“Natalie… can you hear me?” he whispered. “Come on… please…”
Nothing.
He adjusted his fingers.
Then he felt it.
Weak—but there.
“She has a pulse!” he shouted into the phone, voice cracking. “She’s unconscious, shallow breathing, severe trauma. Where is the ambulance?”
“Two minutes,” the dispatcher replied. “Do not move her. Stabilize the neck.”
Ethan looked up.
The twins stood frozen in the doorway, clinging to each other like birds in a storm.
“She’s alive!” he called out firmly. “Your mom is alive. Help is coming.”
One of the girls let out a sob that was half relief, half terror.
The ambulance arrived moments later, followed by police cruisers. Paramedics rushed in—efficient, fast.
“Severe concussion… possible skull fracture… rib injuries… let’s move!”
They lifted her onto a stretcher. The twins tried to follow, but an officer gently blocked them.
“We need to ask you some questions.”
“No!” one screamed. “We’re going with our mom!”
Ethan stepped forward without thinking.
“Officer—please. They just witnessed this. They’re in shock. Let them come with me to the hospital.”
The officer eyed him cautiously.
“And you are?”
Ethan swallowed.
What was he?