The Shadows We Hide

Chapter 8

Zak's Pov

I rush Catherine into the car and drive off as fast as I can.

My heart is racing, and my mind is consumed by a single thought: I absolutely cannot lose Catherine.

I don't even care about the baby. I just need Catherine by my side.

As I glance back at her unconscious form in the backseat, a wave of panic washes over me.

"Catherine!? Stay with me! Oh God!" I plead, my voice shaking with desperation.

I push the accelerator to the floor, weaving through traffic with a reckless abandon that would have been unthinkable just hours before.

I finally screech to a halt in front of the hospital, leaping out of the car to scoop Catherine into my arms. I burst through the emergency room doors, screaming for help at the top of my lungs.

"CAN I GET A DOCTOR! MY WIFE IS PREGNANT!"

The hospital staff springs into action, rushing to take Catherine from me and whisk her away into the emergency room.

I'm left standing alone, my mind reeling with fear and uncertainty.

As I pace back and forth in front of the emergency room doors, I hear two voices in my head.

One is calm and rational, telling me to stay calm and trust the doctors.

But the other voice is sinister and menacing, telling me that I have to do whatever it takes to save Catherine.

"You have to save her," the sinister voice hisses. "You can't let her die. You need her too much."

I know that voice is right. I need Catherine.

I can't live without her. And I'll do whatever it takes to save her.

I look up to see the doctor coming out of the emergency room.

"Doctor? What's going on?" I demand, my voice shaking with anxiety.

The doctor's expression is grave. "We're doing everything we can to save your wife and unborn child," he says

. "But we need to make a decision about how to proceed. We can try to save the baby, but it may put your wife's life at risk."

I don't even hesitate.

"Save Catherine," I snap. "I don't care about the baby. Just save Catherine."

The doctor nods, his expression somber.

"Okay, we'll do everything we can to save her," he says.

I nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.

I've made the right decision. I've chosen Catherine.

As I wait for news, I hear the sinister voice in my head again.

"You made the right decision," it hisses.

"Now you just have to wait and see if it pays off."

I nod, feeling a sense of determination wash over me.

I'll do whatever it takes to save Catherine. Whatever it takes.

I start to pace back and forth in front of the emergency room doors, my mind racing with thoughts of Catherine.

I think about our life together, about the way she makes me feel. I think about the way she always knows how to make me happy, about the way she always supports me.

And I know that I'll do anything to keep her by my side. Anything.

As I continue to pace, I start to feel a sense of unease. What if the doctors can't save Catherine? What if she dies?

The thought sends a wave of panic washing over me, and I feel like I'm going to pass out.

I stumble over to a chair and collapse into it, my head in my hands.

I sit there for what feels like hours, my mind racing with thoughts of Catherine.

I'm trapped in a living nightmare, and I don't know how to escape.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the doctor comes out of the emergency room again.

"Zak, Catherine is going to be okay," he says.

"We were able to stabilize her condition and save the baby."

I feel a wave of relief wash over me, followed by a sense of euphoria. Catherine is going to be okay. She's going to live.

And as I rush into the emergency room to see her, I know that I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Whatever it takes.

I burst into the emergency room, my eyes scanning the room for Catherine. I see her lying in the bed, her eyes closed and her face pale. But she's alive. She's alive.

I rush over to her side, taking her hand in mine. I look at her, my mind racing with twisted thoughts.

"Yes, my dear Catherine," I whisper to myself.

"You're mine now. Forever and always. I'll never let you go. I'll never let anyone take you away from me. You're mine, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep you."

I feel a sense of satisfaction wash over me, knowing that Catherine is mine, and mine alone.

I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, to keep her by my side.

Whatever it takes.