Hello, guys! This story might felt down because of how I rushed this chapter. Over the span of a year, I tried getting out of my inability to write even a simple 1000 words chapter.
Sorry for the trouble, but I hope that you can read this chapter and give your opinion on it.
And I forgot to say that I do contribute on writing now.
Lynn felt warmth, she felt she was lying in a bed. She hoped that the weekend was over so she could get some sleep. She heard footsteps. Lucy was already awake. Lynn opened her eyes. She looked straight into Antonov's eyes. "What are you doing in my room?" asked Lynn, startled. Lynn looked around. She was in a hospital room. "What am I doing here?"
"Hello Lynn. I'm Alexander Antonov. I'm your doctor."
"What happened? Why am I here?"
"You had an accident. You were in a coma for six weeks."
"Was I hurt that bad?"
"Yes. On the head."
Lynn tried to get up. She straightened up with her arms. Then she almost fell off the bed, but Antonov caught her in time. He put her back on the bed. "What's wrong with my legs?" she said.
"I wanted to tell you later. Your brain has been damaged and your leg control center is injured." Antonov told Lynn.
Lynn has tears in her eyes. "What does that mean?" Lynn asked in a tearful voice.
"You have partially lost the ability to walk." Lynn slowly looked at the blanket that covered her legs. Her lips began to tremble. She felt anger, despair, sadness. How is she supposed to exercise if she can't move her legs? Lynn's anger was getting stronger and stronger. She grabbed Antonov's kit with her left hand and tried to hit him. He held her arms so she couldn't hit him. Lynn yelled at Antonov. "Why didn't you heal me! Why did you take my legs!"
Antonov looked deep into Lynn's eyes. And he spoke in a soft voice. "Lynn. I once had to treat a child who had inhaled chlorine gas from cleaning supplies. It spat out blood and parts of its lungs. It looked like a living dead. I saved his life. But now it is dependent on a wheelchair. It can no longer eat itself. And has the mind of a toddler. This child can never lead a normal life again. But you Lynn, you can. You can live a good fulfilling life with training." Antonov released Lynn's arms. Lynn took her pillow and pressed her face into it. Antonov took out his cell phone and dialed a number. "Hello. Alexander Antonov here. Lynn is awake."
"Thank you. We'll be right there." Lori said on the phone.
Lori was sitting in the living room. She hung up the phone and ran upstairs. She ran into Lily's room and started dressing Lily. "Leni! Lynn is awake!" shouted Lori. Lori heard Leni running down the stairs. Lori took Lily and walked her down the stairs. The three went to the car. She put Lily in the child seat of the car and drove to the regional hospital with Leni.
The three ran through the hospital corridor and entered Lynn's room. They immediately ran to Lynn. "Lynn! We're so glad you're awake." said Lori.
"Yes. We missed you." said Leni.
"Lynn!" said Lily happily.
Lori laid Lily on Lynn's bed.
Lily takes Lynn's hand. Lynn takes the pillow off her face. She sees Lily. Lily hugs Lynn. Lynn hugs her back. She looks at Lori and Leni, who also hug her. But Lynn was missing something.
"Where are the others?" Lynn asked.
Leni and Lori break the hug.
"Lynn. The others didn't survive the accident. Leni, Lily and you are the only ones." said Lori.
"No. No, that's not true." said Lynn.
"Yes, Lynn. I saw it." said Leni.
"No no no no!"
Lily continues to hug Lynn. Lynn held Lily tight. Lynn was crying, she was crying harder than ever. She only felt Lily in her arms, which she never wanted to let go of. Lori sat down next to Lynn, and put her hand on Lynn's.
"We are with you. We will stay here. No matter what." said Lori.
"Lori, can we have a talk for a bit?" Antonov called Lori.
"Yeah. Wait here, I'm talking with Antonov." she let go of the hug and went to Antonov.
"Ok, I don't think that LJ will be able to walk normally any soon, so can you prepare the house for it?" said Antonov to Lori.
"Ummm, I'll think of something." Lori said.
