Lupin The Third: The Beast of Lykanisches

Chapter 24

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

The electronic sound of the heart monitor kept track of the beats, each one a sign of continued life, but weak, faint, and totally dependent upon a mechanical circulatory support device. The pale girl in the bed might have looked like Sleeping Beauty, were it not for the monitors and the breathing tube assisting in the steady rise and fall of her chest beneath the sterile white sheets. The girl was too weak to open her eyes, yet vaguely aware of faint voices speaking nearby; though she only picked up bits and pieces.

"... rare genetic disease. No cure. Only hope is for a full heart transplant. This can take... some time."

"But will it save her?"

That frightened, tearful voice...
That was Diana.

"It... can." The owner of this voice seemed to be choosing their words carefully. "But it is a terribly risky procedure. Her chances of pulling through are... not high. But without the procedure, her chances are null."

Ruby didn't recognize that voice. Context clues suggested it was a doctor. She could hear Diana crying and a gruff voice she recognized as Inspector Zenigata trying to console her.

'Don't cry, Di. Please,' thought Ruby.

Oh, if only she could open her eyes! But she lacked the strength.

"How long before a donor can be found?"

That was Zenigata.

Ruby couldn't remember his voice ever having sounded more strained; and this was a man who made a career out of shouting at the top of his lungs.

"It could take days, or it could take a year or more. It really depends. I'm sorry I can't do more."

"But if we find one, you can save her?"

"It is her only chance. But it's a major operation and the complications can be life threatening. 80 to 90 in every 100 people will live at least a year..."

Diana's muffled cries sounded like they were coming from within the folds of a thick, over-starched coat. Probably Zenigata's.

'Diana... Don't cry... I found you. I finally found you. You're safe... Don't cry...'

Their voices sounded so far away. So distant. Almost like they were just a dream. Maybe that's all it was. Maybe it wasn't even real. Could it be some kind of end-of-life hallucination? Could Ruby's last grasp on life truly be so cruel to tease her in such a way? Real or not, no matter how hard Ruby thought at Diana in that moment, she couldn't help but slip away into unawareness once more.

Ruby passed in and out of consciousness. She knew this only because there were times in which she didn't hear anything, neither talking nor the sound of the heart machine beeping to her left. Other times, she heard vague sounds, but as she'd yet to find the strength to open her eyes, she had no sense of time, and everything was just a black void. But some time must have passed, for she occasionally heard her sister talking softly to her, but there was no sign of Zenigata. And that was a man whose presence need not be seen to be sensed.

Had he been called away? After all, he was an Interpol officer. Perhaps he was called away on an assignment? In either case, the fresh voice she heard did not sound familiar. It was slightly muffled, as though it might be coming from behind a medical-grade face mask.

"...Dr. Malavaqua," he was introducing himself. "I'm a cardiovascular specialist. I've been called in to have a look at Miss Robinson's unfortunate condition."