Broken

Chapter 57: Price on your life

Fatima looked around frantically, her heart pounding as she grew more impatient by the second. Her eyes darted to every shadow, hoping for help, fearing the worst. The cool morning air was now suffocating her, each second feeling like an eternity.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps, and she looked up to see Jose running toward them, his face stricken with concern. "Shit! Madam, I heard the gunshots!" he said, breathless as he approached.

"Help me!" Fatima cried, her voice cracking, tears streaming down her face as she pressed harder on Zac's chest wound, trying desperately to stem the flow of blood.

Without hesitation, Jose knelt down, quickly assessing the situation. "Hang in there, boss," he murmured, his hands working alongside Fatima's. He reached for Zac's pulse, nodding to reassure her. "He's still with us. Just hold on."

The wail of sirens began to grow louder, echoing in the distance, bringing a shred of hope to Fatima's panicked heart. She glanced at Zac's pale face, her lips trembling. "You hear that, baby? Help is coming. Just stay with me. Don't you dare leave me now," she whispered.

Moments later, the ambulance pulled up, its lights flashing brightly against the early dawn. The paramedics jumped out, rushing toward them with a stretcher.

Fatima reluctantly stepped aside but refused to let go of Zac's hand. Her clothes and hands were soaked in his blood, her eyes wide with fear and pain. "Please... help him," she begged, her voice barely audible.

"Ma'am, we need space to work," one of the paramedics said as they set to work on Zac, their hands moving with practiced speed.

Jose gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Madam, let them do their job," he said softly, trying to pull her back just enough to give the paramedics room.

"Is he going to be okay?" Fatima asked, leaning in for a better view.

"Madam, please calm down," Jose replied.

Fatima shook her head, her eyes still on Zac. "He has to be okay. He has to," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

The paramedics quickly stabilized Zac, lifting him onto the stretcher and wheeling him toward the ambulance. Fatima's heart wrenched as they moved him away from her, and she stumbled after them, her legs feeling weak.

"We're taking him to St. Joseph's," one of the paramedics called out. "You can come with us if you're family."

"I am," Fatima said, her voice trembling as she climbed into the ambulance beside Zac, her hand finding his once again. "I'm not leaving you, babe," she whispered, leaning close to him, her tears dripping onto his hand. "You're going to make it. You have to."

"Inform Lana and then meet us at the hospital. Tell her to bring a change of clothes and some wipes," Fatima instructed, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, careful not to smear blood on her face.

Jose nodded in response before the ambulance doors shut, and Fatima clung to Zac, her heart pounding with fear as they sped off into the early morning, the sirens wailing, the lights flashing. This man was her world, and she wasn't ready to lose him—not now, not ever.
_______________________

The stretcher carrying Zac was rushed through the hospital doors, the paramedics shouting details to the waiting medical team. Fatima followed close behind, her eyes glued to Zac's pale face, her heart feeling like it might burst from her chest. She wasn't ready to let him go, not for a second.

As they reached the emergency doors, a nurse stepped forward, blocking her path. "Ma'am, you can't go beyond this point," the nurse said firmly.

Fatima shook her head, her eyes wide with panic. "No! I have to be by his side!" she shouted, her voice trembling. "He has to be alright!" Tears were streaming down her face, and she could feel herself breaking, the fear and helplessness consuming her.