Если я останусь

           "Go!"screamsKim,suddenlyanarmygeneral."We’llcoveryou."

           Thedooropens.Intumblemorethanahalf-dozenpunkers,Adam,Liz,Fitzy,somepeopleIdon’tknow,andthenKim.Outside,Brookeisstillsinging,asthoughthisweretheconcertshe’dcometoPortlandtogive.

           AsAdamandKimchargethroughthedoor,theybothlookdetermined,happyeven.I’mamazedbytheirresilience,bytheirhiddenpocketsofstrength.IwanttojumpupanddownandrootforthemlikeIusedtodoatTeddy’sT-ballgameswhenhe’dberoundingthirdandheadingforhome.It’shardtobelieve,butwatchingKimandAdaminaction,Ialmostfeelhappy,too.

           "Whereisshe?"Adamyells."Where’sMia?"

           "Inthecorner,nexttothesupplycloset!"someoneshouts.Ittakesmeaminutetorealizeit’sNurseRamirez.

           "Security!Gethim!Gethim!"thegrumpynurseshouts.ShehasspottedAdamthroughalltheotherinvadersandherfacehasgonepinkwithanger.Twohospitalsecurityguardsandtwoorderliesruninside."Dude,wasthatBrookeVega?"oneasksashesnagsFitzyandflingshimtowardtheexit.

           "Thinkso,"theotheranswers,grabbingSarahandsteeringherout.

           Kimhasspottedme."Adam,she’shere!"shescreams,andthenturnstolookatme,thescreamdyinginherthroat."She’shere,"shesaysagain,onlythistimeit’sawhimper.

           Adamhearsherandheisdodgingnursesandmakinghiswaytome.Andthenhe’sthereatthefootofmybed,hishandreachingouttotouchme.Hishandabouttobeonme.