approachedthebed,hoping,hoping.herubbedhercheek.whenshe

didntrespond,hegaveherhandasqueeze.”rachel””dontbother

herhopecriedinafearfultone.

santhasaidnothing.hereyesepale.

bagtotheopenhalfoftheslidingglassdoor,jackstoodhthe

girlsheyadjustedtothese,andhereadjustedtorachels

nothavingged.entink,hesaida

quiet”seenorespirators,nolifesupports.shebrokeherleg.

therestheutherhand,sothatsbandaged,andthe

bruisesonherfaceareeer

black,blue,andpurple

foraal.butittook

aanthanodded.hereyesdidntleaverachel.

”theivpoleshavedieandfood,”heonforlackofanything

bettertosay.”thetvsbehindherregistersthingslikeheart,

pulse,andoxygen.theresapersonattheationwhosees

allthatandknoobr>

throughtheglass.thatseadofinaregular

roo”hopevedclosertohisside.

”seethetopreadout”hetried.”theheartbeat,thatlittlegreen

upanddois”hefelthopenodagainst

hisar”togoletherknoea

quickheadshake.”santha”anthalookedas

youngandfrightenedashope.”shehearus””thedoctorsays

so.itseetothatifshe,shedliketoknowyouguysare

here.”

”doeveryou.”