I could hear her screams down the hallway and I waited for someone to show up so they could call the police on me, but she went silent and no one ever came. I stood there looking over the two bodies, one unconscious and one dead, and thought about what my next move should be. I dug into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone. The text messages were still open and I stared down at all the “Where are you?” messages I’d sent to Patience.

I cleared the screen and pulled up the dialer to call someone. I typed in the number nine, but stopped when I heard someone come up behind me. I spun around and came face to face with who I could only assume was Patience’s mom.

She gasped for air as she held on tightly to her IV stand. A purple handkerchief covered her balding head. She struggled to stand and I could only imagine what it took for her to get out of bed and come to this room. She stared back at me with fevered eyes and pale skin.

Her watery eyes took in the room. They grazed across Sydney passed out in her bed and then down at her husband’s crumpled body. Her shaking hand came up and covered her mouth as she started to cry.

“I’m so sorry,” I said into the silent room. “I couldn’t let him hurt her.” I pointed over to Sydney’s body.

“Is she… is she dead?” Her voice was as frail as she looked.

“No, ma’am, she just passed out, I think.”

I saw relief run through her body. She took in the room, her husband’s naked body, her daughter’s ripped clothes, and I saw it in her eyes the moment she realized what was happening.

“How did you know?” she asked.

There was no point in lying to her.

“Patience told me. He’s been molesting her since she was a little girl.”

I hated that it sounded so cut and dry, but there was really no other way to say it. Her legs buckled like she was going to fall. I moved quickly and caught her. I pulled her over to a white, padded chair that was in front of a desk in the corner and helped her sit.

“How do you know Patience?” she asked with tears on her face.

“She’s my girlfriend,” I said firmly. “I’m in love with your daughter, ma’am.”

A tiny hint of a smile touched her lips.

“You’re Zeke?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded.

She reached out and patted my cheek softly. Her paper-thin skin felt cold against my cheek.

“She loves you, too.” She sighed. “Zeke, do me a favor, son.”

“Anything.”

It was the least I could do considering she thought I killed her husband.

“Hand me that gun, call 9-1-1, take Sydney with you, and promise me you’ll take care of my girls.”

My brows pulled down in confusion.

“I’m sorry, I don’t follow. Who’s to say you won’t shoot me if I give you this gun?”

It was a valid question. I didn’t know how much of my story she believed. For all she knew I’d broken in and shot and killed her husband and her daughter.

“I’ve had my suspicions that my husband was a sick man. I should’ve said something and saved my girls. This is my fault and it’s the least I can do.” Her shoulders dropped. “I’m dying, Zeke. I have days at the most, and now my husband is dead. If you go to jail for life simply for doing something I failed to do, then who’ll care for my girls?”

She smiled sadly at me as she reached down and used what little strength she had to pull the gun from my hand. I knew I should’ve stopped her, but she was right. Patience needed me. Especially considering her mother was going to die soon.

She used the thick cotton of her robe to wipe the handle of the gun and laid it in her lap.

“Now, be a good boy and do as I said,” she rasped.

I nodded and backed away.

I pulled out my phone and called the police. I told them someone had been shot, gave them the address, and then hung up. She smiled up at me and shook her head as if she agreed that what we were doing was right.

I turned away, picked up Sydney’s limp body, and then turned to walk out of the room.

“Zeke.” She stopped me. “I’m so glad Patience has someone in her life like you. Tell my daughter I’m sorry I didn’t protect her and tell her I love her.” Tears flowed down her sallow cheeks.

“Yes, ma’am.” I adjusted Sydney’s body in my grasp and walked away.

I hated leaving her there so sick and frail, but it was what she wanted, and while I would’ve been more than willing to take the blame for killing that sick son of a bitch, Patience needed me. I’d always be there for her no matter what.