My PTSD Triggered

The story was told by an injured teen about to die. They were both young men on their own in the night.

Elijah spoke to Jacob.

Elijah was in physical agony from the first impacts of the Deputy’s gun fire. He tried to assure Jacob that it was a pellet gun that he had tossed aside. It was no threat to Jacob.

As Jacob stepped back, he reported his actions to the office. He was assured help was on the way.

In response to the pain he heard Elijah expressing, Jacob reached for the first aid kit. He asked the office if he should offer 1st aid.

HE WAS TOLD NO….This opportunity for 2 young men to connect humanely was denied.

Jacob reloaded his gun, telling Elijah he would shoot him again if he kept on moving.

Elijah, amidst his pain, spoke his awareness to Jacob. He said aloud, “You are going to kill me.”

Jacob turned and fired many times.

It was the words between these two young men and their aloneness that traumatizes me. It was Elijah’s description of Jacob’s fear and reactions and his awareness of his impending death. This is what haunts me and plays over and over. Pain and danger.