Unlikely Hero Page 3

  “I need a chest tube.”

  “She’s got a punctured lung and at least 3 broken ribs.” The EMT said with authority as he gently pressed on the right side of the girl’s body. Bubbling frothy blood oozed from her mouth from the pressure the EMT exerted.

  “Get me that chest tube STAT.” He shouted. He switched off his official voice, softening his tone and spoke directly to the girl in a soothing voice. “Hold on honey, we’re here to help you”, he continued, trying to encourage her to fight. “It’s going to be ok. I need you to be strong and fight for me. Okay?”

  He then stood up and turned to his team, “Her skull feels like it’s fractured.” He spoke directly to his second in command.

  “Start a central line. We need to clear her airway now. I need to get her breathing stronger.”

  “Good. Get that board here!” He demanded, “We’ve need to move her out STAT.”

  “Cancel the bird, we need to get her out now.”

  The EMT team placed an immobilization collar around the girl’s neck, gently rolled her onto her side, while they slipped the backboard under her, strapping her in. The third attendant rolled the stretcher over and after the two men placed her on a board, they deftly lifted her to the stretcher and quickly loaded her in the back of the ambulance and drove off. Lights flashing-sirens blaring.

  Hurry. Good, get her to the hospital. Please, please God. Please let her make it. I hope she makes it.

  I surprisingly found myself praying which was odd for me. God and I are not exactly on speaking terms. So I didn’t hold out much hope, but in this case I’d give up anything to see her pull through it all and continue on with her life.

  I have no life. I took a life. I left a life. Maybe it was my turn to pay it forward. I’ll take that. I’ll take whatever I can get. Pay it forward. It is what I deserve. I want it so this young girl can someday open her eyes, get past all this and make something of her time here on this frigged up planet. God knows….God has to know. ‘Cause I sure as hell don’t know.

  After the fires were fully put out, the remaining ambulance attendants quickly pulled the victims from the minivan, assessing the situation. They gently wrapped the bodies in several sheets and placed them in body bags to be transferred to the morgue. Two ambulances slowly backed up and together with the help of the fireman, the EMT’s lifted the bodies and placed them into the back of the ambulances, and drove off. Their lights flashing, the sirens quiet. I saw it as a small but poignant tribute to the dead inside.

  ***

  “Looks like she dragged herself over here.” The officer said. “Although, …”, he trailed off while looking around. The guy was obviously clueless.

  I looked up, the shock apparent on my face.

  “Hey look” the other officer stated, “she must have called from her cell phone.” He pointed to the device, picking up the phone, noting down on his pad the last number dialed was 911 at 12:13 am. He took the phone and inserted it into a plastic bag marked EVIDENCE and proceeded to write something on the bag.

  The police quickly assessed the accident scene cordoning off the area for further investigation. The remaining EMT’s, with no bodies on the scene to tend to, began administering aid to the firemen and police that had been injured fighting the fire. Most sustained minor cuts and burns during the removal of the bodies.

  Meanwhile, four officers began their investigation.

  “There is no damn way that girl crawled here without any help. Not with how badly she was hurt.” The tall dark haired officer said. “You saw her. She was in really bad shape, she wouldn’t be able to move more than a foot if that much.”

  “Well, I see no other explanation.” He glanced around, “there are no footprints and there’s no one else here who could have helped her.”

  I was stunned. I stood listening to these cops with my mouth gaping open in shock, then just sat down. I looked up and watched with wry amusement as they continued to discuss how and when the girl crawled... scrambled… dragged… walked herself…hell, guys, you left out jumped, that’s it guys, she friggin’ jumped, to where they found her laying. Unkind expletives crawled into my thoughts and realized I was way too tired to entertain enlightening these two idiots as to how she did indeed get to the grass where they found her.

