Elephants and Ever-Afters [Dark Desires 5] (Siren Publishing Sensations)

by Suzy Shearer

  Tobias just nodded, too afraid to speak in case he started to cry. Picking up his keys he went out to the garage and began the long drive. Half an hour later the rain had eased off to a shower. He drove carefully up Bell’s Line but as fast as the speed limits allowed. It was a dangerous, narrow, long, and very winding road with a few hairpin turns and steep descents. Three-quarters of an hour later, when he’d finally reached the Great Western Highway and beginning the trip back down toward Penrith his phone rang.

  “Mr. Duncan?”

  “Yes.”

  “I spoke with you earlier, Sergeant Clements. Miss Keell is now in the ambulance and they’re taking her to the closest hospital which is Nepean. The weather is too dangerous to use the helicopter, so Nepean is the wisest choice.”

  “Thank you. I’m on my way. I should be there in about half an hour. Is she okay?”

  “I’m sorry, sir, couldn’t say. She sustained several serious life-threatening injuries, she has been treated and stabilised at the scene.”

  Tobias’s heart felt like it stopped then started again at the officer’s words but he managed to gasp, “I understand.”

  “Please drive carefully, Mr. Duncan. The road conditions are very bad.”

  “I am. Thank you for letting me know.”

  Tobias rang his father then rang Gino and told him as much as he himself knew.

  “All I know is they’re taking her to Nepean because it’s closest.”

  “We’ll meet you there. Adam’s with me, he had the day off and came down to the office with me.”

  “Be careful, Gino. The roads are bad up here. There’s tree branches everywhere, lots of flash-flooding, and I bet it’s the same everywhere.”

  “We will. See you soon.”

  Tobias found parking close to the entrance of the emergency department at the hospital and rushed inside. A staff member directed him to the emergency section where he spoke with the triage nurse in charge. After explaining who he was, the nurse sent him to a small room for relatives with chairs, table, and telephone. Tobias paced up and down, but ten minutes later a harried-looking man in a white coat came into the room.

  “Mr. Duncan, is it?”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “I’m Louis Granger, one of the emergency doctors. Miss Keell is at the CT scanner at the moment, then she’ll be going straight to theatre.”

  He begged the doctor, “Please I need to know what’s wrong with her.”

  “Let’s sit.”

  He and Tobias both sat, with the doctor opposite him. Doctor Granger handed over a plastic bag and Laura’s engagement ring.

  “We removed her ring and earrings rather than risk them being lost. This bag has her wallet, mobile, and handbag. Her clothes were cut off her at the scene and now discarded.”

  Distracted, Tobias took them then looked back at Louis Granger.

  “Not sure what you know. So.” The doctor seemed to gather his thoughts then spoke calmly. “Miss Keell had pulled over to the side of the road because of the rain. Unfortunately, her car was crushed by a falling tree. She was treated at the scene, intubated and stabilised. It took over an hour to remove her from the car.

  “Some of the large tree branches broke through into the car. I’m afraid one branch penetrated her abdomen. It was cut back at the scene, but not removed for fear of causing more damage. She had a pneumothorax—her lung collapsed and her breathing almost impossible. The doctor at the scene inserted a chest tube to drain the blood and fluid from her pleural cavity.

  “Understand until we see the scan results we have no idea how deep in the branch has gone or how much damage it’s done to her internal organs.”

  Tobias groaned softly while holding a hand over his mouth in case he yelled.

  “I have to tell you her heart stopped twice at the scene, it happened again in the ambulance. The paramedics did manage to bring her back each time but it was, and still is, touch and go. There is a very real possibility we may not be able to save her if she has another cardiac arrest.”

  Tobias couldn’t hold back his gasp of shock. “No!”

  “I’m sorry, sir, she’s in a very critical condition. I honestly don’t think she will make it.”

  It was hard to believe this man was telling him Laura would in all probability die. He tried to concentrate on what he was saying but his mind was in overdrive imagining her lying dead.

