I sit in the back with Eliza while Jane navigates the traffic to the hospital. Eliza is grumbling in her seat, shifting uncomfortably, but she still reaches out and grabs onto my hand.
“He’s okay. He’s okay. I know it,” she tells me, and more tears track down my cheeks. She’s in incredible pain, and yet, still, she’s comforting me.
They’ll be there for me no matter what.
I am so fortunate to have them.
They gave it all up for me.
Eliza groans through a contraction as Jane swerves around a car and swears.
“Thanks for driving like a dickhole, bitch!” Jane yells and then drives on the shoulder of the road, passing a semi-truck. But no one says anything because Eliza’s contractions are coming more frequently. I’m worried that if this continues, I’ll have to deliver this baby on the side of the road.
“Seth is an asshole. Said his DnD gamehadto be today. If he misses the birth of our child, I’m getting a divorce,” she grumbles.
“He won’t miss it,” I say and squeeze her hand, glancing down at my phone, my unanswered texts glaring back up at me.
Me:Are you safe?
Me:Tell me you’re okay.
No response. Nothing.
I squeeze my eyes shut and force my mind to not think about it.
I can think about it later.
* * *
Two hours later, Seth arrives at the hospital, bursting through the doors like his ass is on fire.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry,” Seth says, skidding on the floors and talking so quickly it’s hard to make sense of anything he’s saying. “The party was about to deliver the killing blow on the Soul Binder and the bard failed his stealth check and the plan fell to shambles. We narrowly avoided a TPK….”
God, Eliza is going to rip him a new one. He is a dead man.
I stare at him blankly.
“Total party kill…” he explains and Jane points to the reception desk and he jolts into action.
“You need to check in and get to her before she divorces you,” Jane says and then mutters to me, “Is there a witchcraft box to cure stupid?”
I shake my head and huff. “No. The only cure is death.”
Then silence looms over the two of us and I sit there, trying to think of anything other than Luke, but my eyes are glued to my phone and the news article explaining what happened.
The pipeline Luke was working on exploded, and three people were killed. There’s no mention of names. It’s driving me crazy. I mean, the chances of it being Luke are slim, but still, I’m conjuring up the worst. My brain can’t help it.
“Jane,” I say, turning to my sister, who is keeping me company in the waiting room. “I have to see if I can find out any information about Luke.” I stand, and my legs ache from sitting so stiffly for hours.
“Do you want me to go with you?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“No, I’m just going down to reception to ask…” my voice breaks, and I blink rapidly. “See if they know who the victims are, or if they can tell me anything.”
She nods and says, “Call me if you need me, and I’ll be there.”
“I know, thanks,” I say and then push through the doors. My legs are shaking as I move down to reception on the first floor.
I stand behind a few people waiting to be checked into the emergency room. After an eternity, it’s my turn.