Sharlene Healy - Chimera Skies

C opyright 2021 by Sharlene Healy

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T he truck bounced up as I hit a bump in the road. A grunt of pain came from the seat next to me and I glanced at Pearl. Her eyes were closed but tears streamed out of her eyes as she adjusted her arms.

You okay? I asked.

Pearl groaned. What do you think? Just get to the bunker.

Id only known Pearl a couple of months now, but I never heard her snap like that before. She must be in incredible pain. I gripped the steering wheel and pressed down on the pedal, not caring about the speed limit. Technically, I shouldnt be driving without an adult since I only had my learners permit, but who cares. Pearl needed help. The next time I saw Mom, Id have to tell her that sneaking out to drive with friends was preparing me for the future.

A glance at the rearview mirror showed that Rita and her family were still following me. They hadnt left yet. Pearl coughed and I looked over to make sure she was okay. Her face was paler than it was a minute ago. Clenching my jaw, I looked back to the road and revved up again. I was going about ten miles above the speed limit, and Id have to keep my eye out for any cops.

At the start of our drive, Pearl had told me that she could get us into Bunker 3. Our plan was to drop her off at Bunker 3, and Id leave and go back to my family. I wanted to help them find our parents. The closer we got to our turn-off, though, the more sure I was that we would need to get her help at a real hospital.

I drove, my eyes steady on the road as the trees rushed by. Pearl kept her eyes closed but she coughed every couple of minutes so I knew she wasnt asleep. Medicine wasnt my thing, but I figured it wouldnt be good if she fell asleep.

I heard a faint noise and looked at Pearl. She had her eyes open and was watching the road, too. Turn off onto that dirt road, she said, pointing her chin toward a turn-off.

I gripped the steering wheel again and my heartbeat accelerated. She did not look good. I turned off the road and drove until the road ended. I parked the car on the side of the road, the tires kicking dirt up all over the truck. Oh well; it wasnt ours anyway. I yanked my door open and jumped out. Rita and her family had stopped behind me, but no one was getting out. I glared at them as I ran to the passengers door. I didnt have time to babysit. Pearl wasnt going to be able to walk; I knew that just from one look. Id have to carry her. I slid one arm under her knees and one behind her back and pulled her across the seat until I was cradling her. The entire time, I had my jaw clenched. I needed to go slow so I didnt hurt her more but time was running out. I stepped away from the truck, holding Pearl close, and glanced at Rita. They had the doors open but werent following.

If you want to come then hurry, I said, turning to Pearl. Where to now?

Straight, she said, her voice faint.

Ugh. I held her tight and headed straight, hoping that I wouldnt jostle her too much. The trees surrounded us and I walked straight, but I wasnt sure how long I was supposed to. Pearl, I said. How long do I go straight?

She didnt answer. Pearl, I said, trying again.

Pearl opened her eyes. At least half a mile.

I glanced behind. Rita and her family were following. I rushed forward, heading deeper into the forest. Pearl kept her eyes open at least. I swear, I was checking on her every five seconds. It wasnt long before her eyes were closed again. Pearl, I said. You have to stay awake.

She opened her eyes and stared at me. Okay.

I clenched my jaw. I pulled Pearl closer so I could check my watch. Wed been walking for about five minutes. I pulled my arm back, giving Pearl more room, and she didnt even make a peep. Great, her eyes were closed again.

Pearl, I said. I need to know where to go.

She didnt respond. I tried again, and she opened her eyes to slits before closing them again. The third time she didnt even do that much. I looked up. There were trees all around; no way was I going to be able to find that tree entrance by myself. Pearl needed help now and I wasnt going to waste my time searching for one tree in the forest, either. I gritted my teeth and turned around.

Rita. You and your family camp here. I need to take her to the hospital, I said.

No, Rita said. Were staying with you.

My eyebrows drew together and I pushed my lower jaw out over my top teeth. I cant wait for you.

Well keep up, Rita said. That guy said stick with you. Were going nowhere.

I grumbled and pushed past them, stalking off as fast as I could without hurting Pearl. Even when I wasnt around him, Max was a pain in my butt. Since it was a straight walk to the truck, I had no problem retracing my steps. I was good at directions, except when it came to looking for bunker entrances in the middle of nowhere.

The truck door was still open so I stepped up and leaned against the seat, Pearl in my arms. At least she was still breathing, even if it was shallow. I shut the door with a little push, and ran to my side to hop into the drivers seat. I revved up the car and the tires kicked up more dirt as I swung the truck around like the doughnuts my friends and I did in the highschool parking lot last year. Once I was facing toward the road again, I stomped on the gas pedal and sped away.

I kept one hand on the steering wheel and used my other hand to pull out my phone and turn it on. It was charged, thankfully. I missed my little pocket friend. I pulled up my Maps app and searched for the nearest hospital. To my surprise, more than one popped up. So many of the cities nearby were small and I expected there to be maybe one hospital in the entire area. I hit the closest one, which was still about twenty minutes away, and the directions popped up.

The speed limit sign glared at me as I drove by. It was just a suggestion, right? I looked at Pearl, her shallow breathing uneven, and decided it was definitely just a suggestion. I hit the gas pedal again, going double the speed limit. Despite the slowdowns and turns, it took ten minutes to get to the hospital. I sped right up to the emergency room entrance and threw open my door. Once again, I slid my arms around Pearl, trying to keep her steady as I picked her up out of the truck. I whispered into her ear, Everythings going to be okay. Im not going to let you die.

I ran through the automatic doors and rushed to the desk.

She needs help now, I said to the woman sitting at the desk. She took one look at Pearlcovered in blood, pale, hardly breathingand pushed a button on the desk that called for help over the PA system. A man dressed in scrubs wheeled a bed over. He and another worker took Pearl from me and strapped her to the bed. They wheeled her off and I tried to follow, but the lady at the desk stopped me with a clipboard.

Stop right there, she said. You need to fill these out.

My shoulders dropping, I took the clipboard and sat down in one of the waiting room chairs.

F ive hours. Id been in this waiting room for five hours. During those five hours, I asked the desk womanwho told me to stop calling her hey you a million timeswhen I could see Pearl. I couldnt even concentrate long enough to finish more than one episode of my favorite anime Id turned on in an attempt to distract myself. I paced. I sat down. I stood looking out the window, but nothing helped me calm down. I still had no idea what was going on with Pearl. I didnt know where she was, what was happening, whether she was alive or dead. No one would tell me anything because I wasnt family. If I had known, I would have told them she was my sister so I could get some answers. I rubbed my head and looked out the window again. Rita was standing there, leaning against a tree. Oops. Id forgotten about them.