  “Unfortunately, as well as that, there is a large cut to her head where she was struck by part of the tree. As I said she is unconscious and intubated. She’s lost quite a lot of blood as well there is blood in her abdominal cavity. She’s being given several litres of blood to replace what she’s losing. We suspect the branch may have damaged her liver and that’s where the blood is coming from.

  “She has numerous lacerations which will be cleaned and stitched while we have her in theatre. A limb also badly damaged her leg, plus she may have a broken ankle, but that will be scanned as well.” He reached out and touched Tobias’s arm. “I know this is a shock for you, and I promise we’ll do the best we can. Any questions?”

  Tobias tried to comprehend the accident and the extent of Laura’s injuries. Despite what the doctor had said and his own imagination, he had to latch onto the fact she was still alive.

  Ignoring what the man had told him, he asked, “She’ll be alright, won’t she?”

  He just wanted the doctor to tell him everything was going to be fine, but instead he smiled kindly at Tobias. Tobias could read the pity in his eyes as he answered.

  “At this point, all I can tell you is she is alive at the moment. Mr. Duncan, you have to understand she is critical. She’s already had three cardiac arrests. We’re doing all we can but I can’t promise anything.”

  Doctor Granger stared hard into Tobias’s face as if willing him to understand.

  “I’ll be very honest, it doesn’t look good. There is a very real possibility she won’t make it through the surgery, her body has suffered badly, she has lost a considerable amount of blood and her heart is still under threat. You do have to prepare yourself for the worst.”

  To Tobias it felt as if someone had stabbed his heart with an icy knife. The pain in his chest was almost unbearable as the doctor’s words sunk deep.

  “I can hear what you’re saying. I don’t want to, but I do understand.”

  “I’m very sorry, Mr. Duncan. Even if she somehow does survive, there are certain dangers she will face over the coming days, mainly infection from having a foreign body inside her. Hopefully when we get her into the operating theatre the internal damage will not be as life-threatening as we fear, but as I said until we see the scan, and the surgeons actually open her up, we have no way of knowing. Understand the surgery will take a while, this is not going to be over in a couple of hours. Do you live locally?”

  Tobias nodded then shook his head, his thoughts chaotic.

  “We live at Kurmond, but the North Richmond Bridge is closed so I had to come via Bell.”

  “Okay. Well, there’s a small cafe down the corridor where you can get tea, coffee, sandwiches. Just be prepared for a long wait. Once we know what’s going on someone will let you know.”

  “Thank you, I... I guess I understand,” Tobias stammered. “Will you be in the theatre?”

  “No. I’m stationed in the emergency department. Rest assured she is in the best hands. Our staff are second to none. Mr. Duncan, I’m really sorry.”

  Tobias appreciated his sympathy, and honesty even if he didn’t want to hear it.

  “Thanks.”

  “Have you any support? Anyone who can be with you?” Louis’s voice held real concern for Tobias.

  “Laura’s brother and his partner should be here any time soon.”

  “Good.”

  He patted Tobias’s knee then stood, nodded his head then left the room. Tobias’s head reeled. In his mind all he could see was Laura with a fucking tree embedded in her. Trying hard to keep it together, it wouldn’t do to lo
se it now, he refused to accept she would die and was determined not to even think about it, despite the terrible images that played over and over in his head.

  Ten minutes later the door opened and a white-faced Gino came in followed by an equally pale Adam. Tobias and Gino’s eyes met.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  That did it for Tobias, he caught a sob in his throat as he jumped up to hug Laura’s brother then Adam. All three men clung to each other and unashamedly sobbed. Finally, the three of them sat, and Tobias told them all he knew.

  “A tree? A fucking tree?” Gino asked in amazement.

  Adam sounded furious as he said, “So they think she’d pulled over because of the storm and then a fucking tree fell on the car?” Adam shook his head. “Shit, she did the right thing and look what happened.”

  Tobias asked Adam, “I don’t get the branch thing. Why leave it in her? Why didn’t they take it out at the scene?”

  “Too dangerous. They would have no idea what the branch was like inside her. It would’ve been ragged and if they pulled it out it would have torn things up more. No, they’ll work from the scan and remove it very carefully.”

  Gino stammered a little as he asked, “She’s going to be okay, isn’t she?”

