Short_Story

Outside and In The body lay cold in the freshly fallen snow which was gradually turning red as the blood poured out from the poor man’s wounds. It was too early in the morning for anyone to be up and on a walk. As the snow fell intensely, people started to roll out of their front doors to head to the train station. Due to the covering of the snow, no one noticed the man as he lay there freezing cold and barely alive. Kevin Evans, a honourably discharged Navy SEAL, had recently been thanked and congratulated on his effort and bravery saving many lives off a exploding cruise ship. The cause of this detonation was not known but Kevin had risked his life for others which made him a saviour as well as a great role model for future Navy SEALs. By risking his life, he had also wounded himself so badly that he had to be honourably discharged and be retired to a desk job. After saving all the lives from the cruiser, the bomb exploded while Kevin was diving into the sea and shrapnel pierced his leg and severed a major muscle in his leg. Life-saving surgery was then carried out but his leg would not operate the same anymore and he would be left with a permanent limp. School was starting nearby and the children were out and playing in the snow and having fun. A sudden gasp was heard and then screams of horror when a group of girls had discovered the blue, frozen man in the snow. Teachers came sprinting out of the foyer to see the problem then the authorities were called and an investigation was started to discover the cause of the horrific accident. Kevin woke up in the hospital dazed and confused. Investigators were constantly questioning him to get to the bottom of the incident. A Navy SEAL Commander walked into Kevin’s room and sat down next to him. Kevin did not realise as he was still drowsy but this was his old Commander, Commander Nathaniel O’Neil. The Commander expressed his sorrow and disappointment in the people who committed the crime. Kevin had the energy to express his feelings for working at his desk job. The Commander noted his thoughts and left at an instant. Flowers and gifts poured into the hospital room from all the families of those who had been saved by this brave man. Some of the survivors even came across the country to visit him and pray that he would get better soon as they owe their lives to him. Kevin was very appreciative of these people and gave thanks for their prayers and hard work to visit him. Kevin made it out of the hospital in a few weeks time and had to rest at home but had many people who would visit him daily to see how he was doing and to help him around the house. The phone rang and Kevin picked it up and on the other line was the Commander. He was inviting Kevin to return to the Navy Ship and visit some SEALs and give a talk about what he did after he was discharged. Kevin was still in a wheelchair as the wound were still healing and it was faster for him to heal. As Kevin was being pushed onto the ship, his mind wandered and remembered the good memories he made with his fellow mates on the ship. As the ship was boarded, a standing ovation was witnessed which made Kevin tear-up to see many people who look up to him and felt sorry for his accident. As he told his story, many people also started to tear-up and at the end, everyone stood up and clapped for his bravery and his encouragement that he showed everyone. Kevin was then wheeled to the Commander O’Nell’s office where he was informed that Kevin would be starting a new job on the ship as a Communications Advisor. Nathaniel had listened to Kevin’s boredom and problems with his current desk job and how much he missed the adrenaline rush, and acted upon it by giving him a job which he knew would satisfy his needs while also not being too pressured. The Commander and his team had noticed that the outside world was where Kevin was not happy and he wanted to be inside the boat where he could relive his prime time while also make new memories with the younger Navy SEALs. Kevin felt very loved and appreciated and he accepted this new job. He would be satisfied as he was back on the ship where he felt best even if he was injured and in a wheelchair. Every day, Kevin would be wheeled onto the big grey thing (he liked to call it). After work he would head to the hospital where rehabilitation would take place and it caused him excruciating pain but his hard work and strength helped him to pull through. He always felt comfortable and happy when out at sea, but when he returned to his apartment, his heart did not feel right. Every morning would be an easy wake-up to get to work but getting home was the struggle. He would be dropped off directly outside his house but every time he looked to the left of the entrance, the memories would come flooding back of the day of the attack. There were no major leads in the on-going investigation. Kevin moved closer to the dock to shorten the travel time but the main reason was to move far away from the crime scene. It haunted him every night that he was attacked and left for dead directly outside his window. He would wake up in a sweat every night and be worried that it would occur for the second time.