Thalia held Tracey tightly in her arms as the medical team rushed through the hospital corridor. Her daughter’s tiny body lay limp against her chest, the carrier soaked in blood. Thalia’s legs almost gave out with every step she took, but fear kept her moving, fear and pure, animalistic desperation.

“Please… please…” she whispered under her breath, her tears falling on Tracey’s pale face. “Stay with Mommy, baby...please…”

George rushed beside her with Jay held tightly in his grip. Jay was sobbing so hard that his body was shaking, his small hand clutching his father’s shirt as though letting go would break him completely. George himself was shaking, trying to...