The rain calms enough for the helicopter to sail the dark skies. Its blades splatter water from left to right. If only time could speed up. I count countdown knowing the ride will be about 30 minutes in this weather. I'm not much for prayer, but I'm hoping to God that I'll arrive in time.

Me: Is she still unconscious? 

Christine: Yes

Me: What about her vitals?

Christine: Weak vitals as of right now.

Weak??! What the hell is going on?! I group text my doctors: ETA. I go to Apple Maps on my phone to view the distance to Dignity Health: 25 minutes away. "Increase speed," I command the craft.

"Speed caution required for weather conditions."

"Override. Increase speed." The flying machine turbos ahead, slicing the rain faster. Lightning and thunder harmonize the cloudy sky.

One of the doctors texts: 15 minutes away.

I'll be there at that time at the rate I'm flying. Good, I'll have the docs scan Madison right away. Hopefully, they can wake her up.

Me: Send a photo

I impatiently tap the armrest of my chair. On Apple Maps, the arrival is 12 minutes. Good. I'll be near her soon. Christine sends a photo. There are three people on her bed, two girls and a guy; their backs are to the camera. I can't make out faces. Whoever they are, I'm glad she has support. Madison looks like she's sleeping, yet her expression shows discomfort. So, she's hurting while unconscious??? I exhale roughly.

My doctors await on the hospital's helipad. I step off my craft, which landed a few seconds after theirs. There's a heavy drizzle from above. "Let's go. I'll explain on the way." The three track after me with medical briefcases made of dark leather. We near an exit and go down a stairway. "The subject is Madison Hart, the Uber victim. I'm sure you all heard of the tragedy. Tonight, she experienced head pain and passed out. Her scans are clear, yet something is off."

"What medications are she on?" A woman named Lori asks.

"Just morphine."

"Nothing else?"

"No, according to my informant, that's all she's on."

"Hmmm." One of the guys' mumbles. "If that's the case, the patient shouldn't have passed out."

"Those are my thoughts exactly." I make it to the bottom and open the door for my crew. "What could be the cause?"

"A concussion."

"Maybe a hemorrhage."

"Or a seizure from impact." The three converse.

"You stated that her scans were clear?"

"Yes," I confirm with Lori.

"Odd...she was said to have taken a long tumble on the road with severe injuries. There has to be something in the brain scans." The pure white halls stream with nurses and doctors. A man on a stretcher has a bleeding leg; another holds a teen with a gushing eye. One woman sobs in a corner, and a kid in a wheelchair intakes oxygen. I frown at the glum atmosphere; a tinge of sadness works me. Everyone here is either wounded, sick, or on the brink of death. Once again, I pray Madison is well. I pray she's just wounded and nothing more.

The trio stride to the main desk on business. The receptionist studies them curiously. Their formal attire and white coats are the reasons why. "Hello, how may I help you all?"

"Hello. We're here concerning Madison Hart. We request immediate examination." Lori informs.

"Immediate examination isn't allowed by other parties?"

"We're a private medical board, LRP. Our clearance overrides policy."

"Umm...I'm not sure about that. I'll have to ask a doctor." The young woman presses a button.

"I have the hospital administrator on speed dial. Lawrence Garret. All permission has been dealt with." She whips out her phone to make a call. "While you two chat, we'll head to the patient's room. Release her room number." Lori hands over her phone, which trills. A call with the administrator loads.

"Room 505." The receptionist accepts the phone.

"Thank you, dear."

The four of us tread to the elevator. The gaze of the receptionist land on me. She must recognize who I am. The awestruck response clarifies my assumption. In the lift, I select floor 5. "That should have gone faster." Robert shakes his head.

"Sloppy communication. The administrator should have alerted our arrival to all staff." Paul scolds. "Very sloppy."

I hope that doesn't apply to their technology here. Could the doctor have missed something or overlooked the scans? Or is their imaging tech bad? I guess I'll find out shortly. Room 505 is in the center of the hallway. The closer the door draws, the more uneasy I become. It's just me worrying, I'm sure. Lori knocks twice before opening the door. "I'll explain to her people." I maneuver past the three.

"Of course, sir."

"You all can perform scans while I do so." I lead the way into the spacious room. The square windows are pitch black against the light theme. The armchair and sofa are vacant. Her company is still on the bed, only they aren't turned away. The three eye us. A short, blue-haired girl registers who I am, but it isn't similar to a fan girl. She probes me suspiciously. A taller girl, dark-haired, does the same. Both are attractive despite being devastated.

