Rage

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

I find myself at the hospital, the sterile scent of disinfectant is overpowering. Machines beep rhythmically, a stark contrast to the chaos in my mind.

Mia lies in the bed, her skin pale, eyes closed. When she didn’t call me by midnight I used the find my phone feature we added for each other, and found her at Mercy General.

A doctor approaches, his expression grave. “She’s stable for now, but there were adverse reactions. We’ll need to monitor her closely.”

“What do you mean adverse reactions?” I asked with gritted teeth.

“I am not at liberty to discuss the patient’s healthcare due to HIPPA law, I could lose my license to practice medicine.”

I watch him type a few more notes into the laptop on the cart that he wheeled in with him. His eyes going back and forth between the screen and the monitors that beep with a rhythm matching Mia’s heart.

I nod numbly. “Can I stay with her?”

“Of course.”

Sitting by her bedside, I feel the weight of failure. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper, tears blurring my vision.

Guilt and despair envelop me. Everything I’ve done feels meaningless. The system is too powerful, the obstacles insurmountable.

As the morning sun shines through the thin window on the far wall of the hospital room, I rest my head beside Mia, exhaustion pulling me under.