Freya.

Even though the doctor asked me to leave, I couldn’t even move.

I stood frozen against the wall, my hands clasped so tightly together that my nails dug into my palms, drawing tiny crescents of pain. My heart hammered wildly, each beat a painful thud that vibrated through my entire body. I watched helplessly as the doctor barked orders at the nurses, his voice sharp and urgent.

“Get the epinephrine ready — now! Increase the oxygen flow to 15 liters. Check her vitals again. Someone get the crash cart closer!”

The nurses moved in a blur around the bed, one adjusting tubes, another injecting something into the IV line,...