I was off the ground in a flash, lurching toward where Ani had been moments earlier, even as Mom and Dad moved to stop me. "Drew, just try to relax." "Dr. Murphy will take good care of her." I barely heard their words. Relax? Relax?

My wife just fearlessly positioned herself between me and a dagger, risking her life to protect me. It seemed like it took an eternity to reach the infirmary. I had never felt more terrified than the moment I'd seen her with the dagger sticking out of her chest.

Dr. Murphy stopped me at the entrance, concern, worry, and fear etched on her face. She must have seen the panic in my eyes because she guided me inside without a word. Despite the unexpectedness of her injury, I was relieved to find Ani already in a room. My breath caught when we reached the door.

Dr. Murphy squeezed my shoulder before leaning in, her voice hardly louder than breath. "I'm not going to lie to you, Drew. It's not good. The dagger went straight through her rib, punctured her lung, and missed her heart by an inch." I didn't realize I had begun to fall until Dr. Murphy lunged to catch me.

I tried to take a stroke forward but swayed slightly. She tightened her grip on my shoulder, scanning my face when she spoke. "Are you okay? Your mom said you hit your head pretty hard."

Her face swam in and out of my vision. I couldn't breathe. "I'm fine." My voice sounded muffled and distorted, even to my ears. It took all my remaining energy to shake off the dizziness plaguing me and attempt to focus on her face. As she spoke again, I saw her mouth move, but I couldn't make out the words.

Blinking hard, I forced myself to listen. "We successfully removed it and stitched up the wound, but unfortunately, it had already caused significant damage. Ani will most likely have some pain in her chest and trouble breathing for the rest of her life. I want to keep her here for a couple of days for observation, but if everything looks okay after that, she can be released. We'll take the stitches out in a couple of weeks."

She took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, rubbing her eyes. "Before I leave, I want to check you out. I think you may have a concussion." It was as if she was speaking through a wall. There was also a strange ringing in my ears, but I brushed it off.

I nodded. "Okay," I whispered as I followed her, stopping inside the room. Ani didn't move a muscle, her chest rising and falling steadily.

She tested my vision first, asking me to follow her finger without moving my head. After that, she asked if I had any ringing in my ears or trouble hearing. Unsurprisingly, my answer was yes to both questions. She frowned. "Ok. I will recommend to your parents that we keep you overnight as well—to ensure there aren't any lingering side effects we should worry about."

"Thank you," I whispered hoarsely. She held the door open for me, and I thanked her with a smile as she closed it behind me.

I barely made it to the chair before I faltered. My vision blurred, cleared, and blurred again as I gently touched Ani's cheek. Her eyes had drifted closed, but they fluttered open at my touch. "Drew?" Her voice was so weak I could barely hear her.

She took a deep breath, and a sharp cry escaped her lips as she raised her shaking hands to her chest. "S-something's wrong." I heard the fear, confusion, and worry wrapped up in those two words, and it sent dagger-sharp stings of pain to my heart.

I shook my head, forcing a strained smile as tears streamed down my cheeks. Bright lights flashed behind my eyes at the movement, but I ignored them. "Shh. Don't try to talk, my love. Just rest. Dr. Murphy fixed you up, and you'll be good as new in no time. Just hang on." I squeezed my eyes shut as a sob shuddered through me.

I bit down on another sob so hard my teeth chattered. Ani took another deep breath, wincing as she did. I choked on my breath as I scanned her face. "I'm right here. Get some rest, and I'll be right here when you wake up." Through sheer force of will, I managed to keep my voice steady even as more tears streamed down my cheeks.

Only when her eyes closed and her breathing became deep and even did I allow myself to cry. Silent sobs shook my body and turned my breaths sharp and uneven. The only other times I'd felt fear like that were when Faye, Carla, and Ella had died.

Mom opened the door silently and peeked inside. The instant her red-rimmed eyes met mine, she moved, catching me right before I slammed into the seafloor. Her arms were the only thing holding me upright. "Drew, I'm so sorry." When her voice broke, something cracked inside me.

As we broke apart, Mom took my hands and scanned my face. Like before with Dr. Murphy, her face swam in my vision before I forced myself to concentrate. "Everyone else is in the waiting room. What did Dr. Murphy say?"

I shook my head as tears cascaded down my cheeks, regretting the movement a heartbeat later as the room spun. The only sound was Ani's deep, even breathing for a few moments. My voice was barely more than a whisper when I could speak again. "The dagger went straight through her rib, punctured a lung, and missed her heart by an inch.

"They successfully removed it and stitched up the wound, but it had already caused significant damage." My voice wavered, and I wondered if I could continue. Hearing it had been hard enough; I didn't know if I could speak the words aloud. I took a deep, steadying breath and blew it out slowly. Ani had survived, and she was going to be okay. Knowing that was the only thing keeping me from closing myself off in my grief, regret, and shame.

"She will most likely have some pain in her chest and trouble breathing for the rest of her life." My voice finally broke when I breathed those words, and I crumpled. Mom held me tightly as I let out all the pent-up emotions I'd kept hidden since Ani's diagnosis. Fear, anger, sadness, grief, worry—they smothered me until I couldn't breathe.

