CHAPTER 2.
Punishment.
Leo paused and looked at his watch. Time was moving swiftly. Every second was a risk. The young lady could die in there. Worst of all; die alone in the darkness of an ICU room without saying good bye to her loved ones. Nobody deserved to go in this type of situation because of some stupid procedures made by the hospital. "I will do it. Just give me the paper," Leo took the pen and signatures the legal documents. Leo did this because of an incident. Leo saw a young girl died in pain while waiting for the ambulance. If Leo took his chance and saved her, she wouldn't have to die so badly. The young girl was crying in pain as she struggled to breathe with her blood flowing out rapidly. Her eyes told him to save her and don't let her die but Leo didn't. He can't save her because he was just a medical student. If he saved her, he will be kicked out of medical school. Leo was selfish. Finally the young girl let go her life with her hand holding Leo's one tight. Her parents were late and she went away without saying good bye. That's why Leo never wants to see another patient die like that. Leo walked into the surgery room. The tension was high and flashbacks were disturbing his mind. Thoughts that he might fail were disturbing him. After 10 hours of tough surgery process, he finally ended it. The lady was in a coma and nothing else could be done but to wait. It was late. Everyone was soundly asleep except for this group of dedicated group of nurses and doctors. Leo went around to patrol and check upon the patients. It's not his day to do so but he volunteered. He didn't have anybody to be with neither did he have family to pass time with. His family members were just blood related other than that nothing else. As Leo walked through the stairways, he felt so empty until he passed by a room. A sudden warmness was felt. Leo stepped in and realized it was the room of the young lady. Leo didn't know why or how but he felt different with her. There was some kind of warmness, something he never felt before. Leo stared at her and he could feel sadness and love from her. He tried to snap out of his delusion because he knew he can't have feelings for his patients. It was love at first sight. She was beautiful and she mesmerized him more than Jo did. He knew he was wrong to even dare to think about her. Leo turned and walked out of the room.
At Cole's college
"Hi, bro. How's work? You looked bad. Don't over work. Don't forget, you are a prince and a fierce tigress is waiting at home for you," Cole said to Leo. "Mum's just strict, nothing else. Don't you think tigress is a little too much? She is our mother," Leo said. "I didn't say she is. You did," Cole laughed. "You little rascal," Leo said as he chased for Cole who ran in the speed of light.
"Okay, enough. I give up. You are a state runner. By the way, I heard you have a new target" Leo said to Cole as he breathed. Cole himself was sprawling on the ground gasping for air. "Yes but this one is not just a target. I think I am falling in love. She's just beautiful," Cole said to Leo. Both of them lied on the bare grass facing the blue sky. Both of them were closed brothers and never once they fought with each other. They defended each other and certainly shared secrets. "She must be one special girl to be able to steal our little prince heart," Leo joked. "Yeah, she is" Cole smiled. "Working today?" Cole asked. "Yes. There is this young lady. She was admitted into the hospital yesterday and I don't know how to say this but she made me felt something," Leo said. "Love? You met her once and her love powder came pouring onto you," Cole laughed. "No, I guessed I sympathized her more than I thought of," Leo said. They walked home together.
At the castle
"Cole? Where do you think you are going?" his mother asked him. "What? Does it matter?" Cole said and walked towards the door. A few guards stopped him. "Your teacher said you failed your assignment of this semester. Say something," his mother questioned him like he was guilty and a death sentence was about to be executed on him. "I failed so what? I told you, you are wasting your time investing on me. You didn't listen so who to blame. Get out of my way or I will find a way," Cole threatened her. "Threatening me? I am born in this condition. What made you think I will back off? You are grounded and there is nothing you can do but to stay in your room and redo the assignment," his mother said and stormed off. "Damn!" Cole crushed the can he was holding. He strolled to his room angrily. Anger, rage! That were the only thing he had in mind.
That night, Cole sneaked out of his room. He took petty steps to avoid sound and walked towards the main hall. This castle was huge and has many rooms in it. Slight sound was heard and Cole was sweating. He can't get caught or else his fate will be worst then ever. The guard walked towards the table he was hiding under. Every step sounded so freaky. The sound stopped. The guard took his coffee and left the corner. Cole sighed and went off. He drove to the hospital. He knew Leo would be there and he do need a brother's hug. Leo was nowhere to be found so Cole searched around. The atmosphere was quiet and chilly. Cole wondered why someone would want to work in this kind of scary place. Maybe, there will be some ghost lurking around waiting to strike.
