Jake
My heart felt like it had been ripped out of my chest as I carried Laura's limp body out of the church. My arms shook with the weight of her, not because she was heavy but because my world felt like it was crumbling around me.
"Stay with me, Laura," I whispered, panic lacing my voice. Her face was pale, her eyes shut as if she were merely sleeping, but her stillness terrified me. "Please, baby, don't do this."
The ride to the hospital was a blur of sirens and chaos. I sat with Laura, clutching her hand tightly, willing her to wake up. Arlene and her mother sat across from me, their faces a mix of worry and barely concealed anger. I avouded their gaze but the few times our eyes met, it felt like hot rod. I couldn't blame them, I hated myself more than they ever could.
The moment we arrived, the doctors took Laura from me, rushing her into a room. I tried to follow, but a nurse stepped in front of me, holding up a hand.
