Part 9: Amidst the Wreckage
By Sam Wildman

.....Jim struggled to free himself from beneath the dashboard. It was morning and the rain had stopped. He had dozed off--or been knocked out, he gloomily thought. Jim saw that the windshield was busted out and looked like an easy escape. When he was half way out, he slipped and drove his hand into a large piece of glass. He also scratched his cheek and forehead. A large scratch appeared on his glasses but luckily his eyes were safe. Finally, Jim got out of his truck. He tore a part of his white coat and wrapped his hand up tightly. Several people were gathered beside the train. Some were digging in the ruble, searching for loved ones and others who were trapped. Most were injured in more ways than one. He set out on the tedious mission to help them. Jim's doctor coat was soon nothing more than a small rag so he began tearing his shirt apart to help bandage the people. He did what he could, but in truth he was not a doctor. His internship wouldn't be over for another couple months. Jim realized he should be at Johnson Hospital. They would need him there since he was sure that their ambulances would be picking them up. 'Why haven't they arrived yet?' Jim wondered. 'The rescue team should have been here hours ago.' Jim sat down on a pile of rubble next to a small boy he had not treated.

..... "Hello, son. What's your name? Are you hurt anywhere?" Jim asked.

....."I'm Thomas. My arm hurts," the little boy said.

.....Jim looked at the arm and saw it was broken very badly. He grabbed some thin pieces of metal the size of the boys arm and with the rest of his shirt made a splint, then made a sling out a small wind breaker he got out of the back of his truck.

....."There you go Thomas. You'll be okay now." Jim told the boy. "Were your parents on the train with you?"

....."Uh-uh. I was going to Gwandma's house. All by myself 'cause I'm big. I'm six years old," Thomas said with much pride.

.....Jim laughed. "Okay, Thomas. I'm gonna stay with you 'til we can find your Grandmother. 'Kay?"

.....Thomas nodded. They sat down to wait for a rescue team that Jim, for some reason, believed would never leave. One thing was for sure, though. He could not leave Thomas...not alone and not in the middle of a train wreck. He would not leave the little boy. He would take care of him and his arm and get him home, if possible...if possible...

To add the next piece of this story, send an e-mail with SKY FELL ADDITION in the subject line to this address: windhavenglen@hotmail.com Please read the GUIDELINES for the best possible way to submit.