The journey home felt endless.
Michael sat near the window of the vehicle, staring outside without really seeing anything. The hills and trees passed by in a blur, but his mind was far away.
All he could hear was his mother's trembling voice from the phone call.
"Your sister collapsed… She's in the hospital."
His hands tightened around his phone.
Just hours ago he had been laughing beside the river with Lucas, surrounded by flowers and sunlight.
Now his chest felt heavy with fear.
He tried calling home again, but the line was busy.
Was she conscious?
Was she in pain?
Was it serious?
The vehicle finally stopped near the hospital gate.
Michael jumped out before it had fully settled and hurried inside.
The hospital smelled of disinfectant and medicine.
Bright white lights filled the hallway, reflecting off the polished floor. Nurses walked quickly between rooms, their shoes echoing softly.
Michael's eyes searched the waiting area until he spotted his parents.
His mother sat with her hands tightly clasped together. His father stood beside her, trying to appear calm.
"Mama," Michael said breathlessly.
She looked up immediately and stood to hug him.
"You came."
"What happened?" he asked quickly.
His father sighed.
"She suddenly collapsed this afternoon.
The doctors are still running tests."
Michael's heart pounded.
"Can I see her?"
His mother nodded slowly.
Michael pushed open the hospital room door carefully.
The sound of a monitor quietly beeping filled the air.
His sister lay on the bed, looking pale but awake.
When she saw him, a small smile appeared on her face.
"You look like you ran here," she said weakly.
Michael let out a shaky laugh and walked closer.
"You scared everyone."
She shrugged slightly.
"I'm not going anywhere yet."
Michael sat beside the bed, relief washing over him just from seeing her conscious.
Later that evening, while Michael stood outside the room, his phone began to vibrate.
It was Lucas.
Michael answered immediately.
"Michael? What happened?" Lucas asked, his voice full of worry.
Michael leaned against the wall and sighed.
"My sister collapsed. She's in the hospital."
There was a brief silence.
"Is she okay?" Lucas asked.
"She's awake… but the doctors are still checking."
Lucas didn't hesitate.
"I'm coming."
Michael blinked in surprise.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to," Lucas interrupted gently.
The hospital corridor had grown quieter by the time Lucas arrived.
Michael was sitting alone near a window when he saw him walking toward him.
For a moment he couldn't believe it.
"Lucas?"
Lucas stopped in front of him.
"You didn't think I'd stay away, did you?"
Michael stood up slowly.
The exhaustion and fear he had been holding back all evening suddenly softened.
"I didn't expect you to come this fast."
Lucas placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to go through this alone."
Michael nodded quietly.
Michael pushed the hospital door open slowly.
Lucas followed quietly behind him.
The soft beeping of the monitor filled the room, steady and calm.
Michael's sister was awake, resting against the pillows. When she noticed the two figures entering, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Well… look who finally came," she said with a faint but playful smile.
"The lover boy", she said lowering her voice.
Lucas chuckled softly.
"I'm glad you're feeling strong enough to joke."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Michael told you I joke too much?"
Lucas laughed.
"He didn't say that."
For a moment the three of them shared a quiet, comfortable silence.
Then Lucas scratched the back of his head slightly.
"Actually… there's something I just realized."
Michael looked at him.
"What?"
Lucas glanced back at Michael's sister with an embarrassed smile.
"I don't know your name."
Michael blinked in surprise.
"You never asked?"
Lucas shrugged lightly.
"I guess I was too busy worrying."
Michael's sister laughed softly.
"My name is Grace."
Lucas nodded slowly.
"Grace."
He repeated it like he wanted to remember it properly.
"That's a beautiful name."
She smiled.
"Thank you."
Lucas's expression became a little more serious then, but his voice remained gentle.
"You scared everyone today, Grace."
She sighed lightly.
"I didn't plan to."
Lucas rested his hands in his pockets and looked at her kindly.
"But everything is going to be okay."
Grace studied his face for a moment.
There was something sincere in his voice.
Something calm.
Something reassuring.
Then she glanced at Michael and back at Lucas again with a small knowing smile.
"Well," she said softly, "if you're here, I guess my brother will worry a little less."
Michael shook his head with a quiet laugh.
"Don't start."
Grace only smiled wider and closed her eyes for a moment, resting again.
And as Lucas stood beside Michael near the hospital bed, the room felt a little lighter than it had before.
Later Lucas and Michael stepped outside the room.
The hallway was quiet.
Michael rubbed his forehead.
"I was really scared."
Lucas nodded.
"I know."
Michael looked at him.
"Thank you for coming."
Lucas gave him a small smile.
"Of course."
They sat together in silence for a while.
Just knowing Lucas was there made the hospital feel a little less overwhelming.
It was late when Lucas finally left.
Michael returned to sit outside his sister's room.
His phone vibrated again.
A new notification had appeared.
He opened it.
It was from the seminary administration.
"All seminarians are expected to return. Seminary resumes the day after tomorrow."
Michael stared at the message.
Inside the hospital room, his sister slept quietly.
Outside the window, the night had grown still.
Everything suddenly felt complicated again.
But another message appeared on his phone moments later.
From Lucas.
"I'm here. No matter what happens."
Michael looked at the message for a long time.
And for the first time since the terrible phone call…
he didn't feel completely alone.