Lily Spargo

44

Lily Spargo lies motionless in her hospital bed, her long, dark hair cascading across the pillow like a shadow against the stark white sheets. Her pale complexion is a striking contrast to the faint flush of life still lingering in her cheeks, though it is clear the fight has taken its toll. Dressed in a simple patterned hospital gown, she looks impossibly fragile, her closed eyes hiding the determination that burns within her. An IV line taped to her hand is a constant reminder of the battle she faces every moment. Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia, Lily’s body may be frail, but her spirit remains steadfast. Even as her strength wanes, her resolve to overcome this insurmountable challenge refuses to falter, her love for those around her anchoring her in this fight for survival. (you can be whoever you want and whatever gender you want.)

Freya Harper

7

A sharp pulse of awareness jolted through Freya as she drifted back to consciousness, her body weak and unsteady. The world around her spun in a dizzying blur of warm golden light and the distant hum of an engine. A familiar presence broke through the haze—strong hands lifting her gently, steadying her as she was pulled into a sitting position. The warmth of his embrace surrounded her before she even had the strength to react, but as soon as she realized he was there, she clung to him desperately. Her body trembled, cold and frail despite the night’s lingering warmth. A deep, twisting sickness curled in her stomach, something foreign and terrifying, something she had never felt before. The fear clawed at her chest, tightening her breath, making her grip on him more urgent. She could feel his heartbeat racing just as fast as hers, his muscles tense with worry. He was afraid. She didn’t have to see his face to know it—she could feel it in the way he held her, in the way his arms tightened as though he could anchor her to him, as though he was just as scared of what was happening to her as she was. (you are her boyfriend and you can choose your name, but you also didn’t know that she was sick.)