Three days later. Lynn is still in her bed. She's watching a TV show about Steven Hawking. Lynn didn't understand these scientific things, but she was fascinated by Hawking. He was completely paralyzed, had to speak with the help of a computer, and was still one of the top scientists in the world. Antonov entered the room. He pulled a wheelchair with him. Lynn paused the tv.
"What are you doing doctor?" Lynn asked.
"You need to be able to move. I'll put you in now." said Antonov.
Antonov went to Lynn. He grabbed Lynn's back with his right hand and Lynn's legs with his left hand. Antonov put Lynn in the wheelchair and straightened her legs.
"So, you told me that you're athletic. Well, you have to turn those metal rings on the wheels so that you can move."
"These two here?" Lynn asked, touching the metal rings.
"Yes. It can be a bit tiring at first, but you'll eventually have very good muscles. So give it a try."
Lynn spins the wheels and moves.
"That's good. Try turning."
Lynn rotates clockwise.
"Very well done. Lynn, I have a question. Since you're quite recovered and everything is done here, do you want to go home?"
"I really want to go to my sisters." said Lynn.
"Okay. I will prepare the discharge. And I will call your sisters."
Antonov left the room. Lynn wheeled her wheelchair to the window. She looked outside. A sparrow was sitting on the window ledge. She watched him sit there, preening himself with his beak.
After half an hour Antonov enters the room.
"Time to go Lynn. Are you ready?" said Antonov.
"Yes." said Lynn and rolled out of the room.
Antonov led Lynn to an elevator and pressed the 0 key. The doors closed and the elevator descended. The lift stopped and Lynn and Antonov exited. They walked through the aisle, and through the entrance. Lori was waiting in front of the hospital. Lynn drove as fast as she could in her wheelchair to Lori's. Lori slowed down the wheelchair and hugged Lynn.
"Nice to see you out here." said Lynn.
"Lori, have you modified the house to suit Lynn's needs?" asked Antonov.
Lori released Lynn.
"Yes. It's amazing how quickly the workers got ready." said Lori.
"What are you talking about Lori? Workers? My needs?" Lynn asked.
"Lynn, since you are in a wheelchair, your home has had to be adjusted." said Antonov.
"That's right Lynn. We had to put in a stair lift so you can reach your room. And the bathroom now has handles for you to use." Lori said.
"Why? Couldn't I just use Mom and Dad's room and you carry me up the stairs. Or a nursing home. Lori, the money is better for you to use. Or Leni or Lily. Not for me." said Lynn worried.
"Lynn. RWR paid for that. I get as much money a month as a senior train driver." said Lori.
"How much money?"
"Between seven and eight thousand dollars a month."
"Why are they paying for this?"
"Because we are affected by the accident. Especially you Lynn. They want to help us."
Lori looks at Antonov. "Thank you doctor."
"No problem. If you need anything or have any complaints Lynn, Lori can call me. I wish you all the best." said Antonov, and went back to the hospital.
Lori pushed Lynn to the car in her wheelchair. She opened the companion's door and lifted Lynn up. She sat Lynn in the seat and buckled her up. Lori folded the wheelchair and put it in the trunk. They drove through Royal Woods. When they got home, the house looked the same as ever. Lori got out and took the wheelchair out of the trunk. She opened the passenger door and took Lynn out. Lori put Lynn in the wheelchair. Lynn drove to the porch. The first thing Lynn saw was a wheelchair ramp. She drove up. She opened the front door and drove inside. It was nothing different. On the wall of the stairway were painted steel bars that held a platform lift. Lori walked in and closed the door.
"It's not like it used to be. But you'll get used to it." said Lori.
"I hope so." said Lynn.
Once LJ properly lay on her bed, she looked at the ceiling, wondering how to do sports with her broken legs. After a few minutes, LJ suddenly saw something. She saw herself in the car, once again, she saw all of her deceased family members, and then the tram. . . She saw everything, her head once again. . . Her family, she heard most of them struggles to breathe. . "Why.. . Why. . . Why!" she screamed in sadness, which Lori heard from downstairs.
