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,

her address and a brief explanation of the situation, she hung up. 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 Allen and

Gomez, did we hear you calling for help?

"Yes!"

nodded, stepping aside.

and Abel rushed in

Allen's back, Sherilyn gasped and covered her

lights,

Stain See h

red with blood, still

collar down the back of his

911; they should be

down to wait!" Allen,

Sherilyn. "Ms.

her brows, paused for a moment, then nodded,

At the hospital.

Outside the operating room.

surgery, and Sherilyn sat outside on a bench, staring down

the way here, Abel had filled

that Gilbert had rushed to Sunset Ridge Community with injuries... because of a promise he made to

both steady and

looked up to see Francis and Caroline

"Sherilyn..."

"Sherilyn!"