“Your vitals are due in ten minutes,” Rachel said.

Her voice was steady and quiet.

She didn’t ask why I was alone again.

She looked at the brown teddy bear propped against the pillows.

Its black plastic eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

“They’re gone,” I said.

I stood up from the chair and walked slowly toward the bed.

The plastic mattress cover crinkled loudly as I sat down.