The Cost Of Forever

a's

creen felt like a sudden blow to my stomach, causing my h

ly passing by doctors and patients in the hallway. My brain i

my voice breaking as I ask, "Please tell

er eyes wide "I-I don't know,

e, past sterile walls and the buzzing fluorescent lights overhead, toward the

hospital corridor as the bright lights hum overhead. Each movement

of bursting out. Once more my phone vibrates-another message from Clara, yet I cannot c

I can't do

is Dr. Carter? Looking down at my shaking hands, I swallow the fear that

my knees tight. I bowed my head, closed my eyes, and t

rs feel like an eternity. The doo

ly, her calmness making the

d, my voice catching.

any hope I have. Her eyes meet mine with that same pra

in the air. "We've temporarily stabilized her condition, but we're

se control of my voice as the fear, which I have hidden

hesitating. "The next treatment opt

ware of what is going to happen. "I whisper, unable to keep m

er replied gently.

mouth, raw and terrifying. My vision blurs wi

nto foundatio

u and I are aware that

places a hand on my shoulder. I will

he frigid floor. The world's weight crushes my chest. There is no oxygen in t

steps, and when I glance up, I notice Clara runni

e reaches my side and falls to her

peak. "She... she needs more t

owever, there must be

Clara. I am unsure of any other actions

e will not quit. Lila is a strong individual an

me, suffocating me. We sit there in silence, the soft buzz of the hospital enveloping the area b

tered by an abrupt erupt

ast us, her face

ops. Someth

! " The nurse yells, making h

y as panic consumes me, caus

I'm already up, already movi

n my tracks upon

reathe. Machines scre

ut, staggering to

illed with fear and w

ghtly, trying to c

roat burning with unsh

'm frozen. My eyes are locked on hers, a

gh the chaos, firm and commanding. "

e cracking. "No, don't

blocking my view as more doctors

My heart races, my entire body trembling. Clara pulls me b

pers. "We have

indicating a countdown. I watch Lila's motionless body as they try to save her, but it

th

f the machines cuts through the air, each b

en...

le

er, as if my words alon

tands

to life again, the stea

stil

truggling to catch my breath. However, deep down, I am a

ietly, looking at me with that sam

now" isn'

anym

, the burden of all our financial limitations overwhelms me su

ng has

hear the words "Lila's g