Sharlene's mind was in turmoil. She didn't care that her husband was outside—her only focus was her child's safety.
Have I been neglectful toward Ashley? she asked herself over and over. Guilt weighed heavily on her chest. She wanted to scream, to pull her hair, to punish herself for allowing Ashley to go on the field trip in the first place.
She forced herself to stay calm.
When the news broke, it was like a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured over her. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest. She couldn't stop thinking about what might have happened at the school, especially in the basic department. She'd heard about the deaths—some children dying instantly, others on the way to the hospital.
Ashley was among the severely injured. Seeing her daughter lying there, lifeless and broken, tore Sharlene's soul apart. She could barely recognize her own child. Her world had collapsed.
My God, please not her…
"Tashia, please stay with your sister for a while," she heard Vivianne say.
"I'll head to their house to get some things and buy some food too," Vivianne added.
"W—Wait, Vivianne, I—I have money here," Sharlene said quickly, grabbing her bag, her hands still trembling.
"Sis, keep that for yourself," Vivianne replied gently, then left the hospital.
Sharlene sat in the waiting area, surrounded by the anguished cries of other mothers. Each wail made her chest tighten. She felt their pain. She was one of them.
"I'll go get some water. Stay here, okay?" Tashia said softly.
Sharlene just nodded. Her whole body was weak. The hospital echoed with sorrow, and fear threatened to crush her.
Ashley… why did this happen? she asked herself.
Before the accident, Sharlene had noticed strange things. Ashley had been acting differently—appearing in dreams and visions, always in a white hospital gown. It was as if a part of her already knew. But she didn't want to believe it.
This is my fault. If I hadn't agreed, this wouldn't have happened. Ashley, please be strong. Fight. Don't leave me. Sharlene silently begged.
She covered her face with her hands, trying to make sense of the nightmare unfolding around her. Her eyes wandered to the hallway.
Other mothers fainted at the sight of their children. Some collapsed in despair. For the first time, Sharlene felt her body tremble uncontrollably. She stared at them, frozen in place. Some children didn't survive.
Leaning against the cold wall, her eyes caught something—children in blood-stained uniforms walking beside their grieving parents. She blinked. Am I seeing this? Or has my mind finally broken?
One girl, face unrecognizable, approached her.
I can't see my mom. Help me.
Sharlene didn't speak. She just watched.
The girl's name tag read: Dela Cruz. The surname struck her. She remembered the news—Bernadith Dela Cruz, a kindergarten teacher, had died protecting her students.
That's her daughter, Sharlene realized.
"Mama, Mama, where are you?" the girl cried out again.
Suddenly, a woman appeared beside her. Her face was clearer now—Bernadith.
"Mama is here," she said gently, embracing her daughter.
The girl gasped, stopped crying, and hugged her back. Bernadith smiled at Sharlene.
In a moment, their forms turned into radiant light and disappeared.
Then, a scream came from one of the rooms.
"Bernadith! Sarah! Don't leave me!"
A man sobbed uncontrollably, cradling the lifeless bodies of his wife and child. Sharlene's heart shattered at the sight.
Could I tell him they're happy now? Would it matter?
"Sister, drink some water," Tashia said, returning.
Sharlene barely had the strength to lift the cup. Tashia supported her, and she took a few small sips.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Tashia sat beside her as dizziness overtook Sharlene. But she forced herself to stay conscious—Ashley needed her.
Just then, a nurse approached with papers in hand. Tashia helped Sharlene to her feet.
"We need to transfer your daughter to the ICU," the nurse said. "It's on the fourth floor."
Sharlene looked for Martin. He was outside, catching fresh air. But she didn't wait—what mattered was that she was here.
"The child's condition is still delicate," the nurse continued. "We monitor her hourly. Sometimes her heartbeat weakens. Hopefully, she'll wake up tomorrow so we can assess her recovery and determine if surgery is needed to remove the blood clot in her brain."
The words hit her like bricks.
"It's a miracle she's alive," the nurse added gently. "We'll do everything we can."
Sharlene could only nod. She had no words left.
After the nurse left, she rushed to Ashley's side. Outside, the crowd slowly thinned. Some still wept in the distance.
A massive tragedy had struck their school. So many children were involved. Even the school bus driver had died.
But Sharlene couldn't think about that right now.
Ashley needed her.