AN: I want to say a massive thank you to Echo58 and Wolf Born Woman! I love that you continue to review, it means a lot to me, so thank you very much.

Read and review please!

Song suggestion: Even my dad does sometimes, Ed Sheeran.

Chapter Three: Heart Beats.

Deputy Mark met us at the emergency room entrance with a solemn expression. It was an expression that bred unease. My heart ceased in my chest and I stumbled to keep up with Billy, despite his slow speed. Billy took a deep breath before approaching him. I mimicked Billy nervously, as if by copying I could exude calm the way he did. If Deputy Mark was here, something was terribly wrong. Thoughts crowded my head, sending it deliriously whirling. Where was my dad? What had happened? Why were we at the hospital? Is dad okay? What about Sarah? What's going on? Panic feeding on my fear as I hyperventilated.

"Deputy Mark." Billy greeted him gruffly. The strained emotion in Billy's voice frightened me. If he was shaken by these events who knew what we would be facing now. The idea made me sick to my stomach.

"Mr Black, Bella, I'm glad you came so quickly." He replied expressionlessly. I recognised it as a defensive barrier that cops adopted when delivering bad news, "Bella, can you go with Steve, he'll take you to your dad. Billy, I need to talk to you separately."

"Okay." Billy patted my head and glanced at the Deputy walking towards us from the waiting room, "See you later kid." I believed he meant his smile to be reassuring but I found it weak and worrisome.

Deputy Steve held his hand out to me and I took it hesitantly. When adults treated me like a small child, I knew something was definitely wrong. Dad normally treated me like this when mom's postcards arrived. It did nothing to calm my already stretched nerves.

I was led through the restless waiting room of to-be-patients to the treatment area, which was filled with beeping and bustling and voices. A claustrophobic blur of noise and light as we made our way through. My eyes stayed firmly on the floor as we passed injured patient after injured patient. The scent of the blood sending my head woozy. I never could handle blood; it was a weakness I seemed to inherit from my hare-brained mother, unable to handle the trying times.

Steve opened a private room door and I saw dad lay on the bed, wrapped in wires and bandages. It stole my breath to see him so weak. His chest fluttered labouredly, and the heart monitor beeped unevenly.

I knew his job was dangerous but this was horrendous. It was naïve of me to think I'd never have to deal with this prospect but I'd hoped I would be able to bypass the treacherous nature of his job. For goodness sake, he was a small town cop. The most he dealt with was speeding tickets and the occasional truant. His injuries made me want to heave, as if that would make me feel better about the situation. My dad, nearly dying on a hospital bed, I couldn't bear the thought.

"Daddy!" I screamed and lunged onto the bed. My arms wrapped around him and tears stained my cheeks. He huffed as I landed on him and I squeezed tight, just as he would when I fell. Kissing my bruises better and offering me a hug for being brave.

"Bells." Dad coughed, the oxygen mask making it hard to understand him, "Not so tight baby."

"Sorry, sorry, sorry." I stammered and moved back, swinging my legs over the edge, but not bring myself to actually get off. His broken state made me feel helpless and fidgety. All I wanted to do was help.

"It's alright sweetheart." His hand fluttered as if to reach me and I grasped it in both of mine when it was clear he didn't have the energy to lift it, "Are you okay? That's what matters to me."

"I'm fine." I shook my head, dismissing his concern for me, "What happened?"

"I'm so sorry Bella." His eyes began to water and in response mine did too. It was too hard to watch him in so much pain, "Sarah was in a car accident."

"Sarah?" I hiccupped my tears back. I had to be grown up now, just as I had promised. Dad needed me to be strong while he wasn't. No dwelling on the negative, I must think forward, I must be positive. But all I can see is the Black kids and how this will devastate them.

"Yes, I went out to the site. There was gasoline everywhere…" Gasoline was flammable, my memory recalled, a little spark could create an explosion. My eyes closed against the bright, flicking images exploding in my mind. My hand came up to cover my mouth and I sobbed into it. Dad watched helplessly in pain.

"Bu-b-but you-you're alrigh-right?" I choked, my eyes surveying my dad's covered body. The burns would be excruciating and scarring. I wondered briefly if he'd still look like my dad when the bandages came off. But of course he would, he was my dad. The steady presence in my life that had always been there for me. It was time to return the favour, given the chance.

"I'll be f-" Came is muffled reply before he coughed. Blood spattered the mask enclosing his mouth and nose. My stomach turned as Steve pulled me off the bed and pressed the red button by dad's bed with urgent pokes.

"Daddy!" I cried. He was groaning and choking, writhing on the bed. A scream erupted from my throat and hot tears ran down my cheeks like rivers, "Daddy!" I couldn't understand, he was fine just a second ago.

"Come on Bella." Deputy Steve pulled me from the room as doctors and nurses swarmed in. My last glimpse of dad was of him convulsing while vomiting blood, with tears blurring my vision. The door was slammed between us and a part of me went mad. The smell of his blood filled my nose and I gagged, feeling wretched.

"Daddy!" I wailed as a black mist invaded my vision and I collapsed into Deputy Steve's arms. Dad's last moments imprinted on my mind's eye.