Relief

When she got to the hospital, Nora went straight to her father's room and his bed was empty. Nora sat right there on the floor and tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt a sting pain in her chest, she could not believe her dad was dead. She walked out to the corridor. Nora's tears continued to flow as her mother found her in the hospital corridor. She held her sleeping daughter close to her chest and struggled to speak. "How did it happen?" Nora choked out between sobs, her mind racing with dark thoughts.

Her mother, realizing the misunderstanding, gently comforted her daughter. "Your dad is alive," she said, her voice wavering but filled with relief, "he's being prepped for surgery. I thought he was gone too when I first saw the empty bed, but he's getting the help he needs."

Nora's fear began to subside as the weight of dread was lifted off her shoulders. She nodded, tears still glistening in her eyes, and held her mother close.

"But Mom," Nora said, her voice trembling, "why is he