Lincoln woke up slowly on a hospital stretcher, as he slowly opened his eyes he noticed that he was inside a shared hospital room, he was lying on his back perfectly arranged with the sheets that covered him with his arms on top of said sheets, his right arm He was punctured by a catheter, perhaps to be injected with some kind of painkiller, Lincoln wondered where he was as he slowly got up and sat on the stretcher.
Lincoln: what...the fuck am I doing here?
~ I'm wondering the same thing...
A man said that to Lincoln, surprising him a little. When he looked to his right, he observed his roommate. He was a man perhaps 4 years older than him and although he should have a more active appearance, the man who had not even reached the age of 40 years old, he looked like an old man or a zombie, he was completely intubated and had more catheters than him, he even needed a respirator to not die from lack of air, it was a very sad scene for anyone who had seen cancer in someone. darling
~ ...ah...cer- cough -to...it's John, nice to meet you...
Lincoln: am...lincoln...cancer? About what? —Lincoln asked that without really caring that it was something private, after all he was a stranger in a hospital, it's not like he'll see him again later and they'll say something like "hello, it's the weird guy at the hospital" —
John: ...I'm more cancer than human ha ha... like Deadpool, but...
Lincoln: ...without the genius... — he finished what his partner was going to say, since it seemed that John couldn't say many words at a time, if he said 6 words later he had to take a breath as if he had put his head in the water for a minute —
John: ...exac- cough -to... Ha ha and you...what do you have? You look... Like your life has changed... Suddenly
John spoke as much as he could, taking deep breaths every 5 words. For a stranger dying in a hospital, he was a very chatty guy. Maybe he enjoyed talking to someone or maybe he was a professor and he was used to talking.
Lincoln: ...something like that John... — he fell back onto the bed looking up only to then begin to explain himself — ...before he had everything; money, power, gallantry and freedom... Then, due to a mistake I lost everything... Now I live the life of a complete stranger, I have children that I don't even know if they are mine and I don't even have a wife haha, isn't it? a shit life?
John: ...Lincoln... — he remained silent for a minute only to then look directly at him, shaking his head — ...I am a man with 3 types... Of cancer disco-cof-reds... You say again something like that... And I ask the... Nurse, to disconnect me
Lincoln: woow, I'm sorry... I tell you my story and you get like that, I didn't expect that.
Lincoln looked at him a little surprised, turning his head, he seriously didn't expect that response from someone with cancer, although maybe he should have seen it coming, his problem was nothing compared to John's life.
Lincoln: Hey... How do you do it? ...—before asking that he had spent a few minutes thinking about whether to do it or not—
John: do what? ... — looking up at the ceiling again, settling down to rest, she responded to Lincoln without understanding what he was talking about —
Lincoln: feel afraid... You should know that you will not survive one more operation, I studied some medicine and met with many doctors... The probability that you will survive is low... are you not afraid of dying?
John: ... - he remained silent for a few seconds looking up only to then close his eyes releasing a breath that seemed like a sigh, only to then open his eyes and speak - ...I'm afraid, who isn't afraid... A death is not... Human, I simply understood that... I already lived, a beautiful life... My eldest daughter will enter... To university and... My youngest daughter , I will study ballet... They will go further... Than me
Lincoln: ...um... — he gave a small laugh only to then look in the direction of his partner again — ... Mechanic
John: ...ha ha... I'm a mechanic and I'm more... Ric- cough cough -... Than you... — he remained silent waiting for Lincoln to realize something for himself — .. Tell me, were you happy having... Everything or... Losing everything?
Lincoln, after spending an hour in his room chatting a little with John until his family came to visit him, was called by the doctor who was in charge of him, they took him to an examination room where the doctor told him to sit on a table. green stretcher while the doctor stood checking some x-rays
Lincoln: so... am I going to die? —He asked that question suddenly, he did it because of the worried expression that the doctor had—
Doc: what?! Of course not! ... —surprised by the question, he answered her in a somewhat annoying and quick way to stop her from thinking that — ...we are waiting for your family, I have to talk about this with them present
Lincoln didn't understand what he was talking about about "family" looking at him in a strange and confused manner, until he observed Rochelle, along with her sister Lynn and her two daughters, coming from the hallway in front of the exam room, they would be her nieces. daughters, all of that was very confusing, I kept wanting to talk to the Lincoln of this world, why the hell did he have sex with his sister?! And on top of it with it!
Rochelle/lynn 3rd/lacy: dad!
