"Alex, that's wonderful!" My mom exclaims from the driver's seat. "I'm so proud of you." My face grows warm and shifts to a stubble red hue. "Oh, I can't wait until your father hears. It'll make him so happy." Instantly my cheeriness steers to a halt. How will dad respond to this? Will he understand that is this a once in a lifetime opportunity-my chance to make a difference in this world? This letter is about more than just a simple family promise. But still, I cannot push away the true reasoning for needing to go; what solemnly sealed the deal for me. Maybe YIELD can cure this ominous illness? Maybe not, but there is a chance and even with a slight chance I know I'll either take it or regret it.
My mom searches for a free parking space near the front. As we each unbuckle with a pop and slip out the vehicle I sigh a stagnating breath. Entering the chilled hospital room a few minutes later my mom's face turns blank. Arty's innocent grin burns itself into my mind. God, he really doesn't understand what's happening does he- and I don't want him to.
"Awww dad's still asleep." Arty complains. The doctor examining the computer connected to our father's bed inches his way over to us with a clipboard in hand. His expression is just like the past nurse's- too serious. "Can we speak outside?" He asks while looking back at Arty as if to say "he shouldn't hear this." Arty remains in the room as the door clicks shut behind the three of us. The doctor informs us he is in a coma, but luckily his current condition is mostly stable and he should recover.
Coma? The word scratches away at my head. I'd only heard that word on T.V. shows. It's so different from what I would think a coma looks like. In the shows it's so visible that something is different and wrong. But here he's just dad-just dad sleeping. Just sleeping with a chance of not waking-up. "Would you like a moment alone with him?" The doctor's expression changes to one now filled with empathy. It somehow makes it feel worse with his pity mixed in. "Yes p-please" My mom stutters and pulls me into the room with her.
Arty is sitting on the chair directly across from the bed with his face is tucked into his arms. He sniffles "He won't wake-up. Daddy won't listen to me." My heart shatters and I collapse at his side. "No-No, Arty it's gonna be okay. Dad will get better." He raises his head and my eyes instantly focus on the salty tears strolling down his cheeks. Then I realize how cruel it is for me to lie. If Arty is crying than I already know the truth.
It's not gonna be okay.
YOU ARE READING
Experiment 1.0
Science FictionAs a mysterious epidemic sweeps the nation, leaving hundreds hospitalized-one of whom is Alex and Arthur Bishop's father-Alex receives a letter from Y.I.E.L.D.( a scientific association that specializes in studying and providing cures to recent outb...
