waterloo road (seizure)

The late afternoon sun hung low over the Waterloo Road football pitch, casting long gold streaks across the worn grass. It was quiet, most students having headed home, until a sharp, heavy thud broke the stillness.

Ecko lay crumpled near the centre circle, her body stiffening uncontrollably as a seizure took hold. Her head tilted slightly, and a thin stream of dark blood began to trickle from one nostril, dripping onto the turf below.

“Did you hear that? Over there!”

Marley Kelly and Bolton Smilie had been cutting across the field, arguing playfully about who owed who money for a lost bet, when they spotted her. They broke into a run, skidding to a halt right beside her.

“Bloody hell—what’s wrong with her?” Bolton asked, his usual cocky tone vanishing instantly, replaced by sharp concern. He knelt down, keeping his hands hovering rather than touching, unsure what to do.

“It’s a seizure,” Marley said quickly, his voice steady despite the shock. He’d seen something similar once before. “Don’t try to hold her down. Just make sure she doesn’t hurt herself.” He glanced at the blood now smudging her upper lip and chin. “And look—her nose is bleeding.”

Bolton pulled a crumpled but clean handkerchief from his jeans pocket and held it lightly against her nose, applying just enough pressure without pressing hard. “Right, like this?”

“Yeah, that’s it,” Marley nodded. He shifted a stray stone away from her shoulder and carefully turned her head gently onto its side, just as he’d been told was safe. “I’m calling an ambulance now. Just stay calm, she’ll come round soon.”

They waited in silence for what felt like forever, watching as the violent shaking slowly eased. When Ecko finally lay still, breathing in ragged, shallow gasps, her eyes fluttered open, confused and unfocused.

“Easy,” Bolton said softly, keeping the handkerchief in place. “We’re here. Help’s coming.”

Marley sat back a little to give her space but kept watchful. “You’re safe."