𝐀𝐞𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲

3.1 Without You

*Johnny's POV*

I pull the rag out of my back pocket and wipe down the TV screen. I stuff it back in and straighten out the TV. My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Unknown number? I press ignore and go back to cleaning up from the fight with LaRusso. 

Suddenly, Carmen bursts through my door. She looks at me with a horrified look on her face. I look at her confused.

"Johnny, did you hear from the school? There was a fight." She says softly as if she was afraid I was gonna break down. So what? It was a little fight. No need to-

Just then my phone rings. It was the same number, this time I answer it. "Hello?"

"Mr. Larence?" The voice on the other side asks. "Yeah, who's asking?"

"This is Donna from West Valley General. Your daughter, Cassie, has been admitted to the hospital. She's in critical condition and we need you to come in immediately."

I feel my breath get caught in my chest as my body goes limp. My grip on my phone loosens and it falls to the floor. "No...no, no, no." I say as I drop to my knees. Carmen rushes to my side as I silently rock back and forth, unable to breathe as I choke on my sobs.

My airway finally clears as I inhale sharply and exhale in an agonizing cry.

It felt like someone had reached into my chest and ripped my heart out. Carmen pulled my head into her shoulder as I continued to cry.

"Come on Johnny. They need you to go in." She helps me stand after I had run out of tears. She guides me out to her car and she helps me into the passenger seat. I sat there with a blank look on my face. I didn't know how to feel. All I felt was...numbness.

*

I run into the hospital. Carmen wasn't allowed to come with me. One of the nurses directed me to where they had Cassie. 

I ran down the hall, shoving people out of my way. I look through the glass to see her. 

Her body laid out nearly lifeless. Her skin looking pale and her hair falling over the edges of the table. I couldn't take my eyes off her. My baby girl, my joy, my world.

I watch as the doctor ordered the nurses around in a professional panic.

I finally willed myself to look away. When I did I see Miguel and Hawk walk in. I lift my eyes back to Cassie. "They said that the first twenty-four hours are critical." I say as I watch the doctor hook her up to multiple monitors.

"Sensei..." Miguel says and I turn to look at him. He took notice of my blood-shot eyes but didn't say anything about it. "I did everything that you taught me...I showed mercy. Why did this happen to her?" Miguel asked with a shaky voice. I look through the glass again and then back at Miguel.

Unable to figure it out myself, I just shook his head as my eyes watered. "I don't know." I whispered, trying to hold back my tears. Miguel shook his head amused.

"You don't know?" He was upset and I didn't blame him. "I trusted you. CASSIE trusted you." He shouted and I shut my eyes to hold back the tears. I know I let them down, but it hurt to hear it.

"I did everything that you told me." He was now on the verge of tears. I hung my head in shame.  "Miguel...I-" Miguel cut me off before I could finish.

"LOOK AT HER!" Miguel yelled and I shut my eyes. I couldn't, not again. I'd break down and right now I needed to be strong for her. Without saying anything Miguel walked out. I sigh and look over at Hawk who still hadn't said anything.