Picture Perfect

Nineteen

Days had passed. I wasn't exactly sure as to how many days had passed. Alexis was in a stable coma. I had tried calling his parents to let them know, but they never answered. I had gone to his parents' house, but the only person that was there was their house keeper that only spoke Russian.

I had given up in school. I was just going through the motion of everyday life, but I didn't care. Alexis was nonresponsive and the doctors didn't have any hope for him to wake up any time soon. I had created the six creatures that were going to end the world. There was absolutely nothing to live for.

I had just arrived at the hospital to sit with Alexis when I saw the strangest thing. Dmitri was standing in the lobby talking to the receptionist.

I hurried over to Dmitri, "Dmitri," I grabbed his arm as he turned towards me, "what are you doing here? Did you finally get my messages?"

Dmitri sighed, "Da, I've come here to check up on him. I don't trust these doctors. What happened?"

I wrapped my arms around myself as I remembered that day, "Someone attacked us and he got poisoned. This is the result of that poison," I blinked away the tears, "It's been nearly a month."

Dmitri pulled me close as I started cry, "I'm trying to convince his parents to bring him home, but his father refuses to bring him back into the house until he tosses you to the side and begs for forgiveness."

I buried my head in his chest, "Have you gone up to check on him?" I took a deep breath to calm myself, "Is he going to be okay?"

Dmitri sighed, "I just got here. They refuse to let me up to see him. They don't believe that I'm his cousin or that I'm his personal physician," I pulled away and wiped my eyes, "What room is he in, Jo?"

I looked towards the elevator, "Follow me," I led Dmitri over to the elevator and up to the third floor. Neither of us spoke the entire time. Even when we stepped into Alexis' room we were silent.

I stood in the doorway as I took in the sight that I've seen every day for the past month. Alexis was lying in the bed. His dark hair lying in stark contrast to the white pillow. He had lost his perfect ivory complexion from lack of son. He looked sickly. The red had faded from his hair and his eyelids seemed darker.

Dmitri stepped over to Alexis. He took some time to look over the monitors then sighed. I stepped into the room and let the door close. I stepped over to Alexis' side and grabbed his cold hand. That made me cry almost every day. Alexis wasn't a cold person. I missed being held in his warm embrace.

Dmitri sighed again as he looked up at me, "Have you been here every day?"

I nodded as I looked down at his face, "I come here right after school. I do my homework here. There have been times that I've fallen asleep in here," I looked up at Dmitri as I played with my ring, "This happened the very same day that he proposed to me."

Dmitri nodded, "I'm going to find the doctors. I need to look over some tests that they have done and see if they missed any. I'll be back in a little while," he smiled, "Hang in there, Jo. Alexis is a tough kid. He'll be fine."

I nodded as I looked back down at Alexis. I couldn't stand seeing him this way. The man was so unique and full of life. There was nothing that could bring him down. He always kept going. It hurt me to see him like this.

~It was nearing midnight. I was sitting at home waiting for the one thing that was going as I had planned. I had a leather bound journal sitting on the table in front of me and I was reading over all the notes I had.

"Jolene, dear," I shuddered at the sound of his low voice, "you really need to relax. Stress ages you faster than you should," he paused so he could place his hands on my shoulders, "Though, if you wish to be so stressed out, I could make it so you never age."