Finally I release it. Let him take it.
He asks me what happened. I mutter something about Marco’s shotgun hitting the bear but not taking it down. Then using the bear spray. My voice sounds distant.
Everything after that is a blur.
More people arrive. EMTs. Equipment. A stretcher. Marco’s security team.
They load Marco up. I catch one glimpse of his face. Wrapped in bandages that are already soaking through with red.
Then they’re moving. Fast.
Someone’s asking me questions. Am I hurt? Is the child hurt?
I shake my head. Answer on autopilot.
We pile into a vehicle. Ben on my lap. Still has her eyes shut tight. Still breathing with me.
We drive. I barely notice where I am.
And then I’m walking again. With Ben.
Hospital.
The hospital is chaos. Bright lights and urgent voices and people moving fast.
Ethan’s there. Just finishing a shift. He sees us and his whole face changes.
“Jess. Oh fuck. Jess.”
I can barely hear his voice.
He takes over. Shepherds us through triage. Keeps asking if I need anything.
I shake my head. Can’t form words.
He hands stickers to Ben. “You can help, okay? You’re my helper.”
She takes them. But her hands don’t work. The stickers just fall.
She’s in shock.
We’re all in shock.
Marco’s stretcher wheels past. I turn Ben’s face into my shoulder so she can’t see.
He disappears through double doors marked EMERGENCY SURGERY.
Ethan guides us to a waiting room. Quiet. Away from the main chaos.
“Sit,” he says gently.
I sit. Pull Ben into my lap.
She’s not crying. Not making any sound at all.
That’s worse.
So much worse than crying.