  Emotionally spent and fed up with these people, I let the fear and pure adrenaline flow out of me and realized I was totally exhausted. I just continued to sit in the spot on the grass where they removed the girl, where I pulled her to safety. Lowering my head to my knees, I inhaled deeply, releasing my breath slowly. Why didn’t they ask me how I was or what happened? I was stupefied. Did they see I was ok and just forgot about me? Or maybe, they were so focused on saving the girl, they didn’t bother with me, which was by all means, was cool with me.

  I noticed two cops walking over to the wooded area where I first found myself, before looking up to see the mangled wreckage.

  Both shook their heads pointing. One of them called over the other investigators. They walked over to where the two stood, one talking on his cell phone, the other jotting something down on a pad he’d produced from his jacket pocket.

  It was well over two hours later, that the police signaled the tow trucks standing by, to approach from where they’d been parked. Two cars needed to be transported via flatbeds. I assume they were to be taken to the police yard for further investigation. The driver’s of the tow trucks were extra careful not to trample the accident scene where the police were still conducting their investigation.

  I lowered myself onto my back and crossed my arms under my head. I bent my knees bent and just lay there looking up into the night sky. A light mist fell softly onto my face, cleansing me. I was so exhausted I just closed my eyes, and ran the events of the night over and over again in my head. I had to admit, I was totally confused.

  Surely, the police will need to speak to me about my account of the accident. I should let them know I’ll be here…then I thought; screw that, if they want me, they can find me. I’m wasted. Done.

  Chapter 3

  When I opened my eyes, it was very early in the morning and the sun was starting its assent into the sky. The pink glow of dawn spreading from the eastern sky to the western darkness turning gray to rose. Nature was just waking up. The birds were chirping. The wind lightly rustled the trees.

  It took me a few minutes to gather my thoughts. I lay there, in the same spot I’d fallen asleep, totally confused and trying desperately to piece together what had happened the previous evening.

  Did I dream the entire night’s events?

  I lifted myself up on one elbow, scanning the immediate area, hoping it was just a really vivid nightmare. To my disappointment, the accident scene which was still cordoned off with cones and bright yellow police tape, told me otherwise. Broken glass and bits and pieces of the wreck were strewn everywhere. The pavement, scarred with the burns from the fire that lit the night caused by the two cars colliding, still evident.

  I rolled over onto my side and quickly sat up allowing myself a quick assessment of my own physical condition, deciding I was a very lucky guy. I felt fine, a little light headed, but otherwise fine. I was, however, dumbfounded as to why I was totally ignored. Didn’t they see me in their crazed flurry? Is it possible they totally missed me? When I sat up, I realized I’d been laying on top of a few of the items from the girls pocket book I dumped out last night in my haste to find the cell phone. I guess the cops missed this too, I thought cynically.

  I moved medical debris and car parts to the side and gathered the items that had been left and unnoticed. Amongst the mints, lip-gloss, miscellaneous pieces of hand written notes, receipts, keys and other girl-type items, I also found a wallet. Her wallet. I picked it up, and after a moment of trepidation, I opened it.

  Inside I found a High School ID, with her name and address, a movie ticket stub to a movie from last night - Hunger Games, 8:45PM, Theater 4, $9.50, I assumed that’s where they were coming from - a provisi
onal driver’s license. I looked at her birthdate mentally noting she had just turned sixteen. There were a few pictures – family, friends… one in particular drew my attention. It was a picture of a young girl, light brown hair, skinny, faded blue eyes, young, looking very ready to take life by the ears. Her teeth were exceptionally large and she was smiling. Happy, warm and gregarious was how she could be perceived in the picture. She had her arm slung over the shoulder of another girl with blonde hair, the two laughing – happier times. I also found a paper with a phone number written down under the name Chris.

  Chris, well – maybe it’s the boyfriend?

  I glanced at the School ID and thought Well, Amber Hendricks of Bellaire Beach, I sure as hell hope you made it.

  I tucked the contents back inside her wallet and shoved the wallet into my jacket pocket. I put the other scattered contents into my other pocket and started walking in the opposite direction of where I had come from, and in the direction the ambulance took the girl. The girl I saved.

