The hospital lobby was quiet, except for the sound of fast footsteps and soft voices coming from the nurses behind the front desk.

Mandy and Alina rushed in, the glass doors slidding shut behind them with a soft whoosh. The air smelled clean and sharp, like disinfectant. Mandy was breathing heavily, and Alina held her arm to keep her steady.

The receptionist stood the moment she saw Mandy approaching.

"Miss Mandy," she said quickly. "She’s in the ER. Room 3."

Mandy didn’t ...