The loosened valve rattled against the side of the plastic box as air leaked out into the room instead of going into her tiny lungs.

Brooklyn didn’t look back at the incubator.

She kept her eyes locked on her grandmother’s face.

With a sudden, violent downward jerk, Brooklyn dropped her shoulder and yanked her arm straight back.

Her wrist slipped out of Patricia’s fingers with a dry snap of fabric.

Brooklyn took one fast step backward on the smooth floor, opened her mouth wide, and screamed for help at the top of her lungs.

“Nurse!” Brooklyn shrieked, the sound cutting through the quiet wing like shattering glass.