Hold On I Still Need You

-Hospital Stay-

Sophie's POV:

I struggled to catch my breath as the car raced towards the hospital, my body shaking with fatigue. Time seemed to slow down, and the pain in my chest intensified. The world outside became a blur, with only the sound of the engine and Keefe's soft words of reassurance reaching me. His hand covered mine, providing a sense of solace in the midst of my escalating fear. I sensed his concern, but he remained silent, understanding that any mention of it would only heighten my anxiety.

The hospital doors stood ahead, sterile and unwelcoming. I was guided inside, feeling the cold air against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of my family. Her parents, Grady and Edaline, hurried to my side, their faces filled with fear. As I was wheeled away for monitoring, my parents stayed in the hallway, their gaze fixed on me. Keefe stayed close, refusing to leave my side even for a second.

The sterile scent of the hospital always makes me feel a little dizzy, and today, it's no different. I sit on the exam table, my mind racing while the sounds of bustling nurses and the soft hum of machines fill the room. It's been hours of tests. I can feel my anxiety building with every minute that passes.

Dr. Vacker walks in, his expression carefully neutral. "Sophie," he begins, flipping through the chart. "We've reviewed the results, and there are some concerns. It appears that your condition has decided to worsen more rapidly than we anticipated."

My heart skips. "What do you mean? I thought the treatment was working..."

His gaze flickers to Grady and Edaline, who are sitting nearby, both quiet and stiff with worry. "The treatment hasn't had the expected effect. Your symptoms have worsened, and unfortunately, it's clear we're going to need to take a more aggressive approach to stabilize your health."

I stare at him, my mind a blur. Aggressive treatment? What does that even mean? It's too much. I feel like the floor is shifting beneath me. I try to hold it together, but my voice trembles. "What kind of treatment?"

Grady clears his throat, his voice tight. "Is there a chance... I mean, is there hope with this new plan?"

Dr. Vacker hesitates, then nods. "Yes, but it will be difficult. The treatments are harsher, and they'll require a longer commitment. But we're doing everything we can to give you the best chance."

I want to ask more, but the words won't come. The pressure in my chest is overwhelming, and I can't seem to focus on anything anymore. My head spins, and all I hear is the pounding of my own heart.

Edaline reaches out and grips my hand, but I can see it in her eyes—she's terrified. Grady's jaw is clenched, and I know he's trying to be strong for me, but it's too much for all of us.

Just then, I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I turn to see Keefe standing beside me, his usual smirk replaced by something softer, more serious. "Hey, Foster," he says gently, "we're not going anywhere. We've got this, okay? The doctors are on it, and you've got the best people around you." His smile doesn't quite reach his eyes, but his words... they help, if only a little.

I nod weakly, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Keefe. I don't know what I'd do without you."

The soft beep of the machines is the only sound in the room as I lie back against the pillows, my mind a jumble of uncertainty. The doctors—Dr. Vacker and Dr. Elwin—are still running tests, trying to figure out what's wrong with me. I hate that I can't do anything but wait. But at least I'm not waiting alone.

Keefe is here. He's always here.

"I swear, the hospital food could be a form of torture," Keefe mutters from where he's sitting next to me, his feet propped up on the edge of the bed as he scrolls through his holo-pad. His attempt at distracting me with humor works—just barely.