Chapter 4

Driven by a sudden, fierce will to live, I turned over and looked at Emily on the other stretcher.

Emily's tiny body looked like a crumpled piece of paper, stained with blood from head to toe.

My heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

I sobbed, "Baby, Mommy failed you. I didn't protect you."

A thousand apologies fought to spill out, but all that came was grief.

Tears streamed down my face as I whispered again and again, "Please hang on. Please open your eyes for me.

"Mommy's right here. I'll never leave you again. I'll protect you for…