322 TOO MUCH TO SWALLOW

The rhythmic hiss of the oxygen machine filled the sterile space, a constant counterpoint to the frantic drumming of Keisha's heart. She shifted in the unforgiving bed, the dull ache in her leg a dull echo compared to the storm raging inside her. Every breath scraped raw against her throat, choked by the weight of unspoken terror. The door creaked open, a sliver of light cutting through the sterile white. Relief flooded Keisha as Madison's worried face appeared. But relief quickly curdled into a different kind of panic. "Hey," Madison whispered, her voice tight with unshed tears. "How are you feeling?" "Hurts like hell," Keisha rasped, pushing the question about Luka to the forefront of her mind. "But that's not important. Did you...?" The unspoken question hung heavy in the air, a silent plea for information. Madison's face crumpled, a storm of conflicting emotions swirling in her eyes. "Keisha..." Madison began, her voice barely a whisper. Keisha gripped the scratchy sheets, kn