ZACH’S POV

Hearing Joan's voice calling out for me made my heart leap. I hadn’t seen her since she went to bed last night, still groggy from the medication, and now she was awake and calling for me. I moved quickly down the hall, my heart pounding in my chest with a mix of excitement and concern. Mrs Henderson was right on my heels, her steps just as hurried, the tray in her hands balanced with practised ease.

As I rounded the corner, I saw Joan standing in the doorway of her room, her small frame bathed in the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She was wearing her...