Chapter 8: ICU

“So…….how is Rosalina?” Jesse asked Dr. Harris.

“I’m sorry to tell you that she’s in critical condition as of now,” Dr. Harris said.

“I-Is she gonna get better?” Alex asked half glancing at Nat.

“That’s the bad news…..” Dr. Harris said. “Her injuries are very serious and may be life threatening. We have her on life support as of now, but we can’t guarantee she’ll make it.”

“But…..isn’t life support supposed to keep you alive?” Thomas asked.

“Well, there are times when a person can’t live even with the life support,” Dr. Harris.

“So…Rosalina’s gonna…d-die?” David asked cringing at the word.

“I’m afraid it could happen,” Dr. Harris said. Nat’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. Die? No! Rosalina can’t die! “But we’re going to do what we can to keep that from happening.”

“Can we see her yet?” Qaasim asked.

“Yes. Let me take you to her room,” Dr. Harris said. He led the band up to Rosalina’s room up on the third floor. He told them she was in the ICU so only two people were allowed in her room at a time. Nat wasn’t ready to go in yet so Thomas and David went in first.

They went into the room and saw Rosalina lying on the bed with all these machines hooked up to her. The two boys went to a side of the bed and looked at their friend.

“Oh man,” Thomas said looking at all the machines. “….You gotta make it out of this Rosalina.”

“Yeah, Nat’s blaming himself for this,” David said. “And…..we’re not sure if it is or not, but……if you leave……..he’ll never forgive himself.”

“Yeah Rosalina,” Thomas said to her lifeless body. The boys just stood there in silence for a few more minutes before leaving the room. They went back out to the waiting room and Qaasim and Jesse went in the room.

A few minutes later Jesse and Qaasim came out and Alex and Juanita went in. When they finally came out Cooper and Nat went in. Nat’s heart dropped lower when he saw Rosalina. No……what’d I do? This is my fault.

Nat dropped at the side of Rosalina’s bed and started crying. I’m so sorry Rosalina! I didn’t want this to happen! I take back everything I said. Don’t leave……..please don’t leave me….