Free Holding On To Love by A.E. Neal Page B

the weight of a hundred men. I tried to scream for help, but my mouth wouldn't open. Help us! Please, someone help us! I screamed silently as I lay against the deflating airbag, paralyzed. Help!
     
    My eyelids were heavy. I struggled to open them, but I was so tired, I couldn't. My body shook violently and I groaned in pain. My head throbbed as if there were a thousand tiny razor blades trapped in my brain, slowly attempting to make their way through the thick barrier of my skull. I winced. Ouch! What the hell happened?
    "Shh...shh. I've got you now...you're gonna be alright," the deep, husky voice said as he held me close to his warm body.
    Oh, thank god someone heard my cry for help!
    "An-drew?" I managed in a raspy, broken voice I didn't recognize as my own.
    "Shh...it's okay. Don't try to talk— you're pretty banged up, but I promise you're going to be okay," the voice whispered again and I felt his fingertips gently stroke my forehead.
     
    Sirens! I hear sirens! They're close too. Oh thank God.
     
    I was startled by an older female voice. She sounded as if she was arguing with a man. Zac?
     
    I slowly opened my eyes. The bright fluorescent light stung and tears streamed down my cheeks.
     
    "Hey, sis," he said, taking my hand in his, "I'm so glad you're alright."
    I tried to speak, but my throat was so dry, all I could manage was a light hiss between my teeth.
    "Shh...Ally, don't try to talk. The doctor's had to intubate you so you could breath."
    I reached for my mouth with a shaky hand. I didn't feel a tube, but I glanced at my wrist and saw the IV taped to it. My stomach rumbled and Zac let out a pained laugh.
    "As soon as the nurse gets back, I'll ask her if you can eat something, alright?"
    I nodded gently, but my head began to throb again. I squinted my eyes and let the tears fall across my cheeks. Zac squeezed my hand.
    I gestured to him for a pen and paper, making circles in the air with my free hand.
    He nodded and rose from his chair beside my bed.
    I closed my eyes and the flash of headlights replayed in my mind.
    Zac returned moments later with a pen and a small pad of paper. I gripped the pen with weak fingers as he set the pad of paper on my chest.
     
    I slowly wrote:
     
    Andrew
     
    Zac shook his head and spoke, "I'm so sorry, Ally." Time seemed to stop as soon as he said it.
     
    I torn the note off the pad and tossed it aside before writing again...
     
    No, he's ok
     
    Zac picked up the note pad and shook his head again. "No, Ally. He's not okay."
     
    My heart raced in my chest and the monitor beside my bed mimicked the beats. I motioned for the pad of paper again. Zac nodded and set it back onto my chest.
     
    I scribbled as quickly as my hand would allow...
     
    What happened?
     
    The monitor beeped continuously and a nurse hurried into the room. She made her way to the side of my bed with a needle in her hand. I gestured to her that I needed another minute, by holding up my index finger.
     
    "You need your rest, Allyson. This is going to help you relax. Just close your eyes and get some sleep. You can see your brother tomorrow," she said flatly and inserted the needle into my IV drip.
     
    My eyelids grew heavy and I struggled to keep them open, but the sedative won and I drifted into peaceful, dreamless sleep. 
     
     
* * *
     
     
    I was startled by my phone, buzzing on the nightstand. I rubbed my eyes and reached over. I glanced at the screen: WORK
    "H—Hello?" I asked groggily.
    "Ally?" Jeanette, my editor, asked. "Did I wake you?"
    I cleared my throat. "Uh—Yeah, but it's okay. What's up?" I asked. It was unusual for her to call me, especially on a Sunday morning.
    "I'm so sorry. You know I'd never bother anyone on a Sunday, but I have a huge favor to ask," she said. I could sense the urgency in her voice.
    "It's not a problem. What can I do to help?" I said yawning.
    "Marissa came down with the flu. She's scheduled to interview a few of the Rattlesnake hockey players tomorrow