Wheel You Marry Me?

CHAPTER 22.

      

"Sky! Sky! Sky, wake up!" I screamed, clutching her hand with trembling fingers, tears pouring down my cheeks. "Please, sweetie, wake up. I'm not ready to lose you too. Please..."

Her skin was cold. Pale. Lifeless.

The blood soaked through her blouse, pooling beneath her. My breath caught in my throat. My mind screamed for a solution, but all I could do was sob and hold her tighter, as if I could somehow will her back.

Then I heard someone moving urgent and fast.

"Aurora, we need to call an ambulance!" Ryan's voice jolted me back to the present.

He rushed over, pulled out his phone, and dialled. I didn't register his words. I just kept whispering Skylar's name through broken sobs, her blood staining my hands, my soul splitting in two.

Minutes later though it felt like a lifetime paramedics burst into the house. They moved quickly, professionally, checking her vitals, lifting her onto a stretcher, stabilizing her with tubes and machines. I stumbled after them as they carried her out.

Ryan held my arm, guiding me gently but firmly. "Come on, Aurora. Let's go."

He drove me to the hospital in complete silence. I sat curled into the seat, hugging myself, the tears never stopping. My best friend was fighting for her life, and I couldn't do anything to help her.

When we reached the hospital, Skylar was rushed into the operating room. I was left pacing the waiting area, mumbling prayers I wasn't even sure I remembered right.

"She'll be okay. Aurora, I'm so sorry about Skylar. I believe she'll pull through," Ryan said gently, sitting beside me.

I looked at him, but his words barely registered. Everything felt like static. The only thing echoing in my mind was the sight of her lying in blood—my best friend, the closest thing I had to family.

Then Skylar's parents arrived. Her mom rushed in, eyes red and wide. "Aurora! What happened to my baby?" Brenda cried, gripping my shoulders.

"I-I don't know..." My voice cracked. "I was out on a date... she called me, but she didn't say anything. I panicked and rushed home. And... and she was just there, lying on the floor, bleeding, so much blood..."

Brenda collapsed into me, sobbing as I held her, our grief mingling in silence. Skylar's father stood stiffly nearby, fists clenched at his sides.

"Whoever did this to my daughter," he said coldly, "is going to pay."

I nodded through my tears, but inside, fear coiled tight in my chest.

I couldn't ignore it any longer, Eleanor. Skylar had seen something that night at the Tyler party. She had told me about Eleanor's bodyguards carrying a body. What if they found out she saw them? What if... this was a warning?

And what if... they were after me too?

If I had listened to Jeffrey's warning, if I had stayed away from the Tylers, would Skylar still be safe?

Suddenly, the doctor walked in. "Family of Skylar Diaz?"

Brenda and her husband leapt up.

"The surgery went well," the doctor said. "She lost a lot of blood, but we managed to stabilize her. She's in the ICU now and will remain under close observation. She's not awake yet, but she's going to make it."

A wave of relief washed over us. Brenda collapsed into her husband's arms, sobbing in a different kind of pain this time mixed with hope.

"Only immediate family members can visit her for now, one at a time," the doctor added before leaving.