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"She’s on her way to the hospital," Tristan explained

"I have to go," I said, getting out of his grip My legs were treomy shoulders "I need you to focus for one second Your eyes are bugging out, your heart rate is through the roof, and your breathing is chaotic I need you to let this para, and I narrowedto hear his words, but they just turned tofaded to black

"EMMA!" I shouted, opening h lanced around the room, and I took in all the machines, cabinets, and hospital supplies

"Welco beside h hto be fine"

"What happened? Where’s Emma?"

"Tristan’s with E to sit up, but the pain shot across my side "Jesus!"

"Relax," Mama ordered "One of the bullets hit you in the side E for her to wake up She has a breathing tube in to help her a bit, but she’s okay"

"Tristan’s with her?" I asked Mama nodded My mind started to play catch up as I stared down at es, and my body was covered in blood, some that was mine, some that was… "Tanner… What happened to Tanner?"

Mama frowned She shook her head "He didn’t make it"

I turned my head away and stared out the asn’t certain if I was filled with relief or coo check on Emma?" I asked She kissed ht back I hoped she wouldn’t rush, though Loneliness seeht to me

Chapter Forty-Three

Tristan

I sat beside Eh more than any five-year-old should ever experience Her s hard as she inhaled and exhaled, her chest rising and falling The sht back somachines around her reminded me of the day I last held Charlie’s hand

"She’s not Charlie," Imy best not to compare the two situations The doctors said Eht just take her so and re the past hurts of my soul I wrapped her small hand in mine and scooted closer to her bedside I whispered, "Hey, Tock You’re going to be okay I just want you to know that you’re going to be fine, because I knoho your th lives within you So you keep fighting, okay? You keep fighting and fighting, and then I want you to open your eyes I need you to coed, lightly kissing her hand

Thequicker and quicker My chest tightened as I looked around "Someone help!" I called, and two nurses rushed in to see as happening I stood up and stepped back This can’t be happening again This can’t happen…

I looked away, covering my mouth withtype, but I had to try, just in case God was listening that day

"Tick," a s on my heels, I hurried back over to Emma’s side Her blue eyes were open and she looked so confused, so lost I took her hand in mine and turned toward the nurses