Broken Bear

by Gabrielle Demonico

  Everyone that is, except for her.

  Deep down she wasn’t her authentic self. To make matters worse, that advice drove her straight into the arms of men who knew how to use it to their advantage. Over time, she’d compounded one toxic mistake after another until a couple of years ago. However, in spite of the promise it held that relationship ended and ever since, she’d been single.

  In any case, right around the time Billy had arrived at the crash site, a heavy-duty tow truck showed up on the scene. Daniella’s eyes widened as she watched the battered vehicle the stranger drove emerge from the trees.

  “Oh my God,” She gasped.

  Billy turned in the direction of the smashed car.

  “Yeah, it was a bad one,” he said. “Guy’s lucky to be alive…”

  “Yeah,” Daniella replied as she shook her head in disbelief.

  “Were you able to find out anything about him?” Tricia asked.

  “Well, there doesn’t appear to be any identification in the vehicle.” Billy replied. “Ordinarily, we’d run the tags or serial number for the car but…” he paused and turned his attention back towards it.

  “But…” Daniella said.

  “Well, there aren’t any tags and the serial numbers have been filed off the vehicle.”

  “Weird.” She said.

  “Yeah, I’d say suspicious is more like it.” He replied.

  “What do you mean?” Daniella asked.

  “There’s very little question what happened here was not an accident.” He said. “Folks who are minding their own business don’t wind up in situations like this. Add to it he’s without any identification and well, let’s just say it’s got my curiosity piqued.”

  “Do you think he’s still in danger?” Tricia asked.

  “Hard to say,” he replied. “At this point, there’s so little evidence to go on anything is possible. He could be a victim or a perpetrator. If he’s the former, you have my word we’ll do all what we can to track down those responsible. If he’s the latter, well, then we will deal with that also.”

  “Oh,” Daniella said. “I had no idea this was such a serious situation.”

  He nodded and said, “Yes, it has the potential for it but, I won’t be certain until I can speak with him myself and do a bit more investigating.”

  Billy paused for a moment and scanned the scene of the accident once again. He bit his lower lip, shrugged and said, “Is there anything else you can tell me, Daniella, anything at all?”

  The women looked at one another and shook their heads.

  In the distance, they heard the sound of a helicopter on approach. The three of them watched as it landed in the middle of the highway about fifty yards away from the ambulance that held the victim.

  “Oh my God,” Daniella said. “Aren’t those used for critical injuries?”

  “Yes,” Billy said. “Well, he did drive his car down a forty foot embankment at a high rate of speed. That qualifies in my book but we won’t know how severe the injuries are until we get him to the hospital.”

  “Where are they taking him? Mission General?” Tricia asked.

  “Yes.” He replied.

  While they spoke, the emergency personnel rolled the man on a gurney from the ambulance to the waiting helicopter.

  “Do you think we would be allowed in there?” Daniella asked. “To see him, I mean…”

  “Well,” he said. “I would guess under normal circumstances the hospital wouldn't let you in to see him but, in this case, they might make an exception. I am going to drive there and see if I can get an opportunity to question him in the event he regains consciousness. If you like, you can follow me. The trip will be much quicker for you that way.”

  “Okay,” Daniella said. “It’s worth a shot. If nothing else, I’d at least like to find out if he’s alright.”

  Billy nodded and said, “Alright then, let’s get going.”

  The woman turned and began to walk back towards Daniella’s car.

  “Daniella…” Tricia whispered as they walked.

  She turned towards her friend.

  “What?” she said.

  “Do you really think it’s a good idea? Going to the hospital…”

  “I don’t know, why not?”

  “You know damn well why not.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Daniella said. “If you prefer, I can take you to pick up your car like we’d planned or you can come with me. Either way, I am going to the hospital.”

  Tricia groaned.

  “No,” she replied. “I’ll go with you. God, you are so stubborn sometimes.”

  ***

  Daniella couldn’t stand the hospital.

  Her last trip to Mission General had been one that she wanted to forget but until tonight at least, she thought her prior visits here faded into her memory. Nothing against the people who worked there but she found the place to be cold, impersonal and soulless.

  At least, that was how she remembered it.

  The hospital admitted the stranger before the women arrived with Officer Holder. So when they got there, they waited in the seating area for about an hour or so when one of the emergency room doctors appeared from the operating room.

  “Hello,” he said as he neared the group.

  The man extended his hand towards them and said, “I am Dr. Andrew Wilson. Are you here for the car crash victim?”

  “Hello, Dr. Wilson,” Daniella replied. “Yes, we are. I’m Daniella Tanner and this is my friend, Tricia Collins.”

  He nodded.

  “Nice to meet you both,” he said.

  Dr. Wilson turned his attention to Billy and said, “Officer Holder, good to see you again.”

  “Dr. Wilson…” Billy said as he nodded.

  “I understand that you ladies are the ones that discovered this man’s vehicle.”

  “Yes.” Daniella said. “Is he going to be okay?”

  “I think so. The crash banged him up pretty good.” Dr. Wilson replied. “He’s got some broken ribs and a severe concussion. On a positive note, we haven’t been able to detect any internal bleeding or other life threatening injuries. Still, we’llrun more tests on him once we can get him stabilized. At that point, we’ll have a much better of idea of things.”

