Chapter 9 - The Hospital Room
At Saint Jude's Hospital, the pediatric ICU floor was quiet, sterile, and heavily guarded by two uniformed officers.
Toby lay in a private room, an IV line dripping hydration fluids into his arm.
His color had returned, though his back was covered in thick burn salve to treat the heat exposure.
Infant Leo rested safely in a crib beside his bed, breathing normally, sleeping soundly under a fresh hospital blanket.
I walked into the room carrying a cup of warm chamomile tea, sitting quietly in the chair beside Toby's bed.
He looked up at me, his brown eyes clear and wide.
"You're the lady from the parking lot," Toby said softly.
"I am," I smiled gently. "My name is Sarah."
Toby looked at his hands resting on the blanket. "Thank you for breaking the window. I... I couldn't move my arms anymore."
"You were very brave, Toby," I told him, touching his arm. "You protected that little girl with your own body. Most grown men wouldn't have had that kind of courage."
Toby's lip trembled. Tears filled his eyes again.
"My mom taught me," Toby whispered, a single tear running down his cheek. "She said big brothers always protect the small ones. No matter what."
"Where is your mom, Toby?" I asked gently.
May you like
Toby looked toward the hospital door, making sure the officers weren't listening, before leaning his head closer to mine.
"She's not a thief, Sarah," Toby cried softly. "Mr. Vance's wife... she did something bad. My mom saw it. That's why the man came to our apartment."
