Tashia had gone home to rest. It was her turn to watch over Ashley next, and she needed to prepare for class tomorrow. Martin still hadn’t shown up at the hospital since the argument with Sharlene. She shook her head at the thought.

In her room, Tashia lay down, whispering a prayer.
Ashley, please get well. Sister Sharlene needs you now.

Sleep claimed her, heavy and unrelenting.

She stirred when a wetness touched her cheek. Blinking groggily, she touched her face, confused. She was still in bed—but something felt… off.

It was as if someone was watching her.

Turning toward the sensation, she saw nothing. Yet the feeling persisted. Then, by the doorway, a young girl in a hospital gown appeared, her back turned.

Tashia’s throat went dry.

She exhaled shakily. “Ashley?”

The child didn’t respond. Instead, she slipped silently through the closed door.

Tashia bolted upright, rushing after her.

Outside, the girl sat on the couch, staring blankly ahead.

“Ashley, do you need something from Aunt Tashia?” Tashia’s voice trembled but stayed gentle.

Ashley slowly turned to her, tears streaking her cheeks.

“Aunt Tashia…” she whimpered.

“Ashley? What’s wrong?” Tashia sat beside her, trying to soothe the child’s grief.

“Grandma…” Ashley whispered.

“Why?” Tashia asked softly, dread twisting in her chest. “Don’t go with Grandma Felicia yet. Your mom needs you here.”

“She wants to take me with her,” Ashley replied.

Tashia shook her head, heart pounding. No… not yet.

Had Grandma Felicia truly passed? Her mind swirled with images of the old woman—trapped, unreachable, haunting.

“Help me, Aunt Tashia. I don’t want to go there. They say I need to help Grandma Felicia so we can bring Mom to them.”

Tashia’s brow furrowed. The meaning was unclear.

“I… I don’t understand, Ashley,” she murmured.

“Mom… They want to help them…”

Then, Grandma Felicia appeared.

“Come with me, Ashley,” she said coldly.

Terror spread across the child’s face. She shook her head, inching backward. Tashia stood protectively in front of her.

“Grandma, please… I’m begging now. Don’t do this to your grandchild.”

Felicia didn’t answer. Instead, she said simply,
“Tell Sharlene to hurry.”

And then she vanished.

Ashley looked up at Tashia, eyes wide with pleading.
“Please take care of Mom, okay?”

And then she, too, disappeared.

“Ashley!” Tashia shouted, jolting upright in bed.

Was it just a dream?

Her phone vibrated beside her. Multiple missed calls from Vivianne. Her chest tightened.

It vibrated again. She answered immediately.

“Sis Vivianne? Did you call?” she asked breathlessly.

“Tashia… it’s Ashley,” Vivianne’s voice trembled.

“What—what happened?” fear creeping in.

Vivianne hesitated, then exhaled shakily.
“The doctor said… it’s no longer normal that Ashley hasn’t woken up.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“She’s… in a coma.”

Tashia froze.

“Comatose?” she echoed in disbelief.

“Yes,” Vivianne said. “There’s a blood clot. If her body doesn’t fight it… she might not make it.”

Tashia’s knees buckled. “D-Does Sis Sharlene know?”

“She’s here. Silent. Staring at Ashley.”

“What did the doctor say? Is there any way to remove the clot?”

“They’re recommending surgery, even though Ashley is comatose. But it’s risky,” Vivianne explained. “The doctor gave her options.”

“Are there alternatives besides surgery?” Tashia asked desperately.

“There’s a medicine to dissolve the clot,” Vivianne said. “But if it doesn’t work, surgery will be necessary.”

“How long will they observe her?”

“One to two weeks, if she can tolerate the treatment.”

Tashia nodded slowly, absorbing every word.

“What did Sharlene decide?”

“You know her. She wouldn’t choose surgery immediately. She’s praying the medicine works. Even in this coma… she believes in Ashley.”

Tashia felt a flicker of relief.
“I’m glad. I believe in Ashley too,” she said softly. “Thank you, Sis Vivianne. Please support her… she needs us now.”

“You don’t have to tell me that,” Vivianne replied with a tired sigh.

Ashley, I won’t let you leave us. Aunt Tashia is here. We’ll fight, niece… we’ll fight.

“Stay with Sharlene for now,” Tashia said. “I’ll rest. I have class tomorrow.”

“Alright. Take care,” Vivianne reminded her.

Tashia closed her eyes, whispering one last silent plea:
Please come back to us, Ashley.