Paragon

Chapter 27

I drop my head into my hands, pressing my thumbs to my ears, willing the noise to go away. Willing myself to wake up because this isn't actually happening. It can't be happening. He isn't dead.

"Come on!" The paramedic bellows, gritting his teeth together.

However, the noise doesn't go away. I hear the sound of the defibrillator shocking his body viciously and flinch. I immediately begin praying. Praying over and over and over again for a miracle.

Please, I can't lose him. I can't lose him. Bring him back to me.

Another shock. And another.

"Come on!" one of them shouts as the vehicle comes to a halt. "Come on!"

"Please," I whisper out loud to myself, staring into the darkness of my brain. "Please. Please."

Beep... Beep... Beep.

I open my eyes wide at the sound and uncover my ears in shock. The doors slam open and I see we're at a hospital now. I wait until they set the stretcher on the ground and try to get down as fast as I can. One of the paramedics reaches to help me but I'm already moving swiftly, clutching my belly, desperately following them.

"Wait! That's my husband! Wait!" I shout through the waiting room, watching as he disappears behind large, white double doors. "Wait!"

A woman's hands wrap around my arms. "Ma'am, you have to wait out here."

"Like fucking hell!" I vociferate, skirting around her. She moves around me again, blocking the doors.

"Ma'am, please! They are going to do everything they can to save him!"

"He needs me!" I get out through the tears, shaking my head frantically. "He needs to stay alive! I- he can't die!"

"The doctor will be out as soon as he can to inform you of his status. Please, wait here!"

I watch her turn and hurry through the doors after them, hearing a low, depressing sound of disbelief escape my lips.

I stand and stare, determined to wait here until someone can tell me my husband is alive.

Because he has to be. He has to live. He's fighting- he is fighting it. I know it... he will stay with me. He promised he would always stay with me.

He promised...

...

My weary body would not have it though. After thirty minutes of standing, I had to turn around and take a seat in the waiting room. An hour after that, I'm unaware of anyone else around me as I stare into the reception office, wanting to scream.

"Ma'am? ... Mrs. Reid?"

Hearing a voice beside me, I gasp and look up, dejected when it's a police officer.

"I have a few- questions about your husband."

I stare at him, silently and his face contorts with forced indifference. 

"I know this is a hard time, but I have to get this information as soon as possible. If you don't speak to me now, I'll come back later."

Under my angry scrutiny for another couple seconds, he turns, heading for the door. Blood boiling, I stand suddenly. "I'll talk to you now."

By the doors, he stops and turns, glancing at me over his shoulder before he makes the full commitment to come back. He points to the chair, gesturing me to sit.