"Lynn!" Lori ran upstairs, only to see her younger sister struggling to breathe. "Calm down, LJ! C-c-c. . . Calm down!" she said.
A few seconds later, Lynn was stable enough and hugged Lori. "No, I can't. I don't want to lose you," she said while tears started to come out. "Please." She struggled to say a word and became too sad. She fell off her bed and forgot about the damage she had. "Please, promise me. I don't want to lose you. We've lost a lot of our families..." Lynn sobs. She tries to say one last word. "Please..." LJ took a breath after she said that, still heavily sobbing.
Lori hugs back LJ, holding her tears. "Hmm. . . *sobs* If I have the chance, I'll be there for you guys. Any time," she said while trying to breathe while holding her tears. "I'll try." it continued for a moment until LJ calmed down. She wiped her tears. "I'll be in my room to study if you want something," Lori said before walking to her and Leni's room.
Leni enters high school. For the first time since the accident. Everyone looks at her cast. All these looks from people pierced her. Jackie and Mandee approached her.
"Leni. We heard what happened. It's so bad." said Jackie worried.
"Yes. This is so terrible. How are you?" said Mandee.
"It's too quiet. At home. Much too quiet. Everything is missing." said Leni.
"Oh. Come here." Jackie said and hugged Leni.
"Watch out, please. My arm" said Leni.
"Oh. Sorry."
"No. You don't have to apologize."
"We should go to class," said Mandee.
Leni and the two girls went to class. She couldn't use her right hand, so she decided to use her left. She wrote on the sheet of paper and looked at her writing. It reminded you of the Cyrillic script. She continued to calculate. Eventually, a hand snapped in front of her eyes. Leni looked up. It was her teacher.
"Leni. It's twelve o'clock. Noon."
Leni looked around. The classroom was empty. How could time go by so quickly? She looked at the teacher again.
"Everything good, Leni? You seem absent-minded to me."
"My head feels full. Almost overloaded."
"If it gets too much for you, you can always take time off."
"Okay," said Leni.
She got up and walked out of the classroom. Leni was the last student at school. It was quiet. As quiet as at home.
Meanwhile in the daycare, Lily was seen frowned, she didn't feel to play with her friends. She just sat on the floor. The daycare staff then came near her. "Hey, why are you frowning?" she said.
"Dad, mom, where?" Lily asked. The daycare staff saw it on news. She don't want to tell Lily about it, she knew Lily would probably not understanding it.
"Um, Lily. Why don't you play with others?" the daycare staff said.
"Mom. Dad." Lily said it again. This time, her words seems to be somehow interrupted by a sob.
The daycare staff tried to think of something. She tried to make Lily happy.
She got an idea. She remembered that Lily's parents told her about Lily's interest in icecream. "Lily, want icecream?" said the daycare staff. Lily smiled and almost nodded. But she remember about her family. That time when her icecream was took by a bird. Her smile turned into a frown again.
She missed her parents. She missed her brother. She missed her deceased sisters. She don't know what is going on, but she know that something is wrong when she didn't saw them since a few weeks ago. She cried silently.
The daycare staff tried to cheer up Lily, but anything she tried failed. She looked at the hours. It was usually the time where Lily got picked up. "Lily, don't cry. Everything will be okay." the staff said to Lily.
Lori was studying for her exam. She was so focused on it that she forgot about her sisters. She should have picked Leni up from school. "Ok, I think I should get a rest now." she said. She checked the phone and the clock shows "16:03". She opened her eyes widely in shock.
She rushed and went to her car to pick them.
She started the car and drove it to the high school first. Near it, she saw a girl crying. She recognized her.
"Why don't you pick me up earlier? It's scary here alone." she said.
"Well, I'm sorry." Lori said. She pushed Leni a bit further from her. "Come on, let's pick Lily." said Lori again.
They then arrived near the daycare. "Wait in the car." she said to Leni. Lori then walked inside the daycare.
"Hey! Li. . ." Lori's words slowed down and stopped when she saw Lily. Her tears have soaked up her clothes.