  “Thank goodness for that.” Tricia said.

  As she spoke, Billy’s radio erupted to life with emergency chatter.

  “Excuse me for a second,” he said as he walked away to deal with the call.

  After Billy left, Dr. Wilson turned to the women and said, “Do either of you happen to know this man?”

  “No.” Daniella said. “Why?”

  “Well, it’s just not the normal policy here at the hospital to allow non-family visitors.” He said.

  “Oh,” Daniella replied. “Well, do you suppose the hospital could make an exception in this case? I mean, he doesn’t have any identification at all. We may not be family but we’re all he’s got at this point.”

  Dr. Wilson nodded.

  “Yes, well, perhaps when he regains consciousness, he’ll be able to give that information to us.” He said. “But, as it stands, I am afraid that it’s against hospital policy.”

  Daniella dropped her head.

  “That’s okay, doctor.” Tricia replied. “We understand.”

  But, it wasn’t okay with Daniella, not at all.

  She hadn’t even considered the possibility that she might not get to see him again. The thought of it sickened her and there was little question the emotion showed.

  Dr. Wilson cleared his throat.

  “Um, I suppose I could speak with the hospital administrator.” Dr. Wilson said. “Considering the circumstances, there might be something she’d be able to do. I’ll have a brief word with her and find out but that’s the best I can do for now.”

  Daniella smiled.

  “Thank you Dr. Wilson.” She said. “That’s very kind.”

  “It’s no trouble at all.” He replied. �
��The world would be a far better place with more people like the two of you in it. It’s the least I can do.”

  Dr. Wilson left and the women sat down in the waiting room. A few minutes later, Billy returned.

  “What’s the latest?” He said.

  “They are transferring him and Dr. Wilson is checking if the hospital will allow us to visit.” Daniella replied.

  Billy nodded.

  “Alright, well, it looks like things are at a standstill here for the moment. I’m going to run back to the station and get the preliminary paperwork started. I’ll have to come back at another time.”

  The women nodded and Billy prepared to leave.

  As he did, he looked at Daniella and asked, “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She replied. “I’m fine. I was a little rattled earlier but I’m better now.”

  “Okay,” he said. “Well, if anything dramatic should occur, give me a call. Otherwise I’ll see you later.”

  Over the next couple of hours, the women passed the time in any way that they could but three-year-old magazines and abdominal crunch infomercials only go so far.

  “Are you hungry?” Tricia asked.

  “No,” Daniella replied. “It’s hard for me to eat when I come here.”

  “I know,” she said. “I’m sorry honey.”

  “Daniella,” Tricia said. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No, I’d rather not.”

  “Don’t you think that it would help?”

  “Not really, no.” She replied. “It’s been almost two years Tricia. I’m over it.”

  But Daniella knew that Tricia could tell when she lied. The truth was that Daniella did believe that she had gotten over it until she’d come back here tonight. The wounds were still there and with each minute that passed, she felt them affect her more.

  “Bull,” Tricia said. “Why don’t you just go home and I’ll stay here?”

  “No. Listen, I’ll be fine.” Daniella replied. “I just want to hear what the doctor has to say.”

  “But why,” Tricia asked. “What difference does it make, Daniella?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, we don’t know who this guy is or where he’s from,” she said. “He’s in good hands now anyway. Why do you want to stay here?”

  “Because I do, Tricia,” She snapped. “Go home if you want but I’m not leaving.”

  “I can’t go home, Daniella.”

  “Why,” She asked. “No one is stopping you.”

  “I don’t have a car, that’s why.”

  Daniella forgot about that minor detail. She shrugged it off almost as soon as Tricia said it.

  “Okay, take mine if you want but please stop bothering me about this.” She said. “I’m staying and that’s all there is to it.”

  Tricia moved close to her friend and rubbed her on the arm.

  Daniella looked straight ahead. She felt herself begin to choke up.

  “I’m sorry,” Daniella said. “I didn’t mean to be so bitchy.”

  “I know,” Tricia replied. “I realize how difficult being here in a situation just like… Well, I didn’t mean to upset you, sweetheart. You realize that, don’t you?”

  Daniella looked at Tricia. Her eyes pooled with tears. The women hugged one another and as they did, Daniella said, “I know that. I love you very much. And, you’re right, it’s not a great idea for me to be here but I can’t help it. Look, I promise I will go. I just want to see how he is. Would you please stay with me?”

  “Oh,” Tricia sighed. “I suppose so.”

  “Thank you,” Daniella replied. “You are the best.”

  “I know.” She said. “Look, I am hungry. I am going to get something to eat. Are you sure you don’t want me to get you anything?”

  “No.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Alright,” Daniella replied.

  ***

  A few minutes after Tricia left, a wave of exhaustion came over Daniella. As much as she wanted to keep her eyes open, she couldn’t, and before she realized it, she’d drifted off to sleep. Unlike Tricia, who had the ability to sleep through any amount of noise, Daniella was a light sleeper. However, the events of the evening exhausted her and she slept better than she would under such circumstances.

