Pulling apart, Uncle Alexei takes me to the ICU, then says, "Third bed to the right."
"I'll try to make it quick."
"Take your time. I'm going to talk with Viktor and Demitri
to get the ball rolling on finding the rest of the fuckers."
"Okay." I walk through the doors, and I'm instantly bombarded with the sounds of people on life support. It's so loud that I wonder how anyone can get sleep in here. her
My eyes find Aunt Bella, who's wiping tears from cheeks, then I see my wife.
My feet stall from the shock of the tube taped to her cheek. Machines form a halo around the head of her bed, all working
to keep her alive.
Christ, baby.
Slowly, I move closer, and I don't even bother wiping the tear away as it rolls down my face.
Mariya's right hand is wrapped in a thick bandage, and her left leg is suspended off the bed. She only has a sheet covering her, and there are ice packs on either side of her neck and beneath her arms.
Worried, I ask, "Why are there ice packs? Won't she get cold?"
"It's to keep the fever down." Aunt Bella informs me.