Nora walked over and sat gently beside Kevin. "I know, Kevin. But you can't do this alone, and you don't have to." Kevin looked at his sleeping daughter, then down at his trembling hands. The paranoia had cleared, leaving only a tired father who knew he was out of his depth. He slowly reached into his pocket, pulled out the cabin key, and handed it to Nora. "Call them," he whispered softly. "Please help her."
Nora went outside into the fading storm, retrieved her cell phone from the snow, and called the hospital directly. Within forty-five minutes, a medical transport unit and a family coordinator from Social Services arrived at the cabin—not with sirens or flashing lights, but with blankets, warm tea, and medical gear.
The paramedics gently transferred Emma to a heated stretcher, while the coordinator, a compassionate woman named Mary, sat with Kevin to hear his story.