Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Gilbert!"

Sherilyn froze for a moment, her mind briefly short-circuiting. She dropped to one knee, scooping up Jenna first before rushing to check on Gilbert. "Uh-oh..."

Jenna pouted in her arms, on the verge of tears.

"It's okay, sweetie. Mommy's here."

Sherilyn tried to soothe Jenna first.

"What's going on?"

Sophia, hearing the commotion, came out of her room and flipped on the overhead lights.

"Sophia! Perfect timing!"

Sherilyn handed Jenna to her as Sophia also noticed Gilbert lying on the ground.

"Oh my, is Mr. Johnson okay? What happened to him?"

Sherilyn didn't have time to answer; she knelt down, gently tapping Gilbert's cheek and shoulder. "Gilbert, come on, wake up! Can you hear me?"

She checked his breathing and pulse next. Both were faint but present, though his complexion was pale, nearly translucent.

Unsure of his injuries, Sherilyn hesitated to move him.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to keep calm.

and dialed 911, "Hello, this is Sunset

Immediately, she heard a knock at the door. Who could it be? The paramedics couldn't have arrived this quickly. Opening the door, she found

did we hear you calling for help?

"Yes!"

stepping aside.

Abel rushed

back,

bright lights, she could

Stain See h

red with blood, still

white shirt collar down the

breath hitched, "I've already called 911; they should be here

wait!"

looked over at Sherilyn.

for

At the hospital.

Outside the operating room.

surgery, and Sherilyn sat outside on a

Abel had filled her

to Sunset Ridge Community with injuries... because of a

across the floor, both steady and sharp,

to see Francis and

"Sherilyn..."

"Sherilyn!"