NERVES OF STEEL

CHAPTER 14- AN EXTRA HAND

                     Arriving at the hospital, Diane rushed to the nurse at the counter. Showing her ID, she inquired for her Father's ward and was immediately directed to the one he was in. She passed through a few wards before his and she could see several other Soldiers in horrible conditions.

               Some were without a limb, others were unconscious or badly wounded. Her heart raced inside her as she wondered what could be her father's fate. She stood by the door to his ward. She found her mother sitting beside his bed, sobbing.

"F-father?" Diane called out in a broken voice as she walked into the room. Her mother immediately turned to her.
"Diane? Oh thank goodness you're back!" She hugged her tightly. "I got worried sick when you didn't return."

              Diane on the other hand, had no strength in her to answer her mother. Her world suddenly went silent as she numbly approached her Father on the hospital bed, her movement was almost zombie-like. He had suffered from a serious case of third degree burns and his body was covered in bandages leaving just his eyes, nose and mouth. She fell on her knees beside him in tears.

"FATHER!" She broke down in tears. "Father no, please no. This can't be."
"D-Diane?" He muttered weakly.
"I'm here, dad." She sobbed.
"How....how is the Commander?" He asked.
Diane suddenly snapped in fury. "The Commander? Are you serious father? He put you in such a condition and you still ask of that bastard?!" Tears streaked down her eyes as she spoke.
"H-he d-didn't. I choose to serve my Superior to the end. It is the life of every Soldier. The Commander has nothing to do with my decisions." He said, though very weakly.

              At that moment, she just couldn't believe her father. The scum wouldn't care if he lived or died and neither would the General.

"He doesn't care and neither does his father." Diane said.
"The General? Y-you haven't h-heard?"
"About what father?" She asked, surprised.
"The General is currently bedridden of an induced stroke caused by a heart attack when he was informed that the ship his son was in got bombed and there was no sighting of him. He's currently incapacitated and paralyzed at the moment." Came her mother's voice this time.
"W-what?" Diane gasped in disbelief.

           That meant Russo would be next to rule Russia as the new General and Commander in Chief. Her plans were ruined. Little wonder why her father wanted to know if he was safe. What now?

           Afterwards, both women had to leave Warner to rest inside. Whilst Diane was still shaken up badly about her father's condition, her mother brought up yet another bomb.

"What's wrong, mom?"
"His bills. According to the doctor he needs to be administered with certain medications every hour and these cost a fortune, Diane."
"I...." She sighed. "This is all the Fedorcenkos  fault. Has the Commander even shown any support so far?"
"He sent a letter of consolation a few minutes ago before you got here."
"Screw him! These people don't care about us, mom. Father was only living a lie, thinking they were his friends. All they do is use people to achieve their goals and toss them aside when the time is due."
"Let's worry about that later, Diane. For now, we need to focus on finding the money for your father's outstanding medical bills."
"I'll bring all I have. You should do the same too and no doubt father has a lot stashed in his account."
"You do know what this means right?"Tanya asked, sadly.
"Yes, I do. We might go bankrupt but....it's Father's life before any other materialistic thing."
Tanya nodded. "Let's do it then."
Diane hugged her mother, comfortingly. "It'll be fine mom." She patted her back, trying hard to fight back the tears. "Hopefully."

                  The next few weeks were spent paying the outrageous bills and the more they spent, the less they had to. Diane started to worry as her Father's health was only deteriorating and the doctor threatened to cut off treatment if they slouched with the bills.

                  In a twinkle of an eye, all they had came crashing down the hill. The Mansion had to be sold. Even her mother had to give up her business for this cause and live with her in a rented apartment for the time being. That evening, with barely anything to eat, Diane could see her mother wasn't retiring to bed.

"Mom?" She called out. "Isn't it time you go to bed already?"
"I can't sleep, Diane." Tanya admitted, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
"Neither can I, mom. But we can't afford to fall sick now. Not with Father's condition still unsolved."
"At this rate, he's going to die." Tanya burst out in tears and Diane held her mother closely in a hug.
"Don't say that, mom. Dad isn't going to die."
"Let's face it, child. We have no more money. I can't hear seeing him suffer."
"Neither can I." A tear slipped from her eyes.
"I was thinking...." Tanya started.
"Yes, mom?"
"How about we ask the Fedorcenkos for help?"
"What? No!" She flared.
"We don't have much of a choice, Diane."
"Maybe not but going to him for help would only be humiliating to our status."
"What status, Diane?" Tanya scolded. "Look at us! We've lost everything just to see your father live. Of what use is all this if he ends up dying. One thing remains a fact and that is, we need an extra hand to finance your father's medical bills or else, he'll die."
Diane remained silent for awhile. "But to they don't care about us, mom." Came her voice in more of a whisper.
"I know but it's worth a shot. We'll never know until we try."
"Fine. I'll go, myself to the Fedorcenko's Mansion tomorrow and I'll ask for the Commander's help."
"Thank you, child." Tanya sighed relieved as she engulfed her daughter in a hug.