"Hey, Lori. I want to tell you something. Lily hasn't been doing great in the daycare earlier. She didn't play with her friends like she always did. She just sat there and is just looking at the floor." the daycare staff said.
"Lily, let's go home." Lori said to Lily. "But. Mom. Dad. In-home?" Lily said.
Lori did not speak a word. She didn't want to hurt Lily's feelings. "Let's see. . . *sniff* if they're home. Come on, let's go." she said in tears and carried Lily to her car.
Lori opened the car door and put Lily on the seat. "So, anything new in the house, Lori?" Leni asked Lori who started the car. "Not really, but LJ got discharged out of the hospital today." Lori said as the car started and then started to drive, heading back to their house.
During the drive, the three girls didn't talk about anything. All they see is roads and roads, buildings by buildings. Lori was focused driving. Leni was just trying to think of what she done earlier at school, while Lily was in hope that her parents are home.
The car arrives near the house, and Lori parked it. She then stopped the car engine and helped Lily got out of the seat.
Leni opened the car door and got out of the car by herself, while Lily was carried by Lori. They all got in the house and got to upstairs.
They entered LJ's room to see her. Lynn Jr got a little shock but was happy that they were home to care for.
"Hey, LJ! It's been a long time since the last time we saw in the hospital!" Leni said.
"At least I didn't lose you guys." Lynn Jr said as she, Leni and Lily got into a hug.
Leni saw a wheelchair near LJ's bed. "Uhhh, why is there a wheelchair? And I wonder what that thing near the staircase is for." Leni said.
"Leni, do you remember what the doctor said about her injury?" asked Lori.
"Ummm. . . but how does she need a wheelchair?" Leni said.
"Her head, control her legs. But her head got injured, and she can't move her leg normally." Lori tried to say something that Leni could understand.
"So, Leni, can you understand what I said?" Lori asked.
"Don't you remember what Doctor Antonov said earlier?" said Lori to Leni.
"So, her head control movement and because her head got injured, she can't walk properly?" Leni said.
"Yes. That's what it is." Lori said. She look down, and was thinking of something.
"Leni, I think it's time." Lori said.
"For what?" Leni replied.
"Oh. . . I don't want to. Go with Lynn by yourself." Leni said.
"Alright, your choice." Lori said again.
"Lynn, would you like to take a look at something?" Lori said.
"Sounds sketchy, but OK then." Lynn said.
Lynn put herself on her wheelchair. "OK, let's go." She said.
Lori then walked down the stair, while Lynn Jr uses the platform lift. They both slowly went to the car.
Lori carried Lynn out of her wheelchair into the car seat. "Where are we going?" Lynn asked. Lori carried LJ's wheelchair into the car.
"Well, you want to see them?" Lori asked.
"Them who?" LJ asked.
Lori started the car. She noticably breathes. " *huff* I don't want to spoil it." She said as she started to drive.
They then arrived near the graveyard. Lynn starts to realise where will Lori took her and her eyes widen.
"Please, don't." Lynn said.
Lori stopped the car and turnt it off.
"I. . ." Lori seemed trying to said a word, would suddenly stopped. She picked up LJ's wheelchair and put it on the street, followed by carrying LJ into her wheelchair.
"Let's go." Lori said before she walked in the graveyard.
"Hey, wait!" Lynn said while she wheeled as fast as she can to follow her.
The name of her parents were written on it. She then looked to other gravestone on the same row. She covered her mouth and start to tear up. It was the gravestone of the family that didn't survive.
"Why did you take me here?" Lynn said while her tears got worse.
"I want to show you, they're gone. You know," Lori said as her tears leaked a bit. "I want to make you see where they are resting now." Lori said.
Lynn got even more tears and cried out. She's in denial. "No, no." she said. She wonder if it's a dream, so she slapped herself. It hurts. It's not a dream.
She became wordless for a few seconds, while tears ran down her face.
"I never got the chance to say that I loved them." Lynn said. She reached try to reach as near as she can to the gravestone. From what her wheelchair limit her to, she try to hug her parents gravestone.
