Second Chance

My Table is Ready

        Finally, it was the kiss. She seemed so passionate, so fiery. It was almost like she had done this a million times. The way she pulled me in closer and closer until there was no room at all between us. I have never met anyone like Maddie before.

        I have to stay alive. For her. 

        The darkness of death tries to pull me in, but I continue to fight. Instead of it gingerly letting you fall into a permanent sleep, the lure of death is the exact opposite. When you're table is set, it's more like a claw digging it's nails into your skin as it tries to pull you down into your grave. The more it pulls, the more fear rises in you. It's some scary shit. 

        Something miraculous happens out of the blue. I can feel my chest moving up and down. I'm breathing. That means that my heart is beating. 

That means that I'm alive. 

        I try to open my eyes, which feel like they weigh a ton. Once I do I feel like the happiest person in the world. Never did I ever think that I would make it out of the labyrinth of death. 

I'm alive. I fought, and I fought hard. 

        My mouth opens and as my lips try to move, no sound comes out. I hear a faint scurrying of feet, and in only a moment of time people with blue clothes on. These are the nurses, I bet. Who knows what they will do to me next to keep my heart beating and my blood flowing. 

"Damian, oh thank God you're alive. My name is Maria, and I'm your nurse right now. Do you remember anything about what happened to you?" 

I shook my head in response. 

"Well, you were in a car accident. The driver was a man named Liam, and he claims to know you. He says that he is greatly sorry about what happened. You should have seen him, he was a mess." 

It was Liam in the other car? She can't be serious. 

"How are you feeling? Any pain, nausea, difficulty breathing, anything at all?" 

"Pain." I whispered. 

"Where?" 
"Everywhere, but mainly my ribs." 

"Okay, I think your x-ray showed that you did end up having a broken rib, or ribs. I'll go double check. Maddie and Liam would like to visit, is that okay?" 

I gladly nodded. 

She smiled. "I'll let them know that you're ready for company." 

                                                                                         ~

        A few minutes passed by until I saw Liam and Maddie enter my room. Maddie's face was tear streaked, and so was Liam's. They walked closer to my bed, and they sat down in the lousy hospital chairs. 

"Damian! Oh thank God! I thought you were dead! We both did! I am so glad you're okay! Oh my god you look miserable!" 

"Maddie, you need to relax, it's okay. I'm okay, everything is going to be okay." 

        In seconds her arms were gingerly placed around my neck, placing us in a gentle and warm hug. My eyes shifted towards Liam, and I sat up. Maddie pulled away with a confused look on her face. 

"Damian, you have no idea how sorry I am about all of this." 

"Don't worry about it, it's not like you could have known." 

        Maddie sensed that something wasn't right with me. I started to feel like my throat was swelling, and it was getting difficult for me to breathe. As I tried to sit up and steady my breathing, Maddie and Liam both screamed for the nurse.  Maybe this would be it, maybe my table has been set. 

"Damian, Damian stay with me. Please stay." Maddie pleaded. I don't want to let go. 

"It's- going- to - be - o-k-kay." 

        Out of nowhere someone came barging into the room. Hands pushed me back on the bed to lie down, and I knew it was time. Before the people in blue flimsy clothes put the oxygen mask on me, I gathered enough breath to speak for the last time. 

"I love you, Maddie." 

        The next thing that happened, was finding myself sitting at a table, with death on the other end, and he had a big smile on his face. 

        

 Goodbye, forever.