Second Chances

• Chapter 11 •

Chapter 11 ~ Tyler's POV

My eyes shot open and I was suddenly blinded by a bright light. Am I dead? My eyes finally adjusted and I realised it was a ceiling that I was looking at and the bright light was actually a dull down-light flickering irritably. I looked around, feeling constrained and weak. I was unable to move my head. It felt as if someone had tied a 56kg weight around my head. My eyes darted left and right. What is this place? I felt a searing pain in my chest and my lungs felt as if they were on fire. I gasped for air, feeling an awkward and unwanted lump in the back of my throat; like a tube. I heard numerous sounds coming from all directions. I struggled to breathe and felt my eye-sight suddenly grow tired. I tried hard to keep myself awake, but it was no use. Like when you're watching a movie marathon and your eyes grow soar from the long hours of watching a T.V screen, so you let them flutter close for...just...a...second... And just as I was about to give up, my lungs gave in and I could suddenly breathe again. My eyes opened wide and I saw a bunch of hands in my face. I tried to sit up but my mind couldn't process anything at all. It was all so overwhelming. Where was I? I heard mumbling about an accident and a deep voice was instructing someone to check my vitals. I didn't know where to look. I could hear a familiar voice. I think it was my mum's. She really needs to turn down her Grey's Anatomy shit. It's getting to my head! I saw a older man's face come to view as he leaned over and pushed his turtle-rimmed glaces back up the bridge of his nose. He began to examine me and called over another doctor to help. He was a lot younger and had a mop of red hair as well as an immense amount of freckles dotting his nose. He shared a looked of nervousness before hesitantly tip-toeing toward the doctor with the turtle-rimmed glasses.

"Tyler, I am Doctor Jenkins," said the older man. His hair was grey and balding, but his eyes were full of warmth. Now I'm confused. Is this actually legit? "And this is Doctor Hermans" he introduced the slightly nervous, younger doctor. They both wore blue scrubs and stethoscopes around their necks.

"Is this a dream?" I asked drowsily, praying to God it was. The Doctor Hermans opened his mouth to speak, but then quickly shut it. He was hesitant to go on.

"You've been in a car accident son," Doctor Jenkins stepped in. "You just woke up from your coma." My expression turned from confusion to disbelief. So I must be in a hospital then. I slowly winced in pain as I tried to sit up. Doctor Hermans, helped with adjusting the bed before handing a clipboard to Hermans. I looked around and took in my surroundings. Baby blue walls, dirty white floors, hard, uncomfortable bed and the awful smell of meatloaf and bleach...yep, definitely a hospital. I saw a bunch of cards, teddies and balloons around my bed. How long had I been out for? I glanced at one of the cards saying "get well soon". I opened it and saw a bunch of signatures around a neatly written message which read "We miss you round here mate. Hoping you wake up soon. Lots of love, T.J Personal Training Team". I popped the card down and thought a minute. Personal Training Team. A foggy memory came to view as I thought about the card. I was taking a class and teaching people muscle workouts, as well as telling a woman about certain foods that help fasten your metabolism. Well that would explain the card.

"Do you know who you are?" Hermans asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Tyler," I started. I remembered from when he greeted me. Now my last name...I knew it started with a J. Tyler J, Tyler Jef- "Jerfferson!" I remembered. The doctor nodded his head, scribbling on the clipboard.

"When were you born Tyler?" asked Hermans.

"28th of October" I told him proudly.

"What do you do for a living?"

"Personal training" I said confidently. Everything was coming back now.

"And the date today?" Hermans asked. The date? What a stupid question. I've been in a coma how am I supposed to know that. I looked at him quizzically. He blushed sheepishly and shook it off.