Chapter 217: The Light Fades
Joe sat only a couple of meters away from Max and Aron as the two spoke in low, urgent tones. Even though there was chaos all around them, nurses shouting for supplies, doctors moving swiftly down the hallways, and whispers passing between onlookers, Joe could feel the desperation in the air like a heavy blanket pressing down on them all.
Most eyes were locked on the unusual team of doctors that had rushed in earlier, clearly not part of the regular hospital staff. Their presence alone had caused a commotion, the kind of attention that didn’t go unnoticed. But Joe... Joe was focused on something else entirely.
He had caught part of the conversation, just enough to hear a name. A name that didn’t just pass through his ears, but seemed to echo in his brain.
Stern? Stern? Joe pressed his fingers to his temples, furrowing his brow. Where have I heard that before? It rings a bell... but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
He paused, frustrated that the answer danced just out of reach in his memory.
Whatever. Who cares about a family name right now? I just want to know if Jay’s okay...
Eventually, the adrenaline and stress began to catch up with Max. More than any fight. More than any moment he had spent running for his life. This was different. This was a fear he couldn’t punch or outthink.
Aron had gently guided Max into a seat, placing a hand on his shoulder to ground him. The three of them sat in silence after that. Watching. Waiting. Hoping.
They saw people come and go. Some left with joyful relief in their eyes. Others collapsed into sobs as they received the worst kind of news. And then there were those, injured, bandaged, alone, quietly wheeled in and out of rooms, surrounded by nothing but the beep of machines and sterile white walls.
"They’re doing everything they can," Aron said, breaking the silence. "This is the same team that helped you once. The best of the best. They know what they’re doing."
Max gave a slight nod but said nothing at first.