Contents
Book Five: Save Yourself — 23.
Overview
Robin, Allie, and Tana use the saint’s blood to treat Gwen’s bullet wounds and tracheostomy, then have Gwen drink the remainder. Robin doubts, but they proceed anyway. Allie is shaken; Donna pointedly claims future credit and exits. The clock narrows: three weeks remain until Easter and the reckoning.
Summary
Donna enters Gwen’s hospital room with Robin, Allie, and Tana but stands guard at the door. Gwen is emaciated and bandaged; Robin and Allie expose the wounds while Tana provides long swabs and the bottle of saint’s blood.
Working methodically, Robin swabs the sanctified blood onto Gwen’s lung wound, abdominal wound, and hip, then touches her tracheostomy, despite skepticism about its efficacy. The bottle is nearly empty.
On Donna’s insistence, they pour the remaining blood into Gwen’s mouth. Gwen reflexively swallows, while Allie, overwhelmed, rushes to the bathroom. Donna moves to Gwen’s side, briefly holds Gwen’s cold hand, and vows that she—not Gwen—will be remembered for the saving.
Donna departs, leaving Robin, Allie, and Tana with the dying woman and the hope the saint’s blood will work. The chapter closes with a tightening deadline: three weeks until Easter.
Who Appears
- Donna McBrideBrings saint’s blood, insists Gwen drink it, asserts she’ll be credited for saving Gwen, then leaves.
- GwenGravely wounded and emaciated patient; receives saint’s blood on wounds and by mouth.
- RobinLeads treatment, applies saint’s blood to Gwen’s wounds despite skepticism.
- AllieHelps tend Gwen, quips at Robin’s doubt, then flees to the bathroom, shaken.
- Tana NighswanderSupports Allie and assists the procedure, supplying swabs and steadying Gwen.