s since Carma went to bed. The apartment was too quiet. Carma usu

d down the narrow hallway and stopped outsi

? You

ans

ouder. "Carma?

was dark, the curtains drawn.

s swollen, covered in angry red hives. Her lips were a terrifying shade

grabbing her friend's shoulders. Carma's eyes we

tle of Ambien lay on its side, a single white pill

was trying to

her voice a ragged shriek. "Help! My friend took some pills-I don't know ho

ics burst through the door, lifting Carma onto a stretcher. Emily rode in the b

ng machines and rushing nurses. Carma was wheeled in

d against the fabric, watching as do

ping! Sixty

ation

oint-fi

ones, and cold blue eyes behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. He moved with a

, his voice devoid of emotion. "And call

ough the curtain. "She didn't

old gaze on her. "Ma'am

an allergy or something!" Emily sobbed. "It's because of

s jaw tightened. He looked back at the swollen, blue-lipped woma

ait outside," he said,

slumped into a plastic chair in the wai

breathing tube, pumped the woman's stomach, and administered the a

r slowly returned to her cheeks. She was young

h. He pulled off his gloves with a sn

te ceiling tiles and harsh fluorescent lights. A tube was jammed

, gently removing the breathing tub

grabbing her hand. "Oh my god, Carma.

ned?" Carma croaked

mily said, her eyes red and puffy. "Your throat

n't mention the pills on the nightstand

pounding. She had almost died. Over a sleepi

ok at her face; he looked at the monitors, checking the numbers

said, his voice fl

whispered, he

riend found you when she did. Another ten

me, in a severe kind of way, but his demea

ur friend said you were under significant personal distress. Anaphylactic shock isn't a joke. Next time you're dealing with emotional turmoil, I'd suggest calling a t

ging with their cold, clinica

doesn't love me' routine is old. You're wasting resources that could be

walked out, the curtain

stunned to speak. He thought she was

sorry. I told them you took pills because of Kendall...

at the ceiling, the humiliation burn