AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The paramedic sighs, and I hear him radio the hospital with our arrival. I wait anxiously for the ambulance to turn a corner and begin the drive to the hospital. I lay my head down on Zeke's chest and try to listen to the rhythm of his heart, but it's too faint. I watch as the paramedic checks his pulse, and I know that it's too slow. I watch as his eyes roll back into his head, and I know he's close to death. I watch his body temperature drop and his cheeks get increasingly pale. I'm losing him.
Oh god, I can't lose him. The tears spill down my cheeks. This is all my fault. All my fault. If it hadn't been for me, none of this would have happened. I should have never left my stepdad's house. I should have just stayed there with him and endured my lot in life.
"Hey, Zeke," I whisper, stroking my fingers down his cheek. "You need to wake up." I swallow as my voice breaks. "Please, for the love of God, wake the fuck up! I'm not supposed to live without you. Ican'tlive without you."
I don't know what I'm going to do if I lose him.
He'll make it. Hehasto. I can't bear to think otherwise.
As I sit there, watching the paramedic do everything he can to save Zeke's life, I feel a burning anger build up inside of me. I make a vow to myself right then and there that if Zeke dies—if I lose him—I won't be responsible for my actions. I don't care if I have to kill. If I have to destroy my life, I'll do it. If I have to fucking die, I don't care. I just want him back.
When we finally arrive at the hospital, Zeke is wheeled in by two paramedics. Two more paramedics are standing by the door, blocking me from following.
"No! I need to be with him!" I yell in a panic.
"Calm down, ma'am," one of the paramedics blocking the door tells me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I can't be calm! I need to be with him!" I cry.
"Jaz, let them do their job," the paramedic that rode on the ambulance with me tells me in a gentle voice as he takes my hand. "We'll take you to him as soon as they're done."
As if on cue, one of the paramedics loading Zeke into an elevator speaks, "We're prepared to take Mr. Thompson to surgery right away. We'll do everything we can and call you as soon as he's out of surgery."
I nod, knowing that they won't be able to tell me anything until they know if Zeke will be okay. I'm led into a small waiting room with a couple of chairs and a table in the corner. All of the chairs are full, and people are frantically waiting to hear news on their loved ones. The waiting room is trashed with magazines and cups strewn all over the floor.
I sit down in the corner to wait. Through the double doors, I see a nurse pacing back and forth.
"Excuse me, Nurse," I say, standing up. "Can you please tell me what room Zeke Thompson is in?"
"I'm sorry," the nurse tells me, "Family only."
I press my back up against the wall, sliding down until I'm sitting on the floor. What the fuck am I going to do now? I have no money, no home, and no way of getting to Zeke.
I don't know how long I sit there, but it feels like forever. I'm starving and so thirsty, but I don't dare get up to get food or water. I need to stay here, at least until I know if Zeke will be okay. I just want to know if he's going to make it or not.
I don't know how much more of this I can take. I feel like shit, and I'm just drained. My body shakes in a violent chill, and I'm so cold that I'm almost freezing.
"Hey, are you okay, honey?" an old woman sitting next to me asks.
"Yeah, just a little tired," I lie. "I'm just waiting for my… for my friend to get out of surgery." It seems weird to call Zeke a friend when he's so much more than that, but calling him a boyfriend seems juvenile.
"I see," she says, nodding her head. "Well, I hope everything goes well for you and your friend. It's tough waiting for news like this, but you've got to stay strong."
I give her a weak smile and nod, grateful for her kind words. But deep down, I know I'm not strong enough. I'm falling apart, and I can't keep it together much longer.
Hours pass before I finally get news on Zeke. The doctor comes out and calls my name, and I jump up, heart racing.
"Ms. Johnson?" he asks, and I nod. "I'm pleased to say that Mr. Thompson made it through surgery. It was touch and go for a while there, but we managed to repair the damage. He came out of recovery just fine, and he's asking for you. Do you have any questions?"
I shake my head, unable to find my voice. Tears stream down my face as relief washes over me. Zeke's going to be okay.
Still, I need the assurance. "So, he's going to be okay?"
The doctor smiles at me kindly. "I think he'll be just fine. He's a tough one."
My shoulders sag in relief. "Can I see him now?" The doctor nods and motions for me to follow him.
I enter the hospital room and see Zeke lying on the bed, hooked up to various machines. His face is pale, and there are burns all over his body, but he's alive, and somehow, he still looks so big and strong. I walk over to him and take his hand, tears still streaming down my face.
