Heaven On Fire

Thirty Five

"Stay down! Everyone, stay on the ground!" I shouted, my voice trembling with mixture of fear and determination.

*****

The hospital was a flurry of activity, filled with the sounds of beeping monitors and the hushed voices of medical staff. Loren's hospital room was dimly lit, with only a few flickering fluorescent lights illuminating the space. The air was thick with a mixture of antiseptic cleaner and fear.

David, Loren's best friend and old college roommate, sat by her bedside, holding her hand and whispering words of encouragement.

Benjamin stood just outside of the room, hidden in the shadows. He was a tall man, with broad shoulders and a chiseled jaw. His eyes were filled with a mix of guilt and sadness as he looked at his wife, Loren, lying still in the hospital bed.

Loren was hooked up to a myriad of machines, her chest rising and falling with the assistance of a ventilator. A white sheet was pulled up to her chest, covering the wound that Benjamin had inflicted. She looked so small and fragile, a stark contrast to the strong and independent woman she had always been.

Benjamin's eyes welled up with tears as he took in the sight of his wife. He had never meant to hurt her, it was a terrible accident. He had been so consumed by anger over his younger brother, David, that he had let his emotions get the best of him. And now Loren was paying the price.

The door to Loren's hospital room opened and Lorie walked in. She was a petite woman, with short, grey hair and a kind face.

Lorie's eyes went straight to Loren, her heart aching at the sight of her daughter lying there, unconscious and fighting for her life. She walked over to the bed and took Loren's hand in her own, squeezing it gently.

"My baby," Lorie whispered, more to herself than anyone else. "My poor baby."

Benjamin turned away, unable to bear the sight of Lorie's anguish. He knew he should turn himself in to the police, but he couldn't bring himself to leave Loren's side. He was torn between his guilt and his love for her.

As the hours ticked by, the room began to fill with Loren's friends and family. David's college friends, Kurt, Loren's best friend, and even the detective who was investigating what happened. They all gathered around Loren's bed, offering their support and prayers.

But even with all of the people surrounding her, Loren was alone in her coma, fighting for her life. The doctors couldn't say for certain if she would survive, or if she did, what kind of damage had been done to her.

Benjamin stood at the foot of the bed, watching as the medical staff worked on Loren. He knew he should turn himself in, but he couldn't bear the thought of leaving her. He loved her more than anything, and he knew he would never be able to forgive himself if she didn't make it.

*****

Lorie sat by her bedside, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She had been there for days, holding her daughter's hand and willing her to wake up.

Suddenly, the door of the hospital room opened, and a man walked in. He was tall, with a beer belly, and a menacing look on his face. It was Loren's stepfather, Hubert.

Lorie looked up, startled, as Hubert strode towards her, his eyes blazing with anger. 'What the hell happened to Loren?' Hubert demanded.

"Someone shot her," Lorie replied, her voice quivering with fear.

Hubert's facial expression changed, and he looked like he was about to erupt. "Who did it?"

Lorie hesitated for a moment, before whispering, "Let's go outside."