Chapter 4: While They Celebrated

The OR lights were blinding white. Instruments clinked. Sharp orders flew. "BP's still dropping. Is the blood from the bank here yet?" "Patient's losing consciousness. Get her on oxygen!" I could feel my life draining out with the blood. So cold. "Stay with us. Don't you fall asleep!" The doctor slapped my cheek, hard. I tried to open my eyes. They weighed like lead. Meanwhile, at the other end of the hall. A fierce newborn cry split the dawn. Outside the delivery room, the family erupted. "She had the baby! A boy!" Mom was sobbing, wiping tears. Damian slapped his thigh. "Damn right. That's our Willow." Dad let out a long breath. Pure joy on his face. They wheeled Willow out. Pale, but her spirits weren't bad. She held the baby, wrapped tight in that blanket. Maternal glow all over her face. "Mom. I'm so tired." Willow's voice was a whine. "Sweet girl. You've been through so much. Mom's having them bring the chicken soup right now." Mom stroked her face, aching. The whole flock surrounded Willow back to the private room. Once everything was settled, Damian rubbed his chin. "Hey. Where's Vanessa? Willow already delivered. She can't even show her face?" Mom just remembered. "Yeah. Where did she disappear to?" "Her own sister's giving birth and she can't be bothered. Waste of raising her." Dad frowned. "Go check the shared ward. Drag her over here. Willow needs help." Damian shrugged. Walked out. He strolled to the shared ward. Shoved the door open. "Vanessa. Stop dragging your—" The words died in his throat. The bed by the window. Empty. Nothing there but a shocking dark red stain. Damian stopped cold. He stepped back. Checked the room number. Sure he had the right place. "Where's the patient in this bed?" He grabbed a random nurse. She looked at the bed. Her face went hard. "Who are you to her?" "I'm her brother." Damian snapped. "Where is she? Did she wander off again?" The nurse stared at him like he was something monstrous. "Wander off?" "She hemorrhaged. Went into shock. By the time we got her into the OR, her heart was nearly stopped!