Emergency staff rush through the door to meet the EMTs dropping the gurney from the back of the emergency vehicle.
“Young adult female; mid-twenties. Multiple lacerations to torso. Ligature marks to wrists and ankles. Heavy bruising to majority of body. Broken right forearm. Possible broken left leg below knee.”
“sir, do you have any injuries?”
I glance down at the elderly nurse speaking to me. She reminds me of my grandmother. There’s a warm glow emanating from her gentle smile. I look back towards the gurney, but it’s gone, along with the gaggle of hospital staff that met us here.
“Sonny? Are you hurt?”
“Oh, uh…I don’t know.”, I finally respond to the older woman’s gentle questioning.
“Well let’s get you to a room and get you checked out. Follow me.”
The nurse turns and walks down the hall towards a vacant exam room.
Rolling my eyes, I slowly follow behind her.
The nurse indicates for me to take a seat in the chair by the desk. She pops a thermometer in my mouth, before wrapping the pressure cuff around my bicep. The thermometer beeps.
“Running a little warm I see. Do you feel feverish? Blood pressure is good though.” She removes the pressure cuff and places it back on its hook.
“I feel fine.”
“humm.. Alright then. Go ahead and remove your shirt and have a seat on the exam table.”
I hesitate momentarily before pulling my shirt over shirt head, wincing slightly and grimacing as I raise my arms.
Okay, maybe I did get grazed back there.
“Jesus boy, you’ve been through the ringer, haven’t you…oh, I see…you’re one of them.”, she pauses, “well, let’s get you patched up, shall we?”
I sigh in relief as she pulls the small table towards herself and begins to clean my wounds.
“When can I see her?”
“The girl you came in with?”
“Yes.”
The nurse glances at me before turning back to the sutures, “I see. I’ll make sure you know as soon as there’s word.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome dear.”
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