A Year To Live

1.5—It's Back (continuation)

Ray

Here we are, in the hospital, with its deathly white walls and the constant, sickly waft of medicine. This place even feels of death itself. They've been in the room with Kai for about an hour, and I have been sitting here, waiting with ill worry. What's going on? Why did Kai pass out? As far as I know, he's not been sick a solitary day before…

Mr. Dickenson left ten minutes ago, something about an urgent call from the BBA, leaving me to be the lone receiver of bad news. Arrrrggghhh…… Oh—no… The door's opening…

I'm not ready, I'm not ready… I don't want to know!!!

My stomach gave a flip. I think I'm gonna puke.

___

"He's alright now. And you are?" The man in white coat asked.

"Ray… Kon. A friend of Kai." Ray replied.

"Any family?" Family? Like Voltaire would care???

"Uh… no. He doesn't have family." Ray said hastily.

"Alright the, Mr. Kon, perhaps you would like to know about your friend's condition. We've done a couple of tests," he paused, flipping through his notes. That explains why it took so long.

"It seems that his bone marrow is defective, the leukaemia's back."

"WHAT?!"

2—Explanation denied

Kai

They propped me up, now that I'm awake. The memories started to fill me in on what I was doing before I ended up here, on a hospital bed, treated like a disabled. How many times do I have to put up with the stupid, "How does this feel?"

They haven't told me why I'm here, or what I'm diagnosed with, but I know. There's no point escaping now, or trying to convince myself. I hate the way they work—mumbling to themselves, and looking at me thoughtfully, assuring me that it's nothing to worry about. Or that it won't hurt.

What shocked me most is that somebody's outside waiting for me. If it's Mr. Dickenson… I can't face him… Let alone the team… If they find out… If they know…

Why did it come back? Why me? Why did it come back???

___

Cautiously, Ray slid the door open quietly, amazed to find Kai sitting upright on the bed. When he saw Ray, he swiftly turned to face the opposite direction. There was an awkward silence.

"Kai—" but Kai's eyes are closed. Ignoring me, Kai, let's see how long you can do that for.

He took a seat next to the bed Kai occupied, folded his arms and said in a dead serious but quiet voice, "Kai, speak to me."

"What did they tell you?"

Ray

"What did they tell you?"

Doesn't he know?

"You don't know?" I asked, highly sceptical.

"I can guess. So, how long?" he asked softly. I wasn't expecting that. What did he mean? He wants to just die?

"Kai, you can't die!"

"Hmph."

Alright, his usual comment.

"There're options." I prompted.

"I couldn't care less about any of them." Kai told me. I hate him.

"Why're you trying to make us all miserable?"

"Then why are you making me miserable? You haven't answered me question. How long?"

"How long what?" I asked, hoping to avoid replying. So he knows that if he doesn't undergo treatment, he's going to die. But how does he know? The doctor said ' the leukaemia's back.' Back??? He didn't reply any way, so I decided to tell him.

"One year the most, Kai… You were born with leukaemia?" a horrible sensation hit me, as I realised how pathetically little amount of time one year is.

He tensed, drawing in a sharp breath. His eyes turned to glare at me. This was the first time since we arrived at the hospital that Kai looked me in the eye. I waited for an answer. But it seem as if none was coming.

Kai

Go away Ray, I don't want you here. Leave me alone.

One year…

'There're options'

I went into remission at age three. What it felt like, receiving treatment wasn't a part of my memory. But I can still taste the pain and fear. I can't believe I'm going to die.

Go away, Ray, go back. Leave me alone. Get lost. I hate you by my side. Why doesn't anything leave me alone?

Ray

It's really late, and the guys will worry. I have to go… but Kai… He wouldn't want me here. He does. He doesn't.

"I… I have to go… I'll see you tomorrow."

No response. I turn to leave. As I was closing the door, he said, "Don't tell the guys Ray, please don't."

___

"Where in the world are Ray and Kai? They've been gone since morning!" Kenny complained on the couch at the hotel room.

"Don't complain. No Kai, means we'll be free off training on days off!" Tyson replied.

"What about Ray then? He doesn't disappear like Kai does…" Max asked.

"I'm sure they'll show up, stop worrying! Let's have some fun!" Tyson said, picking up a pillow and tossing it on Kenny's head.

"Hey!"

___

Filled with unanswered questions, Ray returned to the hotel. Kai had trusted him to keep his whereabouts a secret, he wasn't going to spoil the chance. Right now, he had to worry about a lie…

"Hey, Ray!" Max hollered from across the corridor. He ran to catch up with him.

"Where have you been? Kenny's been really worried."

Uh—oh…

"I was wandering round. Been nowhere in particular."

"Have you seen Kai?" Max asked.

"Haven't you?" Oh shit, why wasn't I given enough time to think?

"No…"

"MAX!!!"

Phew!

Kai

Stupid hospital, stupid nurses, damn the doctors, fuck this place. I'm getting outta here as soon as I could. The IV line wouldn't budge. I can't pull it out. And where are my clothes???

I won't go back. If Ray comes here tomorrow, I'll be gone. Should I leave a message? Nah, I don't do that. Where can I go? Wait, I should be wondering how to get out.

OUCH!

Ok, so the shitty IV line's out. And I'm bleeding. Shit! The nurse comes in… Damn everyone…

REVIEW!!!

Treachery89—Two weeks! I'm sorry!!! I'm really, really sorry! So, how many of you guessed right? ONE! Bookie!!! JJJ ß Do my smileys work???  How many suspected???

And sorry about the chapter break, realise I started with chapter 1.5 here? I was really on a rush the other day, but I have to update. So… This bit's pretty long, isn't it???

Oh no… There's this stinking smell of vomit lying around the house… Makes me want to puke too…  It disappeared! J

Ok, Now, REVIEW!!!