Chapter 14:Deceit
2010 Words
There was an awkward silence, but that was normal for me. I knew that sympathy usually resulted after disclosing something so sensitive to anyone. Sometimes I wished that I had never told people, I wanted them to treat me raw... like a normal person.
But, I wasn't normal, apparently.
"You probably think I'm still a freak huh?" I felt my confidence spiral.
"I never thought that about you," he tilted his head in confusion.
You didn't?
I meant to ask that, but my voice silently croaked as I saw someone in my peripheral vision. She strode over in a hurry, her curled fists displayed total anger.
Cici!
What was she doing here?
"So glad you got this loser here," she huffed, "Great job Frank. I knew I could count on you!"
Count on... what?
Before I could react I felt her lunge forward and utilized her weight to push me backwards. My eyes widened, I felt everything happen in slow motion.
My body bent and followed gravity. Frank's expression showed disbelief and concern as he tried to reach out to me.
But she held him back.
Cici wrapped her arms around Frank's body and pulled him back, while giving me a smug look on her face.
I could smell the ocean more, I could hear the wind from falling pierce my ear drum. My heart raced, I felt my body begin to seize for the moment.
I thought to myself...
Wait... what just happened? Why was Cici there? What did she thank Frank for? Was this all a set up?
My heart strings tugged, and I felt tears build up in my eyes.
Was this a part of her plan? She knew I had a crush on him. There was no coincidence that she could be here while Frank and I were on a date. If it was one...
I couldn't bring myself to breathe and felt my body plunge into the cold harsh waves below. I went down further and further. I kicked and pedaled my feet while scrambling to get up. But the bottom currents were tough. I couldn't beat the current. I did not have the privilege to take in a breath and my heart was pounding in my throat as a panic response.
I never learned to swim.
I had feared the ocean for so long. I never swam in the ocean because not only was it polluted, but freezing cold and unforgiving!
I prayed to keep in the breath I had so little of. But, the need to exhale was too great.
The last air from my lungs escaped to the top, how I envied its ability. I felt my lungs beginning to intake water and I just remembered about what Jay had said.
I was losing strength and I tried to press behind my ear. I had my finger on it, but I couldn't press it! I gave a last push, but it was not enough!
The environment began to cave in. I was going unconscious! I felt helpless and defeated as I closed my eyes. Before I did I saw a silhouette.
Jay!
Jay swam to me and the last thing I felt was his strong arms tugging me to the surface.
So he did come for me... why?
A part of me was asking... Why wasn't it Frank?
Everything was dark, there was total nothingness. I couldn't think, speak, or move. I was neither conscious or unconscious and this feeling should have scared me. But I couldn't feel fear or remember what pain felt like. It felt like a void where I floated in for what seemed like eternity. I couldn't hear my heart beat, I couldn't so much as to blink. It was nothingness!
"1, 1-thousand, 2, 1-thousand..."
I can hear someone counting and grunting. I could feel a part of my body begin to twitch. I felt paralyzed, but I felt immense pressure on my chest. My eyes fought to see the world again, but not just yet. I could feel my blood stop and pump with every pressure applied. Then, I could feel my heart beat to the rhythm, my blood flow stuttered, but it got back on track. I felt my lungs expelling water just like my guts were. With a final breath and push I coughed out of that void!
My eyes were bloodshot red, and my body's motor nerves were still in shock, but I managed to look up.
"Jay..." I could barely whisper.
His eyes were wide with panic. They used to be filled with such calmness and held no emotion. But clearly, that was different now. He was here. He brought me back to life!
But... did I die?
"Thank your god!" he gasped.
I couldn't say anything because my body was coping with its reality. But I coughed a chuckle to let him know I was okay.
He then embraced me in his arms and held me tight.
"I can't breathe!" I managed to say.
"I'm sorry," he released me, "Are you okay?"
I nodded instinctively, I mean... I am okay... right?
He then looked around and saw how others began to cheer his successful revival. He did not know how to respond but placed his focus onto me.
"Katie!" Anita came to my side with Khloe, "Are you okay?"
I nodded again.
Anita took a breath of relief and bowed her head, "Thank you, Lord!"
"I did that already," Jay said.
Anita's eyes glared at him, but soon softened as she looked over to me, "I did call an ambulance in case it may be needed. Please remain here until they get here."
It was just a procedure, and I understood. I bowed my head and looked at the sands. I began digging my toes into it. It felt so cold. Just like that place I was in. But, it didn't feel as sheer cold as my heart did. I wanted to cry, but I had no tears falling down. It might have all been absorbed into the sea.
Khloe handed me a small water bottle which I took with a smile.
