Josh.
It happened so fast, but at the same time, it felt like the world slowed down, forcing me to watch every second unfold.
The factory floor was alive with the usual chaos machines whirring, sparks flying from welding stations, and the rhythmic clatter of conveyor belts. I was standing with my team near the new crane, overseeing the final stages of the installation. It was supposed to be a routine check. Everything had gone smoothly during the trial runs.
Then came the sound the groan of strained metal, low and ominous, cutting through the hum of activity. I froze, my instincts screaming that something was wrong.
"Shut it down!" I shouted, my voice rising above the noise. The workers nearby scrambled to hit the emergency stop, but it was too late.
The crane's arm jerked violently, swinging like a pendulum. Sparks flew as the cables snapped one by one, the tension too much for them to bear. The sound was deafening a mix of screeching metal and panicked shouts.
"Move!" I yelled, pushing the closest worker out of the way as the arm swung dangerously close. My heart pounded as I tried to assess the situation, but my mind was already racing ahead. The load the heavy stack of metal beams was shifting.
And then, it happened.
The beams broke free, crashing down like an avalanche. I barely had time to react, diving to the side as the world exploded around me. Pain shot through my shoulder as I hit the ground hard, my arm pinned beneath something heavy. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of burnt metal.
I heard voices distant, frantic but I couldn't make out the words. My vision blurred as I tried to move, a searing pain radiating through my body.
And then, everything went dark.
****************
Pain. That was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes. A sharp, relentless throb radiated from my shoulder down to my hand, and my head felt like it had been split in two. It took a moment to process where I was, but the sterile white walls, the faint beep of monitors, and the unmistakable smell of antiseptic gave it away. A hospital.
I groaned as I tried to sit up, only to feel the protest of my body. Great. Just great. How had I ended up like this? The memories of the accident rushed back in jagged fragments a malfunctioning crane, the screech of metal, my frantic shouts, and then the sickening crunch before everything went black.
"I see you're awake."
The voice was soft yet firm, cutting through my groggy thoughts. I turned my head too quickly, judging by the sharp jab of pain and saw her. She stood by the door, clipboard in hand, dressed in scrubs that looked far too cheerful for the mood I was in. Her eyes met mine, steady and assessing, as if she were deciding whether I was worth her time.
"I'm Josie, and I'll be your nurse for today" she said, stepping closer. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," I muttered.
"Close enough," she replied, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You're lucky, though. Could've been worse."
Lucky. Sure. If being laid up in a hospital bed, unable to even lift my arm, counted as lucky. I bit back a sarcastic comment, deciding it wasn't worth the effort.
She moved efficiently, checking the IV in my arm, scribbling notes on her clipboard. I watched her, trying to distract myself from the growing ache in my shoulder. There was something calming about her presence, though I hated to admit it.
"How long am I stuck here?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"That depends on how well you behave," she said, glancing at me. "Follow the doctor's orders, rest, don't try to play hero, and you'll be out in a week or so."
A week. I couldn't afford to be out of commission that long. Titan Engineering Corp. didn't run itself, and even though my father still technically owned the company, everyone looked to me for answers. Being the boss's son came with its own set of expectations ones I couldn't fulfill from a hospital bed.
"I don't have time to rest," I said, frustration creeping into my voice.
Her eyebrows raised slightly, but she didn't respond right away. Instead, she finished her notes and set the clipboard aside. "You'll make time," she said finally. "Because if you don't, you'll end up back here, and trust me, it won't be any easier the second time."
There was no sympathy in her tone, only practicality. It should've annoyed me, but instead, it grounded me. For the first time since I woke up, I felt like I could breathe.
As she turned to leave, I found myself speaking without thinking. "Thank you."
She paused, glancing over her shoulder. For a moment, her expression softened. "Just doing my job," she said, and then she was gone.
I leaned back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. Just doing her job. It was such a simple statement, but it lingered in my mind. There was something about her something steady, unshakable. I didn't know why, but I had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time she surprised me.