A/N: Fun fact: I thought this entire story up with my sister this morning as we took a walk around my neighborhood.
Distraught, I rush to the nearest drug store, careful to keep my phone with me at all times. The man behind the counter gives me a strange look, and I know I look weird. My hair isn't combed and my jeans are dirty. Looks haven't been prioritized these past few hours.
"I need three packs of Marlboros," I say with urgency.
"I'll need some ID," the man says. I hand him my driver's license and he looks at me carefully. "Three packs?"
"Yeah. Three packs. Problem?" I'm not really an edgy person, but it isn't surprising that I don't feel like myself today.
"No, not at all." The man unlocks a glass case that's behind him and takes out three packs. "Here you go, that will be $33.99."
"Are you serious?"
"$33.99 or leave."
"Of course. $33.99," I say nervously. I slide him the money and he shoves me a plastic bag with a smiley face and the cliched "Have a nice day!" The man doesn't say anything, and neither do I. I just leave the store abruptly, pull out a Bic lighter, and begin smoking immediately. A few pedestrians give me dirty looks, but that's their problem, not mine.
When my apartment building is in view, my pace quickens. I just need to be alone and try to calm down, even though it's pretty obvious that that won't happen.
I turn on the television and try to find something that will get my mind off of Annabeth. Unfortunately, the only things are romantic comedies and PBS sitcoms that I have no intention of watching. The only show I consider is NOVA, Annabeth's favorite. The narrator rambles about photosynthesis, but I don't know why I turned that show on. It'll only remind me of Annabeth, and since when have I been interested in science?
The only thing I can think of is to smoke, which really isn't a good idea. I can still see the police officer strutting into my classroom and talking about the dangers of smoking.
You know what? The danger is very appealing.
The phone's obnoxious ring awakens me from my nap. I stumble to the phone.
"Hello?" My voice is groggy.
"Hello, Mr. Jackson?"
"That's me!" I say. Suddenly I realize that this could be for Annabeth.
"This is Nurse Miller from the hospital." Her voice is quiet and unsure.
"What? Does Annabeth need me? Can I bring her home?" If she's ready to be brought home, I'll need to really Febreeze this place.
"We need you to come over to the hospital as soon as possible, preferably now."
"What's wrong?" My voice cracks.
"That's the thing, Mr. Jackson. We don't know. She can't even stand up, and her future is bleak. I'm sorry, but her heartbeat has slowed down substantially."
"Yes, of course. I'll be right down. Is there anything she needs? Can I talk to her?"
"She doesn't have the energy to speak. Please, come immediately." I hang up the phone and run out of the apartment building. I can't think straight and my heart races.
I push open the hospital doors and run into the elevator. I push the button for floor two.
"Come on already!" I say. I know that it won't speed up the elevator, but I can't help but be nervous. When the doors open, I sprint down to her room.
"Mrs. Miller?" She isn't in the room. I sit in the chair next to Annabeth's bed and hold her hand.
"It'll be okay, Annabeth. I know it will." But I don't know it will.
I feel her body go completely stiff, and her heartbeat is nonexistent. A mere straight line on the screen.