The Bucket List

Chapter 2

Nick’s Point of View

I stayed up all night, Gabe occasionally waking up to keep me company. I checked my phone one last time. 5:34 AM. I sighed, putting my cellular device back in my pocket. Suddenly, the doors to the waiting room burst open. An anxious doctor looked around the waiting room.

“I’m looking for a Nicholas Chandler?” He questioned, obviously looking for the person. It took a few seconds, but then I registered that he had said my name. I hit a sleeping Gabe on his shoulder, making him jolt awake.

“Dude! The doctors are looking for me.” I hissed. His eyes widened. “Go then. Hope for the best, but expect the worst, OK?” He encourages me. I take a deep breath, standing and walking to the stressed employee.

“Nicholas Chandler?” He asks. I nod nervously. “Is Ella Marie Chandler your sister?” I nod once again, preparing myself for the news. He gives me a guilty face.

“I’m sorry to say, but your sister has passed. It was too late. She had a hernia in her abdominal, and we rushed to help her, but she died during surgery.” I stared into the grown man’s sorry face, not quite understanding what he was saying. I heard the, “I’m so sorry, young man.” responses from around the room. I felt Gabe rubbing my back, and Julie running over and pulling me into a hug. I just didn’t think about what he said.

“Did you hear me, Nicholas? Your sister is dead.” I suddenly got what he was saying. My gaze dropped to my feet, tears falling freely out of my eyes. I got a wave of hysteria, feeling so many emotions; anger, sadness, fear, disbelief... I clenched my fists.

“Did you try everything you had? Did you use the voltage-electricity things that you should use to start a stopped heart. Did you refuse to give in?!” I say, my voice gradually raising with each word, pulling myself away from people’s grips. The man gave me another pitiful look, nodding.

“BULLCRAP! IF YOU HAD DONE EVERYTHING YOU COULD, SHE WOULD BE ALIVE!” I scream, turning to punch the wall. Gabe catches my arm before I can finish the blow. He pulls me into a hug, and I just... fall apart. My knees let out under me, and I was screaming and crying. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I look, teary-eyed, up at Julie.

She gives me a stern look and starts hitting me. I hold back cries of pain as her actions turn to rough shaking.  “Nick. Nick! NICK! WAKE UP!”

I jolt awake, only to see Gabe looking at my face very closely. A confused expression grows on me. I gently push him back, looking around the calm waiting room.

“Didn’t... didn’t Ella die?” Gabe gasps quietly at my question, scrunching his eyebrows together. He shakes his head.

“No. You were crying and having convulsions while you were asleep, so I woke you up. Were you...” He takes in a quick breath.

“Dreaming she was dead? Yes, yes I was.” I finish for him. His eyelids fall down, Gabe forcing himself to breathe in and out, in and out.

“Y-you just have to hope for the best, but expect the worst.” He advises me. I feel my face pale, as I try to put two and two, together.

“You told me that in my dream...” I breathe out my words, watching as Gabe’s eyes widen. “Explain your dream to me, now.” He commands while I timidly nod my head. I do as I was told, and by the end, Gabe was rubbing his temples.

“So... if I gave you the same advice as I did in the dream, does that mean the rest of your drea- I mean nightmare, will come true?” Gabe asks. I shake my head immediately, repeating my actions continuously.

“There’s no way-”

“I’m looking for a Nicholas Chandler?” Gabe and I widen our eyes at each other. “No...” I say under my breathe. Turning my gaze to the doctor standing at the doorway, I nearly faint. I force myself to my feet, the encouraging words from Gabe, (who was right next to me), the only thing keeping me going. I nervously walk up to the dark-haired man, twisting my hands together.