“Spring Snow Herb… Spring Snow Herb,” she muttered, the name repeating in her mind like a faint hope. Where else could she possibly find it?
Her face set in determination, she pulled out her phone and typed a message to Alfy.
“Alfy, I need your help finding a medicine called Spring Snow Herb. Do you know where I might be able to get it?”
The black market—a chaotic, dangerous underworld where anything could be bought for the right price—wasn’t an option for Katelyn this time.
Alfy’s reply soon came through.
“Is something wrong? Let me handle finding this herb.”
“What’s Spring Snow Herb used for, anyway?” She paused, curiosity flickering across her face as she read Katelyn’s message again.
Alfy rubbed her chin, her eyes distant. The name stirred something in her memory, a faint familiarity that she couldn’t quite place.
Katelyn replied, “It’s for saving a life.”
But she knew she couldn’t depend solely on Alfy. She’d have to think of other options herself.
Her face tightened with worry, the weight of it clear in her tired eyes. By the time Katelyn and Vincent arrived back in Granville, dawn was already breaking over the quiet streets. After a full night of rushing around, they both looked drained, exhaustion hanging over them.
Vincent gripped the steering wheel, casting a concerned glance at her.
“I’ll take you home to rest.”
Katelyn shook her head, her voice a tired rasp.
“No, let’s go to the hospital. I want to see Carol.”
“Alright.”
Vincent didn’t argue. He understood Katelyn’s priorities and kept his thoughts to himself.
Katelyn pressed her fingers to her temples, rubbing hard, fighting to stay alert. She had to be ready for the chance that the Spring Snow Herb might be impossible to find.
Half an hour later, they pulled up at Heartland Hospital. Katelyn splashed cold water on her face, the shock of it pulling her together, before she opened the door to Carol’s room. Find the newest release on find?novel.net
Her condition hadn’t changed from the day before. All her vital signs were steady, yet Carol lay motionless, lost in her deep, unreachable sleep.
The puzzle of Carol’s sudden health decline still gnawed at Katelyn’s mind. No answers. Only questions, and the weight of worry pressing down on her.
Katelyn gently took Carol’s hand, resting her head on it. Her eyes held a quiet, lonely ache as she whispered her hope.
“Grandma, please wake up. I really need you.”
.
.
.