The Cost of Forgetting

~Dorian~

The stretcher moved too fast.

Metal wheels cutting across tile, white light burning my eyes, Hazel’s body small and fragile beneath the thin hospital sheet. I stayed at the edge of it like if I let go, even for a second, she would disappear again.

Hazel didn’t look at me.

Her eyes were on the desk girl — Maya. I only knew her name because Hazel had whispered it earlier, like it mattered.