**Chapter 10: The Darkest Hour**

The phone seemed to take an eternity to ring, and Ashley's anxiety grew with each passing second. She could feel the weight of her decision bearing down on her, and the uncertainty of her situation was suffocating. Finally, Sarah answered, her voice laced with concern. "Ashley, what's going on? You sound terrible," Sarah said, her words tumbling out in a rush. Ashley tried to speak, but her voice cracked, and she had to swallow hard before she could form the words. "I...I took the pills," she stammered. "I'm bleeding really badly, and I don't know what's happening." Sarah's response was immediate. "Get to the hospital, now. I'll be right there." Her voice was calm and reassuring, but Ashley could detect the underlying panic. Ashley nodded, even though Sarah couldn't see her. She knew she had to get help, and fast. She slowly got out of bed, her legs trembling beneath her, and made her way to the bathroom to grab some clothes and a towel. The bleeding had slowed to a trickle, but she knew it could start again at any moment. As she waited for Sarah to arrive, Ashley couldn't help but think about the what-ifs. What if the abortion hadn't worked? What if she had just put her life in danger? The thoughts swirled in her head, making her feel dizzy and disoriented. The doorbell rang, and Ashley knew Sarah had arrived. She opened the door to let her friend in, and Sarah's face was a picture of concern. "Ashley, oh my god, you're covered in blood," Sarah exclaimed, rushing to her side. Ashley nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. She was going to be okay. Sarah helped her gather her things, and they made their way to the car. The drive to the hospital was a blur, but Ashley remembered the feeling of relief that washed over her as they pulled into the emergency room parking lot. She was going to get help, and she was going to be okay. As they rushed into the hospital, Ashley was greeted by the sight of nurses and doctors rushing to attend to her. She was whisked away to a room, and the medical staff began to assess her condition. The doctor's words were reassuring, but Ashley couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. She had taken a huge risk, and now she was facing the consequences. The doctor explained that she had experienced a partial abortion, but that there was still a risk of complications. Ashley's heart sank, and she felt a wave of fear wash over her. She had thought she was out of the woods, but it seemed she still had a long way to go. The doctor explained that she would need to undergo a procedure to complete the abortion, and that she would need to stay in the hospital for observation. As the reality of her situation set in, Ashley felt a sense of exhaustion wash over her. She had thought she was making a decision to take control of her life, but it seemed she had just stumbled into a whole new set of challenges. The darkness closed in around her, and Ashley knew that she had hit her darkest hour yet.