**Chapter 2: Machine Monitoring**

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. As we continued to chat, I began to feel a bit more awake, my interest piqued by the machines and their readings. Lucas asked more questions, and the nurse happily explained the ins and outs of hospital equipment. The room was quiet, with only the occasional rustle of papers or the beep of a machine breaking the silence. Lucas's voice was soothing, and I found myself drifting in and out of a light doze as he talked. But 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.