The Contract Between Us

AGONY

CHAPTER 3

Nina’s POV

*Beep…. beep…. beep….. beep....”

A familiar slow beeping sound repetitively echoed as my eyelids fluttered, trying so hard to open my eyes.

Struggling to keep my eyes open, I caught glimpses of the room I appeared to be in and with the strong smell of antiseptics and cleaning agents.

I don't have to be Einstein to figure out where I might be…

A hospital.

The less blurry my vision became, the more I could observe and take in about my surroundings. I caught a glimpse of the monitor with shapes and numbers that were moving that I couldn't decipher, a two-seater couch adjacent from the bed and a tray on a table beside my bed that's covered with all white sheets.

The lights in the room were so bright it did nothing but aid in my confusion as to what I'm doing here.

Sitting up, still confused and a bit groggy, all of a sudden my whole body ached and my chest started hurting like crazy.

“Ahhh…”

I groaned in pain clutching my chest.

I couldn't help but wonder how on earth I got here and who brought me here.

And at that moment it came to me!.

The car with the blinding lights …. The accident.

Everything came to me, my reality struck me and all I could think of was my job. I remember leaving the diner after that upsetting conversation with Liam.

Even thinking about the details made me feel sick to my stomach. Working in a strip club because I'm poor….like we're in the middle ages or something. I'd rather die than do something like that.

Of all days to get hit by a car, why now!!! Why not on a day like plain old Tuesday, when I can beg for my job back!! The pay is way below minimum wage, they don't have the luxury of finding another person that'll accept that.

And Dad!.....I have to get my check to get him to his next round of chemo. If we don't do it soon, Lord knows how hard trying to get him cancer free will be.

The hospital was kind enough to give us discounts but still….I haven't completed the payment.

Dylan works as a maintenance boy for some of our neighbours. It's hard work and he's just 16…he's got so many exams to write. His pay is barely enough for his needs alone.

If I don't get to work today, I won't get the check.

Then how do I pay his tuition!?

“No, no,no…”

I repeated as I tried to get up from the hospital bed

I literally hopped down the bed and my whole body jolted with pain. Even my feet felt sore.

*Beep beep beep beep beep*

The monitor immediately blared with speed

Two nurses rushed into the room through the transparent sliding door looking at me with surprised expressions on their faces.

“Ma’am, you need to lay back down”

The younger looking nurse calmly voiced out

“No! You don't understand! I'm late for work, I..I need to get to the next city”

I hastily said almost out of breath still clutching my chest

“We understand, but we can't let you go, you got hit by a car. We are your nurses and you we strongly advise you listen to us”

The other nurse said firmly.

I continuously nodded my head dramatically as I struggled to stand upright

“You have to listen to me! I have to get out of here, my broth…no,no Dylan!”

I railed off

I lost control of my tone at this point

I haven't checked on him in hours!. He'll be worried sick, and…. dad!!

No!!! Dad. His meds….he needs his meds

“I need to go to my brother right now! Let me out of here”

I yelled with desperation as I began sweating profusely with more pain in my chest

“He needs his meds!!!..” I yelled

“...he needs to take his medications” I cried

“Ughh…Ahh”

I groaned and screeched. Gritting my teeth, trying to endure

Losing my balance, both nurses rushed to me before I collapsed and held me trying to get me back to bed

“Where does it hurt”

One of the nurses asked

I tried to push them away but that only made their grip on me stronger

I continued kicking them and yelling about my job and not being able to pay the hospital bills

“Beep..beep..beep..beep”

The monitor beeped louder and faster

I tried to yank out the IV from my hand but the nurses were fast to restrict me from doing so

I screamed louder and harder in defeat as I still struggled to run away

“I can't lose this job, I can't lose it! Get me out!!”

I screamed and clutched my rib area tighter still trying to get away from their grip.

“Okay!! Her chest hurts, I'll up her Acetaminophen! ”

I heard one of the nurses say

I looked at her in confusion trying to understand what she's saying

“GET ME OUT, NOW!!”

I aggressively argued

I did my best to fight them off but my efforts were as good as nothing.

Just one car accident and now I can't even push or kick properly….great!.

I internally rolled my eyes

And just when the nurses weren't looking, I mustered up all my strength and I managed to pull my right hand away and I forcefully pulled out my IV

Damn!! That was more painful than I'd expected, but the adrenaline pumping in my veins distracted me from it.

My act surprised the nurses and their grip on me loosened up and I used that as an opportunity.

I tried my best to run or at least walk fast enough to get out of the hospital and find my way out but the nurses beat me to it. They were so fast

“She's still in distress! She is too agitated”

I struggled to say because my tongue felt thick and I felt lightheaded

I need to call my brother, and my dad. My job…

“We have to inform the person responsible for her accident about her condition”

The younger nurse said almost out of breath

The nurses voices became distant and all I could hear was the faint sound of the monitor.

agitated. Draw up a strong sedative, stat!”

The other nurse exclaimed

All of a sudden a sharp cold object entered my right arm and I froze. My breath hitched.

Before I could turn, I immediately felt weak, my muscles relaxed against my will

“Wh-wh…what did you..”

I stared at them in disbelief

Once again! Everything went blank and darkness swallowed me whole.