Page 71 (1/2)

“What happened?” Elaine says from behind me

I turn and her older brother leans forward to kiss her cheek “Hey, sis”

Stuart’s entire body is tense “Ben said it looked like they juot there, Derek had been stabbed twice”

My hand flies to my mouth Tears blur s me on top of her brother, and for a moment, I take comfort from my childhood friends

I only give it athe tears away “He’s going to be okay” My voice is wobbly, and I have to force ive up on him Not after how far we’ve come

“Mrs Alexander?” A soft voice speaks from behind us, and I turn

“Here,” Patrick says, gesturing to me I don’t correct him

The doctor joins us in the waiting area, grim-faced “May I speak to you in private?”

My knees try to go out, and Stuart catches , Melissa

“It’s okay,” I e “These are his closest friends and his lawyer”

A tight smile doesn’t soften the doctor’s expression His eyes travel over the five of us before he continues “We moved him to a private room He’s heavily sedated, but he’s not intubated He won’t require surgery, since the lung didn’t fully collapse Luckily the wound wasn’t very deep or jagged I took him off the ventilator, and once I see how he responds to treat him around”

“So he’s okay?” Stuart cuts to the chase in his usual, direct way

“He’s developed an infection around the second stab wound that we’reHis fever spiked, and we’ve started antibiotics in his drip I’m concerned about sepsis”

The white threatens again, and I’m sure I’ll faint

“Mrs Alexander,” the doctor catches et you so?”