Re: Chapter 4: Abyss
When the support from Susan suddenly vanished, William wobbled where he stood, confused. His vision, blurry and fractured, focused in on the taser in the crouching orderly's hand. His eyes followed the curly wires to Susan, on the floor, convulsing in pain. Rage ignited in his brain, sending a hot flash of adrenaline through his body. He felt his heart skip a beat as it drove the agony he felt to new heights. But strength flowed through him, though he knew it would be fleeting.
He tackled the orderly and bashed the surprised man's head against the floor. Then he turned around and scrambled to Susan on his hands and knees, slipping and sliding on blood. Where had it come from? Him or the orderly? He grabbed a handful of her hospital gown and began dragging her toward the elevator doors. There were other people around, but he could barely see them. Were they trying to stop him? He heard yelling. He did see a hand reaching for him. He threw himself backward, dragging Susan with him, and the hand missed.
Breathing hard, he coughed and choked on blood. Maybe it was coming from him. Yes, there were fresh stains down his front, mixing with the darker, older blood stains and the black smears. His back hit something. He tried to get his feet under him again, but they just trembled and jerked. His shaking arms gathered Susan to him, her back against his chest, his arms probably squeezing the life out of her. But he couldn't let go. People were coming closer. He had to move! But when he tried, more blood forced its way up his throat.
Suddenly whatever he was leaning his back against disappeared and he fell backwards. He found himself looking up at a square, stainless steel ceiling with a bright light in the center. The walls had handrails. The elevator. It held a group of surprised orderlies who looked like they had been ready to leap out of the door once it opened. William tilted his head back and smiled up at them, a fast drip of blood running from his mouth to his hairline. He saw at least two of them grimace behind their surgical masks.
Unconsciousness was pounding in his head, but something was still holding it back. He felt Susan's weight vanish, his senseless arms thrown wide. The orderlies spread out around him, looking down at him. He was staring at the light on the ceiling. It was so beautiful, he had never noticed before. "Susan, look," he tried to say. But blood just bubbled and frothed on his lips.
While he was looking at the light, he felt something break within him. It wasn't a savage break. More like a soft snap, and then relief. His body, still clenched with tension, relaxed. His eyes closed. Can't go into the light, he thought at the darkness flooding him. Can't leave Susan. Just can't. Okay?