“Is she going to be ok?” Alice asked, trying to keep herself from shattering into a million pieces as she listened to the doctor’s diagnosis.

Dr. Bauer’s thin lips pressed together slightly before he answered.  “We’re doing everything we can, but the next few days are going to be crucial for Dana.  I’m sorry, but I don’t have any more information I can give you right now.”

Alice’s face dropped as the full weight of the doctor’s words slowly sunk in.  Shane wrapped her arm around Alice’s shoulders, as much to keep herself from collapsing as to comfort her friend.

“Can I see her?” Alice asked, looking hopefully at the doctor.

“Yes, in a few minutes,” Dr. Bauer replied.  “But, there are a couple of rules.  Only one of you can see her at a time, and you’ll have to wear a mask and gown for the next twenty-four hours when you visit.”

“Ok, whatever you say,” Alice replied, willing to do anything to see Dana as soon as possible.

“Good,” Dr. Bauer replied.  “Someone will show you to Dana’s room shortly.”  Dr. Bauer offered a grim nod before striding back down the hallway.

“Thank you, doctor!” Alice called out behind him, feeling an odd need to express her gratitude to a man who had just delivered the worst news she could have heard.

***

When Dana next opened her eyes, she found herself in an empty, darkened room.  This was almost worse than being in the overcrowded, busy ward where she had initially been taken after she had been admitted into the hospital.  Although that felt like days ago, it had actually only been a few hours.  Once the nurse had inserted an I.V. to get some antibiotics and fluids into her body, she had quickly been moved to this room by herself.  Even in her fevered state, Dana knew that her insurance coverage must have kicked in to provide her with a private room.

But, although she was grateful for the calmer environment, she suddenly felt completely alone.  And, more than anything else, she was scared.  She closed her eyes as she felt hot tears stinging her cheeks.  She wished she could sleep through the misery her body was experiencing, but she was too scared to allow herself to enter unconsciousness.