The Girl Awakens
Back at the hospital, the girl lay unconscious in the ICU. Hero curled up on a blanket beside her bed, lifting his head at every sound. Nurses brought him water, but he barely touched it. His eyes never left her.
Just before dawn, a soft gasp broke the silence. Her eyelids fluttered open, unfocused at first, then settled on the figure lying beside her.
Her lips trembled. “Scout,” she whispered.
The dog’s ears perked instantly. He rose and pressed his nose to the bed’s edge, releasing a soft huff of relief.
