Hospitals gave me the creeps. I’d begged the editor to give someone ANYONE besides me this assignment. But here I was, covering that car crash that happened a few days ago. I checked in at the front desk, as instructed, then asked for directions to the kid’s room.

Upon entering the room, I first saw a woman who could only be the kid’s mother. She had that haunted look about her, and didn’t meet my eyes.

“Mrs. Harper?” She made a small noise of acknowledgment. “My name is Marie Fallons, and I’m with the Waco Herald.” She didn’t stir at my words, so I continued, "I’m so sorry to hear about Duncan’s accident, but I was wondering if I could take a shot, you know, to help others realize the consequences. She nodded, so I moved closer to the bed where the injured lay.

He was not immediately recognizable; he was covered from head to toe in plasters and bandages. Even his throat was covered in gauze. I felt a pang of sympathy, but pushed emotion out of my head. “Just do your job,” told myself firmly.

“Click!”