CHAPTER THREE: HOSPITAL VIGIL

Chapter 3: Hospital Vigil

Lena Grant paced back and forth in the hospital waiting room, her mind racing with thoughts of her brother Alex. She had been waiting for what felt like an eternity for news from the doctors.

Her parents, John and Emily, sat in silence, their faces etched with worry. Lena's mother clutched a crumpled tissue in her hand, her eyes red from crying.

Lena stopped pacing and turned to her parents. "I'm going to go find out what's going on," she said, trying to sound calmer than she felt.

Her mother nodded, her eyes welling up with tears again. "Be careful, sweetie."

Lena took a deep breath and headed to the nurses' station. She approached the counter, where a friendly-looking nurse with a kind smile greeted her.

"Can I help you?" the nurse asked.

"I'm looking for information about my brother Alex Grant," Lena said. "He was brought in after a car accident."

The nurse's expression turned sympathetic. "Let me check on that for you."

Lena waited anxiously as the nurse tapped away on her computer. Finally, she looked up.

"Your brother is in critical condition," the nurse said gently. "The doctors are doing everything they can to stabilize him."

Lena felt a wave of fear wash over her. Critical condition? What did that even mean?

The nurse seemed to sense her distress. "We'll do everything we can to help your brother," she said. "But it's going to be a long and difficult road."

Lena nodded, trying to process the nurse's words. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see her father standing behind her.

"What did they say?" he asked, his voice low and worried.

Lena took a deep breath before answering. "He's in critical condition," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Her father's face fell, and he pulled her into a tight hug. "We'll get through this," he whispered. "We'll get through this together."

As Lena hugged her father back, she couldn't help but think of Sarah Taylor, the driver who had caused the accident. What had she been thinking, driving so recklessly? Didn't she care that she had put someone's life in danger?

Lena's anger simmered just below the surface as she pulled back from her father. "I need to go talk to the police," she said, her voice firm.

Her father nodded. "I'll come with you."

Together, Lena and her father headed to the hospital's security office, where the police were waiting to take their statements.

As they walked, Lena couldn't shake off the feeling of anger and resentment toward Sarah Taylor. How could she have been so careless?

But as they approached the security office, Lena saw a figure sitting in the corner, her head in her hands. It was Sarah Taylor.

Lena's anger boiled over, and she quickened her pace. She was ready to confront Sarah, to demand answers.

But as she approached Sarah, she saw something that gave her pause. Sarah's eyes were red-rimmed, and her face was etched with worry.

For a moment, Lena saw beyond her anger, and she felt a pang of sympathy for the girl who had caused her brother so much harm.

But the feeling was fleeting, replaced by a wave of anger and resentment.

"What were you thinking?" Lena demanded, her voice low and even.

Sarah looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

Lena's anger flared again, and she took a step closer to Sarah. "Sorry?" she repeated. "Sorry isn't enough."

And with that, Lena turned and walked away, leaving Sarah sitting alone in the security office.