"cut from the same cloth" - their story.

Chapter 26 - listen.

The night wore on, and despite the comforting presence of her friends and family, Autumn struggled to find solace. Her grief over the miscarriage was overwhelming, and she sought a way to numb the pain. In a moment of desperation, she had found a small bottle of alcohol in a hospital lounge and began drinking it in secret. (PFFT IM SO SORRY)

As the alcohol began to take its toll, Autumn's distress only deepened. Her sobs turned into drunken cries, and her attempts to keep herself together became increasingly difficult. She wandered through the hospital hallways, clutching the bottle tightly, her movements unsteady.Winter, having returned to Charlotte's room after a brief visit to the nurse, noticed Autumn's absence and felt a growing sense of unease. Reece had been keeping an eye on her, but he was now busy comforting Marjorie. Winter's worry grew, and he decided to find her. As he walked through the dimly lit hallways, he heard the faint sounds of someone crying. Following the noise, he discovered Autumn slumped against a wall, the bottle of alcohol beside her, empty. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and her breathing was erratic.

"Autumn!" Winter exclaimed, rushing to her side. "What are you doing?"

Autumn looked up at him with unfocused eyes, her speech slurred. "I... I can't take it anymore," she mumbled. "I just... needed to forget."

Winter quickly realized the gravity of the situation. "Autumn, you need to come with me. You're not okay."

He helped her to her feet, but she was unsteady, and her movements were sluggish. Her skin was pale, and she began to wobble as she tried to walk. Winter guided her back to the room, calling out for help as he went, not realising the slight trail of blood. 

When they arrived back in Charlotte's room, Winter was met by a flurry of concerned faces. 

 "Autumn's been drinking," he said urgently. "I think she's in trouble."

Reece and Marjorie moved swiftly to Autumn's side. "We need to get her to the emergency room," Reece said, his voice filled with worry. "She might have alcohol poisoning."

The hospital staff sprang into action, and Autumn was quickly escorted to the emergency room. Winter, Reece, and Marjorie followed closely, their faces etched with anxiety.

 In the emergency room, doctors and nurses worked quickly to assess Autumn's condition. An IV was set up to administer fluids and medications to counteract the effects of alcohol poisoning. The staff monitored her vitals closely, and Autumn was soon stabilized, though she remained unconscious from the effects of the alcohol. Winter paced the waiting area, his worry palpable. Marjorie sat nearby, her hand clasped tightly around Reece's, both of them silent in their concern.

After what felt like an eternity, a doctor finally emerged from the emergency room. "She's stable now," the doctor said. "We've treated her for alcohol poisoning, but she's going to need some time to recover. She'll be monitored overnight."

Winter breathed a sigh of relief, but his face was still troubled. "Thank you," he said. "Will she be okay?"

The doctor nodded reassuringly. "Yes, with time and rest, she should recover. We'll keep a close eye on her."

As Winter, Reece, and Marjorie took in the news, the gravity of Autumn's situation began to sink in. They knew the road to healing would be long and challenging, but they were committed to supporting her every step of the way. Later that night, as they finally managed to get some rest, they reflected on the events of the day. The weight of Autumn's pain was heavy, but they also found solace in the strength of their shared bonds. They understood that the journey ahead would require patience, love, and unwavering support—but together, they knew they could face anything. The early morning hours brought a somber quiet to the hospital. Winter, Reece, and Marjorie sat in the waiting area, their exhaustion evident. The events of the night had taken a toll on all of them, but their concern for Autumn overshadowed their fatigue.

As the dawn's light began to filter through the hospital windows, a nurse approached them. "Autumn's waking up now. She's asking for you," she said softly.

Winter stood immediately, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and apprehension. Reece and Marjorie followed closely as they made their way to Autumn's room.

Inside, Autumn lay in a hospital bed, her face pale but her eyes open. She looked exhausted and deeply remorseful. Winter approached her side, his expression softening as he took in her fragile state.

"Hey," Winter said gently, taking her hand. "How are you feeling?"

Autumn's voice was weak, her throat dry. "I'm so sorry," she murmured, tears welling up in her eyes. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

Winter squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's okay. We're just glad you're alright. You were in a bad place, and we're here to help you through it."

Marjorie, standing a bit further back, felt a mix of relief and sadness. "Autumn, we're all here for you," she said softly. "You don't have to go through this alone."

Autumn nodded slowly, her eyes filled with gratitude and regret. "Thank you. I just... I didn't know how to cope."

Reece, standing beside Marjorie, added, "It's okay to feel overwhelmed. But you need to take care of yourself. We want to help you get through this."

The room fell into a quiet, reflective calm. Autumn took a deep breath, trying to gather her strength. "I know I need help. I just... feel so lost right now."

Winter reached for a pitcher of water on the bedside table, pouring a glass and handing it to Autumn. "Drink some water. It will help."

As Autumn sipped the water, Winter turned to the others. "We should make sure she gets the support she needs. Maybe talking to a counselor could help her process everything."

Marjorie nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. And we'll all be here to support her, too."

Reece, still visibly shaken, placed a comforting hand on Autumn's shoulder. "We want you to get better, Autumn. And we'll do whatever it takes to help you heal."

Autumn looked at each of them, her heart full of appreciation. "I'm so lucky to have you all in my life. Thank you for not giving up on me."

As the day went on, the hospital room became a place of healing. Autumn was gradually stabilized and began to reflect on her actions. She knew she had a long road ahead, but the support of her friends and family gave her hope. By the time the sun set, Autumn was feeling slightly better. Winter stayed by her side, ensuring she was comfortable, while Reece and Marjorie took turns offering her words of encouragement and support. They discussed practical steps for Autumn's recovery, including counseling and support groups, to help her navigate her grief and address her emotional well-being. They also planned for her eventual discharge, ensuring that she would have the necessary support at home. As evening approached, they took a brief break, stepping out into the hospital's garden. The cool night air was a welcome change from the sterile atmosphere inside. They reflected on the events of the past 24 hours, their hearts heavy but hopeful. Marjorie looked at Winter and Reece, her eyes filled with determination. "We'll get through this. Autumn will get the help she needs, and we'll be there for her every step of the way."

Winter nodded in agreement. "Together, we can face anything."

As they returned to Autumn's room, they found her resting more comfortably. She was grateful for their unwavering support, and although the path to recovery was uncertain, she was determined to face it with the help of her loved ones. The night ended with a sense of quiet resolve. They knew the journey ahead would be challenging, but the strength of their bonds and their commitment to each other provided a glimmer of hope for brighter days to come.