“But between you and me…” The officer swallowed hard. “…he was unresponsive at the scene, and we lost him twice before the ambulance arrived.”
“I see.” He leaned forward to brace himself on his knees. “Thank you for your honesty. False hope is much crueler than brutal honesty.”
A doctor, still in scrubs, came into the waiting room, a resigned look on his face. “Mr. Atheron?”
“Can you stay with them a bit longer? My boy is going to need me very shortly.” He slowly stood
“Of course.” He nodded to Eli. “Go be with him. I’ll be here as long as you need me. Shift ended at six, but my missus would kick my ass if I went home and left these kids by themselves.”
“Thanks.” He crossed the room to Eli’s side just in time to hear the doctor confirm the worst.
“…we tried everything, but his injuries were too severe, and your brother didn’t make it. My condolences to your family.”
“No….” Eli swayed on his feet, the word ripping free of him.
Willem barely caught Eli as his knees buckled. “I got you, boy.”
