Crossroads: Life and Death

The prompt is “no matter what he chose, someone’s life would change.” I started writing this about two months ago, but I was about halfway through when the story had changed. I realized then that I was actually writing two different stories. So, I split them up. I posted the other story that came from this prompt last week. Let me know in the comments which one you preferred.

High school graduation had just concluded, and Andy and his friend got together for a bonfire at Simon’s to blow off some steam. They were all heading to separate schools in the fall and weren’t sure they were ready for the workload. They had finally started to relax some, laughing at some joke that Trent had made, when they all heard the undeniable sound of metal on metal had them all on their feet in a flash. They didn’t make it around the house before human cries cut through the night.

As they reached the road, they saw three cars in pieces scattered across the road. Destiney was the fastest to pull out the phone and call for help. Trent rushed to one car, Becca and Simon went straight for another. That left Andy to try to help the third that was closest to him. Andy was not prepared for the sight that was waiting for him.

In the driver’s seat was a mom and the back seat had two young children in car seats. Both kids, a boy and girl, twins maybe, were screaming. This frazzled Andy and he just wanted to comfort them first. But he stopped and thought about it crying meant breathing. Kids were crying and mom was not. He needed to check on the mom first. When he got the car door open, on the passenger side cause the driver’s side was dented, he crawled over and put his fingers on her neck where he thought the pulse would be. He felt something faint and took a breath. At least she is alive.

Destiney ran over to him with her phone and said the dispatcher needed to know about obvious injuries.

“Mom has a bad cut on her forehead. She has a pulse, but she is not awake. I’m not sure I should move her yet. Two young kids both screaming. They have glass all over them but nothing obviously bleeding.” Andy said in a rush, surprised at himself for how calm he sounded.

“They said not to move anyone and try to keep pressure on the wound on mom’s head. Paramedics should be here soon” Destiney relayed and then ran off to check on the others.

Andy looked around and found a spare shirt in the backseat and used that on the mom’s head. He did his best to tell the kids that it would be okay, but they just kept crying out for mommy and daddy.

“Mommy is fright here. You will be okay.” Andy tried to say as calmly as he could.

“Where daddy” one kid cried.

“Mommy, daddy” the other cried harder.

Andy looked around. There was no sign of someone else in the car, but the windshield was completely broken out. He guessed that there was a chance that there could be a passenger. But he couldn’t see anyone. Andy tried calling out to destiny but at that point she was helping Trent and couldn’t leave.

Andy felt useless. If he stayed here, there could be a guy out there that needed more help. If he left the mom here to go, look to see if there was a dad out there and there wasn’t the mom could lose too much blood and be in bad shape when she made it to the hospital.

It was an impossible choice. One that could have the potential to cost a life. where were the paramedics. It felt like it had been hours already, even though it had probably only been a few mins. Andy decided to stay. He knew for a fact that mom was here and bleeding. Dad may not have been in the car and Andy could leave for no reason. He would help look as soon as the paramedics were here to take over. Andy just hoped he was making the right choice.

Just then the lights came around the corner. Police fire and paramedics. Andy let out a huge sigh of relief. A paramedic and a cop ran over to Andy. She relived Andy right away and Andy turned to the cop.

“The kids keep crying for daddy too. We need to look around and make sure he’s not here” and said before the cop could do or say anything else.

“Okay, let’s look.” The cop answered. Andy was grateful not to be questioned.

It didn’t take long before the cop found a man in the bushes not far from the car. Another paramedic ran over to help the cop while another officer pulled Andy away to the rest of his friends to get statement and contact information. The cop advised that no one should be driving cause the adrenaline would be wearing off soon and they may crash themselves. So, everyone called their parents to come and get them.

The next morning the group of friends all checked in with each other. They were all shaken up and a bit traumatized. They all wanted to check in to see how their patients from last night did. Simon said the cops told him which hospital they all went to, so the friends decided to meet there.

The hospital wouldn’t give them much information, understandably, but did tell them that everyone survived and with time should make a full recovery. The kids left their names and phone numbers in case anyone chose to reach out.

Months later while Andy was writing a paper for one of his classes his phone rang from a number he didn’t recognize.

“Hello?” Andy answered.

“Hello, is this Andy?” a soft female voice asked.

“Yes, who is this?”

“My name is Monica. I was in an accident a few months ago. I believe you’re the one that helped me.”

“Yes, oh my goodness. Are you okay, your husband, the kids?” Andy asked in a rush.

“Yes. Thanks to you. My kids were traumatized but didn’t have a scratch on them. My husband somehow only had a few broken bones. And I lost quite a bit of blood, but they told me not as much as I could have had you not been there to stop the bleeding.” Monica answered.

“Wow really! I was worried that I made the wrong choice to stay with you. Since I didn’t realize your husband was there at first.”

“Your choice saved my life.” Monica said, Andy could hear the smile on her face. “I want to say thank you. Because you and your friends didn’t hesitate to help, we all survived. You were all heroes that night.”

“No, we just did what was right. But I’m glad you’re okay.” Andy smiled.

Andy and Monica talked for another hour and at the end Andy was invited to the twins fourth birthday in June. Andy accepted and made a lifelong friend whose life had evidently been in his hands.