Rachel was quickly loaded into the ambulance. Still unconscious, she had been placed upon a stretcher and carried inside the awaiting vehicle. Eddie jumped in after her.
"Wait, Eddie" Tom interrupted
"I'm going to go back to the school, wait for the police to arrive and everything"
Eddies eyes left Rachel momentarily to throw Tom his car keys.
"Thanks Tom"
They exchanged concerned smiles before the ambulance doors were closed.

Inside the ambulance Rachel began to stir.
"Eddie?" she whispered hoarsely, searching for him with her voice, her eyes still closed.
"I'm right here" he assured her.
She let her right hand fall from her side and slowly outstretched her fingers in Eddie's direction. Eddie grabbed her hand and held it close to his face without hesitation, gently placing it against his lips.

As Rachel was wheeled through the hospital on the way to a private medical examination unit, she suddenly became fully conscious of her surroundings and her situation.
"No wait!" she called out, attempting to sit up on the moving bed.
"Sshhh its ok Rachel" Eddie tried to calm her, stroking her hair back from her face lightly. Rachel shook her head.
"No, Eddie, I don't want to do this, I want to go home, please Eddie"
She was panicking. Her heart was pounding. She looked up at Eddie, her eyes pleading. She looked terrified.
His heart twisted in his chest.
"I'm so sorry Rachel, we have to do this" he relayed quietly, his voice barely able to convey speech.
"No, please…" she tried to sit up again and cried out loud as pain shot through her ribs.
"Just lie back Miss Mason" one of the two young female nurses instructed gently. Rachel fell back onto her bed defeated. Seconds later, her breathing became short and quick, and after three or four breaths, a cry escaped. Her right hand flew up to cover her eyes, quickly followed by her left, hiding her tears. Eddie turned his head, not bearing to see her in so much distress, his own eyes threatening to spill his very own tears. They came to her room.
"Please sir, you will have to wait here" the young nurse informed politely as Rachel was pulled away from him. He stood back as the double doors closed before him and he watched through the glass as a white curtain was pulled around her bed.

He stepped back and slowly sat himself down in a chair which was attached to the wall outside of the room. He looked to his left. The four other chairs at his side were empty. The whole corridor was empty. He sat forward and let his head fall into his hands. He blew his breath out harshly then sat back and wiped the tears from his eyes, leaning his head back against the white wall behind him.