The 3 young girls quickly entered the room running and hugging their father as much as they could, surprising Lincoln who did not know what to do, even so giving in to his desire to keep them away as if it were a plague, he hugged them and spoke to them reassuringly, no. I understood where that feeling of not wanting to see them cry came from.
Lincoln: already... calm down, don't cry... I just fainted, I'm not ready to go anywhere else yet ha ha
Rochelle: That's not funny! We were afraid! ... — the young Rochelle hugged Lincoln with all her strength while some tears fell down her cheeks — ... I was afraid, I thought you were going to leave me again!
Lacy: Me too! We finally see each other after so much, don't do something like that again!
Lynn 3rd: don't die dad!
Lacy and Lynn 3rd cried a lot more than Rochelle hugging Lincoln. Lacy did it from behind, getting on the stretcher, and Lynn 3rd did it from the front with her half-sister Rochelle. When Lincoln saw that scene, he just laughed a little and started to tell them. pat everyone's head
Lincoln: I'm not going to leave, I'll always be with you... (that's a lie, but... it's better that way) - he laughed a little nervous knowing that he was lying, although it wasn't a lie, when he leaves he would leave them to his real father
Rochelle: always?...
The 3 looked at him waiting for his response, the hope and desire that he would stay with them forever was evident in their eyes, Lincoln then only showed him a slight smile and responded without worrying much about tomorrow.
Lincoln: Of course, I will always be with you.
When he said that, his 3 daughters began to play with their father very excitedly, until the doctor knocked about 3 times hoping that they would stay quiet and let him speak.
Doc: I'm sorry if I interrupt this family moment, but... I have to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Loud.
When the doctor said that, the little girls stopped playing and hugging their father, looking worried at the doctor who was serious looking at the reports of Lincoln Loud's medical checkups. Lynn, also somewhat worried, looked at the doctor, but quickly blushed when she heard what he said. Mrs. Loud, on the other hand, Lincoln was just looking at the doctor somewhat disgusted, thinking that the Lincoln of this world had sex with his own sister.
Lynn: I'm sorry, doctor... But why did Lincoln faint? —She asked it as if she were Lincoln's real wife, the doctor must not know that they were brothers or there could be a drama—
Doc: well... This is something that has never happened before, look... —he placed two brain x-rays in front of the luminous screen, the first was from a common patient of the same age and Lincoln build, while the second was from Lincoln himself—... The first x-ray is that of an outsider, as you can see we don't have any problems... But then there is Mr. Loud's x-ray and haha this is what is surprising
When he turned on the right side of the screen to see Lincoln's X-ray, it appeared brighter and more active than the first brain, its use of neurons and glial cells was double that of a typical human.
Doc: ...your brain is twice as common, your use of neurons and glial cells is twice what it should be... It's as if two brains shared the same skull, well that's something that can't happen, but If it were possible... I think this is what it would look like
The doctor laughed with excitement at the theory that was being born in his head, it would be incredible if a human could have double the brain use, the possibilities would be endless.
Rochelle: so our father can move things?
Lacy: like a superhero?!
Lynn 3rd: dad is a hero!
The 3 young women were very excited by the idea that their father uses his brain so much, they connected it with the idea that he can move things and have telepathy, although that was not the case at this moment.
Lynn: calm daughters... What does that have to do with what happened with Lincoln? Doctor—she wasn't a very smart person, but she knew that fainting didn't mean that Lincoln became some kind of hero—
Doc: well, actually this is something bad... Not good... —the doctor returned to acting serious and somewhat worried, his theory also had a dark side— ...Mr. Loud, somehow the stress that this It causes some small damage to your brain, what you suffered last night was a simple faint, but in the worst case scenario you could have suffered a stroke and even worse, your brain will suffer a stroke...
Lynn: "Brain infarction"? What's that? Doctor—I asked this very worriedly, I had never heard before that the brain could suffer a heart attack—
Lincoln: A cerebral infarction is caused when the blood fails to reach the brain and its cells well, causing the death of encephalic parts of the brain... But, I estimate that this infarction will be more aggressive, right? Doc
Doc: ...—he remained silent for a few seconds, it was not a good topic to talk about in front of children— ...yes, his stroke will be worse due to the double use that is given to his cells, it is not my area, but I estimate that if he suffers a stroke... All the cells in his brain will begin to die, as if it were a game of dominoes... They will begin to die in seconds and that is at best. cases, in the worst they will die slowly until there is no
Lincoln: ...congratulations Lynn, apparently I have bad luck ha ha - he laughed while leaning against the wall looking up smiling, he knew that if he didn't return to his reality he would die, but he didn't know that also on the way He would have to avoid killing himself and the Lincoln of this reality—
Lynn: This is not the time for you to act like Luan and tell bad jokes, doctor, what can we do to prevent that from happening?!
