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The sirens grow even louder and the flashing blue lights are almost blinding. I try to sit up but I cannot feel my back or my neck. Am I numb because of the alcohol or because of the amount of blood I have lost? The sirens are deafening now and the ambulance stops near the overturned car. As I lift up my arm to signal the paramedic, I notice my underarm is bleeding and the skin is torn to shreds. I try to shout for him but I make no sound, my throat feels as if an invisible foot has crushed it. I drift into unconsciousness again.
When I awake I am flat on my back being lifted into the back of an ambulance. I want to ask what is happening but I still have no voice. I wish I had listened to my dad now, he told me it was stupid to hang around with Dave and the others, they are just troublemakers. The ambulance begins to move and the sirens start again, more deafening than ever. I felt myself starting to shake, but I wasn’t cold, what was wrong with me? I tried to inhale but it felt as if my lungs were sealed shut. The medic clamped my face and held an oxygen mask over my mouth. I could breathe again.
I could have stayed at home tonight; I could be watching the telly with dad right now. He will be so mad at me when he finds out what I did, he told me not to hang around with Dave’s lot. I never broke the law before, now I will be done with nicking a car and end up in prison. I don’t want to go to prison. The ambulance comes to a standstill and I am wheeled out and rushed into the hospital. Why are they taking me into the intensive care unit, I’m not hurt badly, just a few scratches. I’ll be fine.
The doctor gave me an injection to put me to sleep for the operation. I tried to tell him I didn’t need an operation but I still can’t speak. I heard the doctor telling the surgeon I had spinal injuries and lacerations to the throat, but my back is fine, I am sure. Dave told me I would be fine, he could handle his booze. He was fine to drive. He had nicked cars before. Said it would be fun. I wonder where he is now, and the others. The injection was having effects and I felt myself drifting off and losing consciousness once more.
My eyes open but my eyelids feel heavy. I can see my dad standing there talking to the doctor. I try to tell him I am sorry, that I didn’t mean for any of it to happen. I still cannot find my voice. I try to sit up but I feel as if my body is made from lead, I cannot move an inch. As I listen to the doctor and my father, the doctor says that I cannot hear them, that my injuries are severe and I will be lucky to make it through the night. But I can hear them. I will be fine. My dad hugs me then leaves, why is he leaving me? I wish he would stay.
Night draws in and the only sound is that of my heart monitor gently bleeping rhythmically. I still cannot move but tomorrow I will be all right, I can tell my dad I was stupid and I am sorry. He will forgive me, then we can go on that holiday to Spain we always planned. If he can get the time off work, that is. Suddenly I find it harder to draw in breaths, no air is getting to my lungs and I begin to panic. I try to call out for a nurse but I still have no voice. I hear my heart monitor getting slower, my heartbeats further apart. Nobody is there to hear my silent cry for help. I feel as if I am choking, my lungs feel ready to explode. My heart monitor is no longer beeping rhythmically along with my heart but is drowning out my thoughts with a monotone beep. Someone should be coming to help me. Perhaps this is my punishment? I wish my dad knew how sorry I was, I wish I could change what I did tonight.
I find it quite difficult to write in the present tense, especially if you're moving the story forward in time, from the site of the accident, to the hospital, for instance, but you managed to pull it off fine.
Great stuff.
> T'was bloody terrific.
*
Agreed. Excellent stuff.