Chapter 6
Amy's dim-vision eyes had to adjust to the light that now danced around her and Robert. She found herself squinting in the powerful light, being used to darkness for such a long period of time. Slowly, Amy felt Robert remove his hands from her waist, his fingers leaving soft trails along her skin.
"What just happened?" Robert asked, in total shock.
Amy turned to look at the generator behind her. Some of the switches were bent upwards, where Amy accidently had touched them before.
"I must've flicked the right ones on," Amy said, still touching the switches lightly. "When we, you know…."
In an instant, Amy heard pounding footsteps quickly approaching her and Robert. She snapped her head to the direction of the galloping sound, to find Bryan rushing towards them. A remarkable grin was perched on his face.
"Guys, the power's working!" Bryan exclaimed, clapping his hands rapidly in excitement.
Amy raised an eyebrow at him in amusement. "We've noticed."
Bryan's grin turned to one of embarrassment. "Yeah, well…"
"Amy did it," Robert announced, flashing a smile to Amy's direction. In return, she sent him a deep blush. "She managed to flicker with the right switch."
"How'd she do that?" Bryan asked, amazement and curiosity etched on his features.
"Funny story, actually," Amy said, looking immediately at the floor, one of her hands placed on the back of her neck.
Just as Bryan was about to say something, Ronnie's hysterical voice echoed from down the hall. "[i]Guys, get the fuck over here!"[/i]
"Sara," Amy mumbled, her eyes wide with worry.
Without a moment's hesitation, she sprinted down the hall towards her apartment complex. When she reached her room, she hurriedly made her way towards the living room. There, she saw Ronnie and Omar surrounding Sara on the couch. With the available light, Amy was now able to see Sara's wound that surrounded her foot.
There was a deep gash cut across from the bottom of her foot all the way to the peek of her ankle. The deep red jagged line resembled the numerous street lines found on a map. The thought caused Amy to shiver. Sara looked weak, and most of the color had left her face. Her blue eyes which usually held life, held exhaustion. She had lost a good amount of blood.
"Shit," Amy muttered, rushing to her friend's side.
Amy noticed that Ronnie was holding Sara's hand in comfort, his other hand rested on her forehead; an icepack underneath it.
Amy kneeled directly beside Sara and grabbed her other hand. "Sar, it's going to be fine. The lights are finally working; we're going to get you to a hospital."
Sara nodded sleepily in response. That's when Amy noticed something. She suddenly looked down at Sara's badly cut foot and gasped. The wound, she could still see it.
"[i]Max and Bryan![/i]" Amy shrieked with fury.
Instantly, the appeared beside her.
"Where the hell is the gauze?!" Amy asked, turning to face them with fuming dark eyes.
Without a response, Max held out his pasty hand in front of her. In his palm, lay the peach-colored roll of gauze. Amy snatched it out of his hand and gently took Sara's foot.
"Honestly, were you two born with enough brains to know that you had to wrap it [i]around her injury?[/i]" Amy asked in deep anger.
"Hey, we're no medical experts," said Max, his green eyes pouring daggers into hers. "Besides, we thought you were going to do it."
"Technically, you only told us to get it from the medicine cabinet," said Bryan, appearing somewhat guilty.
Amy forcefully stopped herself from saying anything back to them as she slowly started unwinding the thick gauze. After it was unraveled, she leisurely started wrapping Sara's foot in it, satisfied to see the strong material covering up her friend's wound. When it was fully covered, Amy took the safety pin from one end of the gauze and carefully put it through the other end, holding it in place. She was careful not to prick Sara's skin.
After patting Sara's foot reassuringly, Amy stood up. Without speaking, she made her way to the kitchen and plucked the phone off of the receiver. She quickly dialed the emergency number. What she heard next made her stomach clench. Or actually, what she [i]didn't[/i] hear. There was no dial tone present.
"You've got to be kidding me," Amy groaned. She turned to the others who wore looks of confusion. "There's no dial tone. The phone lines must not be up yet."
