WRESTLING FOR HER HEART

1

Pain. It was everywhere. She couldn't open her eyes. She heard a man cussing, his voice deep. She felt someone try to force her eyes open and shine a light in her eyes. She tried to turn her head to escape it. 

"Be still, Jenna. Let the paramedics do their job, honey." The deep voice said. It soothed her, so she tried to do what he asked. But the pain was terrible. She moaned, at least she tried to. It came out as a croak.

In the distance she could hear the voices as they conversed. Then she felt like she was being lifted. Then darkness.

In the darkness, it was pain-free. It was safe. She didn't know why that was important, but it was. The darkness was peaceful, and she wanted to stay there.

Occasionally, someone would speak to her. Then, they would shine a light in her eyes again. She would feel someone wiping her skin.

Gradually, the darkness began to lighten. Gradually, she became aware of her surroundings. She began to hear small sounds. A soft beeping. Footsteps. Whispers. A hand holding hers. Someone praying.

She was in a hospital bed. An IV was inserted into each arm. It hurt to breathe. As she took stock of her situation, her heart-rate escalated, setting off an alarm.

She heard a door open. "I'll be right there. Her alarm is going off again. I'll shut it off and be right with you."

Footsteps. A cool gentle hand on her wrist. The inevitable in her eyes. A sharply in drawn breath. 
"You're awake!"