As Long as I Breathe...

Chapter 7 - At The Hospital...

Lina's phone rings, she heads outside to take the call.

Lina: Hello? Hello? I can't hear you...

The person on the line seems unable to speak. Lina hears some sobbing.

Lina: Who is this?

The person on the line: It's-It's... Aunty

Lina recognizes the voice; it's Sarah's.

Lina: SARAH! What happened? (her face turns pale)

Sarah is crying on the line. Lina starts panicking, her heart racing as she starts walking in circles. 

Lina: Sarah! You're scaring me! Please! Tell me what's happening?

Sarah: She told me not to, but I took her cellphone because you need to know (she sniffs)

Lina: Know what?

Sarah: Aunty, she's really sick!

Lina: What? Where are you? I'm coming!

Sarah: I called 9-1-1, and we're in the hospital now.

Lina: Ok, I'm coming, don't go anywhere! (she hangs up)

Lina rushes towards a cab that takes her to the hospital. She arrives and sees Sarah standing in front of a room.

Lina: (yelling) Sarah!

Sarah: Lina! (running to her)

Lina takes her sister in her arms and hugs her very tightly. Then, she peers at the room from which Sarah came: There is a body on the bed covered with a white sheet. Gradually, Lina starts to realize that it's her aunt lying there. She moves closer to the body and uncovers it, only to confirm what she feared. She is struck dumb, her whole body starts to shake, she feels like her strength has given out, her whole body is numb, she kneels down and starts to cry. Hearing the sobs, a nurse rushes in and finds Lina on the floor.

Nurse Brianna: Oh my God! You must be Lina?

The nurse moves towards her, kneels down next to her, and takes her into her arms.

Nurse Brianna: Come here. It's ok... It's ok sweetheart... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry that you had to find out like this...

Lina is not listening. She feels like her ears are plugged, and the world is spinning around.

Lina: (sobbing in nurse Brianna's arms) I'm so tired... it's happening all over again... I can't, not again... 

After a few minutes, Lina wipes her tears and looks at Sarah who is standing right behind her; she is scared and lost. Lina walks to her, takes her by the arm, and both leave the room.

Both arrive in a waiting room where families are sitting there. They sit down, trying to process what happened; so much to take in, so much happened, so many mixed emotions, so many questions...

At some point, Lina stares at some kid playing with a tiny car. She pulls herself together and looks at Sarah.

Lina: Are you hungry?

Sarah nods

Lina: Wait here, I'm gonna grab something!

While Lina is looking for some vending machine, she comes across two nurses who are talking in the corner; It's nurse Brianna and another one. Lina overhears their conversation.

Nurse Jenny: Their aunt was their only family here... They are on their own now... poor kids! (she takes a sip of her coffee) You don't know when it hits you... the less you expect it and the more it's likely to happen! In a matter of seconds, your whole world falls down... that's tough!

Nurse Brianna: Yeah... (she sighs)  heart attacks are unpredictable! 

Lina understands that they are talking about them. Now, she knows how her aunt died.

Nurse Brianna: When she came in, she was out of breath and yet she found some strength and begged us not to call the older one as she was at her prom night. I saw her when she came in, wearing that beautiful dress (deeply inhales) it was supposed to be the night of her life and now look! Not only did she lose her aunt, but she may even lose her sister! (she sighs) I didn't wanna tell her... How the hell am I supposed to tell her? She has enough on her plate right now! Why does it have to be like this! Stupid system and stupid administration! 

Lina startles. She can't believe what she just heard. She covers her mouth with her hands to muffle the sound of her scream.

Nurse Jenny: Wait! What do you mean?

Nurse Brianna: I talked to DCFS earlier, and her little sister will be placed in a foster family, while the other, as she is 18 now, well... it's going to be difficult (she sighs)

Lina's heart shatters into pieces, tears start to roll down her cheeks, tears that are falling like rain. She leans against the wall and gradually slides until she ends up on the floor. She feels sick to her stomach and wants to throw up.

Nurse Brianna hears something and moves closer to where Lina is hiding.

Nurse Brianna: Hey, did you hear that?

The nurse notices her.

Nurse Brianna: Oh my God! Lina? (she shouts, surprised)

Lina, who barely manages to get up on her feet, starts speaking to the nurse.

Lina: No... that can't be true... Why? (sobbing hard and stuttering) I-I-I don't want it...I've already lost everyone, don't take my sister away from me! I'm begging you, please don't take her away from me... I don't wanna be alone... I need her! I- NEED-HER (she says, fighting tears) They can't take her away from me! She's my only family left, and if I lose her, I'll die! I'VE ALREADY LOST EVERYONE! (she yells)

She yells so loud that her voice echoes in the whole floor.

The nurse doesn't get the opportunity to reply to her. As soon as she finishes, Lina runs away. She runs as fast as she can to get away from them. She comes back to Sarah, who has fallen asleep on a chair.

Lina: Sarah! Sarah! Wake up!

Sarah: (scrubbing her eyes) What?

Lina: Let's go, put on your jacket, and let's get out of here!

Sarah follows her without saying a word. They get out of the hospital, Lina is holding Sarah by her hand, and she starts to run.

Sarah: Where are we going?

Lina: Somewhere with me!

Sarah: Why are you running?

Lina: Because they want to take you away from me! Come on, let's go! Quick!

Sarah: I'm tired...and I'm cold (she is on the verge of crying)

Lina stops and looks at her.

Lina: Come! I'll carry you!

Lina carries Sarah in her arms and continues to run. She is running in the cold night streets of New York with her seven years old sister in her arms. Lina is exhausted, but she can't stop, or they will take her away. One of her high heel shoes breaks, and so she gets rid of them and continues barefoot.

After a while, they get back to the apartment. It is sad and empty. Usually, when Lina gets back from school, she smells dinner cooking on the stove with her aunt welcoming her as soon as she passes the threshold. But now, there is no one, only her and Sarah.