It Wasn't Worth it...

Chapter 7: Goodbye

After a while, I remembered where I was. I swiftly wiped my tears off my face with the back of my arm, as a tentative nurse approached me.

"You're Veneer, right?" She asked nervously.

I nodded slowly.

"We have your sister back here," She motioned behind the doors to the operating room. "The doctor was wondering if you wanted to say goodbye."

I sprung up from my seat.

"Follow me," She said.

She led me through the sterile doors and into a long, narrow hallway. The harsh fluorescent lights illuminated the white and blue linoleum tiles, casting an eerie glow upon the surroundings. I kept my gaze fixed on the floor, determined to prevent any further tears from escaping.

As we walked, my mind raced with a torrent of conflicting emotions. Grief, disbelief, and a glimmer of desperate hope intertwined within me. But now, faced with the reality of her lifeless body, I felt a profound sense of emptiness and despair.

Finally, we reached the end of the hallway. I could hear the faint hum of medical equipment. The nurse paused outside the door and turned to face me.

"She's in there," she said, her voice barely audible. "Take your time.'

With trembling hands, I reached for the handle and slowly pushed the door open, revealing a small, sterile room. In the center, lying on a cold, metal table, was my sister. Her white face seemed to be paler than normal, almost blue. Her chest was still from the lack of breath.

I approached her slowly, my heart aching with every step. I reached out and gently took her hand, the warmth of my hand a stark contrast to the coldness of hers.

"I'm here, sis," I murmured, my voice cracking with emotion. "I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at her lifeless form. The guilt and pain of not being able to save her from this fate weighed heavily on my heart. I squeezed her hand, hoping that somehow, she could feel my presence and know that I was there for her.

The nurse entered the room, her footsteps soft and measured. She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, offering silent support.

"I know it's hard," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we need to say our goodbyes."

I nodded, unable to speak through the tears. I leaned down and whispered into my sister's ear, telling her how much I loved her and how sorry I was for not being there when she needed me most.

As I stood there, holding her hand and saying my final goodbye, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and regret. But I also knew that I had to be strong for her, for our family, and for myself.

Oh shit, my family...