The doctor watched as Lincoln seemed resigned, while his daughters were almost on the verge of tears and Lynn was about to hit the doctor looking for a solution to her martyrdom.
Doc: well, I would like to continue checking on Mr. Lincoln, this could disappear perhaps in the same way it appeared... Meanwhile, I recommend that you avoid what caused the fainting last night, that's all... Gentlemen Loud, Everything I told you is simple speculation, without the necessary investigations what I tell you is simple speculation, this is something that has never been seen before... We are in unknown territory
Rochelle: Does that mean my father could live an ordinary life until he was 80? —Rochelle asked the doctor that, imagining her father as an old man or already older than her, taking her to the altar to give her to her future husband —
Doc: with the necessary care or even without it, he could reach that age, tell me, Mr. Loud, these weeks or months, didn't you feel like you were a different person or some kind of change in you?
When the doc asked him that, Lincoln only remained silent, wondering if he should tell him that he was not actually the Lincoln of this universe or reality, but rather he was another Lincoln who wanted to return to his universe and that is why he had been taking advantage of his knowledge to do fraudulent businesses, such as he had also entered the country illegally, sold stolen or damaged parts, and stolen some trucks of household appliances.
Lincoln: no, it's me... A simple and boring me, I had some problems with drugs and the law, but I'm better now... Yei
The doctor and his "family" looked at him as if he were not good at lying, although the doctor did believe him for some reason, only to then let them go, everything was over and he had other patients to attend to, although deep down he wanted to know more. about lincoln's brain
The door to the Loud house opened, but the one who did it was the enthusiastic Lacy, followed by Rochelle and Lynn 3rd, who treated Lincoln as if he were the president or a fragile burden.
Lacy: clear, you can come in... —he pretended that his right hand was a gun, while he moved near the stairs pointing his imaginary weapon— ...I don't see anything that could cause stress
Lynn 3rd: the pig is entering the pigsty, I repeat, The pig is entering the pigsty —lynn 3rd pretended to be talking on the radio while entering in front of her parents, Rochelle moved next to her wearing sunglasses and also pretending to be a bodyguard—
Rochelle: clean the area, we must prevent the pig from fainting again.
Lincoln: girls, I'm fine... I'm not going to faint again.
Lincoln entered with Lynn, they were both carrying the paper bags with the food they were going to make today, unlike Lincoln who was feeling that it was a lot of trouble and somewhat annoying, Lynn saw it as something tender and sweet from her daughters, laughing. a little all over the scene
Lynn: let them continue playing, it's good that they have fun together, love
When Lynn said "love," Lincoln quickly looked at her somewhat surprised, while his daughters were very excited that their parents were together again. Lynn, noticing what he had said, very embarrassed, began to apologize.
Lynn: I'm sorry, I don't know what happened... I'm sorry, Lincoln.
Lincoln: it doesn't matter... Let's prepare food, I'm hungry
Lincoln did not show any emotion or nerves at Lynn's words, leaving all the young women who saw the scene somewhat sad and making Lynn feel somewhat sad. He said it out of simple impulse, but he still hoped to be reciprocated.
After that awkward and sad moment, the dinner continued in a calm manner, but you could also notice that strange touch on the part of the two adults, Lynn was talking to her daughters as with Rochelle and wanted to have a family dinner, while Lincoln only nodded. or he responded with an "aha" as if Lynn's presence bothered him, clearly it was that, since everyone knew the history that Lincoln had in his reality.
Lincoln: Lynn puts the little ones to bed, I'll clean the table.
Lincoln said that, getting up from his chair, only to then begin to lift the plates from the table, he said goodbye to his daughters with a kiss on the cheek and then continued with what he wanted to do, everyone noticed that there was a crack that kept them apart, a crack that Lincoln wanted to put between them.
Lynn: Hey, I know you hate me, but that doesn't mean you act like an idiot with your daughters - Lynn returned to the kitchen very angry, her daughters and Rochelle asked her if her father didn't love them, in what kind of world did a little girl ask? that-
Lincoln: They're not my daughters... —he said this in a low voice while he was washing the dishes by hand, the dishwasher had broken—
Lynn: What did you say?! —The athletic woman approached her brother and her ex-husband, taking him by her shoulder so he could tell her that she had whispered—
Lincoln: I said they're not my daughters! This is not my life and you are not my wife or my sister!
