The Good Samaritan
A Story Every Day in 2024 April 27th 118/366
"But I don't know how to drive!"
"Please! You have to help me!"
"I've only ever been in a go-kart! There's too many pedals!"
"Please! I'm begging you! Please! He's bleeding out!"
*
Rosie sat in the car and tried to get her mind to compute. Seconds earlier, she had been on her way to meet friends and now, she found herself in a situation which was like something from a movie. She had been commandeered by a woman who was holding a man who was bleeding and been coerced into helping her take him, whoever he was, to the hospital, because she, the woman, was pressing her hand over the wound and trying to keep the red life force which was steadily leaking out from steadily leaking out.
Rosie had been swept up in a torrent of pleas and horror and fear. She couldn't just ignore it. There was no denying the truth of the situation: if fast action was not taken, this man would die. She could not live with herself if she didn't help. And ambulances were hours away.
And so, here she was, the Good Samaritan, having to not only work out how to drive but do it proficiently and urgently.
Fuck.
She could hear the woman's weeping in the back and a strange gurgling noise.
You can do this, Rosie, she told herself. She visualised in her head all of the times that she had been in the car with her mum or other people and looked at the gear stick. She changed gear into first and pressed the accelerator.
"Hurry," the woman said tearfully. "Hurry. Please."
And they were off. Jerking but moving. She had never been so scared. Five minutes to the hospital.
As she drove, Rosie felt moderately more comfortable. She eyed the couple in the mirror.
"How did it happen?"
Two minutes left.
No answer, just weeping.
Rosie tried again.
"Did you call the police?"
The woman stopped crying and delivered the singular most menacing look Rosie had ever had in her life.
"Drive the fucking car and shut up."
Rosie gulped.
She had this horrible feeling that her act of kindness had brought her into grave danger.
***
366 words
I often wonder what I would do if placed in certain situations. Like this one. Would I have helped? Would I have walked away? Rosie's kindness has placed her in a situation where she is breaking the law as she can't drive, doesn't have a license even. Ambulances in Britain are taking hours in some places to arrive which beggars belief but is true nonetheless. You can't take a bleeding man on the bus, can you? The man is clearly bleeding out. It is a matter of life and death. What would you do?
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please do leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.
118/366
I would also like to point you towards the following authors who are also continuing this mad microfiction challenge of writing a story every day in 2024 and check out what they're producing:
and the OG:
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Comments (38)
That was excellent! Immediately it’s gripping and hooks you. You did such a great job with such little space and I didn’t expect it to take that turn. You really made for a compelling “what would you do” because it also makes you question of the character should have even done what she did. Excellent!
Back to say congratulations on placing on the leaderboard, Rachel! Richly deserved!
Congratulations on your leaderboard placement. Ps I read this earlier and realized I didn’t press like.
Congratulations on Top Story! I'd have gotten involved, even if it meant putting myself in harm's way. Your story makes clear that 911 won't arrive soon enough. Great cliffhanger!!!
Yay! Congratulations Rachel❤️
Beautiful writing! I love the concept, the consequence of kindness and the caution we still need in order to avoid being taken advantage of... chilling. Congrats on top story!!
Excellent writing! Congratulations on Top Story!
I would try to get someone else that can drive to help
Excellent story-telling. Congrats on Top Story
congrats on Top story Rachel Deeming ^^
That twist 👀 what are they upto?! Had me questioning if he was even really bleeding haha, congrats on Top Story!
نقل العفش هو عملية مهمة تتطلب التخطيط والتنظيم لضمان نقل الأثاث والممتلكات بسلاسة وبأمان. يمكن أن تتضمن عملية نقل العفش العديد من الخطوات والتحديات، ومنها: التخطيط المسبق: يجب على الأفراد أو الشركات التي تقوم بنقل العفش أن تخطط بعناية لكل خطوة من خطوات العملية، بما في ذلك تحديد الميعاد المناسب للنقل وتقدير الاحتياجات من العمالة ووسائل النقل المناسبة. التعبئة والتغليف: يجب تغليف العفش والأثاث بشكل جيد لحمايته من التلف أثناء النقل. يمكن استخدام مواد التعبئة والتغليف مثل الفقاعات البلاستيكية والشرائط اللاصقة لتأمين القطع بشكل جيد. النقل بشكل آمن: يجب على فريق النقل التعامل بحذر مع الأثاث أثناء نقله لتجنب الخدوش أو الكسور. قد يتطلب الأمر استخدام أدوات خاصة مثل رافعات الأثاث لتسهيل عملية النقل https://zahrtsharqia.com/movers-packers-dammam شركة نقل عفش بالدمام
Interesting, there are 2 things in that story. Between tension and egg breaking after helping people in these conditions. The substance is clear, it really understands the background of the story. OK
I would rather call 911, for sure there is something fishy when someone bleeding like that urges you to drive them .. On the other hand, the ambulance might arrive too late. I guess it depends on the situation, instinct can also help here.
I’ve always been taught that the best option is to call 911 in a situation such as that one. I had a feeling it would end badly for her. Congrats on TS!
Congratulations 🎉🎉 for top story glad for you your story had a great twist just damn super amazing
So glad this made top story. This was excellent.
Congratulations on your top story.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Now that is a great story plot in the making. Love it Congratulations
Oh my......great story, congratulations, Rachel
Oops great job and another TS!!🫶🏻🎉🥳
You would help, I know it! I love how your stories are so full and yet short/succinct. And that they have no typos or grammatical errors❣️
Congratulations on Top Story!!!❤️❤️💕
Another top story! Great stuff!