Shane: I won’t let you die. I promise.

Alex nodded as Alice came back with the ice and Shane rubbed Alex down with it. Alice kissed Alex’s forehead. Then Carmen walked in with everything Shane asked for. She set it down and went to the bed. Alex looked up at her pleadingly as she took a seat, moving Alex’s head so it laid in her lap as she rested her back against the wall. She pet Alex’s hair. She then looked down at Shane and swallowed hard. Shane nodded. She opened the little wooden box and took out a needle.

Carmen: What is that?

Shane looked up at her.

Shane: Morphine. I had it just in case.

Carmen felt her stomach churn at the thought that Shane had drugs in the house, but she kept quiet because right now, they were gonna help Alex. Shane Tested the needle and then looked up at Alex.

Shane: You ready?

She gulped and squeezed her Madre’s leg before nodding. Shane came up and gave her a hug as Alex kissed her temple and Shane kissed Alex’s forehead.

Shane: I love you.

Alex nodded and Shane turned her arm over, inserting the needle into the vein then pulling it out. Alex started to get drowsy. Shane turned to Carmen who was comforting Alex who’s body stopped shaking. When Alex was asleep, Shane took the knife, and reluctantly made the first cut.

Everything was fine until right after Shane had removed the organ and Alex woke up. She screamed, feeling all the pain.

Shane: Shit, it wore off.

Carmen tried to calm her as Shane started to stitch her back up. Alex’s screams were heard throughout the house. Carmen pulled her head close, careful not to disturb Shane who was trying to concentrate through the obvious discomfort towards Alex’s screams. Carmen started to sing a Spanish lullaby. Her soft, whispered voice calmed both Alex and Shane. Alex threw herself into the sweet sound and let all pain leave her body as she relaxed and drowned in her Madre’s voice. Shane finished the stitching and whipped up most of the blood. Her hands were beat red from her fingertips to her wrists. She looked up at Carmen and nodded. Carmen kissed her daughter’s temple.

Carmen: It’s over now.

She looked to Shane, Shane looked back, clearly not here. She was dazed. Shane walked up, looking like a zombie and simply put a hand on Alex’s shoulder before turning and leaving.

Outside, she was greeted by Alice, Lara and Sydney.

Alice: Is she okay?

Lara: What happened to you?

Shane simply nodded and walked towards the bathroom. She then opened the door, then slammed it shut. The three looked amongst each other.

Carmen sat with Alex, watching her eyes dart around the room. She wasn’t crying or sleeping, simply observing. Then, Alice knocked on the door and she walked in with Lara and Sydney. Carmen looked up and wiped her face from the tears. Alice went over and hugged her.

Alice: We’ll watch her, Shane needs you.

Carmen nodded and walked out the door after giving Alex a kiss.

Shane turned on the water and held her hands up to her eyes. She looked at the blood. A quick flash of what had just happened played in her head as she stepped into the shower. As the blood from her hands slowly washed off, she started to cry and backed into the shower wall, completely breaking down. She slid down and brought her knees to her chest.

Carmen slowly opened the door. She noticed the shower on and Shane’s blood-covered clothes on the floor. She shed her own clothing and pulled the curtain back, seeing the blood trail on the floor of the tub, being washed off of a trembling Shane. She walked over to her and slowly picked her up as Shane shook in her arms. She tightly pressed Shane’s body to hers as Shane kept breaking down. Shane buried herself deep in Carmen’s shoulder.

Carmen: It’s alright, she’s gonna be alright. We’re all gonna be alright!