The window whistled as the breeze infiltrated the office. Its soft tune subtly calming my frayed mind.
An aged voice croaked across the room—a balding man, face wrinkled and worn.
"Oh, I've recently been experiencing these bad back pains. Oh and my knees have buckled more than once today…"
He grimaced as he held his knee.
"I just don't think I can continue hero work like this."
"Well Mr—"
"Gully"
"Right. Mr Gully, all I can suggest for you is to take it easy.
You're no longer in your prime and any straining activities could severely hamper your mobility—"
"Stop? No way in America's bald spot will I stop. The world needs real heroes— like me, the Gulldigger. Without us, this country is ruined"
No. We really don't…
"Well, Mr Gully—"
"Oh dear, just Gully is fine"
"I think. That maybe It's time to let the next generation handle themselves. You've taught them yourself, you should know what they're capable of."
Gully's sky-blue eyes widened, Shocked at my suggestion.
"Those whippersnappers?? Those Good-for-nothings?" He asked incredulously "They can barely arrest your run of the mill bank robber! Let alone make the streets safe for our community! All they care about is how much they get paid and how many hearts they can collect with their small bricks!"
"Those are phones—"
"I DON'T GIVE A CRAP IF THEY'RE WEARING SUPERPATRIOTS JAMMIES. THEY HAVE NO SENSE OF DUTY. NO PATRIOTISM. AMERICA WILL BE DOOMED WITH THEM 'SAVING THE DAY'."
Spit splattered as he continued his rant. I couldn't help but sigh, It had been a long day... I sipped on my coffee. Cold of course.
"Sir, I think you should start thinking about retirement." I placed my mug down with a small thud. "You've earned more than enough pension to live comfortably. See your family."
He paused, clearly uncomfortable with the thought.
Silence—Finally.
"FAMILY? Listen ma'am" He leaned in, voice dropping.
Ma'am? My eyebrow twitched
"I don't think you understand what you're asking. New York City needs me. AMERICA NEEDS ME FOR GODS SAKES.
I HAVEN'T SEEN MY FAMILY FOR YEARS, MY WIFE'S PRACTICALLY FOUND ANOTHER MAN TO SERVE."
He raised both hands in frustration.
"SO NO. SOMETHINGS IN LIFE WE JUST CANNOT HAVE." His finger pointed to the ceiling.
"BUT IT IS OUR DUTY TO CARRY THOSE BURDENS, AND I WILL NO…"
Ahh… It looks bright outside—perfect for a stroll. Maybe I'll go out after this consultation? Maybe not.
"I HAVE SACRIFICED SO MU…"
…Wonder if Kai is alright, he's been getting better. I'm glad—
"AND THOSE IDIOTS AT CAPES…"
Gulldigger Gulldigger… who was he again? Was he the hero who created earthquakes? No? Maybe he was the hero who moved dirt with a shovel?
"BACK IN MY DAY…"
This room feels stuffy. Have I forgotten to turn on the AC again? Nope. Maybe it's the constant rambling.
Okay enough.
"Okay sir" I clapped my hands together, Sitting up straight.
"Unfortunately, I have an appointment soon with another patient. I'll prescribe you with Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for the pain. But I sincerely suggest you think about it. How do you want to spend the remainder of your life?" I looked him in the eye.
Silence reigned in the room for a few minutes. Gully's features twisted and contorted with frustrated indecision.
His shoulder slumped slightly. Then—calm. Back to normal. Energetic.
His eyebrows raised to the roof as he looked at the clock. "Oh my, It's twelve Already? Why thank you doctor, the world needs more people like you. Before—"
"Alright, sir. Bye!" I ushered him out the room, "I do hope you feel better. Have a nice day!" With a bang, the door closed.
Finally—I leaned on the door with a deep sigh. This is the fourth one this week.
With a groan, I stumbled back to my desk. Landing with a thud on my office chair, I turned to my computer. Ignoring the documents scrambled on the desk.
Right. Not the end yet.
A file read on the monitor.
Gully Sullivan—Early-stage amnesia and arthritis. Guy hasn't seen his family since the cold war. Although that might not be true, it's possible.
The silence of the room was oddly comforting: The humming of the computer, Buzzing of the AC and rustling of papers with the wind.
