For Hector (One Shot)

Woods

It was January at that time. Hector, our police friend, got involved in a shootout versus a convicted murderer in a raid. He got critically injured, multiple shot wounds received as he fought for justice, which lead to his comatose state. He got transferred from one hospital to another because his insurance can't cover up the payments needed for his surgery plus, he's so broke at that time after paying a debt his dead father had that was never told to them. Luckily, our friends, Kale and Mona Alexanders (half-siblings) had their own medical clinic (passed on from their father to them after he was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney cancer) and helped him recover, volunteering to do surgery pro bono for him. But as time passed, surgery successful, high chance of waking up etc. etc., he just wasn't getting any better. Ingrid noticed this; how his cheeks had sunken and how he almost looked... dead. Kale had to perform another set of tests to Hector to see what's wrong but questionably, all tests went negative.

One day in March, everyone lost hope when his heart rate dropped lower, almost closer to a flat line. That horrifying noise surrounded the room as Mona rushed out to call on Kale (who was doing his duties at that period) and came back with nurses, telling me, Ingrid and Oliver out. It was a very horrifying experience to us all. Even Mona wept for Hector, who both were known to hate each other with such a passion.

On the waiting room, Oliver went MIA for a few minutes before coming back with a huge book.

"Ollie," Ingrid said, "What is that?"

"This, right here," he flipped the pages until it reached to something that caught everyone's eyes, "is our only hope."

Now, don't get Oliver wrong. He's the smartest and yet, the most superstitious among us six friends. He's got old textile books from around the world that contains every bit of information he needs in his life (and that including supernatural, rituals and other wizardry).

"Oliver, seriously?" I let out a tired sigh, "Now is not the time for this."

"But, Chris, come on! This is our only hope!"

I quoted one line from the book that got Ingrid on my side and then, raised a brow to Oliver to get him to say I'm right, but he only argued with me.

"Chris, this is our last chance into saving him."

"What is our last chance, Oliver?" Mona came strutting out of the ER, eyes puffy and voice shaky. She plopped down beside Oliver and read the book.

"What do you think?"

"This is suicide," she shook her head and crossed her arms, "but we just might have to try."

Ingrid and I raised our voices in disbelief. We had a little debate when Kale suddenly walked towards us. Silence dawned over us when we saw his expression.

"What is it?" Mona stood up and held on her brother's arm.

"His lifespan is shortening..." he looked at Mona then to us, his eyes questioning what happened earlier.

Oliver started to speak up but Ingrid got to him first. "Ollie wants us to commit suicide, that's what."

"It's not literally suicide but it's quite more of a running game, Kale." Oliver handed the book to him and mumbled a few words before Ingrid shut him up.

Kale being the eldest one, he knew better. Wise and clearly has a perfect mind, he owns the final verdict. But his decision was what made us all both happy and frustrated.

We packed our bags and set out on a journey towards Alaska. I can't help but have a sense of discomfort whenever Kale and Mona are together. Don't get me wrong. Mona is Kale's younger sister but whenever they both are together, the chemistry and air around them breathes out something else and the fact that Kale never told us about having a girlfriend or anything is weird... or am I just being paranoid?