Thirteen

The room was quiet except for the soft beeping of the life support machine beside the bed. A faint hum of fluorescent lights filled the silence. Karina sat on the edge of the chair, her fingers curled tightly around Aidan's hand, her eyes never leaving his still face.

His skin was pale, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm dictated by the machines. A clear oxygen tube rested beneath his nostrils, taped carefully. Electrodes dotted his temples and chest, feeding data to monitors. A larger tube extended from his mouth, aiding his breathing. The sight of him like this always punched her chest.

The doctor, a man with kind but tired eyes, stood near the bed. "He'll be staying here longer, Mrs. Algernon. Carrying him around or attempting to move him may weaken his system further. We need to let his body rest. Give it time."

Karina sniffled and nodded, her voice locked in her throat. The doctor offered a sympathetic smile and quietly exited, closing the door behind him.

She turned ba