The girl was still trembling violently, her fragile body shaking against the rough, white hospital sheets. The monitor by her bed beeped in a chaotic rhythm, each sound piercing my nerves like a knife.

I ran to her side and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her as tightly as I dared, as if my strength alone could calm the storm raging inside her. She felt so small. Too small.

My hands were shaking as I reached for the tray of medicine.

"Be strong," I whispered to myself. "For her."

I prepared