Wait, it's been how long?
Chapter XI
New
Dear Diary,
I remember when it first began.
What started as just a cough turned into something new.
The moment when I first saw the blood spill….
And all I could do was hold her and wish he was here.
-R
There was a moment of urgency that flew through Rin's body when she saw the splattering of red on her daughter's white sheets. Although time slowed, Rin was fast, grabbing her little girl's frail form and carrying her out into the kitchen. There she placed her on the counter as Rin put a tea towel in her daughter's hand to catch the blood spilling from the mouth.
Then came the vomit.
It ran like a fast river into the stainless-steel sink, painting it a bright crimson. Rin breathed out rubbing Chou's small back and trying to come up with anything while the little girl moaned and cried.
What could she do?
The hospital was an hour away and Rin didn't have a car. An ambulance would take time to get here due to the storm and then it was getting back which would take more time.
What could I do?
Lightning flashed through the windows as thunder roared soon after. Blood came out again with it and Rin realized there wasn't time anymore.
I thought I would have more time.
"Okay," she muttered, running to the couch to grab the green blanket she used when reading through old fairy tales to her daughter.
She ran back to Chou who was about to pass out from exhaustion. Her pale form fell into her mother's arms as Rin wrapped her daughter as best as she could. The rain boots were on and they were out into the drenching drops of water. Rin didn't bother with a coat; there was nothing but her thin pajamas that covered her from the stormy winds that blew.
She held Chou tightly, racing through the muddy trail in the trees and towards her nearest neighbor a kilometer away – an elderly lady that treated others in the rural village with natural medicines and herbs.
It was the middle of the night, but Rin knew the woman would help.
Wet, cold, and tired, Rin knocked on the dark house door. The Japanese place held a traditional style with a low balcony snaking around the building and shoji doors to enter it. Rin always dreamed of a place such as this and now living in a small village, she had a similar style.
But she still felt she was living in a nightmare.
The door opened and a small lady peaked out.
"Rin?" she groggily said, opening the door the whole way. "It's the middle of the night. What are you-" stopping in the middle of the question when she noticed the wet bundle in Rin's arms. "Oh dear."
"Please, Kaede. I didn't know where else to go." Rin sobbed, her tears had already mixed in with the rain and mud. "Chou…there was so much blood…"
"Quickly, child," Kaede rushed them inside.
Rin followed Kaede into one of the main shoji rooms where Kaede's own futon lay. Chou was placed there carefully, and Rin breathed quickly, trying to slow her racing heart. Chou had grown paler. Her breathing was shallow and wheezy. Rin held her daughter's cold, wet hand.
Kaede came back in with a towel for Rin and more blankets for Chou. She came with a bowl full of medicine, herbs to what Rin hoped would stop the nightmare.
But she knew what Kaede was going to say once she finished assessing Chou.
"I cannot help this child," the elder said. "Rin, she needs proper care. This is beyond my abilities here."
Rin nodded, knowing the white walls and bright lights of a hospital would be in her sights. Tubes and wires would connect her child's body, doing everything to save it. She swallowed the past, shaking still from the early memories of doubt.
"I will give her something for pain, but you must drive swiftly and carefully into the city."
Rin shook her head. "Kaede, I don't have a vehicle. I don't know-"
"You may take mine." She helped Rin to her feet.
Chou groaned slightly as Rin picked her frail body up. She rushed to the door with the elder behind, passing her the keys to her car. "Kaede…what will happen if-"
"You cannot think about that, child. Right now, you must get Chou help. Don't let your fears drag you into this new challenge you may have to face with Chou."
Rin nodded and was immediately out the door.
The car was small, but would do fine. The storm had slowly passed over as the moon began to shine through the dark clouds. Rin placed Chou in the back as the little girl muttered Rin's name.
Rin quietly shushed her daughter, touching her head. "Don't worry, sweetie. We're just going on a little trip to make you feel better. Try and sleep."
Rin breathed out, getting into the driver's side. She held back new tears from her growing emotions. With her hand on the wheel, she drove down the country dirt road and into the darkness that disappeared in the horizon. Bright lights appeared out of know where in Rin's tired mind. She swallowed the nerves as more lights appeared, bringing her back into civilization.
She needed a distraction. Any distraction to stop her from going crazy from the new lights surrounded them in her eyes. She looked back in the mirror at her daughter's form and breathed in. "Chou? Chou, are you doing okay?"
She reached back with her hand, touching her daughter's shaking form.
"Chou?" Rin looked back for a moment to see the child's glistening face and shallow, wheezing breath.
Only a moment to realize time was running on empty.
And when time runs on empty, Rin knows it starts to race; because when she turned back around, two bright, glowing lights flashed in front of her. She gasped loudly swerving the vehicle at the last second as a horn raced by. She stopped, trying to catch her breath, forgetting about her emotions.
Sobs broke the silence. She slammed her hands on the wheel, taking in a hissing breath of adrenaline.
And in the moment, she wished he was there. At least to tell her it would be okay and he would protect her.
Fuck.
She looked forward to see his emotionless expression painted on a tall sign on the building in front of her. His golden eyes started back through the illuminated lights sharing the sign in the night. Rin shook her head, seeing his face for the first time in a while.
She hated him, but was going to do everything to show him she was stronger than before.
And so, she sped. As fast as she could handle, she sped through the winding streets towards the tall, concrete building that held so much grief and death. But also hope. Rin had to think there was still hope for the only piece of her heart still alive.
Her hands tightened on the wheel.
Not today.
She would not have it today. The rain had stopped and the sun was going to appear up into the sky soon. Rin could see the new day ahead, and today would not be the day she was going to let go.
Rin was going to hold onto her daughter.
Even when she appeared in front of the emergency room doors, she didn't hesitate to take her daughter's sleeping form and run into the building, abandoning the car behind. She didn't give bullshit to when the nurses asked her to fill out the form. There was no time.
"My daughter is dying," she blurted out, her voice showing anger had built up. "You need to get her inside and treat her. I've gone through hell tonight and if I don't get some help, it will be on your hands."
The nurse only stared at her wide eyed. Rin immediately realized the girl was brand new. Then she looked around and noticed the several eyes staring back at her. Once again, Rin felt it. The judgement. She heard the whispers. It was high school all over again.
She knew she couldn't escape.
So, Rin said in a low voice, "please."
The girl in her arms groaned and squirmed for a moment, muttering, "Mommy…I don't feel so good."
Then it came back. The blood covered vomit. Finally, people swarmed them. Nurses started to take action, taking Chou from Rin's arms and placing her in gurney. There were voices racing around Rin as she followed them through the double doors and down a long corridor. She breathed heavily watching as people joined into the parade, grabbing medicine, needles, bags, blankets, oxygen tanks, anything to keep the eight-year-old girl alive.
They passed another set of double doors labeled: 'specified personal only'. That is where Rin was stopped by one of the nurses. Rin looked at her, trying to pass the barrier, but couldn't.
"What are you…?" she started to say. "My daughter-"
"Is going to get the help she needs, but for now you will need to wait out in the waiting room while we get her stable. The doctor will come and get you soon." A hand was placed on Rin's shoulder. A sign of comfort, but only an uncomfortable feeling was passed into Rin. "We will do everything we can to save her."
Then the nurse disappeared behind those double doors, leaving Rin in a silent stance.
It took time, but Rin managed to shuffle her way back down the hallway towards the waiting room area. Her mind was blank and distracted. Her body slow and unstable. And when she opened the doors and turned the corner, she never expected to walk blindly into the back of an unexpected figure.
M'kay! *gives thumbs up*