At the hospital
Leo was beside the young lady whom he saved a couple of days ago. Leo couldn't help but to feel attracted to her. One minute he was patrolling, another minute he came in to just have a peek at her. "Who are you?" Leo whispered softly. He gazed at her with his hands slowly stroking her face, from her hair towards her chin. He felt so comfortable just by looking at her. It was like this was his true life. "Boo!" Cole scared him. Leo snapped out of it and got a little shocked. "Cole! This is a hospital. Keep it down will you," Leo said. "Are you scared?" Cole whispered. "Is this soft enough for the hospital?" Cole joked. "Quit it. What are you doing here? It's two in the morning! Mum is so going to kill you," Leo chuckled. "So what? I will be gone by 4," Cole said. "Gone? You are going to run away? Are you crazy? She's going to send her spies all over the world to get you. Don't do it," Leo advised Cole. "I don't care. Besides I signed up to be a sailor. She will never find me. I hate this type of life and you knew I did. Come with me. You hate this too and I am telling you this because you are more than just a brother to me," Cole said. "I can't. No, responsibility is my etiquette and I can't leave just like that," Leo said. Cole paused. He did not reply. Instead, his eyes were locked on the young lady on the bed. His eyes were teary. Leo was confused. "What's wrong?" Leo questioned. "What did you do to her?" Cole questioned coldly. "I can't tell you, patient's information. You know her?" Leo asked. "What happened?" Cole asked angrily as he pushed Leo to the wall. "Cole stopped it! She was a victim of a bad accident, that's all. I don't know her name or who she is," Leo replied swiftly. "Sorry. I am so sorry. Her name is Piper and that's the lady I told you about the other day," Cole confessed and went near her. Leo said nothing but kept his little secret aside. Maybe he mixed up his feelings of love and sympathy.
"Piper? Do you hear me? It's me, Cole. Leo, it's no use! She's not responding," Cole said to Leo. "Cole she is in a coma. She could be like this forever," Leo said. "I don't care. I will wait for her till she wakes up," Cole said and kissed her hand. Suddenly, noises were heard. A few nurses were trying to stop a couple of mighty guards. They were here for Cole. "Go! I will be here to stop them. They will not dare to do a single thing to me. Just leave. If mum catches you, who knows what she will do. She is a tyrant," Leo said to Cole. "But, I can't leave her in this condition. I can't let you take the blame for it," Cole refused to leave. "Go! I will take care of her for you till you come back," Leo said to him as he leaded him to the back door. Cole took a last glimpse of Piper and left with Leo.
"There he is!" the guards yelled from across the room. "Go, come on!" Leo gave him a pushed. Then he ran towards the guards himself. Cole had no choice but to run like a coward for if he is caught, he will have to live a life he hates. "Prince Leo, don't stand in our way. We have the order of the queen," one of the guards said. "Over my dead body," Leo said to them. The guards tried to force their way through the escape route. Leo pushed the guards down. The guards reflected his pushed and dragged him to the side thus slamming him against the solid wall. A loud thud was heard and Cole wanted to go back but he knew Leo did this for him. So Cole ran straight and never turned back. Leo was pretty hurt but he knew it wasn't the ending. The guards arm-handed him and brought him back to their mother.
At the castle's punishment room
"Let me go!" Leo shouted at the guards in front of his mother. His mother came near and slapped him. Leo said nothing but he stared sharply at his mother with hate. "Stop starring!" his mother slapped him hard again. His mouth bleeds. "I am disappointed with your action today. How old are you not to realize the consequences?" his mother said roughly to him. "Old enough to distinguish what's right and wrong!" Leo said. "You never learn do you? I thought you are mature enough to be the king but I was wrong! You can't even make a good decision and how can millions of lives be put in your hands?" his mother questioned him. His mother pressured his chin. Leo didn't response. "Ground him and chain him. I want him to learn. Don't feed him till he admits his fault," his mother ordered. Leo was pulled and by forced, chained up against the cold, hard wall. Leo was chained like a wild animal and whipped by his mother once as a punishment. Leo clenched his teeth and shut his eyes tight. His wound was hurting him badly. After he was left alone to reflect, Leo was in pain. His pain was from his heart not his wounds. He couldn't understand why his mother did that to him. All he wanted was his mother's attention and now, she tortured him. Cole was right. Their mother was no ordinary one but a cold blooded one. His mother never loved him. All she cared was status and all she wanted from him was power. Once he becomes the king, his mother would be the leader. Leo gave up his dreams, his love, and now his brother. Leo maybe suffering but he didn't mind because deep down inside his heart he knew Cole was happy. Leo was cold and in pain but he was not giving up. At his worst time, a sound was heard. Somebody was at the door…
Who is at the door? A friend or a foe? What will happen to Leo? If you want to read more, please review about it. I will only continue if there are reviews.