The rain poured down relentlessly, a flash of light brightening the dark sky, followed by rolling thunder.
Leland held Winifred carefully, mindful of her injuries. He clutched a flashlight in one hand, running swiftly but steadily.
The driver followed the light, using his phone’s flashlight to navigate. Though dimmer than a regular flashlight, it was enough to see the path.
“Mr. Burns, Miss Dawson she…” The driver paused as Leland approached, finally seeing the person in his arms.
By now, Leland was soaked through. Winifred in his arms was unrecognizable in the dim light, blending into the night as if she were slowly disappearing.
“To the hospital!” Leland growled.
The driver, who had reached out to help, snapped back to attention at Leland’s command. As he turned, a large drop of rain slipped down his collar, making him shiver and quicken his pace.
Leland placed Winifred in the car. The heater was on, and the temperature gradually rose. Halfway there, Leland was sweating profusely while Winifred remained cold despite his efforts to warm her.
With the car’s interior light on, Leland began checking Winifred’s injuries. The driver lowered the backseat divider to give them privacy. Leland gently lifted Winifred’s dress; many bruises were from him. Her neck bore fresh marks, and her shoulders and lower back were heavily bruised.
He recalled the sounds of struggle when he received Winifred’s call-likely from the robbers’ violence.
He hesitated to inspect her hands closely but knew they were likely beyond repair for delicate tasks like drawing or playing piano.
“Winifred…” Leland’s voice was hoarse as he tried to rouse her.
Her brow twitched at his voice. He brushed her hair aside and touched her face. “Winifred, wake up. Can you hear me?”
Winifred’s eyelashes fluttered but did not open.
Leland applied more pressure, feeling her cold skin. Her face was pale, as if all warmth and blood had drained away.
Fear gripped Leland as he tried to pinch her philtrum. Before he could apply pressure, Winifred’s eyes fluttered open.
Seeing her awake almost brought tears to Leland’s eyes. “Winifred, look at me. Don’t close your eyes. Stay with me.”
Though her eyes were open, Winifred seemed disoriented and unfocused.
“Cold… so tired…”
“I know you’re tired and want to sleep, but you can’t now. We need to get somewhere warm first.”
Winifred listened to Leland’s voice, feeling a distant memory of his concern. His voice seemed far away and unclear.
She managed to keep her eyes open for a moment before closing them again. She mumbled through the pain, “It hurts… Daddy… it hurts…”
Leland felt a painful lump in his throat as he gently held her fragile body. He had never felt so helpless before.
He softly patted her back, trying to comfort her. “It won’t hurt once we reach the hospital… just hold on…”
But Winifred knew it would only get worse with injections and medicine.
She could barely speak through the pain that engulfed her entire body.
Leland urgently asked the driver, “How much longer to the hospital?”
“The nearest private hospital is five minutes away.”
“No, go to the city hospital and drive faster.” Winifred’s injuries were too severe for a regular hospital; it would waste time.
The city hospital was at least thirty minutes away. As Leland pondered this, his phone vibrated in his pocket-a call coming through.
He answered with one hand while holding Winifred with the other.
“Mr. Burns, we’ve apprehended the suspects based on their location.”