Tashia had gone home to rest. It was her turn to watch over Ashley next, and she needed to prepare for class tomorrow. Martin still hadn't shown up at the hospital since the argument with Sharlene. She could only shake her head at the thought.
In her room, Tashia lay down to get some rest.
Ashley, please get well. Sister Sharlene needs you now, she whispered in prayer before unknowingly drifting into a deep sleep.
She stirred when she felt a wetness on her cheek. Blinking groggily, she touched her face, confused by the sensation. She was still in bed.
It felt like someone was watching her.
Turning toward the sensation, she saw nothing—no one. But that feeling didn't leave her.
Then, by the doorway, she spotted a young girl in a hospital gown, her back turned.
Tashia swallowed hard.
She exhaled.
"Ashley?" she called out softly.
The child didn't respond. Instead, she slipped through the closed door. Tashia quickly rose from bed and rushed to the door.
Outside, she found the girl again—sitting on the couch, staring blankly ahead.
"Ashley, do you need something from Aunt Tashia?" she asked, her voice shaking but tender.
Ashley turned to her, tears streaking her cheeks.
"Aunt Tashia..." she whimpered.
"Ashley? What's wrong?" Tashia sat beside her, trying to soothe the child's grief.
"Grandma..." Ashley whispered.
"Why?" Tashia asked gently, already fearing the answer. "Don't go with Grandma Felicia yet, please. Your mom needs you right now."
"She wants to take me with her," Ashley replied.
Tashia shook her head, her heart pounding. No... not yet.
Had Grandma Felicia truly passed away? Her mind reeled with images of the old woman—trapped, unreachable, haunting.
"Help me, Aunt Tashia. I don't want to go there. They say I need to help Grandma Felicia so we can bring Mom to them."
Tashia's brow furrowed. The meaning was unclear.
"I... I don't understand, Ashley," she murmured.
"Mom... They want to help them..."
Then, Grandma Felicia appeared.
"Come with me, Ashley," she said coldly.
Terror spread across the child's face. She shook her head, inching away from the spirit. Tashia stood between them.
"Grandma, please... I'm the one begging now. Don't do this to your grandchild."
Felicia didn't answer. Instead, she simply said,
"Tell Sharlene to hurry."
—then vanished.
Ashley looked up at Tashia with pleading eyes.
"Please take care of Mom, okay?"
Then she, too, disappeared.
"Ashley!" Tashia shouted, bolting upright in bed.
Was it just a dream?
Her phone vibrated beside her. She picked it up—multiple missed calls from Vivianne. Her chest tightened.
It vibrated again. She answered immediately.
"Sis Vivianne? Did you call?" she asked breathlessly.
"Tashia... it's Ashley." Vivianne's voice trembled.
"What—what happened?" she asked, fear creeping in.
Vivianne hesitated, then exhaled shakily.
"The doctor said... it's no longer normal that Ashley hasn't woken up."
"W-What do you mean?"
"She's... in a coma."
Tashia froze.
"Comatose?" she echoed in disbelief.
"Yes," Vivianne replied. "There's a blood clot. If her body doesn't fight it off... she might not make it."
Tashia's knees buckled. "D-Does Sis Sharlene know?"
"She's here. Staring at Ashley. Silent."
"What did the doctor say? Is there any way to remove the blood clot?"
"They're recommending surgery, even though Ashley is comatose. But it's risky," Vivianne explained. "The doctor gave her options."
"Are there other options besides surgery?" Tashia asked desperately.
"There's a medicine to dissolve the clot," Vivianne said. "But if it doesn't work, surgery will be necessary."
"How long will they observe her?"
"One to two weeks. If she can tolerate the treatment."
Tashia nodded slowly, absorbing every word.
"What did Sharlene decide?"
"You know she wouldn't choose surgery right away. She's praying the medicine works. Even in this coma... she believes in Ashley."
Tashia felt some relief.
"I'm glad. I believe in Ashley too," she said softly. "Thank you, Sis Vivianne. Please support her... she needs us now."
"You don't have to tell me that," Vivianne replied with a tired sigh.
Ashley, I won't let you leave us. Aunt Tashia is here. We'll fight, niece... We'll fight.
"Stay with Sharlene for now," Tashia said. "I'll rest. I have class tomorrow."
"Alright. Take care," Vivianne reminded her.
Tashia hung up, eyes stinging. She closed them and whispered one last silent plea: Please come back to us. Ashley.