Friday. Room 13. Unlucky.
"Fitting, isn't it?" the doctor noted, hands in pockets, staring out of the hospital window that took up a whole wall. The machine on his right bleeped pathetically. To him it was saying: You can't shut me off, doc. I'll wake up. This is wrong. This is very wrong. Again the nurse came in, checked the boy over, kissed his forehead and shuffled out. The doctor paid no attention. Because outside it was raining. God was crying.
"Wake up, boy." The doctor sighed, running a hand through his cropped white hair. Checking his watch, he took a deep, forced breath. Four hours. Ash had to be awake within four hours. In desperation, he turned sharply, landed himself by the bed and clutched the blond boy's hand. "Wake up! Please, please, don't make me do this!"
No response. Nothing. For an instant, he thought he saw the boy's eyelids twitch, but it was just his imagination. He stood up, at a loss. Then left. On his way out, he ran through the list of people who were going to be present later. Mary-Lynnette Carter. That was Ash's girlfriend.
He shivered. Just imagining himself switching off the life-support in front of the boy's girlfriend made him cringe. He switched off the light. "Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite." He croaked, voice squeaky. Then, removing the last signs of emotion – put on a mask of professionalism. He was not going to cry.
Dorian didn't turn up at the right time. Doctor Nath looked at his watch, as he had a habit of doing. It was four o'clock and it was still raining outside. Unusual for this time of year – especially in Oregon. For an instant, he was going to postpone the funeral, but who should turn up?
Nurse Kasey ran in, in a flurry, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Sir! Doctor Nath! There's been an accident!" she shrieked, overwhelmed with it all. "One of the new buildings in David Creek… it's collapsed!"
David Creek. The sister town to Briar Creek. Only born a few weeks past. People were flocking there now, mostly from the hick towns of Oregon. It promised better trade and no wilderness. The doctor knew because he was getting a transfer there.
He cringed. "What building?" he asked, already knowing the answer. That was when the nurse let out a cry and flopped down into the chair next to Ash. "The hospital."
The doctor turned to face Ash, his expression grave. "We need the beds," he said tightly, convincing himself that it was the right thing to do. Jane Kasey followed his gaze to the eighteen-year-old plastered to the bed. "Doctor, I don't think…" she began, then lapsed into silence. "Well, we're on schedule."
Doctor Nath nodded, fingered his watch and bowed his head. Man, he was gaining wrinkles today! He'd never felt so stressed.
A boy named John Quinn was the first to arrive. He turned up in a black convertible – rented. He was clad all in black and the doctor didn't know whether it was for the occasion or whether he always wore it.
He passed the doctor, sat down by the bed and wouldn't talk to anyone. He just stared helplessly at his friend.
Mary-Lynnette wasn't long after that. She'd been held up at home for some reason or another. She took her place opposite John, squeezed Ash's hand and kissed him. Then the sisters arrived. There was one person missing from the doctor's promised six. Ash's father. Dorian Redfern.
Don't do it, doc. You know he'll live. A voice in his head said. Doctor Nath, who was at the door looking out for Dorian, turned abruptly and saw John staring at him with eyes as cold as icicles. If you–
Then his expression softened. He looked bewildered. The doctor shook his head. It was just his imagination. Quinn realised Dorian had handpicked the doctor specially. He wasn't able to influence him. The doctor was immune to it.
"Maybe it's best," Mary-Lynnette murmured, long hair shadowing her face. "He won't wake up. And even if he does… he might be paralysed or… or…" The doctor felt braver with her backing.
His watch buzzed. Time's up. Dorian or no Dorian, it had to go on. Five pale faces turned towards him, white, waxy and full of grief. All had tears in their eyes. And Doctor Nath realised he was crying too.
"I'm so, so sorry." He whispered, head bowed. Jane, the nurse, let out a whimper behind him and shut her eyes.
Stepping away from the door, the doctor stepped over to the machine on John's side, took a deep breath and stared intently at the plug set into the wall. Don't do it doc! Give me more time! Just a little more –!
Before the voice in his head could finish, the doctor zipped in, grabbed the plug and pulled sharply. A beep had only just sounded from the machine. It stopped, mid-pitch, and died. The heart monitor switched off. Mary-Lynnette looked up at the screen. Her bottom-lip wobbled. And then her world collapsed.
Thomas Nath, the doctor thought, you're a murderer.
Chapter Over
You thought that was the end? Don't shoot me just yet…
