Hannah
I felt like I was floating, but being weighed down by a lead block at the same time. I was a balloon tied to a person’s wrist.
Beep
Beep
Beep
The annoying sound wouldn’t leave my head, which was pounding.
Beep
Beep
Beep
I groaned and tried to open my eyes, but they were too heavy. I tried again, but they still wouldn’t open.
Beep
Beep
Beep
I tried moving my hand. My foot. Just wiggle a toe. Nothing worked.
Beep
Beep
Beep
I sighed inwardly and gave up. For a while at least.
Beep
Beep
Beep
I let myself float some more.
Beep
Beep
Beep
And some more.
Beep
Beep
Beep
And some more.
Beep
Beep
Beep
But then the floating got boring and my head was getting worse. The lead block felt even heavier than before.
Beep
Beep
Beep
I tried my eyes again, but they just would not open.
Beep
Beep
Beep
I wouldn’t give up this time though. I had to get that beeping to stop.
Beep
Beep
Beep
With all the force I could muster, I peeled my eyes open to see a white room. I took in my surroundings and realized where I was. The hospital. And the beeping was the heart monitor.
The beeping got faster as I began to panic. I couldn’t be here! I’d be in so much trouble when I got home. Dad told me what would happen if I ever went to the hospital. He warned me.
How did I even get here?
I looked down to my arm and ripped out the IV. I ripped off all the chords and forced myself to get out of the bed, even as my body screamed in protest.
The beeping went flat and I knew I only had so long before doctors came running.
I limped to the door, but just as my hand reached the handle, it burst open, sending me flying back with a screech.
A doctor and some nurses rushed in. They looked to the bed and freaked out when they saw it was empty. Then, they saw me huddled in the corner and visibly relaxed.
“What’s going on?” I turned to the door and saw Bradley run in. He had a panicked look on his face, but sighed in relief when he saw me.
A nurse turned off the sound on the heart monitor and the doctor approached me. He stopped when I shriveled away from him.
“Miss. Jacobson, you have to get back in bed,” he said to me.
I shook my head. “No. I have to go home.”
“No way are you going back there,” Bradley growled.
I shook at the tone of his voice.
“I have to,” I whispered.
“No you don’t,” the doctor said. “In fact, the police are here to speak with you.”
My eyes widened in fear and I started hyperventilating.
This couldn’t be happening. Not again.
Last time I called the police, I was nearly beat to death.
Tears spilled out of my eyes and I rocked myself back and forth on the floor with my knees pulled to my chest.
Black dots crowded my vision; I couldn’t get enough air. My ears were ringing, but I vaguely heard someone calling my name.
“Hannah.”
“Hannah!”
Hands gripped my shoulders and my eyes shot up to see Bradley crouched down in front of me.
“I h-have to go h-home,” I whimpered to him.
Bradley brushed his thumb across my cheek, wiping away the tears that fell.
“No you don’t,” he said softly. “I won’t let him hurt you again.”
I cried harder at that and Bradley sat down, pulling me into his arms.
“Shhhh, it’s ok,” he cooed.
Bradley sat there rocking me until I finally calmed down. I felt tired and a yawn escaped me.
“Can I put you back in the bed?” Bradley asked, smoothing my hair back. I nodded and Bradley stood up, keeping me in his arms bridal style. He walked over to the hospital bed and set me down.
A nurse then came over and smiled down at me. “Can I put this IV back in so you get your fluids and pain meds?”
I nodded and held out my arm to her, closing my eyes. A hand grabbed my free one and I just knew it was Bradley.
The needle pricked my skin and the nurse taped it down. “There, all done.”
The nurse left and I yawned again.
“Sleep,” Bradley told me. “I’ll be right here.”
I took Bradley’s advice and let my eyes fall close. It wasn’t long before I was fast asleep.
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