An excerpt from Essence by Katherine F. Messina | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health Wellness

Essence

An excerpt from Essence by Katherine Messina

94
Essence

"Wake up! Annlyn, wake up! Please!," I heard the voice as if it were coming from miles away.

The air smelled singed like something was burning. I heard activity everywhere, people talking in hurried voices, footsteps on the linoleum floor. I cracked my eyes open and was blinded by light, quickly squeezing them shut. My tongue felt thick as I tried to speak, the words getting stuck in my throat.

"I can't see any severe injuries, it's a medical miracle, she was struck by lightning and has only minor injuries," an unfamiliar voice said.

Were they talking about me? I was struck by lightning? I tried to think back to the last thing I remembered. I was leaving my boyfriend's house. Oh god, Justin! Is he here? I tried opening my eyes again.

"She's opening her eyes! Get a doctor!" that was Justin's voice.

"Justin?" I croaked.

"Yeah, I'm here," he said as he brushed my hair from my face.

"Wh-what happened?" I asked him.

"You got struck by lightning. What do you remember?" his voice sounded off.

"I, I was at your house. I was leaving. That's all I remember," I stammered.

My memories felt like water sifting through my fingers. They were there, but I couldn't quite grasp them.

"Alright, you. Out," I heard a doctor tell Justin.

"But she's my girlfriend," I could hear the tremor of anger in his voice, and he balled his hands into fists.

"It's family only, no exceptions. Now out," the doctor replied.

Justin turned on his heel and stormed out.

"Honey," the doctors' voice lowered, "You have a bruise on your face, it's not common with lightning injuries, do you remember what happened?"

"No, no I don't," I racked my brain for reasons I would have a bruise on my face but came up completely blank.

"There's one more thing," she hesitated, "You have some scarring on your back, from where the lightning hit you."

"Oh my god," nearly hyperventilating, I struggled to slow my breathing down, "Let me see!"

The doctor held a mirror behind me, facing my back. I took a deep breath before looking over my shoulder. My vision blurred as dizziness over swept me. Oh God, why did this happen to me? My back had heavy scar tissue in straight and sweeping lines. A shape began to present itself as my vision cleared. Is that a bow and arrow? What the....?

"Is that a bow and arrow?" I asked.

"Yes it is, I've never seen anything like it. You're an amazing case, Annalyn Serrano," the doctor looked at me in awe.

I lay back on the bed with a huff, "Shouldn't these scars hurt?"

"Yes, they should. You should be in an excruciating amount of pain, even dead, but you're not. I don't understand, other than you are incredibly lucky," she replied.

She still had an awestruck look on her face, "You might develop symptoms over the next two weeks, but as far as I can tell you're able to go home. I'd like to see you again in a few days though. Your parents are waiting outside. Are you ready to see them?"

I nodded. The doctor left the room briefly and I delved into my own thoughts. Where had the bruise on my face come from? Why can't I remember anything?

"Annalyn.." the voice made me jump.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

350110
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

217366
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments