"Look at me." Zayn grabbed her free hand. "Focus on me."
Emma met his eyes.
"He's going to be okay," Zayn said confidently. "We're going to the best hospital in the city. They'll take care of him. But I need you to breathe. Can you do that?"
Emma tried but struggled. She made another attempt.
Zayn squeezed her hand. "Breathe with me. In," he inhaled slowly, "and out."
Emma followed along. In. Out. In. Out.
"Good," Zayn said softly. "Keep it going."
The drive lasted ten minutes—ten minutes of Emma holding her dad's hand while Zayn held hers, and none of them saying a word because there was nothing to say.
*****
The hospital's emergency entrance was all set up for them when they arrived.
As soon as they pulled in, medical staff rushed over. They quickly got Alexander onto a gurney. Emma tried to keep up, but a nurse gently stopped her.
"Let us check him first," the nurse said. "You can see him once we know more."
Emma looked lost and overwhelmed.
