Chapter 12

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Recap:

I look at Hailey as she rushes to get things together. Other doctors rush into the room to help. I mutter one last thing as Hailey looks at me.

"Tell Julie," I start to say but can't finish as I see blackness.
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Present

Julie's POV:

I sit up on the couch as a breaking news report shows on the TV. "Breaking news, there has been a shooter at the Chapel Hill hospital," the reporter says and I freeze, "It has been reported by the police that the shooter has been arrested with an injury. The police also say that a women doctor fought the shooter, but was shot and is in critical condition."

I quickly turn off the TV and grab my phone to calm Tatum. "Come on, come on. Pick up Tatum," I mumble to myself, but it goes to voicemail.

Then my phone starts ringing and it's Hope. "Julie, get to the hospital now!" Hope quickly says and I grab my things.

"I'm leaving right now," I tell her, "Is it her?"

"Yes, she was shot in the stomach. Hailey is working on her right now with other doctors. They had to take her in for surgery," Hope says and teases fill my eyes as I get in the rental car.

"I'm on my way," I tell Hope then I hang up and quickly drive to the hospital.

Once I get there my heart drops at all the police cars surrounding the building. I start to walk towards the entrance, but then I'm stopped. "I'm sorry ma'am. You may not enter unless it is an absolute emergency," the officer tells me.

"My girlfriend is in there," I tell the man and he sighs.

"Unless she is-," he starts but I cut him off.

"My girlfriend is the doctor that got shot and did your work," I say angrily, "She sacrificed her life and saved everyone in this hospital."

The officer's face drops and he back away. I quickly make my way inside when I see Hope and Carli. "Anything?" I ask and they shake their heads.

I sigh as I lean against the wall as tears start to flow down my cheeks. I let out a sob and cover my mouth. "I got you," Carli says wrapping her arms around me and I sink into her embrace.

After a few minutes I calm down and Carli continues to hold me. I look towards Hope and I can see a million emotions on her face. "Take care of her," I whisper to Carli.

She gives me a look and I give her a small smile, "Go,"

Carli let's go and walk over to her girlfriend. She brings Hope into her arms and Hope breaks down. My heart continues to ache as we continue waiting.

Then Hailey walks out into the hallway. She is looking down at the ground, but I can see tear stains on her face. "Hailey," I say getting Hope's and Carli's attention, "How is she?"

Hailey slowly looks up and her eyes are red. "She's not-she not gone, right?" Hope asks and Hailey shakes her head.

"What wrong?" Carli asks.

"She has a forty percent chance of living," Hailey says and I feel like I was punched in the face.

"What?" Hope asks in disbelief.

"They type of gun the shooter had was no normal gun. While the billet went through her stomach, it almost hit vital areas and it ended up in her spine. The bullet was also laced with poison and we had to get as much of the poison out of her as possible. She was standing fine when I saw her, but I think it was the adrenaline and then she realized and collapsed. She told me she could feel the bullet," Hailey says and at the end tears are steaming out of her eyes.

"So, she may not walk again?" I ask.

"I don't know. We have to wait and see," Hailey says and I sigh.

"Can I see her?" Hope asks.

"All of you can if you want," Hailey says and we all nod.

"I'm warning you ahead of time," Hailey says as we get to the room, "It does not look good in here."

Hailey opens the door and I walk in first I freeze as I see my girlfriend laying still on the bed. Wires and tubes are surrounding Tatum. I sit on the chair next to the bed and Hope and Carli follow.

"I just got you back," I say as I hold her hand.

"I can't lose you, Tatum," Hope says quietly as she holds Tatum other hand.

Hope then leans down and gently place her forehead on Tatum's hand. "I can't lose my baby sister," Hope cries out and Carli hold her from behind.

My phone starts ringing and I see that the team group chat is blowing up. "Oh man," I say as I see all the texts asking if Tatum is okay, "Carli, have you seen the group chat?"

Carli pulls out her phone and her eyes go wide. "I'll take care of it," she says then she kisses Hope's head and walks out.

"I need you to be strong, Tatum, just like you always are. Please fight this," Hope says and my heart breaks even more.

"I love you so much, Tate. I don't want to ever lose you. Please don't leave," I say as look at her.

"Expect many people being here in the next 24 hours," Carli says as she walks in, "Basically everyone is coming."

"It's busy because of Christmas, how are they going to get here so soon?" I as Carli.

"Some are driving," she says taking me and Hope by surprise.

"Dedication," I say making Carli and Hope lightly chuckle.

Then it's quiet and all we hear in the the beeping sound of the machine. Tatum's hand twitches in mine and my eyes go wide. "Tatum," I say gently.

Hope looks towards me, but then Tatum's body starts shaking. "She's having a seizure," Hope says as she hits the button for the nurse.

I quickly get up and rush into the hallway. "We need a doctor!" I shout and then I see Hailey start to run towards us with more nurses behind her.

"I need you all out, now," Hailey says as she enters the room.

Carli and Hope get out of the room since I am already in the hallway. I stand there frozen and in shock as the door is closed. "Damn it!" Hope shouts as she punches the wall.

"Hey, hey, come here," Carli says taking her into her arms to calm her down.

"Julie," I hear and I look to see Hope holding her hand out for me.

I walk over and join the hug.

Please be okay, Tatum.
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Hey, everyone! Hope you all enjoyed. What do you think is going to happen to Tatum? Don't forget to comment, vote, and stay safe!

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