She was propped up a little against the stiff white pillows.

A nurse had put yellow hospital grip socks on her feet.

Emma was leaning forward, her little hands tugging at the fabric around her ankles, twisting the socks tight around her toes.

I went over to the side of the metal bed.

“Hi there,” I said.

Emma looked up at me.

Her eyes were red and heavy with tiredness.

The thick white medical tape on her forehead made her face look tiny against the pillows.