“You’re a kid.”
“A kid with fucking gifts. Get Kevin and let me help! The asshole is already dead, he won’t hurt us! Do you want to bury your partner?”
“Let her go. It’s okay.” Kevin says as he jumps out of his car.
I run to the officer and open his shirt. The bullet hit just above the vest, under his arm. I pray it didn’t hit anything major. “I’m going to need a lot of sugar in a minute, someone go inside and find me chocolate.”
I breathe deep and reach into myself. There is a part of me that can now heal others, since I died. I think it’s a big reason why I have so many spirits watching over me. It means something, but right now I just want it to help me keep this guy alive long enough to get to the hospital. I apply pressure and I taste metal. The bullet is still in there. I try to sense where, and I sense it’s pushing on a back bone. It needs to come out the way it came in. I concentrate on the metal of the bullet and taste it in my mouth. The metal pops back out of the wound, and I hear someone gasp. I can’t heal him completely, but that should help, a lot. I take my hoodie off, and pull off the t-shirt underneath. Now isn’t the time to worry about anyone seeing my tweety bra. It’s a clean white shirt. I hold it against the wound and apply heavy pressure. “Okay, tell me you have an ambulance on the way?” I grit through my teeth, because I’m in a lot of pain and about to black out.
“Yes, the ambulance is on the way. This, what we just saw, this girl has gone through enough. You saw nothing, deputy. Nothing but the events that happened before we arrived. She ran and just applied pressure to his chest. That is it. I’m going to buy you so much chocolate you’re going to gain a lot of weight, kid. That man whose blood is all over you? That’s my brother. It was his day off, he’s covering for me. I put on my uniform when Marie called me, but I had the weekend off because I asked for it off. You may have just saved a life today. I am sorry about your father, Emma. No kid should have to see their parent dead like that.
I shrug, not even bothering to look at the shell that was my father. “It’s sad, but he chose his own path in life. Everything happens for a reason. All of it. I’ll explain this to you later, Kevin. Right now I need someone to feed me some chocolate. I’m dying here.”
Ryan comes out of the house with a big snickers bar and I have never loved that boy more. “Um, covered in blood and applying a lot of pressure, you want to feed it to me? Hands are kind of busy, and really dirty.”
“I can hear the ambulance, Emma. Why don’t you let me apply the pressure while you put a shirt on? It’s cold out, it is November in New York.
“It’s almost fifty, and until a trained paramedic gets here, I am not letting go.” I answer with a mouthful of snickers. I’ll worry about eating like a lady when I’m not holding someone’s life in my hands. “More, please. I swear if you take another bite, Ryan, I will bite you.”
“For being so tiny, you sure can eat.” Ryan says. He’s trying to joke for my benefit, but we’re both a shaky mess.
“Do you want me to check your father? You said he’s already dead?” The deputy says.
“Yeah he’s dead. His spirit left as I was running down the hill. It was dark, I hope he suffers wherever his soul is going. God will judge him now.”
I take another bite of snickers as the ambulance pulls in. Of course my friend’s dad is driving. Small town, everyone knows everyone. Tweety will be all over town in no time.
“Hi, Mr. White! That one is dead, you can kick him if you need to so you can walk by. This one has a gunshot wound, lost a lot of blood as you can probably see. I have a clean white shirt and am applying pressure. I arrived maybe three minutes after the shooting took place. The deputy there may need something for their nerves, they were kind of a deer in the headlights when I arrived with Ryan.”
“Hey, Emma. We have a second bus on the way. It’s cold out, baby. Let’s get a jacket on you. Move your hands now, Eric here is going to take over with the pressure, and you’re coming with me. Eric, the bus is less than two minutes out. Kevin can call the coroner, he already told me her father is dead.” Mr. White says.
I feel him wrap something warm around my shoulders and I feel both he and Ryan holding on to me and moving me away. “Did I finish that snickers? I may need more sugar. That was intense.”
