Chapter XI: Daredevil to Heroine

"So you're telling me that you'll still attend school?"

Emma's brother, Elmer, was somewhat angry. He wasn't able to get much sleep after hearing what happened during the weekend. Of course, he was worried and insisted that Emma stay home for her safety. Yet, his stubborn sister still wanted to go to school.

"School just started!" Emma exclaimed. "I haven't even met all of my instructors. Besides, the police already determined that the whole thing was a prank, a distasteful one, but a prank nevertheless."

"That's why I want you to stay home since whoever called in the prank hasn't been determined yet." Elmer rubbed his temple, as if he had a headache. He wished his parents were here to put some sense into his sister but their parents were currently away and are unable to come back for two more weeks. "Fine, attend school. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"Thank you!" Emma hugged her brother. "Speaking of George, you should have seen him in action."

"Oh, I heard," Elmer said. "I should have seen it."

Just then, someone knocked on the Clarksons' door

"Hey, it's me!" The siblings heard from outside. It was George. Elmer opened the door for him. Emma's brother already predicted that her bullheaded sister will insist on going to school so he called George ahead of time to watch over her.

"Well, I've got to go," Emma hugged Elmer once more. "We'll go ahead since we have earlier classes than you."

"Alright then, take care," Elmer replied. He turned to remind George. "Keep an eye on her, would you?"

"Always," George answered. The two did a fist bump and the two batchmates went out to CC's direction.

About two months passed by. Nothing notable happened during this period. Students attended classes. Teachers gave discussions and such. Everybody was preparing for the upcoming Examinations.

There are times though, late at night, when Emma wouldn't be able to sleep. She would then have a talk with George or Amy through the phone until she feels sleepy. Her two friends didn't mind though, despite their talks stretching until the wee hours of the morning.

One late afternoon some days after the Examinations, the three friends were walking towards their school. They agreed to have early dinner at Amy's new dormitory, some blocks away from school.

"That was an awesome lunch!" Emma exclaimed. "Nice cooking, Amy."

"I agree," George added. "The fish fillet was a hit."

"You're flattering too much, both of you." Amy was blushing. She offered to accompany her friends for a while before returning to her dormitory. "But thanks, guys."

Just then, they heard a rustle coming from some bushes to their right. George's senses rose to high alert. Leaving Emma to Amy, George slowly approached the source of the noise. Suddenly, a figure stood up. It was Reginald, surprise etched on his face. He was holding a small transparent plastic bag with soil in his gloved left hand and a garden trowel in his right.

"My, did I surprise you?" Reginald asked. "Sorry, but I was collecting soil samples for my research project."

George loosened his tense body. "Not really. We apologize for disturbing you and your project." Emma and Amy approached when they saw Reginald.

"Nah, don't sweat it," Reginald replied. He placed the soil sample and the garden trowel in a paper bag. After removing his gloves, Reginald threw them in a nearby trash bin. "Heading back to school?"

"Yeah," Emma answered for the three of them. "Do you want to walk with us?"

Reginald agreed.

"I have to go back to my dormitory, though," Amy interjected. "I have to do some stuff back there."

After saying their farewells, Emma, George and Reginald turned to walk away. As they approached the Main Gate of CC, Emma remembered something.

"Oh," he exclaimed, pointing at a school supply store across the street. "I almost forgot. I need to buy some of those graphing paper for out Trigonometry class. Wait for me. It won't take long."

Emma crossed the street to get to the school supply store. There were a few vehicles passing by, so she was able to reach the other side of the street quickly. Just then, Reginald snapped his fingers.

"What's the matter?" George asked.

"I also need to buy additional pairs of gloves," Reginald answered. "The last ones I have were the one I threw just moments ago. Would you mind watching over my things while I buy them?"

"Sure, no problem." George took Reginald's paper bag and backpack.

When Reginald was in the middle of the road, Emma noticed a black pick-up rushing towards him. The driver doesn't seem to notice Reginald in front of the vehicle.

"Watch out!" Emma yelled as she ran towards Reginald, who on the other hand, seems to be rooted on the spot, like deer in front of headlights. The vehicle was just a few inches away when Emma pushed Reginald out of the way.

From where he was standing, George watched wide-eyed as Emma's body fell to the pavement. Dropping all that he was holding, Emma's best friend rushed to Emma's side. Reginald, was already on his knees, ready to scoop Emma up.

"Wait" George called out. Reginald was startled and looked at him in confusion.

"Don't touch her just yet," George continued. "She could have damaged organs and broken bones that could in turn pierce her insides. Better call an ambulance immediately."

As if practiced, Reginald quickly brought out his phone and dialed for the nearest health facility, which was the Infirmary. By this time, the driver of the black pick-up stepped out from his vehicle. The driver was a heavily-bearded man, short in statute and nearing his senior years. The man then kneeled down beside Emma, berating himself.

"I need some quiet," George requested. The nearest on-lookers complied and the noise around the injured reduced a notch. "Emma, Emma," George called out.

The girl groaned. It was weak but audible enough for the people to hear. There was a collective sigh of relief, especially from the driver of the black pick-up. "Can you hear me?"

Emma nodded her head a little. In the background, the distinct sound of an ambulance's siren could be heard.

"Hold out a little longer," George instructed her. "We've already called an ambulance. Can you hear that?"

Another nod from Emma.

Moments later, the paramedics came and carried Emma to the Infirmary.