Lincoln had exploded at that moment, moving completely to separate himself from Lynn's grip, then very angry he would walk away from Lynn while showing all his rage in his expression.
Lincoln: I would never sleep with one of my sisters, but among all of them you are number 1! You are the sister I hate and detest the most!
Lynn: ... —she looked her brother in the eyes while he unloaded on her—
Lincoln: Tell me, do you ever think about someone other than yourself, do any of you think about someone else! Of course not! part of my life was hell thanks to you! Lynn you ruined my life! ...—he began to breathe heavily as he saw that Lynn only let him continue remaining silent, so he continued crossing a line that he should not have crossed— ...and those girls who are upstairs I will never treat them like my daughters, It would have been better if you had aborted them.
Suddenly Lincoln received a good blow on his left cheek causing him to fall back to the ground, Lynn had given him a good right hand and now she looked at him with tears in her eyes, as well as much more anger than he felt, only to then walk away quickly without saying anything to Lincoln.
That night Lincoln once again stayed in the yard looking at what was now a burned and unrepaired dog house. When he had these moments of thought he used to go to the backyard and look at the dog house for hours. He didn't drink something or eat something. He was talking to himself, he just stood there staring at that thing and remembering his sessions with the therapist.
[FLASHBACK]
Lincoln was lying face up on a therapeutic couch in his therapist Jefferson's office, who was sitting next to him writing down everything he talked about in today's session.
Lincoln: ...and that's what happened this week, because I'm better... I'm sure I'm already a cured person, thanks to you doctor
Jefferson: for the seventh time, I'm not a doctor —Jefferson said that to Lincoln while closing his notebook—
Lincoln: I pay 25,000 dollars per session, so for that price you will be my doctor, okay?
Jefferson: understood... Now Lincoln, as far as we speak you had a great week...
Lincoln: Well, of course, my most incredible part was when I found out that Lynn finished in third place in one of her tournaments, haha, I saw her face when they gave her the copper medal. He interrupted Jefferson, talking very animatedly about the best thing that happened. in his week while also laughing remembering what he saw on the news—
Jefferson: ...Yeah, it sure was fun... Now, let's talk about your problem; Firstly, for 9 sessions you have only come and used me as an outlet, secondly, we never talk about what worries you or how to solve it.
Lincoln: What are you talking about, Doc, I'm not venting to you, and I don't have any worries... Talking to you helps me be an ordinary citizen of the nation.
Jefferson: It's obvious that you have a problem, Lincoln... The city only paid for 10 sessions, we have been together for 17 sessions and you continue to pay for each of the new sessions, if that doesn't scream "help me" I don't know what does.
Lincoln: ...maybe, I just want to talk to you... —Lincoln said that trying to avoid the topic, he did it impulsively and unconsciously—
Jefferson: You flatter me, but I have a wife and two children... You are also a mentally unstable person... Lincoln, I will go from being the friendly listener to being your therapist.
Lincoln only stayed silent while he let Jefferson speak, on the other hand, Jefferson took off the glasses he was wearing to write down and read his notes, only to then start talking to him as his therapist and friend.
Jefferson: Lincoln, since I've known you, I've listened carefully to how you laugh at your sisters' sorrows, how you hate them, and I know you have reasons... —he said that, interrupting Lincoln before he started shouting why. I hated them—...But, I also notice how you worry about them sometimes, as always when you say that you hate their existence, you are happy for them, Lincoln, you want to hate them as you think, and you hate them; but, you only hate them the way a person hates that her brother always visits him just for money...
Lincoln: ...is it that obvious?
Jefferson: for me it is, but only because I have a doctorate in psychology... Even so, I don't understand how someone can hate so much, and you see them love other people so much, Lincoln I still want you to come talk to me, because you have many problems... But, for your problem of hating lynn, when you fix your root problems; You will be closer to peace, try to talk to her and although she tells you to go to hell, you will feel like you lose a great weight off your shoulders.
Lincoln returned inside giving a long sigh trying to forget Jefferson's advice, when he tried in reality Lynn gave him a few good blows, thank God his bodyguards controlled her, while Lincoln forgot his thoughts, settling down on his sofa, closing his eyes, beginning to fall asleep
That night Lincoln would fall asleep and although at first he had the same nightmares as always, at some point he began to dream that he had a happy life with Lynn and also about when Lacy was born.
In reality, a half-asleep Lincoln had moved towards his bed, laying down next to Lynn and hugging her, whispering a word to her before falling asleep.
"I forgive you, Lynn."