Page 105 of Shadows of Recovery

Sophie was horrifiedwhen the brothers brought Tristan to her. His skin was flushed with fever, and his breathing was labored. The sight of his deteriorated state made her freeze.

"Tristan," she whispered, her hands trembling as she began to assess his condition. His wounds were inflamed, oozing pus, and she noticed the telltale blackened signs of the plague.

Tristan's voice was weak, but he managed to tell her, "Fleas. It’s Y. pestis, Sophie. You have to be careful."

Sophie pressed her lips against his burning forehead. "I’m not going to lose you," she said fiercely. She put on a mask and gloves. She administered nasal oxygen and started two IVs to make sure he was hydrated and to give him antibiotics. She had two of the brothers roll him on his belly. She gasped when she saw the wounds from his beatings.Barbaric.

“Tristan, I have to drain these abscesses and get you on more antibiotics. It’s gonna hurt.”

“Do… what… you… need… to…” Tristan was so sick, he didn’t flinch as the scalpel cut open the pus-filled sores. His eyes seemed to stare off at nothingness.

She cleaned his wounds and drained the abscesses, trying to keep her temper in check as best as she could. If she showed her anger, she feared they would throw him back in the pest-filled cell.

Nathan watched, his expression grim. "Is there anything else you need?"

Sophie nodded, not taking her eyes off Tristan. "He needs to be in a hospital. He needs an ICU."

Nathan hesitated, then turned to one of the brothers. "Go to the supply room. Get everything she needs."

Then Nathan left the room to check on Emma, his new nephew, and his brother Damon, who remained secured to a chair. Tristan, weakened and feverish, had lost consciousness.

Suddenly, Eleanor ran into the room, her face pale with worry. "Kay is failing," she said urgently. "She now has a high fever."

Sophie’s eyes flashed with anger as she turned on Nathan. "I told you before I didn’t think you were a murderer. But both Tristan and Kay are dying, and the baby may have contracted syphilis thanks to the evil your brother has done. The tribe has turned off their lab to you. They all need a hospital."

Nathan looked stricken, his earlier bravado crumbling under the pressure of the unfolding disaster.

Sophie stepped closer, her voice fierce and unwavering. "I heard your brother Caleb say that, when your dad dies, you’ll be the one in charge. Act like it. Right now, people’s lives are at stake. Show some leadership."

Nathan’s face paled further, but there was a flicker of determination in his eyes. He nodded slowly, absorbing Sophie’s words. "What do we need to do?"

Sophie’s eyes were fierce. "Release us. Let them get the medical care they need. If you want to prove you're different from Damon, start now."

* * *

The highway patrolhad surrounded the tribal land, ready to intervene if necessary. Brad Killian worked tirelessly on his end negotiating with Nathan Whitlock, his phone buzzing constantly with updates from his team and the tribal leadership. Unbeknownst to him, Sophie was also pushing for their release from within the compound.

Brad's voice was firm but calm as he spoke into the phone, "Nathan, we need to resolve this peacefully. Release Tristan, Sophie, and everyone else. This can end without further bloodshed."

Nathan's voice on the other end was tense. "We're working on it. I need assurances."

Brad's patience was wearing thin, but he knew he had to keep Nathan talking. "You have my word. We just want everyone safe."

Brad could only think of the promise he made to Isobel Everhart, the woman he called Belle. He remembered the terror in her eyes when Sophie was held in the hospital before. The promise to protect her sister was one he intended to keep.

"Nathan," Brad said, his voice taking on a more personal tone, "this isn't just about duty. I made a promise to someone very important to me. Sophie is like family. Please, do the right thing."

Nathan hesitated on the other end of the line. "I’ll need to discuss this with the others.”

"Hurry, Nathan," Brad urged. "You’re running out of time."

* * *

Nathan returnedto Sophie’s side, visibly shaken but resolved. "We’re getting the vehicles ready. You’ll be taken to the hospital."

Sophie felt a wave of relief but remained focused. "Thank you, Nathan. We need to move quickly."

The Whitlock brothers, now cooperative, helped prepare Sophie, Tristan, Kay, Emma, and the baby for transport. They agreed to place them in their vehicles and, at the border of their land, transfer them into waiting ambulances.

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