“Come on and sit with me on the back of the Ambulance here. Eric is helping the deputy and I hear the sirens coming. You did a great job with that first aid there, sweetheart. Glad you took that class over the summer now I bet? Are you taking nursing at BOCES this year? I remember you saying you want to be a nurse.”
“No. I wanted a full regent’s diploma, I’m going to start my Registered Nursing courses in the fall at the Community College. I’m fine, if you want to check on Eric and the officer. Eric is really nervous.”
“He is, huh? I think Eric is okay, he can yell to me if he needs me, and look, there comes the other ambulance now. Good thing you have a big driveway and front lawn. You’re shaking pretty badly and I’m worried about you going into shock. We’re going to take you on out to the hospital as well. The coroner and funeral home will come and deal with your father. You do realize that you told me to kick your father if I needed to? He’s dead, Emma. You understand this?”
“Yes, sir. He was an abusive bastard as I’m sure you and everyone else in this town knows. The State Police finally came in and he shot that deputy to save his own ass. The partner shot and killed him in defense. Speaking of, the partner’s nerves are killing me. Can you give them something?”
“Let me help you with all of these nerves and feelings. I can give you a shot, you’ll relax and calm down. You look a little manic right now, and I don’t blame you one little bit. You’re handling this all better than anyone I know possibly could. Do you trust me to help you?”
I look at Ryan and he looks like hell. I can feel he is really worried about me. “Will it knock me out all day?”
“No, honey, of course not. You may drift off, but Ryan and I will be right here with you. Kevin will follow us to the hospital. You can get checked out, talk to someone and make sure you are okay.”
“Okay. I trust you, I’ve known you since kindergarten. I think I’m in good hands. Can Ryan ride with me though?”
“Definitely. There is enough room back here for us both to be strapped in with you.” Mr. White says. He points for Ryan to sit.
“Okay, this is just a shot to help you relax. It might sting a little bit, but not as much as that burn on your hand. I’ll put something on that in a few minutes. Did you burn yourself cooking breakfast again?”
“Yes, it was Ryan’s fault. His mom was teaching me to make pancakes her way, which is the best way ever just so you know, and then he looked at me with those green eyes of his and I lost all sensible thought.”
Mr. White laughs. “So had you come home and he went off or what? I heard Kevin send a car to the house on the scanner. If you were cooking at Ryan’s how did you get here?”
Shit. “So this is only going to sting a little? Go ahead, I’m ready.”
“I hope you know you can trust me, honey. I’ve known you since you were just a tiny thing. You’ve been friends with my girls since you were barely out of diapers. Let me help.”
“I heard the gun shots from Ryan’s. I can talk to the dead, and I can sense death. I knew my father died instantly and someone else was dying. I ran here as fast as I could, and Kevin drove up maybe a minute later.”
“I’ve heard of this before. You died once, didn’t you?”
“Yes! How did you know that?”
“So did my wife. You should come over and visit to talk sometime when this is all taken care of. I am sure she would love to help you. The girls will be exited that you and Ryan are really together. They debated about it and went over all of the gossip about your little hallway scene yesterday. My phone was busy for hours.”
I had to laugh about that. “You just have to love small country towns.”
“Okay ho
n, I’m cleaning off the area now with this wipe, then you’ll feel a little pinch and a slight burn. Ready?”
“Yes, go ahead.” I feel it but just barely. The shot is no big deal, but I am getting dizzy really fast.
“Holy crap, is that a horse tranquilizer? I may pass out on you. One word about snoring from you, Ryan, and I’ll kick your ass later.”
“You can snore all you want to, babe. I’ll be right here by your side.”
“Okay, just let it take you if you need to float for a while. We’re right here. The other team is here and Kevin is going to drive. He is having another team come to investigate the scene so he can stay with you and his brother, they will get his car to him later. Your front lawn is going to have a lot of tire marks since it’s a warm and wet November. We’ll worry about that come spring. Can you hear me enough to answer questions or are you under?” Mr. White asks.
“I’m dizzy, but awake. Go ahead.”
