Exchange Of Hearts

Chapter Two: Fresh Off The Boat

After a few moments.

The sterile white walls of the hospital corridor seemed to close in on Elisia, a cold, unforgiving embrace. Her heart pounded in her chest, a frantic rhythm that mirrored the wheels of the gurney as it was pushed down the hallway. On the gurney, Cassie lay still, her face pale and drawn, her breathing shallow and erratic. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, as if she were caught in a dream, a dream from which she might never awaken.

Elisia's tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision, but she couldn't tear her gaze away from her sister. She had never seen Cassie so vulnerable, so fragile, so close to the edge of life. The thought of losing her, of seeing her slip away, was unbearable.

"She's lost a lot of blood," the doctor was saying, his voice a calm, reassuring tone that did little to ease Elisia's growing anxiety. "We need to get her to the Emergency Room immediately. We'll need to do a blood transfusion right away."

Elisia could feel the weight of his words, the gravity of the situation, pressing down on her. She had never imagined that a simple argument, a moment of despair, could lead to this. She had never imagined that her sister, her best friend, her confidante, could be so close to death.

As they reached the Emergency Room, the bustling hub of medical activity, the nurse stopped Elisia, her hand gently resting on her arm. "Please, stay here in the waiting room," she said, her voice soft and reassuring. "We'll give you the latest news about Cassie's condition as soon as we can."

Elisia's heart sank. She wanted to be with Cassie, to hold her hand, to whisper words of comfort in her ear. But she knew that she couldn't be of any help in the Emergency Room. She could only wait, and pray.

She sank into a chair, her body trembling with a mixture of fear and exhaustion. She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the cacophony of sounds around her, the beeping of machines, the hushed voices of doctors and nurses, the frantic sobs of other families. All she could see was Cassie's face, pale and still, her eyes closed, her breathing shallow.

She clutched her hands together, her knuckles turning white with the force of her grip. She whispered a prayer, a desperate plea for her sister's recovery. She prayed for a miracle, for a sign that Cassie would be alright.

The waiting room seemed to stretch on forever, each minute an eternity. Elisia tried to distract herself, to focus on something else, anything else, but her thoughts kept returning to Cassie, to the image of her lying on the gurney, her life hanging in the balance.

She knew that she had to be strong, that she had to hold on to hope. But it was so difficult, so overwhelming. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair, a sea that threatened to engulf her completely.

She closed her eyes again, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing. She thought of Cassie, of their bond, of the laughter they had shared, the secrets they had kept, the love that had always been the foundation of their relationship. She would not let that love die. She would not let Cassie die.

Elisia suddenly wished that she could turn back the time, to the moment that was once filled with happiness, warmth and love in their family, even.before Emmett came into her and Cassie's lives...

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Four years ago...

As Elisia gazes upon her old wooden house where she was born and raised, she can't help but feel a tinge of sadness wash over her. The house, once filled with her family's laughter, warmth, and happiness, is now almost empty. She recalls her mother's loving hugs and the way her father used to sing to her before bed. Despite the fond memories, her heart is heavy as she stands at the brink of a new chapter in her life.

Elisia knows that her mother would want her to continue moving forward, regardless of her passing. She's come to terms with the fact that she is now officially an orphan and that she has no one left to lean on. But at the same time, she knows that she cannot stay trapped in her old home forever. She has a new life ahead of her, and she's determined to make the most of it.

As she takes one last look at her old wooden house, Elisia takes a deep breath, determined to let go. She decides to leave only a few things for herself that she thinks are important, such as her old diaries and photos of her family. This way, she can carry on her mother and father's memories with her wherever she goes...

Elisia then turns to her neighbors and thanks them for their support and kindness at the time when she was still in shock because of her mother's sudden demise. She's grateful for their kindness and generosity...

"I wanted to sincerely thank you, Auntie Helen and to all of our neighbors for being with me at the most difficult time of my life. It hasn't been easy for me, but you've all been so supportive, and I couldn't have asked for better neighbors." she genuinely stated, while looking teary-eyed.

"My dear, it's been our pleasure. We are all a family here in this small town, and it's only natural to treat you as our own daughter." the old woman gently relayed, as she is already crying now.

Aunt Helen has been a constant part of her and her mother's life. Ever since her mother decided to permanently stay at Willow Creek while she was pregnant with her. She grew up with Aunt Helen while her biological mother was working hard for them.

Elisia didn't have a chance to meet her biological father, but she feels like she doesn't need to because she feels like she already has a complete family with Auntie Helen, and with all of their neighbors...