Pain seared through her body, and she screamed. Sitting straight up in the hospital bed, screaming, Bridget opened her eyes as wide as she could get them. In seconds, nurses piled into the room, the light flicking on as they surrounded her. She couldn’t stop the panic, the pain, she couldn’t control her breathing.
Pushing them away as they grabbed her arms, Bridget struggled to get free, to be let go, to not be stuck in a place she didn’t want to be. Voices surrounded her, sharp commands not only to herself but to the other nurses. She couldn’t even make out what they were saying as she struggled against the hold they had.
Someone ran out as Bridget pushed as hard as she could with her good arm, shoving one of the nurses to the side as she attempted to get free from them. She had to get out. Had to breathe some fresh air, have a moment where she could stand in the cold chilly air and take a deep breath. Maybe that would be the only thing that would calm her down.
Making that decision, Bridget had to get outside. She pushed and pulled, doing her best to get loose, but it wasn’t working. It was too hard to move with her arm in a sling and her leg and foot wrapped up. A familiar voice echoed in her ear, saying her name in soothing tones.
Bridget wrenched her eyes open, meeting the eyes of none other than Chaplain Melville. Bridget shook her head, desperate to reach out and touch June’s arm, something that would root her to where she was, ground her in the moment. Perhaps June could be that connection for her.
“Take a deep breath, Bridget.” June’s voice was the only thing she could focus on. Their eyes locked in a battle Bridget didn’t want to give up. She couldn’t speak, could barely breathe. “Come on, Bridget. I need you to start breathing deeply otherwise they’re going to medicate you.”
“No,” she managed that one small word.
June looked over Bridget’s shoulder at someone. Bridget wasn’t sure, but she hoped it was Eli. She needed someone who could come in and calm her down, and Eli was the only person who would be able to do that. She’d always been the one person who could.
Her stomach swirled, a mess of emotions as she tried to catch her breath, make her heart stop galloping, or stand up and get out of there. She didn’t care if it did more damage to her already broken bones. She needed space.
“Bridget.” The voice was soft, calm.
Bridget immediately tensed, closing her eyes and searching for the voice again. It wasn’t Eli, that much she knew, but it was feminine, strong, comforting.
“Bridget, listen to my voice. Take a deep breath, open your lungs and draw in air.”
Without hesitating, Bridget did as she was told, cold air filling her hot lungs and soothing her terror. She breathed out slowly, her grip on June’s arms loosening, but she still held on, fearing what would happen if she did let go.
“Do it again. You’re doing great.” The voice had a slight accent to it—foreign. She barely noticed it though, and it was probably only because she listened to nothing other than that voice. “In and out.”
Bridget did it again, slowing her entire body. Her muscles relaxed one by one. It took several more breaths, but eventually she released June and leaned back onto the hospital bed that had been her home for the past week. When she opened her eyes, the entire room was still.
June knelt in front of her, hands on either side of her on the bed, her eyes wide and hopeful. Other nurses stood around, and one had a needle ready to go. When Bridget turned her head, she was shocked to find Jerica standing next to June, her eyes wide as she stared directly at Bridget.
“Are you okay?”
That voice. It washervoice. Embarrassment filled her, and Bridget’s eyes stung with tears. She sniffled as she shook her head but said, “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Okay. They’re going to leave for right now, but June and I are going to sit with you for a bit, okay?”
“Okay,” Bridget agreed. She had no idea what else she was supposed to be doing. The other nurses left after helping her back onto the bed. June and Jerica stayed put, one on either side of her, hands on hers as they comforted her.
Her cheeks heated every time she tried to think about the mess she’d just put them all through. It was so unlike her. She’d had nightmares before, but never like this, never like she had to get out and away to be safe from them.
“Your heart rate’s coming down,” Jerica murmured. “That’s a good thing. Blood pressure, too.”
Bridget hadn’t even noticed they’d slapped those back on her in the aftermath of her nightmare. Cursing herself, she closed her eyes, the lump in her throat so very hard to swallow. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Jerica said. “I’m surprised it didn’t happen before now.”
June chimed in. “Nightmares are very common after what you went through.”
Bridget shook her head, not wanting to hear platitudes. Even if it was true, she was so much better than that. She’d been taught for years to hide everything, and it was better for the world if she did. “What time is it?”
“Nearly seven,” Jerica answered. “I was just coming in for shift when they called me.”
Bridget’s eyes snapped open. “Called you? Why would they call you?”
Jerica’s lips parted, and she glanced at June for help. June and Jerica shared a look that Bridget couldn’t read, and then went on to explain whatever it was away. “We needed extra help.”
“Because I was out of control.”