Author's Note

Might come back and polish this up later on, was just excited to post.

The News

The friends make their way to the hospital, their hooves and claws echoing in the quiet hallway. As they approach the reception desk, a pegasus nurse greets them with a professional smile.

"Can I help you?" she asks, her wings fluttering slightly as she types something into her typewriter.

Ellie steps forward, her voice wavering. "Yes, we're here to check on our friend, Script Singer. She was brought in earlier today after... after an incident at home."

The nurse's smile falters for a moment, replaced by a look of understanding. She nods and turns to her notes. "Oh, yes. I see. She's been admitted to our intensive care unit." She glances up at them, her eyes softening with compassion. "I'm afraid only immediate family can visit at this time. Is there anyone here who could be considered next of kin?"

The three friends shook their heads. "She lost her parents when she was young and her other family members live out of town."

The nurse's expression grows more sympathetic as she listens. "I understand. In that case, we'll need to contact her family as soon as possible." She pauses, glancing at a clipboard. "I can tell you that she's in stable condition right now, but she's lost a lot of blood. We're monitoring her closely." Her wings twitch anxiously as she continues.

"We really need to talk to her doctor. Is there any way you could make an exception, given the circumstances? We're all she has."

The nurse hesitates for a moment before nodding slowly. "I'll see what I can do," she says softly. "Just give me a moment." She turns and trots down the hallway, leaving the friends alone in the lobby. Ellie sighs, her wings drooping even further as she leans against the wall.

The nurse returns a few minutes later, accompanied by a tall, grey-coated unicorn in a white lab coat. He approaches the friends, his expression serious but not unkind.

"Hello," he says, his voice deep and soothing. "I'm Dr. Hoofington, the attending physician for Script Singer. I understand you're her closest friends and are concerned about her condition." He pauses, glancing at the nurse before continuing.

"I can assure you that she's receiving the best possible care," Dr. Hoofington continues, his eyes softening with empathy. "She's in stable condition, but as you know, she's lost a significant amount of blood. We're monitoring her vitals closely and have started her on a course of antibiotics to prevent infection."

Ellie nods, her claw clenching anxiously. "Can we see her?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Hoofington glances at the nurse before turning back to the group. "Under normal circumstances, I'd say no. But given the... nature of her admission and the fact that she doesn't have immediate family here, I'll make an exception." He pauses, his face growing serious. "However, I must insist on a few conditions. First, only one of you can enter the room at a time. Second, you must be very gentle and respectful of her space."

Ellie steps forward, her wings fluttering slightly. "I'll go first," she says, her voice filled with determination. The others nod in agreement, and Ellie follows Dr. Hoofington down the hallway and into the ICU. The room is brightly lit, filled with the soft beeps and hums of medical equipment.

As Ellie steps into the room, her heart clenches at the sight of Script lying so still in the hospital bed, her coat pale and lifeless. An oxygen mask covers her face, and bandages wrap around her hooves and chest. Ellie moves closer, her hoof reaching out to gently brush against Script's cheek, now cool and unresponsive.

"I'm here, Script," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "We all are. Lily, Flame Flare, Lotus, and me."

As Ellie continues her vigil over her unconscious friend, Lily, Flame Flare, and Lotus Moon hover anxiously just outside the glass partition, peeking in now and then at Ellie's and Script's interaction with the attending nurse. Their conversation with Dr. Hoofington still weighing on their hearts and minds as the weight of responsibility and sorrow pressed down heavily. Lily sighs and fiddles nervously with the magenta braid tips of her blue mane as the others await.

The silence is thick and heavy, filled with the low hum of machinery and the distant murmurs of hospital staff. Lily's eyes are fixed on the glass window, watching as Ellie speaks softly to Script, her wings drooping with worry. Lotus Moon stands beside her, her expression grave.

"She looks so fragile." Lily's voice is barely above a whisper.

Lotus Moon nods solemnly. "I can't believe this happened." She pauses, then adds, "We should have seen the signs. We should have done something."