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned to Robert. "Can I borrow your cell again? Please?"
His eyes lingered on hers momentarily before he nodded and dug into his pocket. He grabbed the silver device and handed it to her. When she reached for it, she couldn't help but notice how his finger tips rubbed with hers for a little too long. Hastily, she snatched the phone and started dialing 91—
"Damnit!" cursed Amy, almost dropping the phone with rage. "Robert, your phone just[i]had[/i] to run out of batteries, didn't it?"
A look of panic and regret washed over Robert's tanned face. "Crap, sorry Amy. I told you the bars were low."
Amy sighed and handed him back the phone. "What are we going to do now?"
"We could always carry her there."
Amy snapped her head towards Max. "Max…that's actually a good idea."
His eyes which usually held venom now seemed to turn into surprise. "Really?"
Amy nodded with excitement. "The hospital is only a few blocks away. I'm sure some of you guys can carry her."
Ronnie immediately stood up, pride and a toothy grin were shown on his face. "I'm there. I'm sure another strong guy can help me carry her. You know, only if I can't handle it of course."
Amy rolled her eyes.
Bryan stood up and approached Ronnie with a matching grin. "I'll help!"
Ronnie snorted, his eyes holding skepticism. "I said [i]strong[/i] guy."
Bryan shoved Ronnie's head to the side. "I am strong, you bastard."
Omar got up and stood in between the two quarreling young adults. "I'll help Ronnie."
Ronnie's grin got wider and he patted Omar's shoulder. "Thanks man."
Amy went over to Sara on the couch. She had started looking better in health. Some of the color returned to her face, and her eyes seemed more present. Though, sweat was still matted to her light hair, and she still appeared exhausted.
"Sar, you can limp on one leg right?"
"Sure can," Sara said, a small smile playing on her lips.
Amy smiled back warmly. "That's my girl."
Amy turned to Ronnie and Omar. "Alright, Ronnie she's going to lean on you with her right side. And Omar, she'll lean on you with her left. Each of you, put one of her arms around your shoulder, and then with one of your arms, support her back. Got it?"
Instead of nodding, the two males held blank looks.
"Oh honestly," Amy sighed.
She made her way over to Sara on the couch. Amy reached out her arms fully, so Sara could grasp them and get up easily. When she was up, Amy put her arm around her shoulder and supported her waist. Instantly, she turned to the faces of Ronnie and Omar.
"Like this," Amy said, nodding her head towards her position with Sara. "Easy as pie."
"Hey," Ronnie said, making his way over to the two girls. "Pie is a very complex form of dessert."
Amy couldn't resist rolling her eyes at the comment, but a hint of a smile was shown on her lips. Slowly, Ronnie removed Amy's arms from around Sara, and placed his arms around her instead.
"It's going to be alright," Ronnie whispered into Sara's ear. "We'll be there in no time."
Amy had to give him some sort of credit for consoling Sara under such circumstances. Ronnie had his moments at some points. Though, she couldn't quite say the same for some of the others. Actually, for [i]one[/i] of the others.
Soon, Omar had joined Ronnie in helping Sara walk without much difficulty.
"Alright," Amy announced. "Let's go."
Amy grabbed her red coat and her keys which were situated on the coffee table in her living room. After shutting off all the lights in her apartment, she unlocked her front door and opened it swiftly. She gestured with her hand for everybody to get out first; they obliged. After everyone was out of the apartment, Amy looked one last time into the dark room space, and closed the door behind her. She pulled out her key with the "416" charm on it, and locked the door with a [i]click[/i].
"Do you think the elevators are working yet?" Max asked looking hopefully at the silver elevator doors.
"Only one way to find out," Amy said approaching the elevator.
She trailed her fingers on the numbered buttons and pressed down. Amy waited, praying that they would light up or that the elevator would make a sudden grunting noise. But as countless times before, her mental wish was not granted.
"Shit," she heard Bryan say from behind her.
