Struggles (2)

CHAPTER 2: I WANT OUT!1

"Do you notice her stomach, doctor?" I hear Kelsey ask.2

"What about it?"3

"Well, I've only seen her three times this month, but I could swear that her stomach is growing..."4

"Hmm... we'll uh... run some tests on her... but don't get all worked up... it could be that she is just putting on some weight."5

'NOW WHAT?! On top of me being in a coma AND beaten nearly to death...I'm...what? Do I have worms? Do I have some wierd disease? I mean...what could it possibly be?'6

"Doctor? We've run all the tests you requested...and the only one to come back with an answer is this one," an unfamiliar, female voice broke through my thoughts.7

"Which one, nurse?"8

"The pregnancy test, doctor." the nurse tried to be hushed about saying this, but my mother and sister heard her...and so did I...9

"WHAT? On top of my daughter being in a coma AND battered, she's going to have a BABY?!" My mother sobbed.10

"Yes ma'am."11

"My sister is... having a baby?...and she doesn't even know? Aren't there risks for her being pregnant in a coma?"12

"Well...yes, but we are seeing some signs of improvement from Miss Katherine."13

I try to scream again, "Hey! Can anyone hear me? I'm here!", but it didn't come out as yelling. Actually, it didn't come out at all, but my hand jerked...the hand that Kelsey had clung to every hour of each day that she had come to see me...14

"Her hand moved! She squeezed my hand!"15

"She's got to be still in there somewhere..."16

Suddenly, I'm in a maze. 'Now where am I? What is this? A maze? If I find the way out...can I have my life back?' I start off running, taking a couple of rights and a left and another right, I try to follow my mother and sister's voices. Without notice I'm faced with a thick wall. As I'm about to turn around, I change my mind and decide to inspect the wall. 'Heh, a secret door!...' The bush moves under the pressure of my body and I continue on the hunt to find the exit.17

"I wish she never met Jacob! This never would have happened if she didn't meet him! I want my sister back!" Kelsey sobs.18

"I know baby girl. I miss her too. Actually, your father is charging that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. with attempted murder. He's been arrested. His court date is soon."19

"I WANT OUT!" I cry as I fall to my knees.20

"Ma? Did you hear that?"21

"Hear what?"22

"Kate? say it again...please? I know you tried to say something..."23

"I WANT OUT!" I cry again, realizing that Kels heard me that time.24

My mother stands, shocked. My sister cries harder than I have ever seen her cry before, "I heard her mumble!"25

"Me too baby...she said...I...want...out..."26

"Then come out Kate! You can do it. I know you can!" She says as she lays her head on my chest and cries.27

"I'm trying to get out of here Kels, I swear to you baby, I am." I stand and continue to walk, even as my legs threaten to fail me. I push myself to keep going... for my sister... ... for my mom and dad... ... ... for my unborn baby...