Vivisection

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"Why must he leave him behind rather than stay with him?" I pondered aloud, "Or even try to negotiate with God about his sentence?"

Raphael was looking at me, in a way I presumed to be wide-eyed. He was what my parents viewed as an intelligent man, one who wore those round glasses authors would write of when describing the tropey "smart guy" in books. His hair an evening black with his eyes being a deep green. He is quite the talker, and somehow enchants people unknowingly. The one man whom both my mother and father collectively trust the most, making sense since he did offer both financial and medical aid regarding my siblings and myself.

As the eldest in my family, I was expected to continue my learning regardless of my condition and was set to take over the family business if I came to be cured of the disease ravaging my body like a dog. Thus, the tropey doctor my parents see as intelligent was placed in charge of my education. Those two trust his judgment more than their own, and by some logic, he thought it best I learn about the classics and study them before anything else. As of this moment, he has been reading me passages from various classics as bedtime stories in place of songs and fairytales.

Classics such as these never made much sense to me, I could never understand why those who were lucky enough to gain friends left them with not even a hint of remorse. Throughout the story, Virgil and Dante seemed to be very good friends. With Virgil assisting him on various occasions, guiding him through and out of hell. Although I understand the whole "once a person has been to hell, they cannot return," rule, I still cannot wrap my head around it.

"A life for a life, Taliah," Raphael approached my bed from the corner he was originally seated in, "You're still young, so I will have to tell you another time soon,"

"And when would that be?" I sat up to meet his eyes, now he was sitting at the foot of my bed,

"Soon," he responded, "I have to leave now, or I will get an earful from the nurses,"

He sighed and moved to get up.

"But could you please give me an answer I can comprehend a little?" I pleaded, "I don't think my mind would allow me rest otherwise,"

His hand moved to meet his chin, eyes wandering in thought.

"Alright, let's think about it this way," Raphael began, "Dante desperately wished to see his lover again, so he left Virgil to achieve that. Virgil's friendship, for his lover's love, a life for a life as I said,"

I wanted to say more, to ask more. But with the words hanging on the edge of my tongue, he left, closing the door behind him.

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It was my birthday today, a day that I have stopped looking forward to a long while ago. My parents slowly lessened their visits over the course of my long stay, when I try to text them I receive no response. However, my siblings do come by when they can. During each visit, my stomach twists in envy and happiness, as they provide me with company for hours at a time. Telling me the countless stories with friends from school, and more. Regardless of how I feel, it is always pleasing and comforting to find that they are doing well. Though it is quite unfortunate this birthday had to be on a weekday, for everyone is always too busy on them.