I CAME BACK FOR BLOOD

hina'

n doesn

spr

ungs and make my vision swim. I try to scream, but all that comes out is

the cold marb

utching my stomach, my mind screami

ot my bab

hing warm be

wa

shift, shaking, my fingers trembling as I reach d

oo

isper. "No

and uneven in my ears. My breath comes out f

push my

ms gi

oice cracking. "Ple

r the sound of footsteps rushing in before h

an amb

-she's b

ord, can y

hovering above me. Someone presses a towel between my le

est b

gasp. "Cal

in around the ed

ells like metal

beating. I'm strapped down, lights flashing above me

ressure

s pre

far a

ly w

ite-knuckled fingers, tear

hisper. "Pleas

closer. "We're doing everything

h fear claws

too fast and not fast

jolting with every turn. Nurses and doctors b

am

na Cole-

ge

nty-

the h

an As

me leaves my lips,

t before

pushing my

t the chart, then at me

urgenc

wheeled into a curtained are

sp. "Why are

avoids my eyes. "Just

my voice rising in pa

replies, not soundi

sharp, tearing sensati

beg. "Someth

's older, stern-looking, her

Mrs. Ashford Senior?

e shakes her h

se says. "And don't move

disbelief cutting

?" I ask. "What are

f them an

owel between my legs. I c

sper again. "I'

ooks at me. Her eyes are

n instruct

?" I repeat

esn't

cry. "You can't jus

uncomfortably. "Mrs. As

y, tears streaming down my

ses ste

stand

it

tes

feels lik

p, like something is being ripped out of m

y. "Please-pl

ne m

ar the nurses' station,

el s

erl

pos

eside me. With shaking hand

rin

n

ic

e ti

cem

to the e

isper. "Please

p and tr

ans

I can feel the warmth spread

whisper.

h tired eyes and a rushed expression. He

oing on?"

heavily," the yo

t she been pre

stiffens. "We we

wh

s. "The Ashf

or's jaw

at me, and something flickers in h

to the OR,"

e shakes her h

tares at her

e instr

ucted you," he says sha

kes suddenly

cre

orld

toward me. Voices

feels t

inside me

tly, replaced by a t

ion tu

round me str

ing noise, sl

el c

c

s shoutin

pressing

s into a long, c

ine a