She was why I got up in the mornings; she was the sole reason I hadn't let myself succumb to the grief and regret in the wake of Faye's death. Mom gripped my shoulders as we broke apart. "I'm so, so sorry, Drew. Did Dr. Murphy say anything else?" I heard the heartbreak and grief in her voice, and it almost made me break down all over again.

"She wants to keep her here for a couple of days for observation, but if everything looks okay after that, she can be released. They'll take the stitches out in a couple of weeks." I was surprised at their lack of emotion as the words left my mouth. Some deeper part of me knew that the shock had finally settled in, but I couldn't find the energy to care.

Only when Mom let go and I swayed did her eyes widen. She scanned my face, and the worry on her own was evident. "Are you okay? When was the last time you ate something?"

Ani's injury had consumed my thoughts, causing me to forget everything that had happened before. I glanced out the nearest window at Mom's words, surprised to find darkness blanketing the water. Had an entire day passed already? Things like time and food had become meaningless when Ani had woken up. But now that she was asleep again, the strain on my body became evident.

I didn't make it back to the chair before I faltered. Mom lunged, catching me as I narrowly missed the seat. She effortlessly took my weight and gently set me back in the chair. "I don't know. After examining me, Dr Murphy informed me that I had a concussion." My voice was as hollow as I felt.

Taking a steadying breath, I leaned forward and gently took Ani's hand. Her chest's steady rise and fall was like a metronome, keeping in time with my own. My eyes stayed glued to her chest as I silently begged her to keep breathing.

When Mom returned with food, I flinched as the door opened. I hadn't even heard her leave. Ani's eyes fluttered open at the sound. I released a tense breath, rubbing my thumb over her hand. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

Her eyes sought mine, filled with fear and confusion. "What happened?"

I exchanged a worried glance with Mom. "What do you remember?" My voice was barely a whisper.

I was scared of her answer. Did she know who had attacked her? Did she remember what happened? And if she did, how much? Those three questions rattled in my mind as I waited for her to respond.

She shook her head, wincing as she did. "We were... Outside Waverly's room with her mom... Ross was there, but he wouldn't let us in..." Her eyes had gone vacant and glassy when she spoke, but they suddenly cleared as she gripped my hand. "Waverly? Is she okay?"

I looked at Mom, desperation in my eyes. I couldn't relive what had happened. Not yet—maybe not ever. She met my eyes and nodded, turning back to Ani as she took a deep breath. "Waverly's fine. Ross attacked Drew, but you threw yourself over him, taking the brunt of the damage. The dagger went straight through your rib, punctured your lung, and missed your heart by an inch.

"The doctors successfully removed the dagger and stitched up your wound, but it had already caused considerable damage. Dr. Murphy said you will most likely have some pain in your chest and trouble breathing for the rest of your life, but you're going to be okay. She wants to keep you here for a couple of days for observation, but if everything looks okay after that, you can be released."

I released a shuddering breath and gripped Ani's hand tighter as the blur of dirty blonde hair flashed through my mind. "Why did you throw yourself over me like that? You could've—you could've been—" My voice broke off, emotion choking me.

Ani's eyes glistened with tears as she looked at me. "Me? You were the one who barricaded yourself in the room with Ross. You knew what he was capable of, yet you still put yourself in harm's way." Her chest hitched, and a slight moan escaped her as a shudder moved through her body.

My body instantly went on alert as she raised trembling hands to her chest, right where the stitches were. Mom rose as well, anxiously glancing between Ani and me. "Are you okay? Should I get Dr. Murphy?" Her voice was calm when she spoke, but I saw the panic in her eyes. It likely mirrored my own.

After a few deep breaths, Ani slowly lowered her hands. She was breathing heavily, and sweat dotted her brow, but she managed a shaky smile as she shook her head. "I'm fine. It's just the stitches."

Mom and I exchanged another worried glance. When she handed me the plate of food, I didn't hesitate to extend a piece of shrimp to Ani. Despite Mom's worry about me not eating, I knew Ani needed it more than I did.

When I spoke again, I could hear the strain in my voice. "After you get released from the hospital, I'm going to recommend to Mom and Dad that both of us get bodyguards—or, in your case, a lady-in-waiting. As much as it pains me, I can't be by your side 24/7, and in light of recent events, I think it would give us all peace of mind to know we had more protection."

It was the first time I'd spoken the words aloud, but I knew Mom was already on board. Mom nodded. "That's a good idea. I'll let David know." When I saw Ani place the shrimp into her mouth, I did the same, not tasting anything.

I watched her throat bob as she swallowed hard before raising a trembling hand and placing it on my chest. I had barely lifted my hand before I slumped forward, my head lolling on the bed. A wave of exhaustion crashed over me, more intense than ever. Ani's voice drifted in and out of my ears as she spoke, presumably to Mom. "Get Dr..."

Mom's response was just as distorted. "Drew, can you..."

Warped voices fluctuated in and out of my ears as I struggled to stay awake. I knew going to sleep with a concussion was a bad sign, but my eyelids were so heavy. As I tried to focus on the other voice, my grasp on consciousness slipped away, fully immersing me in the blackness. "Drew? What happened? Is he..."

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