A guy stands from the bed with a mug set on me. A friend, brother, or boyfriend? I'm not sure. But he needs to calm down his masculinity. I ignore his aggressive stance. "Hello, I'm Jace Harrison. I'm here to provide a second opinion concerning Ms. Hart." I don't want to speak her name and reveal a tone of attachment. My docs unload their briefcases, gathering portable scanners which they use on Madison.

The two girls stand to give them room. "A second opinion?" The blue-haired one repeats cluelessly. "We were told the reason already."

"My doctors and I disagree. I'm not much of a valuable reference, but they are, being the top in the state."

The trio places the scanners on every angle of her head, front, sides, and back. The girls watch the crew power on each scanner. Their guy companion doesn't take his sight from me. "Why should we listen to you instead of her assigned doctor?" he asks harshly.

"Because there's a high chance of a misdiagnosis."

"Is that a theory or a fact? Last time I checked, you're not a doctor. So, this isn't your concern." He leers.

"I'm aware of my profession. Maybe you haven't noticed the three doctors." I incline my head in their direction. "Right over there. Ask away; they'll clarify my statement."

The guy glares at me. The tiny girl watches him rage like a steaming teapot. She's shocked by this, but recovers fast. "We can hear out his doctors. There's nothing wrong with that."

"I don't even understand why he's here."

"Brad...he just said why." she stresses.

"I don't buy that."

"You think these doctors would be here if it were false?" She scoffs, then zeroes in on Paul. "Could you explain the misdiagnosis?"

"Sure." Paul breaks away from the others, who take snapshots of Madison's head for brain scans. He folds his hands as he stands before the lot. "My team and I believe your friend is suffering from a head injury. Morphine doesn't cause fainting or pain."

"What caused this, then?" The black-haired girl finally speaks.

"There are three possible answers to that question. Either a concussion, hemorrhage, or seizure."

The short one sucks in a breath and goes pale. "How certain are you?"

"Paul." Lori summons him. "We need a third input."

"Excuse me." He walks back to the group.

I eye their scan screens, wondering what was seen. Brain images are on each. The gray of the brain has shaded areas. Oh, no....that looks bad! Are the dark parts blood?? The trio converses quietly, which I don't like. Lori speaks fast. Her vibe is troubling. Why? I want to go over, but I fear the answer I'd get. My feet board in place. Fright builds around my heart with a crushing pressure. 

I reserve a collected appearance on the outside and let my mind spiral. It must be blood on the brain. I'm no medical technician, but I know what doesn't look normal. Normal brain scans don't look like that. The three wrap up their silent chat and walk over to us. I know what's coming. Bad news is coming. Am I ready for it? I briefly eye Madison; her tensed face while resting bothers me. I look to Lori, who begins the update.

"The patient has bleeding on the brain and is in a coma."

The slow beeping monitor fills the room. There's utter silence between her friends, a form of shock. The small girl covers her mouth with a gasp. The others resemble ghosts. I think my complexion has altered as well. A tingling sensation chills my forehead. Lines of blood slither down my brain. I breathe deeply. A COMA??!!!! BUT HOW?! I thought it was just a hemorrhage!

"NOOOO!!" The short one loses her balance, dropping to her knees.

"Lily!" The tall girl rushes to kneel beside her.

"How is it a coma? She was just fine!" Brad argues.

"The bleeding seems to have been accumulating for several hours. The pressure became too much, causing a coma."

"THIS ISN'T HAPPENING!! IT CAN'T!!" Lily sobs.

"To further investigate the stage, we'll have to take her." Lori states.

"Take her where??" Brad frets.

"Into our private board. Madison will receive the best care and a possible reversal of the coma."

"Can this be fixed???" Lily's eyes stream.

"That depends on the stage."

She holds her head with both hands, her dread is evident. "What can you do?"

"We'll do better than her current physician, I assure you." Lori gazes at me. "The team and I will enforce an immediate transfer of medical custody. We'll make it quick. Her condition has to be treated as soon as possible."

"Good, thank you." I watch my crew exit the room in haste.

"How could the doctor misdiagnose??!!" Lil huffs.

"I don't know. It's crazy."

"IT MAKES NO SENSE!!"

"Let's go to the sofa." Jess helps her up from the floor.

Lil woefully surveys Madison. "No, I want to sit next to her."

"Okay...come on." Jess guides her to the bedside as if she's an old woman needing a cane.

"I don't understand why she needs transferring. Just update the doctor. That's the simple solution." Is this guy thick-headed?

"Judging by the current care Ms. Hart received from this establishment, I wouldn't trust the doctor with a simple solution. She has to come with me."

"No, you're not taking her anywhere! Who do you think you are?"

