Kenneth really wanted to tell Dorothy the harsh truth that Everett was gone, so Dorothy could finally let go and stop waiting for a miracle.
He knew the pain would be temporary and she would eventually come to terms with reality.
But as he looked into her anxious eyes with worries, his resolve faltered.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“He’s not dead,” Kenneth lied, his voice barely above a whisper. “The Lopez family got him to City Hospital in time. That's all | know.” “But the knife... | saw it, Kenneth! | saw Heather plunge it right into his heart!” Dorothy's fear was palpable. What if Everett had survived the ride but not the aftermath? What about the life-saving efforts? “Dorothy! When are you going to start worrying about yourself?” Kenneth’s words were cut off as Dorothy struggled to rise. The sudden movement pulled at her wounds, quickly staining the bandages with fresh blood. Yet she seemed numb to the pain, cursing her weakened body for not easy motion.
“I need to get to City Hospital, Kenneth. Please, take me there!” “I won't let you!” It was the first time Kenneth had ever raised his voice to her.
The frustration had been building inside him for so long that he seemed to implode if he didn’t let it out.
When he shouted, Dorothy paused, but then persisted in searching for her shoes, determined to leave.
Helplessly, she attempted to stand, only to collapse forward.
Her freshly stitched wounds tore open, with the IV needle in her arm dislodging. Pain shot through her from all directions, a sheen of sweat instantly coating her forehead.
“Dorothy!” Kenneth rushed to her side.
But she pushed him away, adamant. “I need to go to City Hospital!” “Your legs are broken! You can’t even walk! Come on, let's have the doctor check you first, and then I'll take you there,” Kenneth pleaded, knowing he couldn't fight her on this.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut Dorothy had only one thought in her mind. She needed to see Everett alive, with her own eyes.
“Please, stop making a scene, will you?” Kenneth cracked his voice, with his eyes brimming with tears. “Dorothy, Everett has the entire Lopez family behind him. They won't let him die, but you... you have nobody!” Dorothy looked up sharply. Her small face marred with bruises and cuts was heart-wrenching to see.
Yet her resolve did not waver as she insisted through clenched teeth, “I need to see Everett... Take me to him.” “Dorothy, they won't let you see him, even if you go. The Lopez family will turn you away.” “Just take me there. I'm begging you, Kenneth!” In a moment of desperation, Dorothy began to bang her head against the floor, heedless of her wounds, not caring that blood was soaking through the bandages.
She had to get to City Hospital immediately. She feared that even a second’s delay might cost her the chance to see Everett.
Kenneth scrambled to her, wrapping his arms around her to stop her from hurting herself any further.
“Dorothy, listen to me. Once you heal, | promise I'll take you. Look at yourself, you're covered in blood. You might not even make it to the hospital before you collapse!” Her injuries were extensive, with fractures in her legs, deep lacerations on her arms and back, and a severe concussion. She couldn’t stand on her own, and leaving the hospital was incredibly risky.
“I have to go... take me...” Dorothy's tears mingled with the blood on her bandages, falling in a steady stream down her cheeks.
Kenneth clenched his fists tightly, then let them go limp. “Okay, I'll take you. Just stop crying.”