LORETTA

I leaned down and kissed Abel's forehead softly, careful not to disturb any multiple wires attached to his fragile body.

The steady beep of his heart monitor filled the room, a constant reminder that my little brother was fighting for his life on a daily basis.

Abel stirred, his eyelashes fluttered weakly against pale cheeks, and the clear oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth was fogged with each pained breath he took.

My chest tightened painfully, I had been home since the day before yesterday, but he hadn't opened his eyes once. Able looked so small right now, with tubes all over his body

I brushed my fingers...