Only then did I allow myself to clutch my trembling wrist. Cold sweat dripped down my forehead, the pain unbearable yet strangely grounding.
Anthony and Margareth, too consumed by their grief and desperation, didn’t spare me another glance.
They helped each other up and left, no doubt scrambling to gather money to save Susan’s life.
The crowd slowly dispersed, their murmurs fading into silence.
And then, darkness crept over me. My vision blurred and I felt my consciousness slip away.
***
When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.
Bertha Hoover, one of the nurses I was friendly with, sat by my side, her face etched with concern.
"Dr. Eddie, you’re finally awake!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly. "You’ve been out for an entire day and night. You really scared us."
I sat up slowly, my mind clouded with confusion. Had I really been unconscious for so long?
Shaking off my disorientation, I cleared my throat, though my voice came out hoarse.
"Susan," I asked, "how is she?"
Bertha hesitated, glancing at me carefully. Finally, she said, "Robert worked tirelessly for ten hours... In the end, both the mother and child are safe."