  “Don’t know.” Tobias could feel tears running down his cheeks, ignoring them as he took a ragged breath.

  Plaintively, he cried, “Gino she died at the scene—twice! Her heart stopped again in the ambulance. All they told me is she’s critical, the doctor kept saying things like ‘if she survives’ and ‘prepare for the worst.’” Jumping to his feet, Tobias angrily said, “Shit! She can’t fucking die!”

  He looked at the other two, full of frustration he added forcefully, “I won’t allow it.”

  Adam shook his head and said wearily, “I don’t think you get a say in it, but between the three of us…fuck, this is just fucking senseless!”

  Tobias’s phone rang—his father wanting an update. Somehow Tobias managed to fill him in on all he knew. He heard his father crying and it only added to his misery.

  “Julian rang.” Conall sobbed. “Wan…wanted to know how we coped with the storm and was the river up. I told him what happened. Don’t be surprised if he and Rachel turn up at the hospital.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I promise I’ll ring you when we know anything, but the doctor told me it will be a long wait, hours.” Full of anguish he cried, “Dad what if she doesn’t survive?”

  “She’s a fighter, Toby. We have to believe in her.”

  “I’m scared, Dad, fucking scared,” he finally admitted.

  “Be brave, son, be brave for Laura. Make sure you ring me regardless of the time, son. I want to know.”

  “I will. Thanks, Dad. Bye.”

  The three men sat staring at the floor, at the wall, at each other. They stood and paced. They’d sit and stare again. Adam left and came back with coffees but Tobias couldn’t even remember drinking his. About eight, both distraught, Rachel and Justin arrived. Somehow the three men managed to fill them in on what they knew. They then joined the three of them staring, standing, pacing.

  More coffee, more waiting.

  No matter how hard Tobias tried the visions of Laura lying dead, covered in blood, trees everywhere filled his mind. He couldn’t imagine his life without her in it, he needed her as much as he needed to breathe. If she died he knew it would kill him. Much as he wanted to think positively he couldn’t.

  Finally, close to three a tired-looking doctor came into the room and Tobias leaped to his feet.

  “My name is Kevin Caldwell, I was one of the surgeons in the team working on Laura.”

  Tobias introduced everyone then they all sat.

  “Okay. First up good news, she survived the surgery and her signs are now good.”

  Tobias felt his heart jolt hard as he gave a little “oh” of relief. He actually felt light-headed as tears prickled behind his eyes and he tried to concentrate on the doctor.

  “The surgery’s all finished, she was in recovery, but we’ve now moved her into the intensive care unit. We’re going to keep her in an induced coma tomorrow and the next day, then see how her vitals are.” He looked to make sure they all understood before continuing. “As far as the surgery and her injuries.”

  Doctor Caldwell rubbed his eyes and tried to hide a yawn.

  “Sorry. The main problem was the abdominal wound—very nasty. As suspected it lacerated the liver and we repaired a large torn section, it also damaged the gall bladder rather badly so we removed it. We found a puncture wound to the upper intestinal area—the duodenum, so that’s been repaired. Her bottom rib on the side of the wound was splintered in what looked like hundreds of pieces, impossible to repair something that badly damaged so it’s been removed also.

  “She has lots of internal, and external, bruising and lacerations. Her forehead had a large cut on the top, obviously something hit hard because there is some internal bleeding and swelling in her brain, but we’ll keep our eye on it. Until we wake her, we have no idea if there is any temporary or permanent brain damage.”

  Gino gasped and clamped a hand over his mouth. Tobias decided, no matter what the doctor thought, she was going to be okay. They all listened as the doctor continued his gruesome list.

  “Let’s see what else. We’ve stitched the head wound up as well as all the multiple lacerations on her body. By the look of it, she must have lifted her arms to protect her face, both arms have several deep cuts between the elbow and wrist. We thought she had a broken ankle, but once the scans were back and we cleaned the area it’s bruised but apart from a cut not broken. But there is a very large laceration running from just below her knee to the top of her foot. It’s cut into the muscles and nerves but thankfully the tendons are all intact and it fortunately hasn’t damaged the bone. We’ve repaired the leg but she may need further surgery on it.”

