It’s strange how slowly the world seems to reassemble itself, when you’re coming to. As the eyelids make their first attempt at opening, the pupils immediately contract: a reaction to the illumination of overhead fluorescent lighting. Headache: sucks; spinning: sucks; finding your bearings and coming to terms with where you’ve regained consciousness: painfully easy.
The pestering, fluorescent glow would seem to be the last thing to worry about, on an occasion such as this. Physical misery soon subsides, overcome by an unnerving wave of, albeit piecemeal, conscious revelation.
Cigarette packs warn of cancer and risks of birth defects in pregnant women. Gas stations have signs warning patrons of the dangers of an open flame near the pumps. The U.S. federal government has a long history of warning teens how lethargic and criminally insane they will become if they smoke pot.
Physical ailments accounted for; the scene begins to take shape. The IV is the first indicator. A drip system designed to rehydrate. A hand attempts to remove it, only to find it’s restrained, strapped to the gurney. Then comes the animosity. IV: check; restraints: check; catheter: ugh, check.
As the futile struggle begins, a friend makes their presence known.
“They’re trying to help,” a familiar voice rings from beyond a curtain.
Bright yellow paint warns commuters not to stand too close to train tracks. Cyclists are urged to wear helmets.
Where was the warning for a 16-year-old who thought drinking four bottles of liquor was a good idea?
Morgan McKnight is an undergrad majoring in Communication Studies at San Jose State University. While he may come across as serious, Morgan is a huge comedy fan and enjoys finding the humor in just about everything. Raised by a pack of hyenas in the Sahara Desert, he once caught a pit viper with his bare teeth in order to feed his young. As a student, he’s relentlessly diligent in his studies. As a writing consultant, he strives to bring out the best in the students he works with. And as a person, Morgan’s a thoughtful dude with a good heart.
The Bolt Magazine 