She became wordless for a few seconds, while tears ran down her face.
"I never got the chance to say that I loved them." Lynn said. She reached try to reach as near as she can to the gravestone. From what her wheelchair limit her to, she try to hug her parents gravestone.
She became wordless for a few seconds, while tears ran down her face.
"I never got the chance to say that I loved them." Lynn said. She reached try to reach as near as she can to the gravestone. From what her wheelchair limit her to, she try to hug her parents gravestone.
"I'm sorry, dad. *sobs* Sorry, mom." Her regrets got even stronger, but it was late. They aren't here anymore to hear what she says. She doubt her family would accept her apology. She approach another grave. She looked at where Lincoln rest. "Why am I this dumb? I've done so much to him." she said.
Her emotions got stronger and stronger, from her bad memories with her family. Lynn suddenly fell off her wheelchair and got near her brother's grave. She tried to dig it by her hands, in hope she can see her brother's face again. "No! No! No! It can't be!".
Lori saw this and quickly tried to pull Lynn from the grave. "Come on, Lynn! Don't be that denial!
"No, it's- No!" Lynn said. Her tears has made her clothes wet.
"Wake up, Lynn! This isn't a dream!" Lori said.
Lynn just sat behind the grave in regret. She looked down, and was thinking in her head. "Why do this have to happen on them? Why not me? Just, why? I deserve it more." She then cried loudly.
"Lynn! Cheer up! Please, don't cry." Lori said. "You still have me, Leni and Lily." Lori was holding her emotion and tears.
" *sobs* Well, it's too late. I can't say anything to them anymore." Lynn said. She suddenly felt calmer.
Lynn, let's take you for a spirometry test?" Lori said.
"Spy-row-what?"
Lori carried Lynn and put her back on her wheelchair
"Lynn, let's take you for a spirometry test." Lori said.
"Spee-row... what?" Lynn Jr. asked in confusion.
"Spirometry is some kind of... a test. You know, you had a big hit from the accident, so... this was to see how strong your lungs are after that big hit." Lori explained.
"Oh. So, where are we going to for the test?" Lynn asked.
"Well, where do you think we're going? Let's go to the hospital." Lori replied, her voice calm as she got her on the handle of Lynn's wheelchair.
As soon as she tried to move it, Lynn stopped her.
"Come on, I don't want to feel like a wimp. Let me just do it myself." she said at Lori.
Lori decided to let go the handle and let Lynn do it by herself. "Go on." Lori said.
Lori walked to the car as Lynn followed her by wheelchair.
"Ugh, silly hand. Twitching in and out." Lynn said in frustration as she got in and folded her wheelchair as soon as she's in the car, her right hand slightly struggled as it twitched.
"Alright, everything is in the car?" Lori asked Lynn, making sure nothing was left off.
"Well, of course, yes." Lynn replied.
"Alright." Lori said, starting up the car, move the gear and started driving to hospital.
During the drive, there were only sounds of the car. The radio was turned off while Lori and Lynn didn't talk to each other.
After some minutes of driving, the car arrived near the hospital.
Lori parked the car and opened the car door. She stop the car and got out of the car to help Lynn got out of the car.
"Can you tell me why you kept this from me?" Lynn asked Lori.
"Haven't Doctor Antonov told you yet about it?" Lori replied.
"Well, um... Never mind." Lynn said as she got wheeled by Lori, heading to the hospital door.
Lori and Lynn Jr continue moving temporarily before Lori stopped in front of the reception, where a receptionist was inspecting the documents given to her in a computer.
"Umm... Miss... Carrie Bernard?" Lori said to the nurse.
She was a 28-years old woman, with slender frame, brown hair and blue eyes.
"Yes?" Ms Carrie answered her.
"Is Doctor Antonov available, miss?" asked Lori.
"Oh, let me see..." the receptionist said as she seems to clicked on mouse and keyboard rapidly like an expert.
After seconds of tick and click, the receptionist finally opened her mouth. "Yes, Doctor Antonov is available and have just done a patient's appointment. What's your intent of meeting him?" Ms Carrie said.
