Chapter 72

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Ta-click. Schnick. A bump that roused Luca from…from wherever he’d been, to…wherever he was now. Somewhere—loud. He was shaking, and there were voices everywhere, voices he didn’t know.

“Seventeen-year-old male, traffic collision―”

“Internal bleeding, pressure’s been dropping since we got to him―”

“Straight through—how’s his oxygen?”

“Also dropping—might be spinal injuries, doctor…”

“What’s his name?”

“Other kids were calling him Luca. Police attended, they’ll have called the fam―”

“Luca? Luca, love, can you hear me?”

That voice cut through the melee, and Luca tried to blink, only to find his eyes were already closed. They were sticky, too, and heavy. He twitched, frowning, and something cool and soft landed on his forehead.

“It’s alright, love, you’re doing just great. My name’s Dr. Pradesh. I’m holding your hand, Luca, can you squeeze my fingers for me?”