The ambulance had already arrived, and James was carried inside by Ramon.The paramedics fitted an oxygen mask over his face. He lay on the stretcher, prominent, pulsating veins visible on his exposed chest, neck, and forearms.His chest heaved violently, and he kept breaking out in a cold sweat, as if he were hovering on the edge of death.Terrified, Beverly gripped his hand. James slowly withdrew his hand from hers and raised it to brush the hair away from her temple.His mouth was parched, his voice rough and dry. "I can't touch you right now. Do you understand?"Beverly nodded, forcing herself to stay rational as she pulled her hand back."Chief Bronson, we need to administer an anesthetic before pumping your stomach," the paramedic said."Stay with me?" James murmured to Beverly.She nodded firmly again and said, "I won't leave you."Reassured, he gradually closed his eyes.…Half an hour later, James was wheeled into the emergency room. Beverly sat outside the door, he
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