The Power of Testimony

SHAWN THORNTON || 19
“Can you walk over here and sit down?”
John did.
“Does it hurt anywhere?”
John held up his hand. There was a small cut on the back
of it. The medic looked him over before ushering him to the
ambulance.
“You’re a lucky boy,” he said. “They’ll stitch that hand up
for you at the hospital.”
“This one’s not awake yet,” said another medic, examining
Bev in the passenger seat.
“How’s she doing? She alive?” one medic asked.
“She’s alive. Doesn’t look too banged up, but she’s
unconscious.”
“What about her head?”
“Nothing there, really. Just a cut under her chin. And on
her knee. That’s all I see.”
“But she’s not conscious?”
“I don’t think so. Miss? I’m a medic. Are you all right?”
Bev did not respond.
“Miss? Are you all right? Can you hear me?” He shook his
head. “No, she’s out.”
They carefully pulled her from the car and put her on a
gurney. Her body convulsed several times.
“Whoa, whoa, watch out!” one medic said to another.
“Did she wake up?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Probably just knocked out for a while. I’ve seen worse.”
At the hospital a little while later, John’s brain seemed to