The nurse stopped and pushed open the next door and Meret’s breath left her in a broken exhale.

Maya lay on the bed.

Her head was wrapped in thick white bandages, her arm tightly bound at her side. Machines surrounded her, as monitors beeping steadily.

“Oh my God… Maya.”

Her knees nearly gave out as she rushed forward, dropping beside the bed. She reached for Maya’s hand, dread tightening painfully in her chest when she felt how cold and still she was.

“I’m so sorry,” Meret ...