**Chapter 3: Alarming News**

The soft beeping of the hospital machines and the faint scent of antiseptic filled the air in Dorothy's room. I lay in my hospital bed, slowly recovering from a recent surgery. Lucas, my loved one, sat beside me, chatting with me and keeping me company. As we talked, he glanced around the room, taking in the array of machines beeping and whirring around me. "So, what are all these machines for?" Lucas asked, nodding towards the monitors. The nurse, who had been checking my IV, stopped and smiled. "These machines are monitoring your vital signs, making sure everything is stable and within normal range. We have the ECG, which monitors your heart rate and rhythm, the blood pressure monitor, and the oxygen saturation monitor." Lucas leaned forward, interested. "And what are they showing?" The nurse checked the readings on the machines. "Your heart rate is a bit elevated, but that's to be expected after surgery. Your blood pressure is stable, and your oxygen levels are good." I watched as Lucas absorbed this information, his brow furrowed in concern. "What if something goes wrong?" he asked. The nurse smiled reassuringly. "We have protocols in place for emergencies, and we're always monitoring the machines closely. If anything looks off, we'll be on it right away." As she spoke, Lucas's eyes scanned the machines, his gaze lingering on the beeping monitors. I could sense his unease, his desire to understand and be prepared. The nurse noticed his concern and patted his hand. "Don't worry, we're keeping a close eye on everything. We'll catch any issues before they become a problem." Lucas nodded, seeming to relax a bit. I reached out and took his hand, feeling a surge of gratitude for his presence. Just as I was starting to relax, one of the machines started beeping loudly, the sound shrill and insistent. Lucas's head snapped towards the machine, his eyes wide with concern. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. The nurse's expression changed from calm to alert in an instant. "Let's take a look," she said, quickly checking the readings on the machine. My heart began to beat faster as I realized something was wrong. The beeping grew louder, and I felt a surge of fear. "Lucas," I whispered, my voice trembling. He squeezed my hand. "I'm here," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. But I could sense his panic, his fear for my well-being. And as the machine continued to beep, I knew that something was very wrong. The nurse quickly moved to another machine, pressing a few buttons before speaking into a phone. "Code blue, room 304. We need assistance immediately." Lucas's eyes locked onto mine, filled with worry. "What's happening?" he asked, his voice shaking. I tried to speak, but my voice was barely a whisper. The machine beeped louder, and I felt my heart racing. The nurse rushed out of the room, leaving Lucas and me alone. He held my hand tightly, his face pale with worry. "Please, don't leave me," I whispered, my voice weak. Lucas's face contorted in fear. "I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice firm. "I'm here for you." The computer at the front desk suddenly spoke up, its voice clear and urgent. "Room 304, critical condition. Nurses, please report to room 304 immediately." The sound of footsteps echoed outside the room, growing louder with each passing second. I knew that the medical team was on its way, but I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. As the beeping machine grew louder, I felt my body begin to shut down. My vision started to blur, and my heart rate accelerated. Lucas's grip on my hand tightened. "Dorothy, stay with me," he whispered, his voice desperate. But I was slipping away, and I knew it. The machine's beeping grew fainter, and everything went dark.