  Amber…nice name, pretty picture, pretty smile. I popped a mint into my mouth and started walking.

  ***

  It wasn’t long until I reached Tampa. The city was just starting to stir with the beginning of rush hour. I looked up and spotted a blue sign with a white ‘H’ on the right side of the street, the arrow pointing to the right. I followed that arrow for another mile and a half before I spotted the hospital looming in the distance. There was a part of me that did not want to know the outcome of last nights’ accident for fear she didn’t make it, but I felt compelled to know anyway, no matter good, or bad. Besides, I wanted – no I needed - to return her things. Yeah right, I wanted to see her again. I wanted to know I committed the heroic act of saving her life; the proverbial damsel in distress. However, distress is not the word I’d use to describe her situation. I don’t know any words that would describe this girl’s situation.

  ***

  I walked through the emergency room doors and I was immediately assaulted by the sterile odor permeating every nook and cranny of each and every hospital I’ve ever been to. It was that same antiseptic scent, mixed with misery. Pine cleaning solution, blood, mixed with tears and the smell of fear.

  Of course, this is a smell that once you have experienced it, you can never forget it. It never summons good memories to mind for me. I’ve never had the occasion to connect it with good feelings. I followed the signs that would take me to an area where nothing good ever happens. I turned left at the corner which led me to the Emergency/Triage area and I stopped to look around.

  In front of me was the information desk…just what I was looking for. Now to see if I could get any information about the girl that was brought in here last night/early morning. I was about to ask the young looking petite nurse sitting at her post if she could give me some information about the girl, Amber Hendricks, when I spotted a woman out of the corner of my eye. The scene immediately pulled my attention away from the nurse and I found myself staring at this woman.

  She was clearly distraught; she looked as though she had just received the worst news of her life. She weakly looked up at the doctor with a horrified look and let out a shrill ‘NO!’. The color faded from her face as her legs took on the consistency of Jell-O and she turned as white as a sheet of paper. She looked like she was going to pass out.

  Three sets of arms grabbed her, catching her, before she reached the ground; the doctor, who was speaking to her, a nurse who had her arm on the woman’s shoulder and another woman, a friend or relative. I wasn’t sure which, but she appeared to have been crying also. They managed to get the woman seated on the large sofa in the waiting area.

  I was entranced by the scene playing out in front of me and was unable to take my eyes off of the woman. It was like watching a train wreck, I wanted to turn away but I just couldn’t. I heard the doctor soothingly but sternly say ‘Mrs. Hendricks, please, I need you to listen and focus on what I am telling you.’ He gestured to a nurse to go and get water. The nurse took off quickly and returned with water and a blanket, which she wrapped around the woman’s frail shoulders. The woman gazed at the group circling her without seemingly focusing on anyone. Her body began shaking uncontrollably, from fear, cold, shock; or all three, I wasn’t sure. She looked hollow, like something reached in and grabbed the beating heart from her chest.

  The doctor sat next to the woman handing her the water, encouraging her to drink. She managed to take a few sips. The nurse knelt down next to where the woman sat and took the small shaking hand into her own. Without realizing it, I started walking towards the small group. I took a few steps and was pulled in closer; like a magnet. I was being sucked in closer, to the heartbreak. Not wanting to draw any attention to myself, I stood as close to the wall as possible.

  The doctor began speaking again to the woman in a low, even-toned voice.

  “Mrs. Hendricks, I understand your grief, and I’m…I am, I am so very sorry for your loss, but there are matters that need to be discussed now...right now. Amber still needs you to be strong.” He paused and looked towards the nurse, his eyes begging for her assistance in handling Mrs. Hendricks, “We are going to need to get your consent to take care of Amber. We stopped the hemorrhaging and have stabilized her, but we need to go in to repair the damage to her liver and lung.” He spoke softly but firmly. “She is still in critical condition, and I am afraid, not out of danger yet. She is going to need you to help her recover.” Once again, he paused. “Mrs. Hendricks, she will need you to be strong for her now.”

