The Crash

I’m dead. That’s what was going through my mind as darkness swept over me like a blanket. I don’t even remember where I was. All I can see is black, like someone shut off the lights to the world. What happened? Where was I? All I could remember was going to my dorm. I was nowhere near the college, or at least it seemed as though I wasn’t. I need to find out where I am and somehow call for help, but I couldn’t move my legs or arms. What was going on? I must be dead or at least dying slowly. I can’t seem to grasp any thoughts. I must be floating in the middle of nowhere and no one would ever find me. I wanted to go home.

I hear something. Was that a voice or my imagination playing a dirty trick? I was straining to hear whatever it was that was making that familiar sound. It was a voice that I thought I recognized, but I kept slipping in and out of reality.

“She’s breathing! Quick, get her stable!” I heard voices now. A little fuzzy, but they were definitely human voices. Who was breathing though? Who were they talking about? I wanted to see what all the commotion was about. I wanted to tell whoever was talking that I couldn’t see them, nor could I get out of the way of the emergency aid that was needed.

I thought I heard my name called from a distance. I tried to answer, but all I could do was throw out a tiny, pain stained squeal. I started to regret that sound, for I didn’t realize it brought more pain to my body than a thousand knives stabbing me repeatedly. What happened? Why do I hurt so much? I needed help. I tried to manage another noise, but all I ended up doing was squealing.

“Don’t try to move, sweetie. You need to stay still,” the voice told me. Who are you? What do you want from me? It took all my strength to slowly open my eyes. They felt as though they were glued shut. I felt dizzy. I felt as though I was spinning around and around and couldn’t stop. Slow down! Stop moving1 Please stay still! I saw a blurred figure as if someone covered my eyes with Vaseline. I tried to move despite the voice’s pleas. I needed to see what was going on, but no matter how hard I tried to wriggle free, nothing happened. I was forever trapped in this prison of confinement. I was forever lost in this darkness and it’s swallowing me whole.

I was half awake now. I could somehow make out figures surrounding me and bright red and blue lights cycling around me like a disco ball. Where am I? No one seemed to hear me. No one was answering me. Didn’t they hear me? I saw someone running towards me. I couldn’t make out who this stranger was, but they looked like they were going to die from fright. What was so scary? I was confined to this box of metal. I think I am in my car. When did I leave home? I should have been back at school by now. All the voices were muffled. I couldn’t make out much. All I heard were screams from the frightened individual.

“She’s going to be ok. We’ve got her stable. All we need to do is get her out of the car. Please back away. She’s going to be ok,” a person tried to convince the stranger.

“No! She’s my best friend!! Please help her! Jaden!!!” the girl screamed. Why did she say my name? Was she talking to me? Now I could make out the words, but I didn’t know why I was the center of this conversation. I’m fine, just a little banged up. I just needed some ice.

“Ugh…,” I managed a moan. That seemed to lighten up the girl who was crouched at my side.

“Jaden! Oh my God! She’s awake! Jaden can you hear me?” Yes of course I could hear her. What did she think I was deaf or something? Come on, give me some credit. I must have taken too long to answer because she was checking my pulse. The police were here. They must have been the other strangers that I heard, but why were they here? Did something happen? Was there a wreck holding up the traffic? I couldn’t shift myself to see above the dashboard of my car. I felt a sharp pain shoot through my legs. I think I screamed, or I think that’s what one would call such a horrendous noise that somehow managed to escape my throat.

The girl cried, “Jade, please don’t move honey. The police are trying their best to get you out. Just try not to move sweetheart.” Well sure, that was easy for her to say. I wanted to know what was going on and nobody seemed to hear me. What was this girl talking about? Trying to get me out…out of where? Why were the police fussing over me? And who was this bewildered young girl. I couldn’t place a name with the voice. I tried to remember where I heard that voice. I thought so hard; it felt like I had an aneurism. I know!!! It was my friend who lived around the corner. What was her name? Why couldn’t I remember her name? My mind was so scrambled; I probably couldn’t tell you who I was.

“Where am I? What happened?” I seemed to manage up a couple words.

My friend, whom I still didn’t know her name, answered, “Honey, you were in a horrible car wreck. Someone ran the red light and ran into you with full force. You’re still in the middle of the road.”

“No, I need to go to my dorm. My mom needs to know I made it there ok.”

