True Love – Chapter Two; If Tomorrow Ever Comes
I walked round the corner, dodging a cloud of smoke from the people in the local sixth form, standing outside the corner shop. I carried on to the crossing, and pressed the button, waiting impatiently for the little red man to turn green. Finally, a car stopped. I could hear in the distance a car going really fast, engine revving. He was going to have a bit of shock when he finds the traffic light is red. Come on! I was going to be late, and Emma was going to go mental! Come on. I tapped my foot on the pavement. Finally. The bleeping started and the little man turned green. I put one foot on the tarmac. Then another. The engine got louder.
The light was on red.
He should have stopped.
He could have stopped.
I was scared.
This is surreal. The weirdest feeling ever. Pins and needles, just numb. Numb pins and needles. The only way I can describe it. I don't want to die! I have something to live for..A few months ago before I moved here I wanted to die. I used to wish for something like this to happen. That way it wouldn't really be my fault. I'd be remembered as that kid in the hit and run accident. Better than that little Emo Suicidal child that couldn't cope with life. Why did I have to make friends and then die? No Rikki. Stop. You will not die. You will get through this. You have something to live for. What's that? You have Zane..And the others..I can see something..What is it?
Oh my god!
It's Rockit! My German Shepard that died last year. I loved him. I remember I cut some of his hair to trick Lewis..Good times..I was trying to make him angry..I finally succeeded. It was hilarious. I found it funny anyway. Rockit! He's jumped up, and he's licking me all over my face. Just like when I used to come home from school. Rockit! He's ran off though, and I look over my shoulder. I can't see him. I turn fully round, but he's gone! Rockit! I can't believe I've lost him twice. I start to cry, and then a soaring pain comes through my chest. From deep down in my stomach, right up to my throat. I need Zane. Zane! Zane!
-
They ran through the hospital doors after following the ambulance most of the way. They burst into the reception area, and up to the desk, which thankfully, had no queue.
"Where's Rikki?"
"Excuse me?"
"Umm. Our friend Rikki..In a car accident..Can we go and see her?" Zane gabbled.
"Oh Yes, she came in a few minutes ago. Um, I don't think you can see her quite now, she's only just came in.." She paused, as a beep went off. She looked down at her pager, and quickly read the message. "Right. Yes. Um, If you would like to go and wait in the relatives room, then someone will be along to see you shortly"
"We're not relatives..We're her best friends..and he's her boyfriend.." Cleo said anxiously.
"Yes, and do you have any idea where either of her parents are?" The receptionist asked.
"Yeah, Her dad should be on the way, we rang him earlier." At that moment, a tall heavy built man with a kindly face ran up to the front desk.
"Hello, Mr Chadwick.." Rikki's dad ignored the greeting from his daughter friends, and turned towards the woman behind the desk.
"Where's my baby! How is my Rikki!?"
"Right, calm down, Now, If you would like to make your way through to the relatives room." She stopped, and looked around the corner, "Dr. Winters! Can you show these people to the relatives room? Dr. Trueman will see them in a minute."
"Yeah, this way."
Mr Chadwick could remember the last time he was brought to the 'relatives room'
"Mr Chadwick, If you would like to make your way through to the relatives room." The Doctor said, walking towards him and the little girl sat on his lap.
"Um..Yeah, sure.." He replied, picking the little blonde girl up, and kissing her on the cheek. The little girl had no idea what was happening, it was all a big adventure. The adventure to find her mummy! The Doctor and Mr Chadwick sat down in the relatives room, and Mr Chadwick started smoothing his daughters blonde curls on her head.
"I'm so sorry, Mr Chadwick..But earlier, Your wife..She..She went into a cardiac arrest..We did everything we could, but her heart wouldn't respond..I'm so sorry..You're wife passed away at 1:15 this afternoon.."
Mr Chadwick sucked in his breath, and pulled his daughter in closer to him, as if protecting her from the world that took her mother away.
They entered the room, and Zane started impatiently walking around. Tears were threatening to fall from his eyes. Emma, Lewis and Cleo watched the second hand move slowly round the clock. Terry was wishing that want happened 12 years ago wasn't going to happen again. Finally, the door handle slipped down, and a man emerged.
"Mr Chadwick? And friends of Rikki Chadwick?" He asked, looking up from his notes.
"Yes..Can you just give to us straight? Please, I just want to know about my little girl."
"Um, of course..If you would like to sit down Sir.." Mr Chadwick perched on the seat next to Zane, who gave him a reassuring smile.
"Well, The accident has left her in a coma..Her brain activity is very low, She has obviously had some brain damage..She's just suffered from a cardiac arrest.." cardiac cardiac cardiac arrest arrest arrest "We're so sorry Mr Chadwick" The words rang around in his ears. "But she's stable now. She's currently in theatre, She's broken 3 ribs, and her wrist and fractured her collar bone. You will be able to see her tomorrow." The Doctor smiled at them sympathetically.
"I-Is she going to die?"
"Well..We're giving her about a 40% chance of surviving at the moment..But that could increase or decrease rapidly within the first 24 hours. But, if she does come round, there is no guarantee she won't suffer from some permanent brain damage..I'll leave you now, I'm sorry, We'll do everything we can" He smiled again, then shut the door. Lewis, Cleo, Emma and Rikki's dad didn't really know what to do with themselves. If they went home, they would be leaving Rikki, But they couldn't go to see her either. Lewis obviously saw the same thoughts were going through everybody's minds.
"If we stay here, We're still with her..She's kind of not alone.." Everyone else silently agreed.
Seconds ticked past.
Minutes, then hours.
Zane finally got up, and made his way, following the signs, to the hospital shop. He walked in, and made his way over to the flower section. He looked through them, trying to find one that he knew his Rikki would like. He spotted a piece of paper taped to the wall.
"Red roses signify Love, Compassion and Beauty. Deep red roses signify Unconscious Beauty. Light Pink Roses signify Sympathy, Gentleness and Joy." He picked a red rose, a deep red rose, and a light Pink rose. He liked this idea. They loved each other, she was beautiful and in a coma, and he had great sympathy to her. He went over and paid the man behind the cash register. He slowly made his way back to the room where his friends and his girlfriends dad were sat. He opened the door, and sat on the opposite side of the room to everyone else. He took out a picture he had in his wallet of the two of them together on the beach, They were kissing each other, and Lewis had reluctantly taken the photo for them. He laid the picture on his lap, and had the roses in his hand.
"For if tomorrow ever comes" He whispered, falling asleep.
The roses fell out of his hand, resting on their photo.