Rock Bottom journal piece

Rock Bottom

By: Gwendolyn Sze

It all happened at once. One minute I was gossiping with Charlotte on her balcony, and then she was plummeting towards the ground. Once I saw her body on the concrete, stained with her blood, I let out a blood curdling scream. “CHARLOTTE!” I cried. I let out a shuddering sob and fell to my knees. I suddenly dashed inside to my phone. My hands shook as I dialed 911.

“911, what’s your emergency?” a tired lady said. I couldn’t blame her, it was 1:30 in the morning.

“My-my my fri-friend, shh-she f-ff-fell…” I sputtered.

“What? Say that for me again sweetie.” the lady said softly, as if I was a toddler.

“My friend fell off her balcony and she is bleeding on the sidewalk!!” I screamed at her. “Y-y-you h-h-hav-e t-to hh-help h-er. P-p-lease.” I begged.

“What’s the address? We’re coming over right now.” she said in a very urgent and demanding tone.

I gave her my address, and was about to thank her and tell her to hurry, but the line went dead. She had hung up on me.

A few minutes later, an ambulance and the police came. They rushed her into the ambulance. The 3 policemen came over to me and asked me some questions. After that happened, I called a cab to go to the hospital they were keeping Charlotte at.

I burst into the tranquil waiting room, and saw the receptionist jump out of her sleep. “Y-yes?’ she said. She looked worried as if I was trying to mug her.

“What room is Charlotte Sanders being kept in?” I asked desperately.

“I Don’t know sweetie, she is still in the E.R.” the receptionist said grimmly.

“Oh……” I trailed off. “O-ok, I’ll just wait here then…..” I said, pointing to an incredibly uncomfortable looking office chair.

“I’m sorry, really, I am....” The receptionist called.

----------------------------------

I was shaken awake by someone, and out of habit, I grumbled, “One more minute mom….”

“UP! NOW!” I heard a stern voice say.

“Ok, ok, I’m up! Good Lord, are you happy now?!” I whined.

. “Your friend is out of the E.R! She’s in room 205, now GO!” said the receptionist said to me.

I ran towards the stairs, and sprinted up to the second floor.

I burst into the room, panting while being hunched over. Everyone was staring at me. I couldn’t blame them though, it was a very startling entrance.

“Wh-where is C-charlotte Sanders-s?” I huffed out.

“Right here.” a man in a white lab coat said, gesturing towards a bed besides him.

“Charlotte!” I rushed over to her bed. My face fell. She was still unconscious.

What-what happened?” I yelled at the man in the lab coat.
“She is in a coma.....