A Degree in Murder

Chapter Sixteen: The Value of a Life

For the third day in a row, Eleanor tossed and turned in her bed. Sleep had been hard to come by following the revelation that Rachael Doherty would not be getting the heart transplant she desperately needed to live a normal life. This happened every single day across the world but not the way this particular situation panned out, at least she hoped it didn't. She got out of her bed, put on her fuzzy slippers and made her way to the kitchen for a glass of water. Eleanor sat on one of the chairs at the kitchen island, cradling her glass in the dark.

Why does this bother me so fucking much?

The answer to this rhetorical question was clear as day. History was about to repeat itself and once again she felt so powerless. It felt like a trapdoor suddenly opened beneath her feet and sent her hurtling down a path of memories that her subconscious kept at bay for the most part. When these memories escaped into her conscious mind, the emotional pain that flooded her mind was far greater than any physical pain she'd ever experienced. Tears slowly started to stream down her face when the image of her best friend, Lisa King, came into focus. I really wish you were here with me. I can only imagine what kind of fun we'd have together.

Lisa King lived two blocks down from Eleanor in the small town of Furrington in the deep southwest. Although they were basically neighbours, it was not until a second grade class project that they started getting to know each other. By the end of the third grade, they were thick as thieves and practically inseparable. Eleanor smiled when she realized how little Lisa's appearance changed over the years: the shoulder length auburn hair always tied into a ponytail, pale skin, freckled face and slender build. While Eleanor was an average student looking to enjoy her school life, Lisa was a straight A student looking to change the world. A dream that she would never see come to fruition.

Lisa suffered from a heart disease that prevented her from taking part in any sport since she was three. Unable to join the other kids in being kids, she turned to books for freedom. However, the lack of intense physical activity only slowed the progress of the disease. Her parents were unable to afford the surgery when it was discovered and endeavoured to save the required amount. Towards the end of high school the money had been raised and Lisa's stellar grades meant that some of the top universities in the country were fighting for her signature with the promise of a full scholarship. Her dream of becoming a doctor was well within view.

As if the stars had aligned, a perfect match for the heart transplant appeared. One of the universities that approached her was close to the medical centre where the surgery would be done, allowing her to go for reviews at her convenience. Lisa would have to be on immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of her life but it was a trade worth making, compared to a slow and painful march towards death.

Eleanor, on the other hand, decided to take a one year sabbatical after high school to figure out the next step in her life despite Lisa's protests. Her grades were pretty good under Lisa's strict guidance during their joint study sessions. The school counsellor emphasized the importance of thinking about the future during their meetings, which she did on occasion. Nothing really captured her attention by the end of high school and she believed that the break would clear this problem. It turned out that the break would be a much needed one.

A few weeks before her surgery was scheduled to take place, Lisa received unfortunate news. The heart transplant was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances at the National Organ Transplant Centre. The official story was that the documents had suddenly gone missing but Eleanor didn't buy it. Lisa went into depression, unable to deal with the whole situation. As far as she knew, her life felt like it was basically over. Her condition deteriorated and she passed on two months later, leaving Eleanor devastated. The most important person in her life had been ripped away from her when she was far from ready. Eleanor resolved to carry on her best friend's legacy. History was about to repeat itself and Eleanor found herself ruminating on the words of Zhang: Is the value of one life more than another?

Eleanor wiped her tears away and finished her glass of water. She didn't know how she was going to do it but one way or another, Eleanor was going to stop it.

I guess you're right, Zhang. Some lives are more valuable than others.