Chapter 139 Not Again

• Hailey***
• I sit at Max's bedside, my fingers gently tracing the edge of his blanket, feeling the softness beneath my touch. My eyes are fixed on his peaceful face, but my mind is far from calm. The constant beep of the heart monitor reassures me in some way, yet it doesn’t settle the whirlwind inside me. Every now and then, I glance toward the door, half-expecting someone to come in with good news—news that Summer is safe, that Hollis is okay—but no one does. The silence only amplifies the gnawing dread in my chest, growing heavier with each passing minute. The scent of antiseptic clings to the air, sharp and sterile. The rhythmic rise and fall of Max’s chest is my anchor, grounding me in a world that feels more fragile by the second.
• Max stirs in his sleep, his tiny hand reaching out for me, and without thinking, I grasp it. He’s so small, so innocent, and I wish, more than anything, that I could shield him from the chaos outside these walls. I keep telling myself he’s fine, that I have to stay strong for him. But my thoughts keep drifting back to Summer. Where is she? Is she scared? Hurt?