Chapter 8 The Second Transplant and Sarah's Agony
Sarah sighed as she was taken to Jake's room in a wheelchair. She was too weak to walk. It had taken awhile to persuade her nurse to let her see Jake. Sarah cringed when she saw her brother. He had a mask over his face and he looked very pale. Bloody spit was in the corners of his mouth. His lips looked discolored, like a dull pinkish color. Jake's stomach still had some dried blood on it. He was in a diaper since he was losing control of his bodily functions.
"Hey, Sarah," said Jake in a weak voice that made Sarah's heart sink. She had never seen Jake so weak and helpless.
"Hi. I'm sorry my kidney didn't help," said Sarah. Jake shook his head.
"It's not your fault," said Jake. He coughed. Sarah held his hand in hers.
"Sarah-" he choked out his sister's name.
"Try not to talk. Just rest. Just rest," said Sarah. Tears fell down Jake's face. Sarah ran her other hand down her brother's cheek. Jake coughed. Sarah wished she could do something to help her brother. But she was powerless.
"Mom-" Jake let out a choked cry.
"Mom?" asked Sarah, confused.
"I…want…Mom…to…be…here…" Sarah couldn't believe it. Jake's tough guy attitude was gone. He wanted Kate to be there. Sarah could see it in his eyes as well. He wanted his mother to comfort him.
"She'll be here soon. She just went home for a second," said Sarah. Jake looked at Sarah for a few moments. He looked scared and hurt. He then took the mask off his face.
"Jake, what are you doing?" asked Sarah. Jake motioned for Sarah to lean in close to him. Sarah leaned towards Jake's face. His breath hit her face and she almost gagged. She could smell blood on his breath.
"I…love…you…" Jake was barely able to get the words out. Sarah sucked in a breath, Jake was getting ready to die. He was giving up.
"Jake, don't you dare give up. You're going to be fine," said Sarah. She put the mask back over his face. Jake fell asleep. Sarah kissed his forehead and then asked to be taken back to her room. Halfway down the hall, Sarah Baker had the worst stomach ache in her life. She gasped as she wrapped her arms around her stomach and fell out of the wheelchair. Then everything went black.
David sighed as he walked into Sarah's room. She was on life support. Julia was standing over her.
"What's wrong with her?" asked David.
"Not sure. The nurse says she just collapsed," said Julia.
"Kate Baker just called. She found a donor," said David.
"Good," said Julia.
"One problem though. He wants to talk to Sarah. And since she's unavailable, he might think this is a complication from the operation and he won't agree to go through with the transplant," said David.
"Then have him talk to his brother," said Julia.
"Good idea," said David.
Mike held Kate hands as he was led towards Jake's room. David was standing outside Jake's room.
"How is he?" asked Kate.
"He's awake and breathing somewhat on his own. But he'll get worse and worse as the kidney continues to fail. Unless of course," started David.
"I save him," said Mike. David nodded and then let Kate and Mike into Jake's room. Jake smiled when he saw them.
"Mom," said Jake, raising his arms. Kate leaned down and gave her son a hug. Jake held Kate tight as he let out a cry.
"Jakey, someone wants to talk to you," said Kate. Jake looked at Mike.
"Hey, Mikey," said Jake. He coughed.
"Hey," said Mike. It was a shock to Mike to see Jake in such a weak state. Mike knew he had to help his brother. Jake had helped him before when he was in trouble. Now Mike was going to return the favor.
"I'll do it," said Mile, looking at Kate. Kate looked at David.
"There you go," said Kate. David nodded.
"I'll go get Steven," said David.
The man sat in the office, casually smoking a cigarette and drinking a glass full of scotch. John Meyers walked in.
"Troy. It's good to see you," said John.
"If we could get on with it, John," said Troy Walker, taking another sip of scotch.
"I've got a small problem. Some kid has gotten sick off the plant's waste. He was thrown into one of those polluted canals," said John.
"John. I can't help you every time a kid falls into one of those canals," said Troy.
"The CDC and FBI are involved," said John. Troy took another sip of scotch.
"Now that changes things," said Troy.
"I need you to make this problem go away. And I don't care how many people have to die," said John.