Epilogue One
CARMINE
Five years later.
Blinking my eyes open, bright lights blind me, something beeps, and I hear panicked conversation. Hissing when I feel a pinch in my side, I try to glance down; however, my head is immobile, stuck in this position of staring at a stained ceiling while shadows move around me.
“Mr. Cavanaugh? Carmine, can you hear me?” A male voice grabs my attention as I attempt to raise my hand to assess what’s around my neck. “Don’t try to move, you’ve been shot. You’re at the hospital, and we haven’t cleared your C-spine yet.”
“What happened?” I think I ask. My throat’s dry, and it feels like there’s cotton in my mouth.
“What happened?” he repeats, and I try to nod but blink instead as searing hot pain billows through my chest. “You were out for dinner with your family and were shot twice. One hit you in the chest, the other skimmed your side. I’m not too worried about that one; it’s the chest one that nicked an artery.
We have the bleeding under control right now, but you’ll need surgery. ”
“Wife, kids.” I can hear my voice this time, barely a whisper.
“They’re okay. Scared, but nobody else was injured.” I close my eyes, but knowing they’re safe makes it easier. “I’m just waiting for the operating room to open up, then we’ll be on our way.”
My chest grows tighter, my breathing becomes more difficult, but as I look down at my body, it’s the sight of blood that worries me. Noa being outside the doors of the room I’m in has me ready to get up and walk out.
“Bring the wife in,” the doctor says, obviously noting what I want.
“Carmine,” Noa sobs as she runs to my side, careful she doesn’t touch anything while grabbing my hand.
“You’ll be okay. The kids are scared, but they’ll be fine.
They went home with Aura and CJ. Malice and Odette are outside with Holy and Della.
Everyone is fine.” Leaning forward, she gently brushes her lips with mine before moving to my ear and whispering, “Jermaine and Holy got him; he’s dead. ”
Drawing back, she meets my eyes, and I nod, indicating my understanding. Monitors go crazy, and a nurse pulls Noa back. “I love you, Carmine!” Her words are the last thing I hear as I blink in and out of consciousness.
When I next open my eyes, I’m in another room. More sterile-looking and containing additional medical personnel.
“Carmine, welcome back. I’m Dr. Travers, and I’ll be your lead surgeon today. I don’t expect any complications. This is nurse Shirley; she’ll be providing hourly updates to your wife until you’re in recovery. Do you have any questions?”
“No.” It’s getting harder to breathe, and his brows furrow, beginning to look concerned.
“Let’s get sedation going so we can intubate.” His urgent voice matches the alarming agony blasting fire through my chest as everything in my body seizes, and I feel my heart slowing down. “Carmine, hang in there. We’re going to take care of you. Just stay with us.”
“I’ll…try…” My back bows as the words slog out, the beeping goes nuts, and my eyes close. They call my name, I hear the frenzied directions and movements, but I can’t do anything but lie here, helpless.
“He’s flatlined!” Electricity zaps through my body a few seconds later, but it’s too late. I’m floating, watching what’s happening in the room. Too late to help. Too late to stop death.
My last thoughts are of my wife, our beautiful children, and the heartbreak they’ll sustain at my sudden loss.