Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 26: Defeat

Donnovan paced back and forth at the foot of Kane’s bed. “Isn’t there anything you can do?” He burst out at the doctors who were standing by observing him.

“No, sir, there is not.” The head doctor answered, his owlish eyes blinking from behind large, thick glasses.

“Then at least go away and leave us in peace!” He gritted his teeth. “Or make him comfortable or something.” He stared down at Kane, clenching his hand beside him as he ran the fingers of his other through his hair. “If he’s going to die, he should do it comfortably. Inform his parents of his condition, and ask if they would like him to be moved to their quarters for whatever time he has left. I know how much he means to them.” He mumbled.

“Yes, sir.” The doctor with the ugly glasses bobbed his head in agreement and scurried out of the room.

“They’re going to be devastated…” He whispered, feeling his throat tighten.

While he and Kane hadn’t been best friends as he and Ry had been, they were still good friends, and he loved his friend dearly. Watching him waste away from poison that should’ve been coursing through Donnovan’s veins was painful. He couldn’t put his anguish into words.

All he knew was that he would do anything to keep his friend from dying. But there was nothing any of them could do. The doctors had been working on an antidote, but no matter how quickly they were working on it, Donnovan knew it wouldn’t be quick enough. His friend was nearly gone, and within the week, he would be dead.

The doctors knew that their rudimentary knowledge of the poison was going to mean Kane’s death, and they were struggling to keep him on with the living for just a while longer whilst they frantically searched for the antidote. No one was fooled, though. Kane wouldn’t make it.

Donnovan dropped into the chair beside Kane’s bed and took his friend’s cold hand in his. Kane’s eyelids fluttered in his poison-induced sleep. His body heaved every so often as he struggled to suck in air in response to the panic his dreams brought on. The doctors were monitoring his brain activity and heart rate, both of which were fluctuating and all over the place. Even if Kane survived, the fever he was running, and his constant fluctuations in heart rate were going to ensure he would be nearly brain dead, according to the doctors.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Donnovan looked up to meet Andrew’s quiet stare. Unable to hold his gaze, Donnovan looked away and mumbled, “He’s not going to make it.”

“I know.” Andrew walked forward, his steps slow and weary. With a sigh, he sat in the second chair across from Donnovan. “But I’m afraid that you’re going to have to leave him with the doctors.”

“I’m not going to just walk away. He’s dying, and he should have friends and family surrounding him.” Donnovan snapped.

“Donnovan, listen. He can’t understand what you’re saying, and the doctors aren’t sure if he’s even aware of our presence anymore. There is nothing you can do, and you are needed elsewhere. Ansgar is reporting that Ryder has moved to sit in front of the Gate, and she will not be moved. He’s had to halt all passage. She has been drawing arcane symbols in the concrete with fire all around the Gate. We need you to go and handle her.” Andrew’s shoulders slumped, and his eyes were dull as he whispered the words.