Lily's eyes well up with tears as she turns to face Lotus Moon. "We couldn't have known, Lotus. She never told us about... about what happened to her." Lotus Moon's eyes narrow, her jaw clenching.

"Maybe we should have pushed her harder. Made her open up." Lotus Moon's words hang heavy in the air as they both remain focused on Ellie and Script in the room beyond. The seconds stretch into minutes, and the waiting becomes almost unbearable. Lily's ears twitch as she notices a small commotion near the nurses' station. Several white-coated ponies are gathered, speaking in hushed, urgent tones.

Suddenly, the group of ponies breaks apart and one of them trots swiftly towards the ICU. It's Twilight Sparkle, her eyes wide with concern. She must have been vollenteering for the day. She spots the friends immediately and quickens her pace. "Girls," she says, her voice laced with urgency as she approaches them. "I just received a message from one of the nurses. There's been a complication with Script's condition."

As Twilight’s words sink in, Lily's heart hammers in her chest, and her eyes widen with fear. "What kind of complication?" she asks, her voice trembling.

Twilight's expression is grave. "Her blood pressure is dropping, and her heart rate is erratic. They're prepping for surgery to stop the internal bleeding."

Lotus Moon gasps, her hooves covering her mouth.

"Oh no, no, no," Lily stammers, her wings fluttering anxiously. "Can't we do something? Can't you help?"

Twilight shakes her head, her horn glowing with magical energy. "I'm already doing what I can, Lily. My magic can't fix this. They need to operate immediately."

Just then, the door to the ICU slides open, and Dr. Hoofington emerges, his coat now stained with blood.

Dr. Hoofington's expression is grim as he addresses the group, his voice tight with concern. "We've managed to stabilize Script for now, but she's lost a tremendous amount of blood. The surgery went well, but we need to keep a close eye on her recovery. We will continue to monitor her vital signs and adjust her medication as needed."

Ellie stands in the corner of the ICU room, watching as the doctors and nurses bustle around Script's bedside, their hooves clopping and their voices murmuring in the background. Her eyes are fixed on her friend, who lies so still, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath. The oxygen mask obscures her face, and the wires and tubes snaking out from under the sheets and bandages make Ellie's heart clench with dread.

As the medical team finishes their work and steps back, Dr. Hoofington turns to Ellie, his expression softening slightly.

"She's in critical condition, Ellie. The next few hours will be crucial. We're doing everything we can, but she needs all the support she can get."

Ellie nods, her wings folding tightly against her back. "I won't leave her side."

Dr. Hoofington places a hoof on Ellie's shoulder. "That's good to hear. Your presence here is important, but remember to take care of yourself too. You can't help her if you collapse from exhaustion."

As he speaks, a nurse approaches with a tray of supplies. "We need to change her bandages and check her vitals again. Would you like to step out for a moment?" Ellie hesitates, her eyes flickering between the nurse and Script.

Ellie shakes her head, her wings shifting restlessly. "I'd rather stay if that's okay. I... I don't want her to wake up alone."

Dr. Hoofington nods in understanding. "Very well, but please step back and give the nurse some space to work."

Ellie obeys, moving to the corner of the room and watching with wide, frightened eyes as the nurse carefully changes Script's dressings, applying fresh bandages with gentle motions.

The nurse finishes and steps back, speaking softly. "Her wounds are healing as expected, but she's still very weak." Dr. Hoofington nods and approaches the bedside, checking the various monitors and displays. "Vitals are stable for now. That's encouraging." He turns to Ellie. "You're welcome to come closer again if you'd like. Just remember to be as quiet as possible."

Ellie approaches Script's bedside, her claws moving soundlessly across the tiled floor. She stands close to her friend, her wings fluttering softly as she takes in the sight of Script's still form. Dr. Hoofington and the nurse step back, giving Ellie some privacy as she leans down, her beak brushing against Script's forehead. "I'm here, Script," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "I'm not going anywhere."