"Maybe he should. Maddy can't stay here with these damn doctors!!" Lil bickers.

"Yes, she can't. There isn't enough time to bicker. Madison is getting worse. Let me take her. My doctors can reverse her condition. The resources here are limited, and the staff isn't as attentive as they should be. She won't face this outcome if I take her."

"Are you sure she can be transported?"

"I'm positive. As I said, we have to be quick."

"I don't know about this," Jess is tentative.

"I say no, let the hospital do their job."

"You're trusting her here after what just happened?? You're not so bright, are you?"

"BRAD, NO!!" Lily shouts. The guy charges at me with balled fists. I play it cool because I know I can take him. He's all for show; his strength must be low. The two girls run over to grab him. Brad tries to free himself from their hold. His eyes burn into mine with vengeance. "WALK IT OFF!" Lil commands, shoving him away. "Don't you dare do this right over her!" 

Jess joins the shoving. The little boy continues his angry tantrum while being manhandled by the bunch. I grin, amused by his adolescence. They get him to the door and scoot him out. 

Lil slams it. She furiously puffs out air before saying, "we're trusting you to do better than these idiots. If you don't, I'll make your life a living hell!" She threatens.

"You have my word."

Lil returns to Madison's side. We all observe her sleep, knowing it's more than that. Bleeding on the brain...and a coma. Fuck! This better not be a high-stage condition. I only got two times with her. There has to be more chances than that. There has to be. I'll be better next time; I won't bribe her with money or be too proud. I won't compare her to other women. I'll change her view of me. Wake up soon, Madison...please. Her heart rate is 50. It's going too slow. Every beep has a delay close to six seconds. This sound is traumatizing. A team of paramedics escorts the doctors into the room with a stretcher bed. Madison's limp body is switched to it, along with her monitor and IVs.

"Apply the oxygen." Robert directs a paramedic, who speedily does as he asks.

The clear tube is wrapped around her nose. The sight of it adds depth to her condition. The tube escalates the situation, a gloomy reality sets in. I think she's too bad off to wake up anytime soon. Madison is quickly rolled down the hall: my team and the paramedics sprint to the elevator. The girls and I power walk to keep up. I get inside, but Robert holds a hand up to Lil and Jess. "I'm sorry, you two don't have clearance."

"We can't come??!" Lil blurts emotionally. "But she needs us!"

"Sorry...this isn't personal, it's just protocol."

I grimace at how shattered she becomes; her lip quivers, and her eyes cloud up. Jess blinks away tears and holds Lil's hand. "It's an emergency. Please let us come."

"I'm sorry, you're not allowed. We're a private entity." Robert sympathizes. "She's in the best care possible, don't worry."

Lil catches the elevator door before it closes, sadly staring down at Madison. She leans to kiss her forehead while Jess squeezes Madison's hand. "If you can hear me, please get better, Maddy." She forces herself away. If the term ripping off a band-aid was visual, this would be it. Separation anxiety, sorrow, and grief. The elevator door begins to close again. Jess pulls Lil back. The last thing I see is the two hugging. I hope they recover from this. I'm not so sure if they're friends anymore. Are they her sisters? Their grave concern gives this impression.

The team and I climb the stairs to the rooftop. Our footsteps sound like soldiers on the steps. Fast-paced and hard. "Explain the scans," I demand.

Lori and Robert assist the paramedics; Paul is the only one who's not occupied. "Bleeding and inflammation of the brain. Right now, we're assuming it's an early coma, but we won't know for sure without a medical lab."

"Is an early coma a good?"

"Yes...it means the girl has a high chance of waking if we medically induce the coma."

The exit door bangs open. The bed is wheeled to the doctors' helicopter. I follow and board it, leaving my craft empty. It'll fly itself home with one click from my phone. My team and I load onto the copter and ease the bed inside. We then strap it into place. When we sit, the paramedics wave to the pilot, signaling that everyone is safely secured. The copter rises upwards noisily. My attention falls on Madison. 

Can she hear what's going on around her? I think coma patients can hear their surroundings. I doubt she will hear me. It's too loud. I should have taken my noiseless helicopter. My ears are drowned out by muffling air and pounding propellers.

The docs place on headsets and converse. I lean closer to her ear to speak softly. "I hope you can hear me. You're going to be okay; just hang on. Be strong. I told you I'm looking forward to our next chat. Don't stand me up." I rest my hand atop hers. They're ice cold...she's freezing! My stomach drops painfully. "This can't be all I get from you...cold hands in place of warm ones. Your mind drifting instead of firing off. I need you alive."