The Bucket List

Chapter Three

SCARLET'S POV

I'm not sure what time it is, all I can pay attention to is the sharp, sharp pain sending shocks throughout my body. I couldn't tell what the source was, but my knees ached from the tiled bathroom floor as I hunched over the toilet, ridding my stomach of the vile things that produce as a result of cancer. My mother's lanky fingers held back my hair, but not in a motherly comforting way but in a 'I don't have time for this but I don't want blood all over my newly tiled floors'.

After I was pretty sure there was nothing left to throw up, I sat back to catch my breath and wiped my face on the damp warm towel sat beside me.

"You finished?" She asked bluntly.

I nodded, reassuring her that her tiles were safe.

"Good, because we're taking you back in tonight. You can stain their bathroom tiles, not mine."

I gaped at her. Not believing my own ears, I should expect this from her but this is cruel.

"What? Mom please, I haven't even slept an entire night in my own bed. We aren't supposed to go until Tomorrow night! I promise I won't do it again." I pleaded, fighting the tears that have become my default expression.

"Dear, you can't help it. This is what you need, the sooner the better."

"The sooner the better?!" My voice began to raise.

"The sooner the better I just die, right mom? Isn't that what you've been waiting for since I was diagnosed? You never had any hope did you? You've been counting down these days, and here we are 6 months from now and you will be free of your sick and oh-so time consuming daughter." I attempted to push myself up, only to fall harder to the ground because of the weakness of my body.

My mothers eyes were so distant. Like none of my words phased her. They would never make it to her heart. No matter what I could say they would bounce back.

As much as I hated it, she helped me up because we both knew I couldn't do it myself.

"Get your things Scarlet. We leave in fifteen minutes." She smoothed down my hair, pretentiously caring for me.

I stood and watched her turn on her heels and leave me standing in the bathroom in awe of how cold my mothers heart has really become.

Within fifteen minutes I'd managed to wash my hair and changed into a pair of baggy sweats and a tank top. I slid a pair of fuzzy socks and slippers onto my feet and allowed my long wet hair to fall onto my bare skin, causing me to have goose bumps. At least my body is still a little bit reactant.

The ride to the hospital was awkward and silent. I didn't even let tears fall because I was drained as I watched the house I grew up in become smaller and smaller. I just stayed quiet and tried to enjoy the sunrise, one of the few left I would see.

WILL'S POV

It was 5:00 am and I was already in my blue doctors coat, courtesy of the hospital, and on the job.

"Jane where do you want this paper work taken to?" I asked her across the front counter as I held up a beige folder full of papers lacking signatures.

"Oh, 307. Right down the hall and to the left." She looked at me with a sad expression. I only nodded and proceeded down the hall. I had a sudden urge to look inside at what exactly this paperwork was. I was a certified doctor, I could look right? I lifted the folder and peeked at the words written. I read a few things that needed a signature from the guardian of the patient allowing the doctors to basically pull the plug on the patients treatment if they believe it becomes helpless. This was the kind of stuff I was terrified of. My fathers always told me to be heartless when it comes to this business, people die everyday.