Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Help (02/20/06)
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TITLE: Go and Do Likewise | Previous Challenge Entry
By Chris Clement
02/24/06 -
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Sahir ignored the thieves and ran to the injured man as the car screeched away. The man’s bloody face was pressed against the concrete and his chest was twisted toward the sky from the kicking blows of their boots. Sahir kneeled next to him and pulled him upright. His face was purple with bruises and asphalt scratches were spread across his cheeks. The man groaned but remained limp. His fine suit was blotted with blood and his light brown hair was matted with filth from the gutter. His head fell against Sahir’s shoulder and blood from his lips dripped on to Sahir’s blue coveralls and across a white patch that read “Griff’s Car Repair”. Sahir reached under the man’s coat and gently padded his chest. Several of the man’s ribs were broken.
Sahir heard an engine and looked towards the sound. Headlights moved down the street towards them.
“It will be alright. I will get help.” Sahir spoke with a Middle Eastern accent. He set the man down gently on the sidewalk, stood, and walked into the car’s path waving his arms in the air. A sedan carrying a young man and woman slowed and moved beside Sahir.
“This man is hurt!” Sahir yelled, gesturing behind him.
The woman stared straight ahead as if not seeing the Arabic man in the street, her eyes wide with panicked fright. Sahir saw her mouthing the words “Don’t stop!” The car’s tires spun in the wet street before taking hold and spurring the vehicle away. Sahir watched the car leave and saw the glow of the tail lights bounce off a silver fish emblem that was attached to the trunk. The car turned a corner and moved out of sight.
Sahir looked up and down the street for a phone booth, but saw nothing except empty warehouses on either side. He knew a hospital was a few blocks away but was not sure if the man could walk. He also knew he had little choice. Sahir went back to the man lying on the sidewalk, pulled the beaten man’s arm around his shoulders, and lifted him off the ground.
“I’m afraid we have a long walk ahead of us. “
The man groaned again, louder. His eyes flickered and he lifted his head toward Sahir, his face grimacing in pain.
“Chest….hurts.” He moaned.
“I know.”
They had traveled two blocks before the man lost consciousness again. Sahir picked him up and carried him for another half a block before having to set him down to rest. He continued on, carrying and resting, for much of an hour, before finally arriving at the hospital.
“Help him!” Sahir yelled breathlessly as he pulled the man into the emergency room. Orderlies and nurses ran to him, took the man from Sahir’s arms, and laid him on a gurney before wheeling him through two glass doors.
Sahir collapsed in a chair in the waiting area and closed his eyes, relieved. Minutes later, he opened his eyes and slowly pushed himself up from his chair. He looked through the two glass doors in front of him and saw the beaten man in the emergency ward. There was with an oxygen mask over his face and a nurse was examining his ribs. The man stirred and opened his eyes. He saw Sahir through the glass and motioned weakly for him to come. Sahir walked through the doors to where the man lay.
He spoke with a harsh rasp. “Want to...” He took a breath. “…give you something….”
Sahir shook his head and laid his hand on the man’s arm. “That is not necessary.”
“….for…your kindness.” The man implored weakly.
Sahir smiled and leaned close. “If you see someone else in need, go and do likewise.”
The man smiled back, nodded, and held his hand out to Sahir.
“Thank…you.”
Sahir took the man’s hand and held it. “God be with you.”
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