Amy sighed heavily and ran a hand through her muddled hair. "To the stairs we go."
She walked in front of the group, heading to the staircase at the end of the hallway. When she reached the door, she opened it. The staircase seemed dark and sinister this time of the night. The cemented steps held shadows of different shapes and forms. The air running through it, Amy noticed, still smelled of pot and alcohol.
"Gross," Bryan winced. "It smells like shit here."
"You think he'd be used to it," Max mumbled under his breath. "Having Ronnie around with his drug mart."
"Hey now!" Ronnie spat from behind, still holding Sara. "I resent that statement."
Amy groaned. "Guys, stop getting distracted. We have to get to the hospital."
With much difficulty, they started descending down the dark and narrow staircase. Numerous amount of times, Amy found herself bumping into Bryan and Max, with Ronnie, Omar and Sara trailing slowly behind them.
"Can you watch it?" Max spat at her, as she knocked into him for the fourth time.
"It's kind of hard to," Amy snapped back. "Light isn't exactly present here."
"Guys shut it," Bryan whispered. "The pot smell is giving me enough of a headache. I don't need another one."
Amy agreed with Bryan's complaint, and she kept her mouth shut. Finally, after it seemed like dozens of minutes had passed by, she was met with the brilliant crisp air of the Chicago streets. She heaved a sigh of relief as the smell of stale drug use was left behind.
There weren't many vehicles roaming the streets this late into the night. Most of the convenient stores on the stretch had neon signs which shun the word "[b]CLOSED[/b]." The air seemed a few degrees cooler than it had been that very day. Amy adored the night atmosphere. It held a lively yet peaceful mood which wasn't usually met with during the day.
"Amy?"
Amy turned her head to the voice's owner. Ronnie looked at her, his face pinched into what looked like discomfort.
"How far away is the damned hospital?" he asked.
"Only a few blocks, Ronnie," Amy said.
"Shit," he mumbled under his breath.
"Am I that heavy?" Sara asked, a grin of foolery displayed on her lips.
"Just a tad," Ronnie replied.
Sara's hand which was behind Ronnie's shoulder now rose to smack the back of his head. He grunted as he shot her a glare.
"I was kidding hon," Ronnie said, placing a swift kiss on Sara's currently blushing cheek.
Amy couldn't help but break out a smile at the two young adolescents. Amy's mind took a sudden spin, lurching her into other thoughts. What if the men of Escape the Fate were not present with her and Sara tonight? How could her and Sara possibly have survived the terrible blackout? If it weren't for Ronnie and Omar, Sara would have been more ill. If it hadn't been for Robert, the light switches would have never worked. Amy owed these men for once; she was aware of that.
They continued walking in silence for about half an hour. Amy's feet were starting to prickle with exhaustion, but she knew Ronnie and Omar were probably more uncomfortable supporting Sara. Amy noticed, with great satisfaction, the large blue letters of the hospital, which read [b]Sunnyside Hospital[/b].
"We're practically there," Amy said, a smile placed on her features.
"Thank God," Max said, his eyes holding irritancy.
Was that male always so miserable? Amy seemed to think so.
"What an original name," Max snorted as he saw the name of the hospital.
"Can say the same for your band," Amy mumbled, hopefully low enough so he couldn't make out her words.
"What was that?" Max asked, his eyes appearing almost daring.
"Nothing at all," Amy said, putting on a false smile.
When they reached the hospital, the automatic sliding doors at the front swung open for them as they entered. Amy was met with the smell of sickness and stale food as she approached the lobby.
"I hate hospitals," she announced, her face wrinkled.
"So does the world," Max replied.
"Do you always have to put your smartass comments in?" Amy asked, frustrated.
"It's my well known occupation," he said.
"Guys, we need to get a doctor and now," Ronnie replied, looking eager.
Amy nodded. "That, we do."