  “Is she going to be all right?” Tobias asked, his fingers crossed.

  “I can’t promise anything. She arrested once more on the table, but once we got the major bleeding under control and gave her more blood, her heart beat steadier.

  “The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours will be the telling point. Still I’m fairly confident. Honestly, I didn’t believe she’d survive the surgery, but she finally came through with flying colours after the few initial hiccoughs. Her heart is now beating strongly. She’s on a massive dose of antibiotics and we’ll be monitoring her carefully for any sign of infection as well as continually watching that swelling and bleed in her brain.”

  He ran a hand through his hair and pulled at his bottom lip before continuing. “As for that, at this moment in time just remember we cannot rule out the possibility of brain damage.”

  Finally, unable to ignore the doctor’s warning, Tobias knew the shocked faces of his friends mirrored his own as he asked, his voice trembling, “Can we see her? Please?”

  “She’s in an induced coma. Two minutes and only her fiancé and brother, sorry but it’s very late and we have to consider our other patients in our ICU. Take my suggestion, have a quick visit then go home and get some rest. She won’t be awake any time soon, she’ll be asleep all day tomorrow and the next. I imagine if all goes well, we’ll lower the sedation to bring her around so she’ll be awake by morning the day after that.”

  There were a number of murmured “Thank yous” as each person watched the doctor leave. The five quietly followed, each trying to absorb the information they’d just received. After taking the lifts to the intensive care ward, Tobias quietly explained who they were and what the doctor had told them. Tobias and Gino were allowed in for two minutes after washing and donning a disposable gown.

  His first look at Laura shocked Tobias. Nothing the doctor had said prepared him for the sight of Laura lying there so pallid and still. What seemed like dozens of tubes were connected to her everywhere. Machines beeped, hummed, burped, and droned. In the stillness and quiet of the morning hours they seemed so loud, seemed so e
mphatic. It appeared to Tobias they were shouting that it was them keeping her alive—they were just impossible to ignore.

  Her face, so pale almost translucent, was virtually unmarked, but from her forehead up a painful-looking bruise spread, across, and into her hair. The angry-looking cut on her head went from just above her left eyebrow and into her hairline. Dried blood caked her hair and they could see more on her throat where it had been hastily wiped.

  Tobias kissed her cheek tenderly and lifted her right hand gently, groaning when he discovered she even had a couple of stitches on her knuckles.

  He whispered, “You’re safe my…my dearest.”

  His voice choked on him so he had to swallow hard before he could continue, but still he could only manage to gasp, “Just…get well.”

  He kissed her again and let Gino close so he could kiss her as well. Soberly, they left the room. Adam hugged Gino as they all went back downstairs after Tobias spoke with the nurse on duty about visiting Laura. He was told he could only be there for restricted periods until she woke. She suggested he could see her between ten till eight, but that could be reviewed when the doctors examined her in the morning.

  Standing at the entrance to the hospital, he looked at the others. Almost three-fifty, he felt so tired, emotionally drained, and swayed on his feet.

  “Toby, why don’t you leave your car here and come stay with me and Rachel?” Julian pointed to the other two. “You guys as well, too late to drive for two hours to get home.”

  “That’s a good idea, Julian, thanks. I wasn’t looking forward to a two hour drive, but we’ll just follow you if you don’t mind,” Gino said thankfully.

  “Yeah thanks, Jules.” Tobias added, “But I think I’ll bring my car, too.”

  Tobias climbed into his car and somehow managed to follow Julian to his house. The three cars arrived just after four-fifteen. When Tobias walked inside, he was too tired to do anything other than ring his father then fall into bed.

  His dreams or rather, nightmares, were filled with blood-soaked rain, monstrous trees, and a pale Laura who kept floating away from him no matter how hard he tried to grab her. He woke unrested around nine-thirty, then showered and shaved after borrowing gear from Julian. He’d have to wear the same clothes but that was a small price to pay. Julian and Rachel were up as well as Gino and Adam, so the five had a very quiet breakfast together. Then Tobias rang the hospital but all he was told was she had rested comfortably and was still under sedation.