“Did you heal him?”
“Not really. I got the bullet out, it had to come out the way it went in. It would have hit an artery if it went any further. Ryan gave me a snickers bar.”
“Yes, my wife needs chocolate like that too. Kevin is in the driver’s seat and we’re going to get moving now. We’ll be going fast with the sirens on, but not too fast. You let us know if it bothers you. Not everyone can handle lying down and riding at the same time. We all need a story that works to protect Emma. They can’t know what she can do, because we don’t know what they would do if they did know. My wife does the same, but Kevin knows, because they have known each other for years. So I am hoping Kevin has the bullet?”
“Bet your Italian ass. I’m not stupid. That bullet will never be found, though we won’t be able to explain that. No matter what happens, you just told us you had first aid training from last summer and we let you help until help arrived. You don’t know anything else, and since I am the State Trooper and Mr. White here has given you some strong medications, you won’t remember much of anything. You will be released into the care of Marie after we make sure you're okay, which I am sure you are. You’re one strong and amazing young lady. Your sister is being driven to the hospital by Marie and Grant. They will beat us there, I’m sure, because I told Marie to leave and go straight to the hospital and wait.”
It is kind of nice to have my secrets out, to know that there are other people like me, and have people to trust. It’s also a little scary.
“You can sleep if you need to, babe. Can I lay next to her?”
“Sure. You both are almost 18, though with his driving I should probably strap you both in. Climb on and get comfortable, I’ll take care of the seat belts.”
Ryan picks me up and arranges me so we’re both on the stretcher. I’m a little too out of it to say much, so I just enjoy being in his arms. His nerves have calmed down now, everyone in the ambulance is calmer so I can relax and just let go.
**************
“Emma? Can you hear me, honey? I’m the doctor here in the Glens Falls Emergency Room. Can you try to open your eyes and talk to me?”
“No. Where did Ryan go?” I don’t remember getting out of the ambulance or him getting up.
“They gave you a bit too much valium I think. You’re so tiny I think they gave you enough for a grown man.” I hear the woman say.
I feel Ryan grab my hand and open my eyes to look into his green eyes. “Hey, did I snore again?”
“Yeah, and you drooled on me a little. I still love you though. I think they thought you weighed more than you do. Your bra size throws men off, I don’t think we can blame Mr. White for giving you a little too much when you were outside in just a tweety bra. I blame tweety.”
I smile a little, though I’m still drugged up pretty heavily.
“I need you to tell me what you remember about today so we can decide what we do next.” The doctor says.
“I feel like I was run over by the ambulance rather than a passenger in one. Um, I remember getting to the police officer and yelling that I had first aid experience. I took off my shirt, since it was a white shirt and clean, I had only been dressed a short while. I applied pressure until help came. That’s about it.”
“Your father was there, did you see him?” Another voice asks. I lift my head and see a man.
“And you are?” I ask. I feel suspicion from him, I don’t like the judgmental feelings from him at all.
“I am the psych consult on duty. I’m here to make sure you are doing okay after such a traumatic experience. Do you remember seeing your father?”
“Yeah he shot the deputy, and the other one shot him. He died instantly.”
“How do you know he died instantly?”
“Because he hit the porch and bounced. He didn’t move again and his eyes were wide open. It was a forehead shot and I have to say that officer is a damn good shot. Next time I go to the fair and want a teddy bear, I’m taking that guy.”
Ryan snorts and then covers it up with a cough.
“You saw your father killed and you’re thinking about winning a teddy bear at the fair?” The psych guy asks.
“Well, doc, it’s like this. That bullying jackass has beat on us and tortured us for years. He broke my sister’s arm, my mom is upstairs in rough shape because of him and he shot at the officer first. To be honest, you should probably be glad I was more worried about saving the cop and not doing an Irish jig on top of his dead body in celebration. Am I sad he’s dead? Yes. He was a horrible person and he deserves to sit in prison and rot. Instead he’s probably facing judgment and I really hope God sends him to a prison in hell where his sentence is to pick up the soap every ten minutes. My choice would have been prison, his choice was to try to take another innocent life so he could come and torture us more I’m sure. If Luigi and the small town cops weren’t in his pocket, we wouldn’t be here right now and he would have been arrested the last time I was in the emergency room with my sister.”
