Please Don't Go

Please Don't Go
Arthur's point of view

Her eyes were shut closed, a ventilator was placed on her nose, a different IV line was attached to her hands and chest, a white fabric was covering one side of her chest where she had been shot, and the sound of the beeping machine echoed in the room.
My lungs constricted. I can't bear to see her in such a condition, and the fact that this might be the last time I'd ever see her made it worse; it felt like my breath was being stopped for a while before being returned to me, and it was unbearable.
I'm not ready to lose her; I can't just accept it just like that.
I took her hand into mine, caressing it gently.
“Evelyn…” I mumbled. “Please wake up, Evelyn. I'm begging you to please come back to me…”
My eyelids were heavy with unshed tears, which threatened to burst out. “I don't know how it happened or how we reached this point, but I know one thing for certain—before I met you I was lost in a world of darkness, but you came into my life like a gleaming light and lit my entire world—you somehow became the most important person in my life, and I can't live without you. I don't see myself moving on without you, please!”
I didn't realize when my cheeks became wet, but I felt it: raw, warm, and unstoppable tears streaming down without my permission.
The feeling of never seeing her again was clinging to my chest like a sharp dagger, and each breath I let out wasn't easy; it was painful, like each breath I took made the twist of the dagger even more painful.
“Don't leave me alone, Evelyn. You are the only home I've come to know, and I don't think without my home I can make it. just come back to me…”
My voice cracked with emotions; I couldn't control my sobs anymore.
I'm not ready to lose anyone else, especially Evelyn. I'd rather die than watch her die and leave me alone.
My eyes widened as Evelyn's body suddenly began jerking and the sound of the machine became even louder than it was before.
“Doctor!”
I dashed to the door, calling for the doctors, and fortunately they were around.
“Doctor, what is happening with my wife?”
My voice shook with dread. I hope it's nothing wrong; I hope it's nothing wrong with Evelyn.

“Please leave Mister Madison and let us do our job.” One of the doctors pushed me out of the ward and shut the door.
I ran my hands through my hair, tears streaming down my cheeks and my heart throbbing hard against my chest.
“What is happening?”
Melinda and Jad had just come from outside.
“I don't know—she just started shaking out of nowhere, and I don't know what is happening!”
I rushed my hands through my hair. In my entire life I've never felt so helpless. I wish I could do something for her; I wish I had the power to wake her up.
Unable to bear it all, I found myself hurrying out of the hospital.
The air was chilly, stars twinkled in the sky, and everything looked normal, like my Evelyn wasn't fighting for her life at the hospital.
After walking for almost an hour, I found myself stepping into a place I thought I'd never find myself in, but my helplessness was too much; maybe a miracle might happen if I talk to him.
The sound of my footsteps echoed in the silent church as I walked past lined-up chairs from side to side.
I came to a halt at the front, facing a huge cross. I went on my knees, folding my hands together.
“I've heard people singing your praises and claiming how good you are to them. You've never been good to me, but still today, I come before you. Please don't take her away from me; she's the only good thing that has ever happened to me, and I'm not ready to live without her. Rather take me instead of her, please!”
I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks. I honestly didn't know what else to do; if the doctors aren't so confident about her survival, then
“If you bring her back to me, I swear I will worship you for the rest of my life, but please—please save her life and bring her to me. You are the last hope that I have right now.”
All that welcomed me was a deafening silence, louder than the sounds of my cries.
“If you pray to the lord with a pure heart, he'd definitely listen to your prayers and fulfill all your wishes.”
I quickly brought my hand to my face and wiped away my tears before I turned behind me.
A man in a black robe and white collar stood behind me, a smile on his face.
I rose to my feet and walked to him. I cleared my throat as I stood before him. “My wife is on the verge of dying, and I've prayed with a pure heart. Does it mean he will save her?”
I sound stupid right now, but I'm desperate. I just want Evelyn to come back to me again.
“Psalm 34:17 says, ‘The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.’”
His words were falling on deaf ears; I couldn't understand any single thing he'd just said, but I knew one thing for sure: I prayed with a pure heart, and I'd hold on to the hope that Evelyn will be fine.
The sound of my phone ringing from my pocket brought me out of my thoughts. I slipped my hand into my pocket and yanked out my phone.
Jad’s number flashed on the screen.
“Please excuse me!”
I muttered, walking out of the church. Sliding my fingers to the green button and lifting the phone to my ears.
“Arthur, please come to the hospital…”
My stomach turned into a knot as the sounds of Melinda’s cries echoed in the background.