They managed to reach the elevators, and when they entered, it was filled with tension. The elevator's box was far too small to fit them all, but they managed it. Currently, Amy was mashed up against Max's chest, a position she highly wanted to get out of. When the elevator doors opened once more, she nearly bolted out of them.
As the others followed her, Amy approached the front lobby where the head nurse was working. As they approached, the nurse looked up with measuring eyes.
"May I help you?" she asked.
She was a young woman, estimating around the age of her late twenties. She had golden hair which was tied up in a strict bun. Her eyes, which were studying the Escape the Fate men, were green and harsh. Much like another person Amy knew.
"Yes, my friend has a foot injury," Amy responded.
The nurse continued to stare blankly at her. "And?"
Amy's heart started racing, she could feel her face warming up with temperature.
"She has a [i]foot injury[/i]! It's very long with a deep gash and was caused by broken glass. Did I mention she [i]pulled a muscle[/] when she slipped?! She needs assistance and medical treatment and she needs it [i]now![/i]"
The nurse stared at her with an open mouth; clearly she hadn't expected Amy to be so…demanding. The guys, including Sara, managed to stare at her in surprise and awe. Suddenly the nurse picked up her phone and rang in the doctor.
"Didn't know you had such guts," Bryan joked, nudging her shoulder.
"When it comes to the people I care about, guts are all I know," Amy said with a slight smile.
Soon the doctor came to the lobby. He was an older man yet very tall and sturdy. He had a full head of gray hair which was lengthy and tied into a low pony-tail. His name tag read [b]Louis[/b].
"If your friend can follow me, I will take her to a room," Louis said, his eyes going over our group.
"Thank goodness," Sara said.
"You're all with her?" he asked in disbelief.
They all nodded in response.
"I'm afraid only two people at a time are allowed to be in the room," he said. "However, I need to check her injuries while she is alone. You'll all have to stay in the waiting room."
Amy sighed and nodded. "Alright."
In a moment, the nurse from the front desk approached them with a wheelchair. Sara looked at it skeptically before sighing. Ronnie and Omar slowly helped her get into it. She looked at Amy, a look of pure nervousness etched on her face.
"You'll be alright love," Amy said, giving Sara's shoulder a swift squeeze.
Sara nodded and smiled gratefully. "I guess I'll catch you later."
"We'll be waiting here," Amy said.
Soon, the doctor had taken Sara into the secluded room, leaving Amy and the other guys waiting tiredly in the waiting room.
"You guys don't have to stay if it's too late," Amy said, sitting down on an available chair. "Don't you have a sound check or something tomorrow?"
Ronnie grinned and sat down beside her. "We're not going anywhere."
"Besides," Bryan chirped in, "we don't have any shows scheduled until next week."
Amy nodded. "Thank you; all of you. For everything."
There was a slight silence after she said those words. Then she felt an arm sling around her shoulder. She turned to her left to see Bryan with a huge grin plastered on his face. "T'was not a problem m'lady."
Amy laughed. After a few minutes had passed by, Robert got up to get something from the cafeteria. The whole time Amy was waiting, all her thoughts could turn to was Sara. She wondered if her friend was in any discomfort. She certainly hoped not.
Soon Robert returned with six ice cream sandwiches. One he kindly gave to Amy, offering her a reassuring smile.
"Thank you," she said lightly, unwrapping the ice cream.
Amy knew as soon as she bit into the cold dessert, something was terribly wrong. It tasted almost tangy on her tongue. Without warning, Amy could feel her throat tightening incredibly fast. Her breathing quickened dramatically.
Amy shot her hands to her throat, the ice cream falling on the floor.
"Amy are you alright?!" Bryan exclaimed, grabbing onto her arm.
Amy felt herself losing oxygen.
"What the hell is happening to her?!" Max shouted, looking frightfully at her face.
"She's having an allergic reaction!" Ronnie exclaimed.
"To what?!" Bryan yelled, still holding onto her.
Robert took the ice cream wrapping paper off of the floor, and showed everyone the cautioning nut symbol.
"Peanuts."