A Brand New Ending

Chapter 5

Phoenix



I open my eyes slowly, realizing that I am no longer in the back of the ambulance, but in a hospital room. I also know that I am not alone. Though a small crack in the sheet that divides the room, I can see a mass in the opposite bed.

I shift a little, every bone and muscle in my body screaming with pain. Rubbing up and down my arms, I can feel the IV that is attached to me. I continue along my chest, feeling the heart rate pads that are glued to my body.

Extending my neck backwards, I look at all the machines, the constant buzzing and beeping still apparent. I watch the heart rate line jump up and down and it saddens me. I silently curse at it. As I watch, a familiar sense overwhelms me - Fear.

I start to panic. Reaching down, I feverishly rip all tubes and pads from my body. A long constant beep fills the room. I have to get out of here fast!

Peeking around the curtain divider, I notice that the person in the bed is asleep, their body facing away from me. I also see something of theirs that will come in handy. Tip toeing over to their bedside chair, I pull off the long coat that is hanging behind it. Sliding it on over my hospital gown, I cinch it tight to cover any of the exposed fabric. Looking down, I notice my feet are covered in nothing but socks. Maybe they won't notice. I take a few steps away from the chair and head directly to the door. My heart is racing so fast I swear it is going to explode, but I know I can't stay here. He'll find me, like he always does.

Just as I reach the doorway, I just barely notice the door handle moves downward. I freeze. The door pushes open abruptly, whizzing past my face and missing me by mere inches. In front of me stands a tall man in a bright white doctor's coat, a smile a mile wide on his face. He turns around to tell someone something.

"It's OK, Barbara, I don't need your assistance after all."

The man turns his attention back to me. Maybe he will think I am a visitor. I divert my eyes away from him and try to take a step around him, but he matches.

"Gonna be a little cold out there without any shoes on," he says, looking down at my feet, his face turning from a smile to a grin. I look up at him again, an intense blue looking back at me.

"I can't let you leave here, Phoenix," he says, a look of compassion on his face.

I now notice how he is towering over me and flashbacks instantly take over my mind. My palms begin to get sweaty and my heart rate flies at an all-time high.

His face.

His hands on me.

His fingertips clutching onto my arm.

His hand hitting my face.

I begin to feel extremely light headed and the doctor notices immediately, the grin from his face falling.

"Phoenix, I need to take you back to your…."

His voice trails off and my vision becomes blurred again. My body feels weak and moments later, I feel myself being lifted into the air then being gently set back down on the bed. And as much as I try, I can't seem to stay awake.