'No… NOOO… PLEASE!' I screamed on top of my lungs. 'PLEASE DON'T!'

'I'm sorry Martina… but we have too!' Burge replied as Austin came in the room.

'Austin please tells them not to this!'

'I'm sorry little tuc… but you need this.' He replied as he pushed me back to the bed and held my hand.

'Please Austin!'

'You need this little tuc…'

'We have to sedate her!' The Dr told Austin while he nodded his head with tears in his eyes.

'PLLEASEEE DON'T LET THEM AU..AUs..tin…'

I didn't know what was happening. I felt tired in a second… dizzy… tired… I couldn't fight anymore. How could Austin do that? How could Austin allow that? He's supposed to protect me… He's supposed to be on my side…

They forced the feeding tube down my nose. The pain was unbearable. I tried toughening up… but tears came out of my eyes. Austin remained there and dried my eyes quickly… He kept speaking comforting calming words. He let them do this to me. He's letting them controlling me.

'I know it hurts Martina… but you need this… you're going to die if you keep on like this. You're hurting…'


'We have to set our differences apart Margaret. Austin is literally taking over her custody.'

'I've never said anything Robert… but… he may be right… Our daughter is sick Robert.'

'She's not… she's just stressed out…'

'Robert… I've never told you this… but…'

'… but what Margaret?'

'I've found stashed food in her gym bag.'

'You what? Why didn't you tell me?'

'Would you have listened Robert?'

'I would have! She was eating with us...'

'Robert you were always telling her to watch her calories! She has a body of a 7 year old.'

'Look Margaret… She was always small for her age… She was always skinny. But we're losing sponsorship money… She has to get back to training… we're losing everything we've worked for…'

'I know… What do you think we should do?'

'For now… we'll let Austin take care of things… She will get back home someday… She will be all focused on winning again. She's tough… she will get through this and will be back to winning the gold!'


Austin remained there the whole day. He never moved from the chair beside me. He brought books for me to read. He brought my laptop… he brought my science books he brought some dvd's to watch… but at that moment nothing could make me feel better.

'You see… here this is you when you were 5. I remember you trying to push me off the chair.' He tried again while I stared outside the window with tears in my eyes. '… and here… ohhh… I so remember mum's punishment after I've place whipped cream in your favourite shoe.' He continued as he looked at me, and saw that it was for nothing.

'Listen… I know you hate this… but I had to agree… Martina you are dying! So please! Talk to me!'

'What do you want me to say Austin? What are you expecting me to do? You took the decision without even considering my opinion. You don't know how this makes me feel! You've made me look like an invalid.'

'Martina, you are in no state to take rational decisions!'

'So are you saying that I'm crazy now? Austin I'm your sister!'

'And I am your brother… and I'm not staying around watching you die while you punish yourself for something that you even don't have fault or control off! Martina I cannot watch this anymore… You are dying.'

'Stop being fucking melodramatic Austin!'

'Martina, I've remained on that seat for days… I've slept here making you company, and you're angry with me for wanting to keep you alive? Do you think that I enjoy seeing you like this? Do you think I enjoy spending my days here? I'm sorry Martina… but if you think that the world is revolving around you, then I'm sorry to break it out to you! IT DOESN'T!'

'Really Austin? Is that how you feel?' I replied with tears in my eyes… 'If you feel like this… then you should leave… like mum and dad did… I guess you're no better than them. I didn't ask for you to stay… '

'Martina…'

'Just leave Austin…'