Contents
Book Five: Save Yourself — 20.
Overview
In the hospital, Gwen hovers between life and death while Allie keeps vigil, updates her on fallout, and wrestles with unexpected feelings for Tana. Allie severs contact with Donna. A chilling apparition of King Sorrow grips Gwen, promising Gwen’s death this Easter and targeting Allie next, escalating the countdown.
Summary
Friends rotate visits to Gwen’s third-floor hospital suite. On Monday, Tana and Allie share a quiet lunch that ends in an awkward, unintended kiss from Allie, which sends her into spiraling self-reproach as she returns to Gwen’s bedside.
Gwen remains mostly unconscious, fighting infection after massive blood loss, a damaged lung, and fractures. Allie tends her, cooling her fever and talking even when Gwen cannot respond. Briefly, Gwen whispers about “babies,” then weeps, while newborn cries echo from the maternity ward above.
Across visits, Allie recounts developments: Colin is alive but on machines after a heart wound; Tana refuses her mother Daphne’s remains; Allie ignores Donna’s calls and texts, recognizing Donna’s controlling hold; and Robin has repeatedly given her statement, winning unexpected goodwill. Privately, Allie admits a crush on Tana to a sleeping Gwen and, shaken by the kiss, fears relapse and ruin.
In a moment of dread, Allie sees King Sorrow’s tail coil from beneath the bed to seize Gwen, his claw stroking Gwen’s lips while clutching her throat. He taunts Allie, declaring Gwen already his for this year’s Easter and threatening Allie next year, even suggesting Donna might sacrifice Tana. Allie denies him and begs for Gwen’s release. King Sorrow withdraws, vowing to see Allie soon. Twenty-seven days remain until Easter.
Who Appears
- AllieKeeps vigil for Gwen, confesses feelings for Tana, rejects Donna’s influence, and confronts King Sorrow’s menacing apparition.
- GwenGravely injured and septic, intermittently conscious; becomes the target of King Sorrow’s physical manifestation.
- King SorrowManifests beneath Gwen’s hospital bed, claims Gwen for Easter and threatens Allie for the following year.
- TanaVisits Gwen, shares lunch with Allie; becomes the focus of Allie’s unintended kiss and worry; refuses her mother’s remains.
- DonnaAbsent but looming; Allie cuts contact after recognizing Donna’s controlling behavior; invoked by Sorrow to taunt Allie.
- ColinReported alive but critical on machines after a heart wound; source of ongoing police attention.
- RobinGives repeated police statements, unexpectedly well-received; her updates are shared with unconscious Gwen.