Avery ran as fast as she could, dragging Ethan behind her. His face was pale, and he wasn't moving. She shouted for help as they burst through the hospital doors.
"Nurse! Please, he's not breathing!" Avery cried, panic making her voice shake.
Two nurses rushed over and took Ethan from her arms. They laid him down on a stretcher and started pushing on his chest, trying to get his heart beating again.
"Stay with me, Ethan. Please," Avery whispered, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't stop shaking.
The machines beeped flat lines. The doctors hurried in, talking fast, but Avery only heard bits and pieces. She dropped to her knees, holding Ethan's cold hand, feeling like the world was crashing down.
She never thought this would happen. Her little brother, the one she was supposed to protect, was slipping away.
Then a man stepped forward. Calm, quiet, but with a cold look in his eyes.
"You want power," he said. "I can help you. But it will cost you everything."
Avery looked up, fear and hope tangled inside her. This was the moment her life changed.
Avery barely heard the rest of what Dante said. Her world had narrowed down to one thing — saving Ethan. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper.
"Tell me. I'll do whatever it takes."
Dante's eyes didn't leave hers. "Good. But this isn't a game. Once you start, there's no turning back."
A nurse shouted something about a crash cart. The doctors rushed back to Ethan, and Avery followed, still holding Dante's cold stare.
She didn't know what she was getting into. All she knew was that Ethan needed her — and she was ready to risk everything.
Before Dante left the hospital room, he pulled out a small piece of paper and a pen.
He scribbled down an address and handed it to Avery.
"This is where I live," he said, voice low and steady. "I'm expecting you. When you're ready, come find me."
Avery took the paper, staring at it like it was a lifeline. She didn't know what waiting there meant — but she knew she had no choice.
She folded the paper and slipped it into her pocket, feeling the weight of what was coming.