Downpour - sequel to Dark Storms

15

15

There was so much going through my head when Novemeber was finally over. I really thought there wasn't a good reason why Shawn hadn't came to my party. Destiny's birthday came around and she was one now. It was crazy to see her grow up and run around.

Frankie's birthday was next. He was eleven now. He'd always be ten to me.

Last but not least was Christmas. I had gotten into Penn State but had two weeks off in November, all of December and I went back the second week of January.

I helped Natalia wrap presents for Frankie and Des for a couple days as Christmas slowly arrived. And then it did.

Shawn was stuck in PA because of a snow storm, which was the truth. I knew it was because he'd never miss Christmas. Never.

We were having a bunch of my dad's co-workers over and a bunch of Natalia's friends. So I was stuck in the basement with Frankie while Destiny was napping. I was laid on the couch watching Frankie play some version of Call of Duty. I watched for a bit before my phone vibrated.

"Merry Christmas. Just boarding now. I love you. Wish I was there. :("

I smiled at Shawn's message and shook my head. Then I shot up in place. I groaned clutching my side. "Er, you okay?" I was breathing quickly. No. I was barely breathing. "Erika!!" At this point I was struggling to get a breath in. "Get. Dad." Frankie nodded running up the steps screaming for my dad. I heard multiple footsteps coming down the stairs. "Erika? What's going on sweetie?" Natalia rubbed my back gently while I struggled to breath. My dad's eyes widened and he slowly and carefully picked me up. "Natalia get her tank." "But Ma-" "Get it!" She ran upstairs while Dad carried me upstairs. I was panting now and my Dad was mumbling things like 'you're okay. Just keep trying to breathe." Natalia came down the stairs as the guests watched. I hated them seeing me like this. Dad helped the cannulas in, which helped a lot, but I was still unable to properly breathe. "Alright, I'm taking her to the ER." "Im coming with you." "No. You stay here, and if she's admitted I'll call you bring her blanket, phone and both copies of The Fault." My dad knew me so well. I knew what this was. And I wasn't looking forward to it.

The whole drive I was dizzy and my vision was blurry. Everything seemed sped up. When we got to the hospital everything slowed down. Noises were muffled, and I didn't hear much. The only thing I heard clearly was. "Save her. Please."

S h a w n

I got off the plane, half asleep, and ready to see my family. When I saw my dad I smiled and hugged him. I turned my phone off of airplane mode as my dad and I headed to baggage claim. I then noticed the twelve missed calls from mom and three texts from Aaliyah. Along with two from Frankie, Erika's soon to be step-brother.

"Shawn, please call us when you get this."

"Seriously. I'm not joking."

"It's Erika."

Frankie.

"Shawn?"

"Please reply I'm so scared right now. I'm in the car on the way to the hospital with my mom and little sister. 😣"

What was going on? "Hey dad, has mom tried to call you?" "No, why?" "Just wondering." My phone then lit up. "Princess" lit up on the screen with the same picture I took of Erika the day we went to the zoo. "Eri-" "She's in the hospital. Shawn.. She relapsed." My mind went blank. All my thoughts were gone and one thing was left. Relapsed. This couldn't- no. "I'm on my way, right now." I hung up and ran to the claim. "Shawn what are you doing?" "Erika is in trouble!"

I ran inside as soon as we got to the hospital. I ran up to the nearest desk asking for her by her full name. I heard the room number and ran. I heard my dad behind me but I couldn't care. This was Erika. I didn't know what condition she was in, and I needed to be beside her. I got to the room and barged in. Erika's dad, Natalia, Frankie and an asleep Destiny were sat looking at the opposite wall. I followed their glances and saw Erika, fast asleep, hooked up to an oxygen machine. Except it was bigger. Not her normal tank. I watched her breaths softly and realized, she was hooked up to a machine controlling her breaths. I sat on the floor next to Frankie and noticed Natalia's eyes were red, as were Mr. Wheeler's.

He took me out of the room and sat me down in chairs outside. "Shawn.. I don't know how to break this to you. Erika's doctors... Aren't looking at a positive outcome to this. She's had multiple CAT scans already and..." "She lit up like a Christmas tree... Didn't she..?" He slowly nodded and I clenched my jaw looking down at my hands. I shook my head trying not to cry. "Look, Shawn we don't want to lose her either. We know she's a fighter though-" "What if she gets tired of fighting?" "Well.. I think you know what's going to happen with that." Frankie appeared at the door. "Erika's up." I got up quickly and followed him in.

"Shawn.. What are you doing here? It's Christmas go home and celebrate." I sighed softly and weakly smiled at her. "I can't celebrate knowing you're here." She nodded slowly and nodded to the box on the floor. Her dad picked it up and handed it to me. I slowly took it and looked at it. "Is this for me?" She nodded and smiled, even though she was probably hurting so much right now. I opened it slowly and pulled out a shirt. "Mending hearts slowly. " it said in the shape of a heart at the pocket in light pink ink. It was a long sleeve but was such nice quality. "Er.." "You are. Mine and others." I smiled and slowly sat down looking her in the eyes. God those blue eyes of hers. I didn't want to lose them. Or her. So I wasn't going to let go.