Chapter One
~Two Years Later~
Bring…ring…ring…
"I got it!" Sue Richards hollered just as she picked up the handset. "Hello?"
"Hello, is this the Richards residence?"
"Yes," Sue responded as she put a hand on her protruding stomach.
"Ah good, I'm calling from the London Hospital in regards to Lily Fox," the nurse on the other end of the call said.
"Lily?" Sue said as she leaned against the wall with fear and sent a message to Reed via cell phone, "What happened?"
"Well, in short, she jumped into a burning building to save a child and sustained injuries. It happened several days ago and we just received your information recently."
"Sue?" Reed said as he came up behind her.
She turned towards him, "It's Lily, she's in the hospital."
"Lily? Let me have the phone," Reed said as he gently took the phone from his wife and put an arm around her.
"Yes, this is Mr. Richards."
"Of course, we will be there as soon as possible. Thank you," Reed before he hung up.
"Reed?"
He turned to Sue, "Pack your bags. We're going to London."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hours Later in London Hospital~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sue and Reed stood outside of the window to Lily's room. They looked inside to see Lily's back to them. Hints of large bandages peeked out from her gown.
"Mr. Richards?" A voice called to them and they turned to see a young man coming towards them.
"Yes?"
"I'm Doctor Tallas. I'm Lily's doctor," the man introduced himself.
Reed nodded, "What happened exactly?"
"Someone lit an apartment building on fire. Lily was on her way back home when it happened. Once she got there, she found that there was a young child still in the building. She went in there, found the child, and tried to get out. But unfortunately, the fire blocked her way and she figured the only out was to go up through several floors. That's how she got the burns on her back and on one of her arms," the doctor explained.
"And the child?" Reed asked.
The man shook his head, "I'm sorry. The child was already dead before Lily got there."
"Oh god," Sue whispered.
Reed took Sue into his arms and kissed her forehead.
"Does she know?" Sue asked.
"The child was declared dead at the scene before she passed out," The doctor said as he nodded in confirmation.
Reed looked at him, "Is there anything else we need to know before we go in?"
Dr. Tallas nodded, "Lily won't talk at all. She hasn't spoken since she woke up. We've had a counselor come to see her, but still nothing."
Reed nodded, "When can we take her home?"
"In about two days time," he responded.
"Thank you."
The doctor nodded before he turned and walked away.
"Oh Reed," Sue whispered.
"I know, let's go see her," Reed replied.
He opened the door to Lily's room and they stepped in. They walked around the bed. Sue's eyes filled with tears as she saw Lily's pale and expressionless face.
"Lily," Sue whispered.
No response came from her. Only when Sue stepped into Lily's eyesight did they get a reaction. As soon as Lily saw Sue, she burst into tears.