SECOND CHANCE

checking George's vitals and changing his bandages. As I rubbed the sleep from my e

me with a warm smile as she noticed me s

forcing a smile despite the weight of

that he was awake and alert, albeit with a sli

George?" I asked, pulling

he admitted with a weak

f his injuries. "I'm so sorry about what happened," I said, m

reassured me, his tone firm despi

ent. If only I had been more cautious, if only I had paid closer attention to

tance I could. I made calls to the hotel to ensure that they were aware of the incid

em on the situation and making arrangements for them to continue

my mind kept wandering back to the events of the previous nig

he hospital room, I found myself growing increasingly restless. I needed to clear

" I announced to George, w

offering me a reassuring smile.

e my way down the corridor, the cool air of the hospital offeri

olding before me with painful clarity. The sound of breaking glass, George's pained cry, the frantic

tsteps echoing hollowly against the linoleum floors. But eventually, I found myself drawn to a small c

light filtering in through the stained glass windows casting a warm glow over the space. Closing

me like a heavy burden. But as the minutes stretched into hours, a sense of peace began to set

ied with me a newfound sense of resolve, a determination to make amen

my steps lighter. I pushed open the door to find him resting c

his voice soft but filled w

ne of my own. "Yeah, I am," I replied, taking a

g his head. "Nonsense, sir," h

reassuring squeeze. "You went above and beyond,

d unwavering. "It's what teammates do, sir,"

ether as colleagues, as friends. Despite the chaos and uncertainty that had surrou

incerely, my voice choking wi

of his lips. "Anytime, sir," he replied. "Now,

d for news from the doctors about George's condition. Despite the uncertainty of what the future held, I felt a s

l corridors grew quiet, I found myself filled

ome them. And with that thought in mind, I drifted off to sleep, knowing that

orridors grew quiet, I found myself filled wi