The hours in the hospital dragged on, passing in a strange and tormented way, the way people came and went, entering and leaving rooms. That was odd to him. He knew death was unforgiving, so why should he forgive death for taking a life?

There's no point in the sacrifices people make to live, the sacrifices they make because millions of lives are alive, living. Right?

Ghost stood up, watching Johnny laugh as they said their goodbyes, the usual banter, even though the poor man had a broken rib. Just banter, the good banter of two good brothers in arms.

"Lieutenant, don't go stealing a nurse on the way," Johnny quipped, laughing and winking, waiting for Ghost's typical response.

Ghost, for his part, simply ignored him with a grunt of "Seriously, Johnny?" He carefully closed Johnny's bedroom door without making a sound and walked calmly, his posture hunched from the exhaustion of his back and the long hours of work. Then he heard a noise—that was new. Ghost looked down the hallways before following the sound, until he reached the area where the babies were. That noise made him stop. That noise was life, a new life arriving, but ironic, because surely in another room, someone would stop breathing.

Ghost stood still, watching through the glass one of the babies, one that was making noises he had heard. He looked around, searching for someone, but there was nothing. He returned his gaze to the baby, not sensing anyone approaching. He was so focused on watching the baby that he moved like a puppy looking for food.

“Hmm?” she said just before looking up and seeing someone’s reflection in the glass. It startled her, but she didn’t do anything, she just stepped back a little. “Excuse me.”