Lori took no time to speak right after Ms Carrie finished her words. "So, my younger sister have an appointment with her. A spirometry test to be exact."
"Oh, sure! He's in the room 3. Do you want the hospital to help you and your younger sister get there?" Ms Carrie said.
"No, thanks. I appreciate your offer, miss. But I can do it by myself." Lori said in gratitude.
"Ok then. I'm busy with the documents and didn't have much free time, so I'm sorry if it's rude but... since you're done with asking me, can you quickly go?" Ms Carrie said, with a hint of humbleness in her voice.
"Sure." Lori said as her hands got back on the handle of Lynn Jr's wheelchair. "Goodbye, Ms Carrie. I'm grateful for your help."
"It's okay. I've been doing this job since I graduated." Ms Carrie replied as Lori started to walk, moving Lynn Jr wheelchair and accompany her to the room.
As the walk continues, Lynn Jr redirected to times, back when she was not confined by this wheelchair and brain damage. She sighed as she remembers it all. "I hate being in this stupid chair. I just want to do my sports again." she said for a short moment before they entered the room.
"Hello, Doctor. I'm here for the appointment of my younger sister. Can I be with her when she's doing the test?" Lori said.
"So, firstly, can you use manner next time? Knock the door first. If I allow you to enter, I'll do it. Secondly, I normally wouldn't care about impolite patient, but you're lucky that I'm not as strict as my own self a decade ago." Antonov said with a noticeable Eastern European accent.
"So, should I help Lynn sit down here?" Lori asked him while pointing at a table with a device.
"Well, that was actually what you need to do. Go ahead." the doctor said.
Lori put Lynn Jr out of the wheelchair and into a seat beside the table.
"Are you ready for this, Lynnie-Lynnie?" Lori said, in a babyish voice. As she reached her hands for Lynn's shoulder, she quickly got pushed away.
"Come on! Don't do me like that! I'm 14, not 6!" Lynn said in frustration.
Lori slightly chuckles for a moment before she took a short breath.
"Alright, alright." she said.
"So... ummm... What is this device for, Doctor?" Lynn asked.
Doctor Antonov took the device and start making gestures.
"Do you see this tube?" He said, pointing at it. Lynn can only nods.
"Alright, you blow into this, while I measure how well your lung is. Can you do that for me?" he said. Again, Lynn nods.
"So either you take this and put it in your mouth, or I'll do it myself. Pick." he said in a low tone. Lynn, who was slightly discomforted by this, quickly took the tube.
"Now, first, calm down." the doctor said in a softer tone.
Doctor Antonov commanded her to breathe like usual so the test can be done properly.
"Breathe in." he said as Lynn did exactly that for a few seconds. "Breathe out." Lynn let the air out.
"Are you okay now?" he asked.
"Y... Yes." Lynn said.
"Let's start the test." he said.
"You'll blow into the tube, until I finish counting." Upon hearing that, Lynn can only nodded. "Now, start." he said. Lynn started blowing on the tube.
"1." he started counting.
The sound of electricity can be heard, silence gave way to them.
"2, 3." he continued counting.
Lynn was trying her best to not having a panic, as the test continued.
"4..." the doctor continued.
The seconds felt like minutes. Slowed down as the moment kept moving.
"5." he stopped. "Done. Now, get the tubes out of your mouth."
Lynn pulled the tube away from her mouth, as Antonov started writing on a clipboard and recorded the details of her appointment in it.
"Now I know much more."
I hope you enjoy it. It took me a lot of writers block and overcome my laziness. And I hope you can also give a review on it.
Answering the first DarthSidious04's questions:-
Well, for context, I actually want to show that trains always come and go. Like, to the point of when there were no trains on the railroad, anyone who drive to that area to head to the other side would be relieved that they didn't have to wait to get across the railroad this time.
About the train:-
Yeah, about that, while what you say was correct, I can't really rewrite the first chapter for reasons I can't mention here.
Anyway, goodbye!