In the special education room, Ralph sat next to Tony and rested his head against the wall. He had tried to rest, but found that he couldn't settle his mind. Over the past hour, he had thought of every possible thing he did before the earthquake, but they still didn't add up to why his head didn't hurt... especially since the suit didn't protect his head. Ralph even considered the suit was the cause, but dismissed the idea as he knew he'd had lost consciousness from an injury even with it on before, and that didn't happen.
Cyler was talking with a couple of other students and assuring them that Tony would be all right. Ralph smiled softly, realizing that Cyler would probably be the top of his class when he got his degree. Ralph also knew that in cases like this, Cyler seemed to be the most level headed of the group, using his smooth words to put them at ease.
Ralph felt a hand on his shoulder, and turning, saw it was Rhonda. "Mr. H, how's Tony?" asked Rhonda.
The blond-haired man moved closer to Tony and checked his vitals and eyes. He frowned when he still saw the whites. "He's still out Rhonda, but his breathing and pulse are normal." said Ralph.
"Do you think he'll wake up soon," said Rhonda. "I mean... it's been an hour..."
"I know, but he did hit his head hard, not to mention his leg is broken," said Ralph. "But, I'm doing everything I can to make him comfortable."
Rhonda paused for a moment, making Ralph frown. "Are you sure you're all right Rhonda? You look pale as a sheet. Come on, sit down."
The young woman sat down, if nothing else, just to humor her teacher. "I'm fine, Mr. H. It's hard just seeing Tony like this. I mean, I've seen him get knocked out before in fights and such, but he never looked anything like this. He looks totally helpless."
Ralph nodded slightly. "I know Rhonda, but that's why I'm staying here with him and Cyler's helping out," he said. When Rhonda stared at him, Ralph frowned. "What is it?"
"It's you Mr. H. I've been watching you since the earthquake, and I've been wondering if you're all right? It's just that I think you should rest, especially with that hit to your head."
"I'm fine, just more worried about Tony." said Ralph, starting to relive the day of the basketball accident.
Noting the look in Ralph's eyes, Rhonda wasn't totally convinced. "It seems as though you're distracted. You want to talk about it?"
Ralph nodded slightly, not wanting to reveal this. "Yes, I have been, but I'd rather not tell anyone. It's still a bit painful for me and I'd rather not..."
A pained groan eminated the room, effectively ending the talk. Turning, Ralph saw Tony slowly open his eyes. Trying to get up, he yelled out in pain, causing Ralph to ease the teen back down to the ground. "Tony... don't move around," said Ralph, covering the teen again with his coat.
"Mr. H, what's goin' on?" said Tony, confused. "I mean, I remember the classroom starting to move around and... I keep thinking I got run over by a train full of coal..."
Ralph chuckled. "Not quite," he said softly. "Books. After the quake, we found you lying under the bookcase. You've been out for about an hour."
"An hour? Figures, since it feels as though my ribs and legs are on fire too," he said, groaning.
Rhonda frowned when she heard Tony's complaints. "Mr. H, why didn't you tell me that he was hurt worse than his leg?" she said, slightly angry.
"I didn't know about the ribs, Rhonda. If I did, I would've told you."
The young woman calmed down, realizing he was right. "Sorry, Mr. H, it's just I mean he looked..."
"I understand but he's awake now," said Ralph gently, not wanting her to tell Tony how bad he looked.
Rhonda nodded reluctantly, and Ralph smiled as he turned to Tony. "OK, Tony, I've got to give you a health quiz..."
"In the middle of the classroom after waking up from an earthquake? You're really pushin' it pal."
"Huh?... Oh, sorry. I meant I need to ask you some questions to see how bad you are inside. Now, can you move your arms and your good leg?"
Tony complied, and half heartedly flipped Ralph the bird raising one of his arms. While Ralph normally would've told the teen off, he figured it was a sign that he was at least doing better. "All right, so far so good..." said Ralph, chuckling. "But you'd better not do that again when you're better, OK? Now, do you feel cold or numb anywhere, and is your stomach sore?"
"Not really," said Tony, "Stomach's not sore, but I have to admit it does feel a little cooler in here than normal. And I'm still tired..."
Ralph shook his head, realizing Tony's injuries were pretty bad. "Well, you're going to probably want to punch me when this is all over, but you're going to have to stay awake."
"Come on Mr. H, quit buggin'..."
"No. Sorry Tony, but this is one time you're going to listen to your teacher, and if I have to I'll make you fight me..." said Ralph fiercely.
"You fight me? Get outta here, you gotta glass jaw and I can't even walk..."
"I know that, I meant arguing. You can't go back to sleep because you might not wake up again, as you might have a pretty serious concussion. Couldn't even get you to wince trying earlier while you were still out."
Tony frowned, detecting the fear in Ralph's voice. He had a feeling, but kept it to himself as he didn't want to scare Rhonda. "That bad, huh? So, when's the paramedics gonna arrive?"
"I don't know Tony, but I hope soon, or we're going to have to find a way to get all of you out." said Ralph. He then turned to Rhonda. "Rhonda, go back over to the rest of the class and see if you can wrangle a couple of more coats. That way, we can keep Tony from falling asleep going into shock."
Rhonda nodded and went back to the class. Ralph felt Tony tap him on the arm. "Mr. H, I know what you're thinking, I am too."
Ralph shook his head, trying to put the teen at ease. "Tony, you'll be all right..."
"Look, Mr. H, I see the look of fear in your eyes. You don't have to say, but I hope you're right about the paramedics, for all our sakes."
"So do I..."
----------------------------------------------
Principal Knight was standing outside the building of his school, trying to get a count of all the students who had exited the building. He had counted almost all of the classes, but found that no one from Ralph's class was outside.
Frowning, he made a note in his book. "OK, I know Mr. Hinkley didn't take the kids out on a field trip" he said outloud. "So, they're still trapped in their classroom."
Looking at the area where Ralph's classroom was, Knight frowned when he saw that part of the roofing was barely standing up. He also saw the trees that had fallen in front of the classrooms as well. While he and Ralph didn't always see eye-to-eye, he did respect Ralph for his teaching, as he did help improve the graduation rate of the drop-out students in his special ed class. And, knew that every second that passed away was a second that could mean the death of a student or teacher.
Knight frowned, realizing the situation was growing dimmer by the minute. "Where are those damn firefighters and paramedics?" he said.
