Page 74 of Hades

She nods, turning to face the window. She stays that way for the entire ride to the clubhouse. Even when we arrive, she barely speaks, her body shaking with sobs every once in a while.

I get her set up in a booth in the main room, Natalie coming to sit with her. She speaks softly to her as I move toward Reaper.

“What happened?” Reaper asks.

“I don’t know. The news vans started to show up, then Travis texted and said to get inside.”

Trigger comes from his office, holding a tablet. He nods his head to the room we use for church.

I look back to Evelyn, satisfied that she has someone with her. Then I step into the room.

“It’s against hospital policy, but I have eyes in every single room in that place. Look at this,” Trigger says.

We watch as a large man leads Melanie in through a back door. He gets her in a wheelchair, then bypasses everyone, leading her into the trauma room. Marie, one of the student doctors, follows them in but stops when she sees who it is.

Then she turns, running to find Evelyn. Trigger switches the cameras, showing us everything that happened. From Evelyn going into the room. To Travis leaving the room. All the way to Evelyn performing CPR on the woman as she fights like hell to keep her alive.

She gives it her all. I can see by the time she calls it. She is spent both physically and mentally. The woman in the other room? The one crying isn’t my Evelyn. She is a shell of a woman after witnessing her patient die.

It wasn’t her first patient death, but this one hit harder because of who it was.

“How did she die?” I ask, needing to know.

“I don’t know. The records show cardiac arrest after an administration of lorazepam, but it doesn’t make sense,” Trigger mutters.

“What doesn’t make sense?” Reaper asks.

“I don’t know yet. Give me some time to review the footage. I’ll get back with you when I know more. I’m waiting on the autopsy too.”

I nod. “I think I need to take Evelyn home if this is all. I know we have questions, but she is distraught. I don’t think tonight is the time to talk to her. It’s not worth the damage it will do.”

Reaper nods. “Take care of her. I’m really glad she has you.”

“Me too. I’ll bring her by in the morning.”

I leave them behind reviewing footage and head over to where Natalie is speaking to Evelyn. Evelyn isn’t saying anything, but she does look like she is hearing what Natalie is saying.

“It’s not your fault. Remember that,” Natalie finishes, looking over at me.

“Reaper will talk to us tomorrow. I’m taking you home. You ready?”

She nods, standing.

I can’t take the look on her face. I pull her into my chest and hold her tight. She lets out a small sob, squeezing me like I’m the only thing keeping her alive.

“I’ve got you. I’m not going to let you go. I know it was traumatizing, but you’re strong and resilient. You will endure this. You will come out the other side even stronger than you are now.”

She sniffles. “I’m tired of being strong. She shouldn’t be dead. If I had saved her the first time, she wouldn’t have come back three times as bad.”

“You don’t know that. You can’t take responsibility for that. All you can do is learn from the situation and move on.”

“I’ve never wanted someone dead before, but I want him dead,” she admits.

I nod. “I know, Princess. I’ll make sure it happens too. Let’s get you home to rest. Travis texted and said you have the rest of the week off.”

She hugs me a little tighter before pulling back. When she holds out her hand to me, I take it.

I’ll always take it. Every single time she offers, for one single reason.