ODDS OF LOVE : ONE MOMENT

Episode 3

" I'm very sorry," the ER doctor said in a quiet serious voice as he stood in front of Faith Lane and awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. " We tried our best..... but.... the trauma and the physical damage was too intense. Ms. Perkins died a few moments ago. I'm very sorry. Do you have the contact information for her immediate next of kin? "

Faith could not believe what she was hearing.  She wouldn't believe it. She saw the doctor moving his lips as he talked but suddenly she couldn't hear him. His words seemed to be coming from some type of tunnel. And some one, some where, was screaming.

Who was screaming?

Why wouldn't they shut up? , she thought with irritation before she realized with appalled shock that the person screaming was actually herself.

DuBuis stepped from the triage room where he and the detective were still trying to get Spencer to tell them what had happened to him or even acknowledge it. He saw his younger sister in more immense pain than he had ever seen her in and immediately went to her aid.

As he hugged her tightly he was suddenly feeling so drained of all energy.

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" Your husband is holding his own," the nurse said. " He must be incredibly strong. It was touch and go when he first arrived but he is stabilized now and will be moved up to ICU soon, Mr. Norland. He's got a broken left arm and broken ribs.  The main issue right now is the damage from the air bag in the car. "

Richard ran his hand over his tired face and asked," The airbag? They cause damage? I thought they saved lives ? "

The nurse smiled faintly. " They do save lives. But there can be issues with everything , sir. Right now he has a very tremendous swelling and bruising and burns on the right side of his face. Same side as his missing eye. The swelling and bruising should return to normal with time. The burns may be permanent or skin grafts could be called for. " Then she paused speaking and a cold shiver overtook Richard as he waited for her to begin speaking once more. There was more , he sensed as he braced himself for the next words.

" The most serious concern right now is, " she continued on," the sudden blindness in his other eye. We are hoping it is only temporary but I don't want to give you false hope. It may never come back. I'm sorry. "

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Luci hugged Spencer tightly and he hugged her back equally strong while Sol stood back silently in the room.

Detective Browne handed Spencer a small white business card. " Dr. Norland - Lane, please take my card. Definitely go home and rest and talk more to your husband. If you change your mind about talking about what really happened to you please give me a call. Whatever happened to you was wrong and the person should not be allowed to go free. "

Spencer looked at the card for a long time. Then he finally took it from her hand and nodded. " Thank you. But I am fine. Nothing happened. "

He closed his eyes and saw Skip smirking at him. Then he opened them again and the detective saw the pure terror evident within them.