sound of fists hamme

ht of the hospital corridor buzzed overhead. She had fallen asleep in t

nding c

had draped over her and stumbled toward the door

s the color of chalk. His ey

hands and sign

much blood. He

ice. She shoved past Leo a

d his pillow. Thick, bright red blood was dripping from the corner of his

maline s

grabbing his shoulders. His skin

uld not hear her. Leo was already holding his phone up, showing her that he had

Her fingers were shaking so violently she dro

l the nurse. Sh

d on the f

shriek. "He is bleeding. He is coughing up blood

ce was a sharp crack of thunder. "Do not move him. Kee

bedside rail and pressed it to Walter's mouth, trying to

crying silently, gri

e could not breathe. She watched her father's chest strugg

unded down t

or fle

pushing past him with a crash cart. The doctor was shouting orders, and two nurses immediately b

locked. He stayed out of the way, watching t

behind her. She slid down to the floor, pu

t the blood. He crouched down, grabbed her unde

ping his arms tightly around her shaking body. "They

ollably. The smell of cedarwood and his solid heartb

m to the ICU now,"

ed Walter out the door. The corridor swal

maline's waist, half-carrying her out into

ors of the intensive care unit. A nurse hel

he wall. He eased her down into one and sat beside

her bloody hands. "If he dies.

ands. He did not flinch at the blood.

ating with absolute authority. "The best doctors in t

e looked like it was carved from stone. He looked

ds back, clinging to