  Before long, she was in a deep slumber.

  She had no idea how long she’d been that way when she thought she heard a voice talk to her.

  “Miss Tanner,” it said.

  Daniella was in the strange place between being asleep and awake. She shuffled about and attempted to ignore the intrusion.

  “Miss Tanner.” The voice said once more but this time a touch of her shoulder accompanied it. As the hand grasped onto her and rocked her back and forth, her eyes flipped open.

  “Dr. Wilson,” she said in a semi-startled tone.

  “Sorry,” he replied. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  “No, I’m okay,” she replied as she straightened herself up from her slouched position in the chair. “What is it?”

  “A couple of things,” he said. “The first is the patient has been transferred to his own room. The other is the hospital administrator saw her way fit to allow you to visit with him.”

  “Oh,” Daniella replied. “Well, that is good news. I am assuming since he’s been transferred to his own room his condition has improved or at least, stabilized.”

  “Yes,” Dr. Wilson replied, “Correct on both counts. It’s quite remarkable.”

  “What is?”

  “Well, when I first examined him, his injuries were extensive and as I mentioned, they could even have been life threatening.” He said. “But, in the past couple of hours, I’ve seen a dramatic improvement. It is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in all my years of practicing medicine, to be frank.”

  “Wow,” Daniella replied. “Why do you think that’s the case?”

  “The human body is a strange thing, Miss Tanner.” He replied. “Anything is possible.”

  She nodded.

  “Your friend, Miss Collins,” he asked. “Has she left?”

  “No,” Daniella replied. “She’s in the cafeteria.”

  “Alright,” he said. “Well, if she wants to join you in his room, you may want to let her know.”

  “Oh, we’re going right now?”

  “Yes, Room 601, East Wing.” He replied. “If you want to wait for Miss Collins to get back, I’ll let the nurses on the floor know you are on the way.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Wilson.” She replied. “As soon as I can reach Tricia, we’ll be right there.”

  ***

  When the women arrived at the location Dr. Wilson specified, they found him at the nurse’s station in the midst of paperwork. He looked up as he saw them approach, picked up his clipboard and headed towards them.

  “Are you ready to go in and see him?” he asked.

  “Yes.” Daniella replied.

  Tricia nodded in agreement.

  “Very well,” he said. “Come with me.”

  The women entered along with Dr. Wilson. As they did, Daniella saw that a nurse stood to the side of the man’s bed. A bandage covered his head while a handful of tubes connected him to an array of equipment.

  Drawn shades made stranger’s room seem more ominous.

  The only sounds audible were the tedious beeps of the vital sign monitoring equipment. When she’d first become acquainted with those noises, she took solace in them. She once believed, in a naïve way, that the machines and tubes could perform miracles. But now, the mere sight of them filled her with dread. Daniella was aware that if nature wanted to extinguish life, it would.

  Dr. Wilson turned towards the women.

  In a soft voice he said, “He’s sedated at the moment but all the same, it’s best to keep the environment as restful as possible.”

  Daniella nodded and leaned in towards the doctor.

  “How long do you think he will be unco
nscious?” she asked.

  “That’s hard to say.” He replied. “As I mentioned earlier, his recovery so far has been nothing short of remarkable but even so, it could be hours or perhaps, days. Excuse me for a moment.”

  Dr. Wilson walked over to where the nurse stood. They began to have a discussion that was out of earshot for Daniella and Tricia. As they looked on, Tricia leaned in towards Daniella and said, “Pretty incredible that he lived, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah,” Daniella replied. “That’s especially true considering the severity of the accident.”

  “This reminds me so much of Benjamin, it’s eerie.” Tricia said.

  Daniella turned towards her to see that Tricia looked at her.

  “Oh God, I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It just slipped out.”

  Daniella shook her head.

  “It’s okay,” she replied. “Just keep that stuff to yourself, please.”

  Tricia nodded and said, “How long do you want to stay?”

  Daniella shrugged at the question while her eyes remained fixated on him.

  “I know we should go,” she replied. “But, I’d like to be here when he wakes up.”

  “Daniella,” Tricia said. “You heard what Dr. Wilson said. That could take days. Why don’t you go home and get rest?”

  “I dunno…” she replied.

  As the women spoke, there was a sudden movement and sound from the patient. He began to moan. It was low at first but as the seconds passed, the noise grew louder.

  Dr. Wilson motioned for the nurse to make certain that all of the monitoring equipment was secure while he moved close to the man to stabilize him. While they did, the man’s head started to move in a slow roll from one side to the other.

  “No, no, no…” he chanted.

  They reached down towards him and as they did, the man shouted, “Wyatt! Wyatt!!!”

  “Nurse!” Dr. Wilson exclaimed. “Secure that right arm!”

  “I’m trying,” she replied. “He’s too strong!”

  The doctor turned towards Daniella and Tricia.

  “Ladies, please!” he shouted. “We need your help!”

  Both women hurried to either side of the bed.

  “Grab his legs!” Dr. Wilson shouted at them. “Nurse, please watch that right arm!”

  “Wyatt! Wyatt! Wyatt!!” the man shouted as he flailed.