No Way (#Wattys2015)

Chapter 20

Antonio

Ella and I run into the hospital together, Ella crying and holding onto me as we run to Justice's hospital room. Justice almost already looks dead, wires and tubes connected to her, her skin so pale that I can probably trace her veins clearly. A nurse and doctor hover over her, both wearing grim looks. They both look up and the nurse approaches us.

"Ella January?" she asks in a soft tone of voice.

I'm sure she's done this a million times. And for some reason, the thought makes me resent her and I tighten my hold on Ella. Ella nods in response to the nurse.

"Well, Ella, I'm really sorry to tell you, sweetie, but your sister's vital organs are shutting down and there's nothing we can do about it. We can keep her on life support but she'll still die eventually. It's up to you what happens now, sweetie." the nurse says, wearing a sympathetic look.

It's a good think Ella isn't looking at her, because I know Ella would have snapped seeing that she was being given sympathy. Instead, Ella was staring at her older sister, sobbing. 

"I'm afraid you're going to need leave us alone for a few moments." I speak up for Ella.

The nurse and the doctor nod and leave the room and I let go of Ella, watching her as she approach's Justice's bed. She sits on the very edge of the bed, careful not to disturb any of Justice's wires or tubes, slipping her hand into her motionless older sister's.

"Justice, I'm so sorry for the all times I was horrible to you. I was so young and so angry. I still am young and angry, but I should have treated you better. All you ever wanted was for me to get out of this place, to go somewhere better. And all I ever did was act out and run away and yell and I'm so sorry! It's all my fault that you're going to die. It's all my fault and I'll never forgive myself for it." she whispers, brushing hair away from Justice's face.

Her small, bruised body is shaking from her sobs and she places a hand over her hear, as if it's physically breaking. 

"Ella..." I touch her shoulder softly, tears gathering in my eyes. "You have to make a decision soon..."

"Hold on. I just need one more minute. I'm having them disconnect her but I need one more minute. I need to touch her and talk to her just one more time before she's actually gone. She was like my mom, Tony. I need this." she snaps and I nod, taking a step back.

"Justice," she whispers. "Please, please don't leave me. You're the only good thing about me and if you leave me, I don't know what'll happen to me. PLEASE! PLEASE JUST OPEN YOUR EYES!"

I watch, tears falling from my eyes as Ella cries and then suddenly leans down, wrapping her arms around Justice, sobbing into her sister's shoulder. 

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! You were never supposed to get hurt! I was always supposed to be the one to take the hit of something bad was going down! Not you!"

I have to look away because I feel as if I'm intruding on a private matter, something that is entirely Ella's business and Ella's alone. After a while the doctor and the nurse return and I tell them what Ella told me and both nod. They stay where they are and I guess they're waiting for me to pull Ella off Justice. I wrap my arms around her waist and slowly pull her off.