I could hear the sirens of the ambulance and a few minutes later, paramedics came to the scene.
"Are you alright ma'am?" the EMT asked.
I nodded.
"Your friend here successfully administered CPR on you, a fe minutes more, and you would have died," he turned to Jay, "Thank you sir."
Jay bowed slowly without saying anything.
"We got to head to the hospital to get you checked out. We have got to see if there are any additional tests or procedures needed," he urged.
I guess it can't be helped. I nodded, and they began to lift me onto the cot. They carried me away, and I didn't feel the least bit of shame as everyone on the sidelines continued staring.
But I felt so mad at myself.
I almost died! If Jay had not been there to save me, I would've drowned!
And all I could worry about was if Frank had been in the picture. My heart sank, because going through that void was a bit of hope I wouldn't remember. But I did. Frank, the date, Cici.
"Cici," I growled under my breath.
"I'll take care of it," I heard Jay then ask, "It was the same person, correct?"
I was not answering that, "What do you mean?"
He said nothing further and signaled the paramedics to take me away. Before I could say anything to him, the doors closed. A handsome man wearing a mask hovered over me and began to run a few tests while assuring I stayed conscious.
But now I have another thing to worry about. Jay was not human, and the possible flare of emotions he was going through could potentially result in something unfathomable. He never seemed to be the type to harm someone. But, those eyes... they sought out vengeance and were filled with a melting pot of emotions.
My strength was low, and I rested on the stretcher. The man turned away for a split second and that was enough excuse for me to close my eyes and rest.
I woke up to the beeps of the heart monitor and studied the spikes of each beat.
"You're regaining your strength," a woman spoke.
"Doct-"
"Hello again Katie," Detective Syrus spoke in light blue scrubs.
"How many careers do you have?!" I exclaimed.
"Oh, these are just minuscule hobbies. I only have one job," she began administering the IV.
"It's not a coincidence that your hobbies occur with me in them," I felt dizzy saying those words.
"You've ingested and breathed in a lot of unwanted salt water, the doctor has left to retrieve test results. But, in the meantime, we have to rehydrate you this way," she referred to the IV machine.
"That was not what I was talking about," I furrowed my eyebrows.
"So he saved you..." she trailed off.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing," she disregarded, "It was just something out of character for him."
Does she know something I don't?
What kind of stupid question is that? Of course, she does! I just don't know what that is!
Detective- or should I say nurse Syrus... continued, "Focus not on how many belts I wear in my life. But, to remain vigilant of those who are closer to you not telling about theirs."
"That makes no se-"
"Okay Ms. Katie, how's everything?" the doctor strolled on through.
"I- uh..." I looked over at Ms. Terry- I mean detective Syrus as she challenged me with daring eyes.
"Erm," I stuttered, "Everything is alright."
"Good," he nodded. I looked behind me and she nodded in satisfaction and left the room.
The doctor then stood at the side of my bed and sighed a hint of disappointment.
"You could've been in real trouble," he tapped his clipboard, "But your tests came back okay and there is no major internal damages. But, I'm going to request that you recover and not go to work for a few weeks."
"I can't!" I instinctively spouted, "I can't lose my job!"
Like every average working American, we don't "work to live", we "live to work".
"If you don't take better care of your health, you won't be able to count on that man's CPR. You know you have leukemia and need to be more cautious," he sighed before walking out.
It wasn't like I intentionally threw myself over the pier into cold and scary waters. It wasn't my intention to just yeet myself into a life-threatening situation for attention.
NO!
I was pushed by Cici!
I grinded my teeth and felt my enamels cursing at me for it. But, despite what she had just done, I didn't find enough reason to get back at her. I never knew what I had done to her back then. But, she had an out for me.
Nonetheless, my spirit felt broken. I felt so on top of the world with a dude I had a crush on... only to be humiliated by a diva who hated my guts. Nothing made sense, but since when has it ever?
I plopped back into my bed and looked at the heart monitor. It's steady beeps felt like counting sheep. Every fades and blinks. It reminded me of my laptop screen.
Uggh! I still haven't written anything!
I shrugged under the sheets. Everything is so f****d up! But that just goes to show... you can't fantasize past reality. No matter your intentions, some things weren't meant to work out.
Why can't I just be normal?
"You're awake," the husky voice sounded near.
"Jay?" I flipped my sheets over my chest.
"The one and only," he replied.
Jay sat down on a chair next to my bed side. He didn't look angry or worried, more like relief. I know I should be thanking him, but I was so exhausted.
I've been such a horrible friend to him lately, and he still saved me... how was I supposed to come back from that?
- Writer
