ARROWS OF THE FOREST [ON-GOING]

KABANATA 32: A Risk Worth Taking

⚜️ Kendrick ⚜️

We're on our way to JMC, riding Doc Aden's Toyota Raize. This sounds crazy, but we're about to steal drugs.

"Hey Doc, what drug exactly are we going to take?"

"Midazolam," Aden answered.

"What does that drug do, Doc?"

"Midazolam injection is used to produce sleepiness or drowsiness and relieve anxiety before surgery or certain procedures. When it's used, the patient won't remember some of the details of the procedure. It can also be used as anesthesia to cause loss of consciousness before and during surgery," he explained while driving.

"So technically, we're giving them anesthesia... without the surgery."

"Yes. That drug can make them dead asleep for a couple of hours."

"Does JMC have enough supply of that drug, Doc?"

"I hope so. But the problem is, it's not easy to get without a prescription. We'll have to steal it from the hospital pharmacy."

"That's cool. We're going to play theft."

"Kendrick, this is not some fun adventure. This is serious. If we get caught, both of us will be in serious trouble. I might lose my license."

"Don't worry, Doc. I have a plan."

"That plan better work, Kendrick."

"Is your smoke detector working fine in JMC?"

"Yes. Why?" sabi niya habang nagpa-park.

"You'll find out later, Doc."

I've seen this kind of trick work in movies. So maybe it'll work here too. I just need something to create smoke so the alarms will go off.

We went straight to JMC's pharmacy. I told Aden to get me some paper and a lighter.

"I can't get a lighter. Walang naninigarilyo sa mga kasama ko. They all use vapes. I can't borrow that."

"Maybe the guards have one. Stay here. I'll be back."

Nanghiram muna ako ng lighter sa guard. Buti na lang meron siya.

It's 4:30 AM. Konti na lang din ang tao sa hospital lobby, and the pharmacists are clearly fighting their sleepiness. Perfect opportunity.

Binalikan ko si Doc Aden sa pharmacy.

"What's the plan, Kendrick?"

"I'm going to distract the pharmacist. You go inside and get the drugs."

"And if something goes wrong?"

"I'll fake a fire by making smoke so the alarm goes off. That's your cue to get out."

Halatang nagdadalawang-isip siya.

Well, he wouldn't be a doctor if he was a delinquent. I'm pretty sure he's lived his whole life following rules and morals.

"I can't believe you're making me do this," Aden muttered.

"Time to do some questionable stuff, Doc," pang-aasar ko.

"Fine. I'll just think of this as helping those children," he said.

Pat! Pat!

"You're playing the hero now, Doc."

Lumapit na siya sa pharmacy door, habang ako naman pumwesto sa harapan. From the window, I could see the two pharmacists already asleep.

Perfect timing.

Kumuha ako ng papel at nagsulat ng sign.

PRAYER BREAK

Idinikit ko iyon sa salamin ng pharmacy.

I'm sorry, Lord... pero sana palampasin mo na 'to.

No one disturbs someone who's praying, right? And honestly, they looked like they were. Heads bowed, completely still... parang ang lalim ng dasal nila.

Sinenyasan ko si Doc Aden na tulog sila. Mabilis siyang pumasok, habang ako ang nagbantay sa labas.

I watched as he carefully searched through the medicine boxes. Buti na lang, nahanap niya agad.

He got out safely three boxes of midazolam and one box of syringes in hand.

"We have a problem."

"What?" tanong ko.

Tinuro niya ang CCTV cameras.

"Oh, that's not a problem. Where's the control room?"

"5th floor. What are you trying to do, Kendrick?"

"Delete the footage."

"There's security monitoring it. We can't just walk in."

"I'll handle that. I've done this so many times back in the mansion when I sneak out."

Tinago muna namin ang mga gamot sa isang linen bag. I carried it as we headed to the 5th floor and went straight to the control room.

Sakto, walang tao.

Seriously, this hospital needs to improve its security. Who leaves a control room open and unattended?

I checked the monitors.

"It's them!" turo ni Doc Aden.

The security guards were at the canteen, having late-night snacks.

"Guess the universe is on our side, Doc."

I quickly searched for the footage files and deleted every clip where we could be seen. I also turned off the CCTV cameras in the parking lot.

"Hurry, Kendrick. They're heading back."

Once I made sure everything was wiped, we rushed out of the control room and headed to the elevator.

We reached the parking lot safely with the drugs we stole.

"Is this how robbers feel after robbing a bank?" Doc Aden suddenly asked habang pauwi kami sa Razon Towers.

"Definitely. Cool, right?"

"It's... somewhat fun," he admitted with a small smile.

"Should we rob a bank next? I even know where my family keeps their money, Doc."

"Are you crazy? I said it's fun, but I never said I wanted to become a criminal with you."

"My bad. Akala ko gusto mo pang gumawa ng kalokohan."

"Well, if it's to help Keelan put those rebels in jail... I'd do it again."

"I'll tell Keelan that, Doc."

Naalala ko tuloy gusto ko siyang tanungin tungkol sa Javier family name niya.

Is he related to my mom?

I've never seen him attend any of our family gatherings, not even the Javier reunion last December.

I doubt coincidence lang 'yon. Lahat ng Javier sa Valencia, magkakamag-anak.

So bakit hindi ko pa siya nakilala noon?

Malayo ba siyang kamag-anak ni Mommy?

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