Chapter 26 Action needed
"Zoe POV"
Scarlett's voice broke through the darkness.
I felt her hands on me. Gentle but urgent.
"Zoe. Can you hear me?"
I tried to answer. Couldn't.
Everything hurt. Everything was spinning.
"Okay. Okay. Stay with me." Her voice was calmer now. Controlled. "Let me help you."
She lifted me carefully. Slowly.
Laid me on the bed.
"Breathe. Just breathe." Her hand on my chest. "In and out. Slow."
I tried. My lungs burned. But I tried.
"Good. That's good." She grabbed pillows. Propped them under my head. "Keep breathing."
My vision cleared slightly. I could see her face now. Scared but focused.
"What happened? What did you do?"
"I..." My voice came out weak. Broken. "I took something."
Her face went pale. "Took what?"
"Something... to end it. To get rid of the baby."
"Oh goddess." Her hand covered her mouth. "Zoe. What did you take? Where did you get it?"
"The medicine room. A bottle. I don't... I don't remember the name."
"How much?"
"All of it."
"Oh goddess... When"
"Before the event started"
Scarlett closed her eyes. Took a deep breath.
"Okay. Okay. We need to get you help." She stood up. "I need to send for the doctor."
"No. Please..."
"Yes." Her voice was firm. "You could die, Zoe. Do you understand? Whatever you took could kill you... Don't worry it's the same doctor that knows."
She rushed out and rushed back in almost immediately.
Came back to my side.
"I've sent for her....She's coming. She lives in the next pack so it'll take maybe thirty minutes. Maybe less." She held my hand. "Just hold on. Please."
"I'm sorry." Tears fell from my eyes. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Just stay with me." She wiped my tears. "Talk to me. Stay awake."
"It hurts."
"I know. I know it does." She squeezed my hand. "But you're going to be okay. You have to be okay."
We sat there. Waiting.
Her holding my hand.
Me trying to breathe.
Trying not to slip away.
Time moved slowly. Too slowly.
Finally... a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Scarlett called.
The door opened.
Doctor Hayes walked in. Fast. Professional.
The same doctor from before.
"Luna Olivia." She came straight to the bed. "Tell me what happened."
"She took something. From the medicine room. To end her pregnancy." Scarlett's voice shook. "She took the whole bottle."
The doctor's face went serious. "When?"
"Maybe 3 hours ago. Maybe less."
The doctor opened her bag. Pulled out instruments.
Started checking me. My pulse. My breathing. My eyes.
"Her pulse is weak. Heart rate irregular." She pressed on my stomach. My chest. "There's definitely something harsh in her system."
She pulled out a small device. Pressed it against my stomach.
Listened.
Quiet. Focused.
Then... she looked up.
"The baby's heartbeat is still there."
What?
"What?" My voice was hoarse. "But I took... I took all of it..."
"Whatever you took wasn't strong enough to terminate the pregnancy." The doctor put the device away. "It mostly affected your body, not the baby's."
"No." I shook my head. "No, check again. It has to be..."
"I did check. Multiple times." Her voice was gentle but firm. "The baby is fine, Luna."
"Then give me something else." I grabbed her arm. "Please. Something stronger. Something that will work."
"Baby!" Scarlett pulled my hand back. "Stop this."
"I can't stop. Don't you understand?" Tears poured down my face. "I can't have this baby."
"Why not?" The doctor asked quietly. "Why are you so desperate to end this pregnancy?"
Silence.
The doctor looked at Scarlett. Then back at me.
"I see." Her voice was careful.
The doctor sat on the edge of the bed. "Luna, what you're asking me to do..."
"I know what I'm asking." I looked into her eyes. "I know it's wrong. I know it goes against everything. But I'm begging you. Please."
"Please don't do this." Scarlett's voice cracked. "Please. Think about what you're saying."
"I have thought about it." I looked at her. "This is the only way."
"It's not the only way. We can figure something else out..."
"Like what?" My voice rose. "Tell me, Scarlett. What else can we do? Wait until I start showing? Wait until the whole pack turns against me?"
"We'll think of something..."
"There is nothing to think of!" I turned back to the doctor. "Please. I'll pay you anything. Do anything. Just help me end this."
The doctor was quiet for a long moment.
"This isn't about money, Luna."
"Then what is it about?"
"It's about life. About the choice you're making."
"The choice I'm making is to survive." My voice was cold now. Empty. "That's all I want. To survive."
"But at what cost?"
"Any cost." I stared at her. "Whatever it takes."
The doctor looked at Scarlett. "Maybe you should talk to her. Make her understand..."
"I've tried." Scarlett's tears fell. "She won't listen."
"Because there's nothing to listen to." I sat up slowly. My body still weak. "My mind is made up."
"Luna Olivia..." The doctor started.
"Please." I cut her off. "Don't try to change my mind. Just... just tell me you'll help me."
The doctor stood up. Paced the room.
Thinking.
Finally, she stopped. Looked at me.
"I need time to think about this. This isn't a decision I can make right now."
"How much time?"
"A day. Maybe two."
"I don't have two days..."
"That's all I can give you." Her voice was firm. "I need to consider everything. The risks. The consequences. Everything."
I wanted to argue. To beg more.
But I could see in her face. She wouldn't change her mind now.
"Fine." My voice was defeated. "But I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"Don't tell anyone. Not Ryan. Not the pack. No one."
The doctor looked at Scarlett.
"I promise." She finally said. "This stays between us."
"Thank you."
The doctor packed her bag. "I'll be back tomorrow. We'll talk more then."
She left.
The door closed softly.
Scarlett and I sat in silence.
"Zoe..." She finally spoke. "Please reconsider. Please."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because..." I looked at her.