as, hunched behind her laptop, drowning in that blueish glow, when fate decided to drop in-

rm. The blueprint up there? Yeah, that wasn't just some file-it was her ticket, the big one, the thing her who

ably just another work thing, or maybe her mom. Who knew? She was

rs kept dancing over the keys, multitasking like a pro.

deep, steady, and had this weird vibe, like she should know

ack, hitting save with a litt

of her neck, nothing to tip her off that

Johns

nd cold, like someone just cra

ut, honestly, she barely noticed with her head buzzing like a wasp nest. Something heavy just-sat-on her chest. Not

ng that echoed way too loud. For a split second, Elena just-stopped. Like h

ribcage. Panic, real and raw, clawed its way up and she just...couldn't stand still anymore. Her hands shook so hard she nearly dro

nd mean. Her pulse thudded in her ears, louder than anything else-like, you know

work everywhere. Normally, she'd have stopped. Helped him pick up his stuff, maybe laughed it off

r, but there was no way she could drive like this. She'd end up wrapped a

ed so tight her knuckles looked like they might burst through her skin. And those eyes? Constant

be fine"-and caught herself gnawing on her lower lip, trying

ing like some twisted Christmas display. That building just sat there, five stories tall, not exactl

t, making a beeline for the glowing 'Emergency Room' sign.

ke the floor might drop out from under her. Her hands

Her words tumbled out in a jumble, eyes darting between anyone in scrubs

her dad had a heart attack at work and they needed to operate, like, yest

dy pounding away at the keyboard, scrolling throug

rest, right?" another staff member piped up from beh

" Elena blurted out, her voice all shaky and raw. She practically clu

but honestly, it didn't help much. "He was just take

d, glancing around like a lost tourist. First time at th

he ER, hang a left, then a right. It's the las

the door. She tore down the hallway, sneakers

employees were clustered there, looking like they'd just see

, "-why'd he have a heart attack?" Her pulse wa

ooked like he'd rather be anywhere else. "M

nce snapped.

e saw the supermarket, Miss. The st

totally local. No chain nonsense. There was supposed to be a shiny new l

had said a word about the supermarket

?" That icy fear started creeping up h

s before bolting out the door. Didn't even grab breakfast. She figured he just

shaking out of their skin, stammered, "

rn. Everything around her just...tilted. Black dots flicker

ken, the room spinning. Panic was already hangi

lly see the flames, thick smoke choking her just from the thought. "Ho

aking. Every breath felt like a battle. And through all of it, this one hor

contin