Second Chance

Chapter 13

Nick and I stared at each other in shock, before I took off running.

"Mackenzie!" I screamed. I knew something happened to her. Something was wrong, and it wasn't good.

I sprinted down the hall and into Studio A. It was empty.

"KENZIE!" I bellowed, and continued racing through the studio.

I ran into Studio C and clamped my hands over my mouth to keep from screaming.

Paige sat curled in a ball in the corner, rocking back and forth while crying hysterically.

Mackenzie was sprawled out on the floor, blood pouring from an unknown part of her body.

I dashed over to her and picked up her frail body, covering my own body in blood.

I clutched her right as I screamed again.

"Mooooooom," I wailed as Paige slowly stood up and shakily ran out of the room, probably to go get help.

I searched for the source of the blood and found it on the right side of her stomach. I brought my fingertips away from the wound and stared at it before the sight of the blood made me feel sick. I leaned away from Kenzie and threw my guts up until my mom came rushing in, already on the phone with 911. She took Kenzie from me as I began to feel dizzy. I tried to stand up, but immediately collapsed on the floor.

"Mom," I mumbled, but she was focused on Kenzie to see me laying on the floor. Soon, blackness took over my mind and I passed out.

*~*

I woke up in the back a car. God knows how much time had passed. I rubbed my eyes and slowly sat up, taking in my surroundings.

Holly was driving the car and soft music was playing in the back ground. Nia was sitting on the opposite end of the car playing a game on her car.

"Nia," I said. She looked up at me, just noticing I was awake.

"Oh, hey..." She dropped her phone in her lap and looked at me, waiting for me to say something.

"Where are we going?" I asked as everything that had happened came rushing back to me.

"Oh, oh my god." I whispered, dropping my head into my hands.

Nia scooted over to me and wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

"The doctors are taking her to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. We're driving to the airport now."

"Oh... Everyone's coming with?" I asked.

"No, just you. Your mom asked if we could take you to the airport to meet Greg. You guys are flying there together."

"What about the competition?" I asked her.

She looked out the window. "Up to you, I guess."

*~*

We arrived at the airport and one hour later, we were on a flight to Cincinnati. I has never been before, but Greg tolme it was one of the top children's miracle hospitals in the nation. They would take good care of my little sister, he said.

A little but later, we landed in Cincinnati and rushed to the hospital. Kenzie was in ICU. I didn't have much experience in hospitals except for the time I broke my arm, but I knew that ICU was bad. Really bad.

Kenzie was unconscious the entire time we were there and only one person was allowed in her room. My mom stayed with her for several hours until it was midnight, and visiting hours were over.

Everyone had left the waiting room besides Greg and me.

A little after midnight, we were still there, just waiting for someone to kick us out. At 12:09, a nurse came out to talk to us.

"Maddie?" She asked. I jumped up from where I was sitting.

"Yes?" I eagerly asked.

"Mackenzie woke up a few minutes ago, she's asking for you."

"Oh," I exclaimed. "Okay!"

I walked into her room, room 317, and have my mom a quick hug.

"You're okay," she whispered to me, then walked out. She had clearly been crying, her eyes were red and puffy.

"Hey, Kenz." I whispered.

She opened her eyes.

"Hey," she whispered. I sat down next to her bed and grabbed her hand.

"How are you feeling?"

We both laughed because we knew the answer. Crappy.

My thumb rubbed circles into her bony hand and she sighed.

"Can you make me another promise, Maddie?"

I stared up at the ceiling. I hated to make promises I knew I couldn't keep.

"Maybe," I sighed. "What is it?"

"I'm going to die soon, Maddie."

"Don't say that!" I snapped. She looked at me, her eyes full of sympathy.

"I'm sorry," she stared at the IV dripping into her arm.

"You shouldn't have to go through this, Mads."

"Trust me, I know," I mumbled.

"I don't want to die like this, in a hospital bed. Under the control of whatever is killing me. I want to do on my own terms, like I told you."

"Don't," I growled. "Don't make me do what I think you're going to."

"When it gets to the point, no... When you know it's time, I want you to pull the plug."

"No!" I gasped. "Absolutely not, never, in a million years!"

I stood up. "How could you even ask me to do that? Do you know what that would do to me? I, I,-"

"Wait, Maddie, please," Kenzie tried to sit up but fell back down. I immediately regretted saying all of that.

"I'm sorry for getting upset." I say back down.

"Please, Maddie? Just one last thing?"

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back.

"As my last wish?"

I took a deep breath and sighed.

"I can't make any promises, but if it comes down to it, I will do it."

"Thank you," she said. "Thank you so much."

"This is too much for us, Kenz. Why us? Why our family?" I climbed into Kenzie's bed and put my arm around her.

We didn't cry. Just tried to enjoy what we had left. And we slowly drifted off to sleep.

__________________________

Hey guys I have a question. Is this too graphic for a dance moms fan fic? I don't want to scare people or anything! So comment below what you think please! And if you do think it is, please be nice about it. Thank you!

Don't forget to VOTE/COMMENT/FAN!

Love you guys!

Sam