“I will call her when we get to the hospital. All you need to worry about is staying calm.” I must have slipped back into my mini-coma because all of a sudden darkness once again swept over me. I don’t remember what happened next, but when I awoke the next time I was moving pretty fast. I seemed to be surrounded by three or four men who were rushing to keep me breathing. This felt like a dream that I could never wake up from. I was cold, hurting with pain radiating down my body and my vision appeared to be playing tricks on me. I saw blurry objects flying around my head. Was I in a fight? I wanted to laugh at that thought. Me in a fight. That was hilarious. I couldn’t hurt a fly. However, the thought occurred to me that I might have lost the fight. That was more likely I decided. But why would someone want to hurt me. I didn’t do anything to anybody that I remembered. Then I remembered the girl saying something about a wreck. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t seem to stay in reality. I was only able to force one more glance at my surroundings and then I blanked out once again.

As I woke for, I thought was the third time today, I could finally begin to adjust my eyes. I blinked a couple times to get used to the light. As I looked around, I saw my mom asleep on a chair across the room. Huh? Why was she here? Did I forget to call her for something? I don’t remember. I looked around and saw that I was hooked up to a variety of machines and medication. My head felt real heavy so I finally just let my exhaustion take over and slept for what I thought was days.

I opened my eyes to find a man in a white over coat checking my wrist. Uh can I help you Mr.? Who did he think he was touching me like that?
“Well well. Look who is finally awake,” the man let go and his face lit up with a smile crossing his face. My mom jumped to her feet and scurried across the room to my bed.

She smothered me with kisses and hugs, “Oh my dear baby! I’m so happy you’re ok. You had me worried so much.” She began to burst into tears as she fell on my chest. I patted her gently, but had no recollection about what was going on. I saw the relief replace the fear in my mother’s eyes as she looked up from her place in my arms. I wanted to say that I was fine. That she had nothing to worry about, but nothing seemed to come out. The confusion must have registered with my mom because she started rambling off what had occurred just a few hours ago. It appeared that I left home to go to my dorm and I got stopped at a red light down the street from the school. After it turned green and I started to emerge from my spot, a car came screaming down the road at a ridiculous speed. The driver never saw the light change for he charged full speed towards the intersection. As soon as he saw me driving past, he slammed on his breaks as hard as he could. That would never have made a difference. He plowed right into me with more force than I could ever have imagined. I was trapped in my car for at least an hour. The police and fire department had to get the Jaws of Life to pry me out. Apparently, an anonymous by standard called the police and EMTs. They then came to my rescue along with my friend, Jess. She helped calm me down and called my mom. After I heard what all had happened, I couldn’t believe any of it.

“If no one came to your rescue…,” my mom didn’t need to finish her sentence. I knew what would have happened. I didn’t want to think about it. As if on cue, tears came streaming down my cheeks and I couldn’t stop. My mother hurried to my side and rocked me back and forth. The pain came as soon as it left. The doctor then came to provide me with another dose of pain medication and I slowly slipped off to dream land.

The next day, I had the opportunity to have visitors. It seemed like every person I knew came to my bedside. They brought me gifts and showered me in hugs and kisses. We all cried tears of joy and relief. They all knew what would have happened if I didn’t get to the hospital in time. Then Jess entered and bounded for my bed. She buried herself in my arms and cried a waterfall.

“I love you Jaden! You had me worried to death! Don’t ever do that again!” her words muffled. I just smiled and nodded and wrapped my arms around her. I thanked her mentally and wished I could get up and hug all my loyal, caring friends.

“Ok everybody, visiting hours are over. Jade will be able to leave in a couple of days,” as the nurse shuffled everybody out, she turned to me and smiled a friendly grin. I waved goodbye to all my friends and tears formed in my eyes.

My mom was the only one left behind. She was still a little shaken after news of what had happened to me, but she managed a small smile. She kissed the top of my head and told me she loved me. She wanted me to rest as best I could and she’d be back later to see me. I waited until she left and tried to shut away the memories of the crash. Not that I could remember most of it, but I did remember the emptiness I felt when I thought I was dead. I felt lost forever and I would never see anybody ever again. As I moved to get comfortable, I shuddered to think what would have happened if I had let my mind wonder. I closed my eyes and silently cried myself to sleep in my dark, lonely hospital room.

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