Extraction

EXTRACTION 2 - PROLOGUE

EXTRACTION 2 - updates officially starting July 1st 2024

BOOK IS ON MY PROFILE

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Nik

2020

The phone is ringing, but the machines around a dead-looking body seemed louder. It was this horrendous beep that would make you flinch the first time round, but the more time you spent in such environment, the more you familiarized with the inevitable noise.

The phone stops ringing, but the squeaks from the doctors' shoes didn't. They walked in and out with their white coats and small glasses perched on their nose. A look at their files and a look at the patient, before they shook their heads with a sigh.

Jane didn't answer the phone that time. Nor did she yesterday or the day before. Or the time the crew found Tyler clinically dead in that river in Dhaka.

"The chances of him surviving are slim to none.", they would say.

"You should consider pulling the plug, Nik.", but how could I? With their words in my head and Tyler in front of me, catching puffs of oxygen every now and then. How could I possibly give up on the man that has given all of himself? How could I possibly give up on my best friend?

I couldn't.

So I stayed by his side. Even when no one picked up the phone or when all I got was disapproving head shakes. Even when all I got was no hope. Even when all I got was negative and discouraging words. I still stayed. Because I knew he would've stayed for me too.

"Sis...", Yaz started. "It's not fair leaving him like this.", he said, making me bite my inner cheek.

I sighed. "I'm not giving up on him.", and I walked away.

Yaz shook his head. "It's not your responsibility, Nik, you can't put a halt on your life simply because he's... Well...", he fumbled with his words in the end.

I turned around and gave him a look of disbelief. "I-I can't even listen to you, right now... Are you listening to yourself? You're telling me to pull the plug? On our friend?", I couldn't believe at my brother's lack of sense. Did he not have a conscience?

"Listen, Nik, he's my best friend, yes? However-"

"However nothing! How could you even consider something like that?"

He sighed. "Nik- Hear me out, okay?", he extended his hands out, making me look at him with a raised brow. "Tyler... He's been in a coma for a while now... And you're his boss and his friend... And I'm his associate. We just need to call Jane, since she's his wife-"

"They're not married.", I cut him off.

"Okay... We still call her, get her in a chopper, fly her out so she can make the decision and we've got our conscience clear of guilt, yes? Alright, let's go.", Yaz tugged my arm. I shook my head, slapping his arm away, making him yelp.

"You really don't get it?", I looked at him expectedly. "I've been calling Jane since we've found Tyler, but she's not been picking up."

He shrugged and breathed out. "Damn she really must think he's dead."