Fading Light

Ashley woke up to the sound of her mother's muffled crying. She wasn't sure why, but her weak voice managed to muster a faint joke. "Hey, I'm alive," she said, trying to sound cheerful. However, her mother's tears only intensified, and Susan's body shook with sobs. Ashley tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she fell back onto the pillow. Ender, who had been sleeping next to his mother, stirred awake. "Can we have pizza for dinner?" he asked, his small voice a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere. Susan nodded, still wiping away her tears. She forced a weak smile onto her face and headed to the kitchen to order the pizza. Ashley weakly called out to her, "Mom, why are you crying?" Susan's voice cracked as she replied, "I'm fine, sweetie. Don't worry about it." Ashley drifted off into a fitful sleep, her body wracked with pain and exhaustion. A few minutes later, Susan heard Ashley's labored breathing change to a series of hacking coughs. She rushed back into the room to find Ashley's face streaked with blood. Ender's voice pierced the air, "Mommy's bleeding! Mommy's blood!" He clung to Ashley's arm, his eyes wide with fear. Susan rushed to her side, trying to comfort her. "It's okay, sweetie. Mommy's just... coughing. It's okay." Ashley coughed again, and a fresh wave of blood flowed from her mouth. Susan's heart sank, and she felt like she was losing her grasp on reality. She wrapped her arms around Ashley, trying to hold her close. "I'm here, baby. I'm here." As the pizza delivery person arrived at the door, Susan's mind numbly processed the mundane task of accepting the food. She placed the order on the kitchen counter, but her attention remained fixed on Ashley, who lay frail and struggling in the bedroom. The sound of Ender's terrified cries and Ashley's labored breathing filled the air, a stark reminder that time was running out. Susan's tears fell onto Ashley's face, mixing with the blood and sweat. She whispered softly, "I love you, Ashley. I love you so much."