, I didn't expect to see you back here so soon. How are you healing up?" came the doctor's jovial tone.
Reid smiled. "Dr. Shaggy, honestly I didn't think I'd be back this soon either, but someone wasn't having it." he pointed to the bed where CJ was lying. "I'm healing well, the pain in my ribs are almost completely gone."
Shaggy nodded and looked at his papers. He looked at CJ's dad. "You must be the father. Well your son should be thankful. The tree limb missed his head and landed on his shoulder, which broke his collar bone. When he fell to the ground, the weight bruised some of his ribs. Luckily he didn't puncture a lung, or break his neck entirely."
Reid felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. His ear flicked when he heard something from the other side of the room. He looked over and saw CJ moving slightly. He went over and grabbed hold of his hand, causing a quiet "Awww" from Dr. Shaggy. Followed by a soft THUMP and a whispered "Sorry."
CJ's eyes slowly opened.
YOU ARE READING
Like Taking a Photo
General FictionA short story involving my fursona, Reid. Reid is a deer who is normally happy with life. But things have not been too kind. After losing his job as a Line-Cook at a fancy establishment, he looks toward friends to try and keep him afloat. What will...
