Stained Red
Chapter 26
Note- Wow that was quite a wait… if you are still reading this after all the time in-between chapters thank you and I am so sorry! This last wait for this fic is due to projects, college stuff, and exams… I did try to post this chapter sooner, but those of you with siblings know that computer access isn't always possible. Anyway enough of that…just forgive me and read on.
As the ambulance doors opened the awaiting doctors watched in disbelief as they watched Carter's limp body rise and fall with the shock of the paddles. They all stood still in pure fear and uncertainty and the monitor pierced the air again with a sharp steady sound. The paddles were charged again with no response, Benton griped the paddles tighter in his hands as if sending his own energy and need to travel through them and revive his former student. The paddles were ready again, the shock jerked Carter's body once again. Mark had moved around and was about to climb into the ambulance when he saw Carter's fingers twitch slightly and he heard the monitor regaining a steady beep. Benton ordered for them to move inside, but everyone seemed deaf to everything, but the reassuring sound for a moment.
The gurney crashed through the trauma two doors, where they quickly moved Carter to the free bed. The oxygen mask was removed as they prepared to intubate. Luka was assessing Carter's injuries while Abby called surgery to clear a room. Mark was about to intubate when he noticed movement in Carter's eyes. Mark replaced the oxygen mask and took out a penlight to check the reaction to light. Before he could turn on the light Carter's eyes fluttered open sleepily.
Muffled incoherent words escaped his lips from beneath the mask. Carter tried to lift his arm to remove it, but found that he was to weak to even move; all he could seem to do was blink. Benton had finished inserting a central line, he looked into the scared youthful eyes that watched his every move. Words were already understood and known to well in this situation. Benton just gave him a reassuring smile as he moved the cage of the gurney up in order to move him.
They were on the elevator when Carter broke the silence as he tried to speak once again. Benton looked at him confused by what he couldn't understand. He removed Carter's mask for a moment. "Thank… you… " A small smile appeared as the irony of the situation set in. Benton replaced the mask and spoke in a gentle whisper "It'll be ok man" Carter's eyes became glazed and drowsy "just stay with me man." The doors opened revealing Dr. Anspaugh.
After over two hours in surgery Carter was going to survive but there was still a lot to overcome. He awoke in the ICU with blurred vision. He blinked rapidly until he could make out the frame of the door as the light from the outer hall shown into his darkened room. He could feel the unwanted tube in his throat as reality began to seep in, and an eerie numbness overcame most of his lower body. He could make out a still sleeping form lounged beside him and within seconds realized that it was Dr. Benton. He saw the light escape through the door, as Mark opened it, while entering the room. Mark smiled at the site of seeing Carter awake, but was worried about explaining the road ahead causing the smile to fade. Carter looked up with concern in his eyes as the expression on Mark's face changed. Mark moved over to where Benton was asleep and gently co-horsed him to wake up by shaking his shoulder. Once he was awake he offered to remove the tube, but first set up a mask for Carter to wear. A few moments later Carter's bed was pushed up bringing him half way to a sitting position and the mask was placed over his mouth.
Benton began to explain about the new and developing situation after a few moments of reassuring that he was all right. "Carter, you've been through a lot man, but I'm sorry that it's not over… You sustained severe injuries that we were able to fix, but it seems that you had a small puncture from a needle that hit your spinal cord, we are unsure right now what the full effects of the injury is, but we did what we could and with physical therapy, I mean it could all be fine." Silence over took the room as the reality of the situation set in.
Carter lifted his arm and removed the mask. "So… um… that's why my legs are numb… well that… yeah" Carter couldn't put his thoughts in order as he tried to map out the worse possible scenario. "What if…?"
Mark sat down next to Carter's bed "We will handle it all when it comes right now you need to rest." Mark motioned to Benton and they both left Carter alone with his thoughts.
Note- I was planning on this being the last Chapter but I just can't seem to end this story… well stay tuned till next time… which will be soon … probably wed or thur… and I can promise that since by that time it will be winter break and freedom will be mine. So have a pleasant day/ couple of days.