  The woman continued to stare vacantly at the doctor and nodded her head ever so slightly.

  I felt such relief at hearing she was alive…but not out of danger just yet. She was alive!

  While relief flooded over me, sudden realization filled the woman’s blank stare and she immediately lifted her eyes to look directly at the doctor.

  “You need to save my Amber, please doctor,” she said, her voice determined, although raspy and weak. At first, she could barely be heard, but I could see she was resolute to find the strength needed to help her daughter and said with more conviction, “I can’t bear to lose her too” she trailed off, “she’s all I’ve got left….”

  Her voice full of pain as she pleaded with her eyes, beseeching the doctor to do whatever needed to be done.

  The doctor squeezed her hand and said “We are going to do our very best to take care of Amber. It may be a while, so right know, I need you to get some rest and I will come to you when I have news.”

  He stood slowly and gave the nurse a knowing look. The nurse filled out the forms and handed the pen and clipboard to Mrs. Hendricks.

  “Prepare a room for Mrs. Hendricks, Janet,” the doctor directed, “See that she is comfortable…Valium 10mg.” The nurse nodded, in complete understanding what the doctor wanted. Then he quickly walked away towards the operating suite. Mrs. Hendricks lowered her head into her hands and wept softly, her body shaking from her sobs. The nurse went to prepare a room and get Mrs. Hendricks a sedative to help her try to relax.

  The woman with Mrs. Hendricks attempted to get her to drink more water while she pulled the blanket closer over her frail frame.

  This was Amber’s mother.

  I felt a sharp stabbing pain in my chest. The suffering this woman must be going through must seem like the worst kind of hell.

  This scene quickly became too painful to witness and I felt physically uncomfortable, like I was invading this grieving woman’s privacy. I turned to leave, walking in the same direction as a few minutes ago… a lifetime ago. I walked through the emergency room waiting area looking for a means to escape. Suddenly needing to be somewhere, anywhere but here, away from all this anguish; I felt a deep sadness for this woman. I knew what it felt like to lose someone you love as the memories of last night washed over me.

  Although my heart was heavy—and my soul was touched—I knew there wasn’t a chance I would never see her again. It was a given. It was an odd feeling but I knew d
eep down inside—in my heart—I would always be there for her. My connection to this girl is something I had no control over. The need to protect her was like blood coursing through my veins. I guess you can’t just save someone and walk away from it. Something remains with you, tethering you to that person. But for now, I just needed to get the hell out of here.

  It was a long emotionally exhausting night and I headed out the door into the chilly morning air hoping to clear my head. I took a deep breath trying to rid my nostrils of the aseptic scent.

  At least she is alive.

  I put my hand in my pocket and squeezed the wallet as though it were a talisman.

  Her – Amber Hendricks

  Chapter 4

  “Dad, are you serious? It’s like you don’t even friggin’ know me. Do you honestly think I would do that?!”

  “Amber, you’d better watch how you speak to me. I’m not having this conversation with you. Not now and you had better watch your language with me, Amber. I’m not one of your ‘friends’. I’m very angry right now, so it would be to your advantage to shut up!” He shouted at me.

  I felt the car accelerate. I always knew when I pushed my dad to far. I could see the pulsing at his temples and the twitch on the sides of his mouth as he held his lips together tightly. Normally, I would joke with him, and tell him I was sorry and we’d both end up laughing, but right now, I was mad as all hell.

  Okay, so I lied. I told my parents I was staying at Olivia’s house. I couldn’t tell them I went to meet my new boyfriend Chris for a movie. They’d never approve. He was twenty and I was sixteen, but I really felt something for him and he loved me. He was so hot and he wanted to be with me. They would never understand. They would never have let me go.

  I’ve never lied to my dad before and I felt horrible, but I needed him to trust my decision. I wasn’t a child anymore. I could make my own decisions.