“Luigi?”
“Yes he’s a doctor here, the one with the knobby weird mustache that covered up the abuse to cover my sperm donor’s ass. Check Eva’s broken arm records from the summer.”
“The officer that brought you in has already requested them. Right now, as doctors who aren’t in anyone’s pockets, our job is to make sure you are safe to walk out of here on your own. Are you less dizzy now?” The female doctor asks.
I sit up and though I have cotton mouth and feel tired, I am okay. “Yes I feel better, though I would love some chocolate and a big bottle of water.”
Ryan snorts again. He’s probably thinking I eat an awful lot of chocolate. I really should be huge.
“Young man, if you want to go let your friends know she is awake and doing well, and get her chocolate, that would be fine.” The female doctor says.
“I’m not leaving until she does. I gave her a huge snickers bar already and if she wants more I’ll feed her anything she wants when we go upstairs to see her mom.”
“Do you have an eating disorder?” The psych doc asks.
“Does it look like I have an eating disorder? Have you seen my boobs and ass? Let me just stand up for you.”
“You think you’re fat?” He asks.
“No, I think I have big boobs and a bubble butt, though the rest of me is fine.”
Ryan isn’t even bothering to hide his laughing anymore.
“How do you feel about the officer that was shot? You have his blood all over you.”
“I feel like he should take me to the fair and win me a big teddy bear next summer, or that Rasta banana, that thing is hilarious. It’s a banana with dreads and a colorful beanie.” I look at him with a sarcastic toothy smile.
I sigh heavily when he doesn’t even crack a smile. “Look, I hate that the guy was shot, I hate it so much it only makes me madder that my father is dead instead of rotting away in prison. I would really love a shower and clean clothes, and I would love to hear that you saved him and he’s okay.”
“My unders
tanding is that he is stable and has asked for you, because he is worried about you.”
“Oh. Well that is sweet of him. Please let him know that I am fine and he needs to just get stronger. I am very glad the bullet didn’t hit anything major.”
“He was very lucky, though we can’t find the bullet yet, it isn’t showing up on scans. I don’t see any reason to keep you. You seem fine to me. I will page Officer O’Neil and have him escort you up to see your mom. I know you’re safe here, but we just feel safer making sure you kids are safe. I can have the nurse come in and remove your IV line. Please drink plenty of fluids and I don’t see any reason why you can’t have some extra chocolate.” The female doctor says and walks out. That just leaves the psych guy.
“I guess I don’t see any reason to keep you at this point either. I do recommend counselling for you, your mom and sister, but I think at this time you are free to go. If you have nightmares or any problems, this is my card. Please call me and let me know if I can be of any help.” I take the card and thank him, then he walks out.
Ryan sits down next to me. “You really drained yourself helping him. I’m scared for you. You were drained and you looked like you were dying. You need to talk to Mrs. White and let her tell you what she knows about this. We need to make sure you’re safe. I just got you, I’m not going to lose you.”
“You won’t lose me. The sperm donor is dead. There shouldn’t be any other problems, really. I had to help him, he was shot because of me. I didn’t completely heal him, I don’t even know if I can completely heal anyone, I can help them be stronger and I was able to guide the bullet back out somehow. I don’t really get it myself, not completely. I can just sometimes do things to help people. We can ask your dad more next time I see him.”
Ryan puts his hands on either side of my face so I look in his eyes. “You scared the hell out of me. When the nurse pulls your IV I’m going to get you something to eat before we go upstairs. Everyone is already up with your mom.” He kisses me and of course in walks the stupid nurse. They take their sweet time any other time, nothing like cutting a great kiss short.
A Reason (A Reason, Season, Lifetime Series) Page 10