I just lay there for a while, eyes closed, and head leaned back.
Oh, how I could sleep right now.
Not yet.
I dragged a deep breath and pushed myself up, the inertia almost knocking me back down.
And so, I went to organise the mountain of paperwork. Before my next appointment—which honestly, couldn't come fast enough.
--
The sky had darkened. Solitude, finally.
Another sigh as I slumped on my chair, Swivelling about whilst staring absentmindedly at the computer screen.
My eyes drifted to a black radio, the pager. Its battery was long dead. I need to charge it.
The clock ticked; It was relaxing. Enough for my eyes to fight to stay awake.
Wonder if Alberto is still in the café. Coffee sounds nice right now.
A quickening tapping sound echoed outside the room, two nurses ran past. White lab coats flailing with momentum.
Mmm?
It was getting harder to stay awake.
Another tapping outside. A white lab coat ran past—stopped and turned back.
The handle of the door twisted open.
Chase—his hair dishevelled. An unusual seriousness in his expression.
He didn't move, gazing at me. His chest heaving with exhaustion.
"Where's your pager?"
"It's... I—dead"
Oh, not again.
"I was going to charge it."
He cursed under his breath, eyes boring into mine.
He stumbled closer.
I straightened myself out. He planted his hands on my desk.
"Kai's crashing."
My chair rolled. Hitting the wall as I shot to my feet.
Gaping. Words weren't wording.
"When?" My mouth felt dry.
"Not now. We need to move." He urged. Rushing out the door.
I followed, legs moving before I could think.
Crashing? No…No way.
I heard the name wrong—surely.
We rushed past the crowded halls of the hospital. Evading drowsy patients.
Right. Left. Stairs.
Room 240. Room 242. No…
Room 241—Kai…
The room was open. Its solitude breached by the chaos of the hospital.
The Response Unit had arrived.
The room was full.
Gloves snapped. Feet shuffled. voices clashed.
"He's at 180 over 110!"
"Sit him up! Check his body," Chase barked, Inspecting Kai's body.
No…
I can't… I can't breathe—
"His vitals are dropping!"
Please…no
"He's heating up! His waist is pale. Turn him around!"
A hand gripped my shoulder. Blue eyes. Intense.
"Get a grip Emilia." No room for argument.
I stumbled forward.
Charley. His skin was flushed. Face wet with sweat.
I rolled him over, hands shaking.
A sore. Where his spine is.
Crying—A weak voice called her.
'Mumma… It hurts."
Heat. Pain. The smell of smoke.
Police sirens. The seatbelt buckling—Blood. Not mine.
Charley…
Blur. Buzzing.
Shouts. Heat. I'm being pulled—
------
The water was supposed to be cold. I didn't feel it.
The ringing dimmed, but It still didn't feel cold.
"Charley…" I let out a breath, How long I've been holding it—I wonder that myself.
Shaking my head, my gaze landed on my face. I was pale, My lips were quivering.
I felt nauseous—Like I was gonna throw up.
Leaning on the sink, I let my thoughts condense. Trying to keep pace with them.
How could you—
You promised you would protect him.
I know…
He was dying
I know…
You just stood there.
I KNOW—
I'm sorry…
I'M SORRY…
I'm sorry…
My legs lost their strength. My face felt wet. I couldn't stop it.
The door to the bathroom opened gently, a soft knock made my eyes shoot up. Everything felt blurred.
Chase, his usual clean hair unkempt, dark circles around his eyes. He looked sombre.
No…
"Hey…" He started softly. I braced. "The kid's fine. For now."
He stood awkwardly at the doorway. "It was close... but he's stable. He's okay."
He hesitated. His face scrunched as he stepped forward.
He knelt down. Matching my level. His white coat swept the floor.
"Hey, Look at me."
He held my chin gently, looking into my eyes.
"Kai is fine. Sleeping."
Silence. His hand rested on my shoulder.
It was shaking.
I was shaking.
I avoided his eyes. My knuckles had turned white from gripping my coat too hard.
"I—I'm sorry.." My body crumbled. Leaning on him.
I was sobbing.
Charley was sobbing.
I should've done more.
If I had…
If I had then maybe—
Then maybe he wouldn't have died.