Chapter 1 The Crash

Penelope Lorenzo's POV

"Please help me!" My voice cracked as I dropped to my knees, clutching at the hem of a nurse's scrubs. "Please, I'm begging you! My father... he's dying! Do something!"

The nurse took a hesitant step back, her face full of pity but devoid of action to render any sort of help. "Miss, I-I'm so sorry. There's nothing-"

"There's Nothing?" I screamed at the top of my voice, my voice echoing down the cold hospital hallway. I just didn't care!

"He's having a stroke! A heart attack! Do you understand? My father, He's in pain! You have to save him! He is all I've got, please!" I yelled more on seeing no one was ready to help me out.

"We're doing all we can," another nurse murmured, but her words felt hollow. Her gaze darted away from mine, as if she couldn't bear to look at me.

Was I looking so terrible that everyone kept avoiding my gaze? Why wouldn't they just help me save my father? That's all I'm pleading for!

"No, you're not doing anything!" I yelled and burst into more tears. The tears streamed down my face like raindrops.

"Please! Someone help him! You've got to help him!" I turned to the room full of medical staff, their white coats and scrubs blurring together. "Why are you all just standing there? Just do something! Anything at all, is fine!"

"Miss, please calm down," a young male doctor said, stepping forward cautiously. "Crying this much isn't going to help matters. Rather, you're hurting yourself! We understand your distress, but the specialists are in surgery, and-"

"I don't fucking care about your surgery!" I cut him off, slamming my fists on the cold tile floor. "My father is in a life and death situation! He is dying right now! Please, I'll do anything! Just save him!"

My cries turned into deep, heaving sobs as I pressed my forehead to the ground. My body shook violently, the weight of helplessness crushing me. "He is all I have," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Please, don't let him die..."

The hallway grew silent, save for my broken sobs. For a moment, I thought no one would come forward.

Then, a deep, calm voice broke through the tension. "Hey, Miss."

I looked up to see an elderly doctor stepping out of one of the rooms. His silver hair glinted under the fluorescent lights, and his eyes bore into mine. He adjusted the glasses on his nose as he crouched down to my level.

"I'm Dr. Harry," he said softly. "I'll do everything in my power to save your father."

A gasp escaped my lips. "Y-you will?" I clutched his hand tightly, desperation laced in my grip.

He nodded. "Yes. But there's one condition."

"Anything," I blurted out, my voice hoarse. "I'll do anything!"

"You'll need to pay the deposit first," he said, his tone gentle but stern.

The word 'deposit' hit me like a punch to the stomach. My chest tightened as I stared at him, wide-eyed. "How much is the deposit?"

"Five thousand dollars," the nurse beside him interjected, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Five thousand... what!" I repeated, my voice trailing off. My fingers slackened off his hand as my mind raced. "I don't-I don't have that kind of money!"

Dr. Harry placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, but it's hospital policy. Without the deposit, I can't proceed. Go find the money. I'll do my best to stabilize him while you're gone."

My lips trembled as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.

"Thank you," I choked out, bowing my head. "Thank you so much! I promise, I'll get it."

I staggered to my feet, wiping my tears with trembling hands.

My legs felt like they were made of lead as I ran down the hospital corridor. The sound of my labored breaths echoed around me.

"Where do I find five thousand dollars?" I whispered to myself, my voice shaking. "Who do I even contact?"

As I rounded a corner, the strap of my right slipper snapped. "No, no, no!" I cried out, stumbling forward. My knee hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Blood pooled beneath me, but I didn't care. "Get up," I muttered, forcing myself to stand. "Keep moving."

"Miss, are you okay?" a nurse called out, rushing toward me.

"I'm fine!" I snapped, dragging my injured leg as I pushed forward.

"Miss, wait! You're bleeding!"

"I don't care!" I screamed over my shoulder, my voice cracking.

Pain shot through my leg with every step, but I refused to stop.

As I ran, I bumped into a hospital bed parked at a side in the hallway. The sharp metal edge jabbed into my ribs, knocking the air out of me.

"Arghh!" I cried out, clutching my side. Warm blood trickled down my arm from where the bed had scraped my skin.

"Miss, stop! You're hurt!"

"Leave me alone!" I yelled, tears blinding my vision.

The hospital exit loomed ahead. I stumbled toward it, my heart hammering in my chest.

The cool evening air hit my face as I burst outside. The world around me was chaotic-cars honking, people shouting-but it all felt distant. My only focus was getting across the road to find help.

"Hey, stop right there!" someone shouted behind me, but I didn't look back.

Why should I spare them a glance? Were they going to help me sort out my father's hospital bill?

I stepped off the curb, my swollen eyes fixed on the opposite side of the street.

The screech of tires filled my ears, but it was already too late.

The car slammed into me with a force that sent my body flying through the air.

Time seemed to freeze as I twisted and tumbled, my arms flailing helplessly. Pain exploded in every part of my body when I hit the ground.

The sound of car doors slamming and people shouting faded into the background. My vision blurred, the edges darkening.

And then, everything went black.