It was a cool night in Costa Mesa, sometime after 9pm. It was dark and quiet outside. Inside was another. I was watching a new movie that I had purchased that day.
My wife, our roommate and I had just finished the first part of the film, “The Fugitive” on laser disk. The disk was changing sides, and we had put it on pause so all could make a bathroom run.
We lived in a very nice gated apartment, the complex is small with lots of trees. We were about to start the film again when three gun shots broke the silence of the still night air. The shots were close. Outside the walls of the complex a solitary woman’s voice could be heard, pleading for help.
Help me I’ve been shot! She cried. Gun fire was not new for the area. In fact it could be heard in the distance at least once a month. But this time it was much closer to home. For one brief second I thought about not going out to help.
A little voice in my head said “Remember our agreement, you will not be hurt” With that I ran out the door. Not knowing what I might find, or if the shooter was still lurking about, waiting to Finnish the job. I thought not for myself, only that someone needed help.
Years before I had worked in a hospital, and having a good idea about first aid, I pressed on.
I found a young woman at the front gate. Her key in the lock told me that she lived hear. she had been hit in the very low back. The shot wast right square in the sacrum, and one shot in the outside of her right leg.
I picked her up and carried her in to the complex. Some of the neighbors looked out from behind there drapes, afraid to come out. I caught the eye of someone staring out at this scene. I yelled to them, “Call 911” they disappeared from sight. I lay the bleeding lady down. I checked her wounds, they were bad, but not life threatening. I held her hands, kept them from feeling the wounds. I put my arms around her, trying to keep her warm before shock could set in. I talked to her in quiet and soft tones. Reassuring her that she would be OK. I got her quieted down.
I sat there for what seemed like an hour. We then heard the sound of sirens in the distance, low at first, then louder. The police came in first, guns drawn. A very good precaution. I called, “Over hear” they came over, holstered their guns and started asking questions. The paramedics came in next asking more questions.
I could not even tell them the name of the woman, I never thought to ask. Before the medics took her away she reached out and gave me a hug, through her tears and pain she said, “Thank you” I smiled at her and said, “Your going to be okay”
Later that night there was a knock at my door. There was a man with tears in his eyes, he offered me his hand, as we shook he said, “ Thank you for saving my wife, I was at work when I got the call from the hospital, she’s going to be all right.”
All I could say was “Your welcome.”
I never knew her or his name.
Yes this really did happen to me. I seem to be in the right place at the right time, or not.
Witch ever way you want to look at it, I’m glad I could do the right thing and help.