Previous Life: Edward's story
Chapter 4
My eyes followed them as they left the room. "Edward." I suddenly came back to focus, as my eyes fell again upon Tom's pale face. Tom saw the concern In my eyes and smiled.
"Tom, everything is going to be ok, the physician will take care of you." I looked down, tying to hide the doubt in my eyes. "I promise, I will make sure of it that you get better."
"Edward, don't gamble with life's course. You and I both know it wont make a difference, no matter what you promise me." I remember how I couldn't look into his eyes, it was just too hard. I knew inside that things weren't looking good for Tom, but I wasn't going to be the one to let him know; I wasn't going to be the Doctor to break the news, I was going to be the one that kept him longer. He was my best friend.
"Don't say that, You don't know what's going to happen." I said, my eyes still to the ground.
"Tom, you're my closest frie…." My words stopped short when I noticed he was asleep. He was so weak and needed rest, I wasn't going to stand in the way of that. My hand was inches from the door handle, when I heard Doctor Carlisle's soothing voice from the other room. He was talking to Tom's parents. I leaned in against the door and listened.
" I'm afraid we are dealing with something quite serious, Mr. and Mrs. Barlow. Your son has almost every possible symptom of the pandemic."
Mrs. Barlow let out a cry of pain, and immediately started to sob. I could hear Mr. Barlow doing everything he could to calm her. "Isn't there something that can be done, something that you can give him, anything?" I heard Mr. Barlow ask in panic.
The doctor sighed. " Mr. And Mrs. Barlow, I completely understand what pain this must be causing you to hear this news, but let me inform you that the other physicians and I have been working very hard trying to find answers regarding this dreadful pandemic. Unfortunately we have yet to find a cure. There is still hope, and please don't let this news effect your judgment. Make sure he stays in bed, and do your best to keep the fever down at all times. It's Important for him to stay at a decent temperature, not any higher or lower. Most importantly, keep all the windows shut, there cannot be any drafts."
I decided id wait until they were finished to make my sudden escape. When I didn't hear anymore voices I quickly ran down the stairs and raced up the street to find the doctor. He was the only one I knew that could tell me more about the pandemic, and was one of the few that could answer my questions. He was already several blocks ahead. "Doctor Carlisle!" I called. I watched, as he quickly turned to face me. I was surprised he heard me over all the cars. I quickly raced up to meet him. He smiled wide when he recognized my face.
"Is my friend going to be ok? I just need to know." His expression quickly turned into sympathy and remorse. "I'm so sorry about your friend, I truly am. He's sick though, make sure he gets plenty of rest." I stood there in a trance going over his words, as he quickly turned to walk away. "No!" I realized I was angry, and I was more aggressive than I've ever been before. "Tell me! Tell me the truth! You must know all about the pandemic, is my friend going to be ok?!" My eyes felt strained, as I tried to hold back tears.
He turned around slowly and met my wild expression. "No, he's not going to be ok. He's terribly sick, and most of these people are going to die." I looked out over the crowd in which he was referring to. I jumped back when I realized his face was much closer to mine . "If you were smart, you'd leave. Take everything with you and go, gather your family and leave. It's not safe here." he whispered into my face. "Go!? No.. no I can't." I answered shaking my head in defiance. "My father is out at war, and I live alone with my mother. I cant do that to her, she's already in enough pain as it is." I pulled away as his hand reached out towards my shoulder. "Look, you seem like a decent young man, I'd hate for anything to happen to you or your mother. There's a boat that can get you as far as out of state. Take it."
My anger quickly subsided, after all, he was only trying to help. He seemed like a good man, one you could trust. I liked that. I nodded in agreement to his words. "Good. Now get home, and help your mother." He flashed me a comforting smile, patted me on the shoulder and walked away. I watched him until he became a tiny black dot, then headed on home.
My mother was devastated when I told her the news about Tom, I got the feeling that she was even more afraid of me getting sick. Once she told me it would be best if I were to not go over to the Barlow's anymore, I knew that that was her most concern. I told her about Doctor Carlisle, what he told me, and how he looked strangely young and too attractive to be a doctor. My mother of course laughed when I told her, and said that I was being foolish. I knew that to her I sounded foolish, but I was quick enough to realize that Doctor Carlisle wasn't exactly telling me the whole story. I knew that if I were to ever bump into him again, I would have many more questions to ask.