His brother groaned. Malachi could barely move, he couldn't reach his brother. Ignoring the searing pain in his chest, he grabbed the other seat, pulling himself toward his brother. There was a gash in his leg and another on his head. Malachi couldn't reach the thigh wound, but it was only seeping blood. The head wound gushed. He was able to tear off part of Micah's shirt, wrapping it as best he could around his brother's head. He knew it wasn't enough. Micah would die without help.
"We shouldn't have taken the back road. Should have stayed on the highway." Groaning, he tried to move, but the branch tugged against his ribs, reminding him that he wasn't in much better shape than his brother. Overcome by pain, Malachi lost consciousness.
A car pulled up and a man got out, shining a light at the Jeep. "Oh, dear God! Anyone there?"
"Help," Malachi groaned. "Please. My brother...."
"Holy Fuck!" the man swore when he saw Malachi. "Don't move. I called it in. Help's on the way."
"My brother. He's real bad."
"The ambulance is coming," the man said. "Damn, how long have you been here?"
"Dunno."
"Christ, kid. Kid?" Distressed, the man waved his flashlight so the ambulance and fire truck would see him.
Elam approached the Jeep, peering in. He checked vital signs on the brothers. Sadly shaking his head, he walked away from Micah. When he got to Malachi, his eyes brightened. "We've got a live one! Hurry up!"
As if a recording had sped up, the figures moved quickly through the next few minutes. Blythe watched in fast motion. Malachi was put in the ambulance while they did their best to free Micah's body from the wreckage.
"Stay with me, buddy," the EMT said. "Elam, can we go any faster?"
"I'm risking an accident now," Elam replied. "A road like this in the dark? Jesus. They're lucky they weren't both killed."
In grim silence, they continued to the hospital, siren screaming.
Elam drove home in a thoughtful mood. He couldn't explain, even to himself, why he was so strongly attracted to Blythe. Yes, she was pretty, but so were lots of women. She was bright and funny, and he could think of half a dozen equally as gifted. She was vulnerable in ways that most others weren't. Perhaps that was it, his innate need to take care of people. It was the main reason he'd chosen the medical field, particularly emergency medicine.
Riding in the ambulance was an adrenaline rush. He loved problem solving, making split second decisions, and having people rely on him. He was a man that others could look at and say, "He does something. He risks his life for us." In short, he was a hero, albeit an unsung one. Perhaps martyrdom was also an ingredient?
Blythe's problem was unusual. He'd never heard of someone walking into a nightmarish reality. It seemed to be unique to her. That made him even more determined to help her.
As he unlocked the front door, his phone rang. Why would the hospital be calling? He answered as he walked through his door. His cozy apartment welcomed him home.
"Armitage."
"Elam? It's Dr. Waverly."
He tossed his keys on the round dining table. The cross shaped keyring glittered under the round, yellow light.
"Yes, ma'am. What can I do for you?"
"Returning your call. You found our mystery man?"
This was the most enthusiasm she'd ever displayed. Usually cool and clinical, she wasn't one for overt reactions.
"Yes, Doctor. We sure did," he couldn't help sounding proud.
"Well? Details."
Elam filled her in on the visit to Rosemont. He told her word for word what Blythe had said to Malachi. His well trained eyes had spotted something hers hadn't—when Blythe spoke to Malachi, touched his hand, his eyes moved.
"You're sure?" Dr. Waverly's voice rose in excitement.
"Yes. There wasn't any when she took his hand, but when she spoke, there was a definite reaction. Small, but present."
"Did it reoccur?"
"No."
"A pity. But you said you plan to visit again?"
"Yes, ma'am. This week. I have to check my schedule."
"Have you ever thought of medical school?" Her abrupt question caught him off guard.
"Yes, in fact I got my primary degree, with that in mind. But it's hard for a white male, with no money, and no connections, to get in."
"You've got one now," she replied. "Let's plan to go Thursday."
"I'll be working in the emergency department."
©2022 Dellani Oakes
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