How did I end up this way?
My thoughts flew as I ran.
Maybe I should go back and tell them the truth, but what if-?
The streets were devoid of life, the city glowing yet silent, as if it was waiting for me to be swallowed into the darkness that has overtaken the streets.
No, they will reject me, and my classmates will treat me as an outcast.
The asphalt road slowly turned into dirt as I head towards the mountain, distancing myself from the city.
I have to do this. It's for the best.
I trip on a stone and went sprawling in the mud.
"Not now..."
The sky lit up and the rain drops continues their death fall.
Just great. It's pouring.
When I made it to the trail deep in the mountains, I am a watery mess. My feet feel like stones when I force them to move.
But I can't keep it hidden for long. They will find out sooner or later.
I dig into my pocket and pull out a crumpled piece of paper.
You finally came...
By reading the first few words, the paper will sentence life or death to the one whose name appears on it.
It read:
PATIENT: KAI SHOUHEI
AGE: 15
DOB: 4/16/199X
DIAGNOSIS FOR: <TERMKILL>
There was more information on the paper, but all I needed to know was in one line:
RESULT: POSITIVE
I grasp the paper so tight my fingernails dig into my palm, causing blood to spill out of my fist. Crushing it, I threw the report into a nearby trashcan.
Dad, Mom, I'm sorry...
There are no more words needed to tell me what I have.
I whisper the the name of the disease that had marked me for death.
O O O
Shock woke me up when I heard the name of that cursed disease.
No! I am okay. That was just a dream. I am still healthy, I have a long life, I can still live on!
I pull off my covers. The room is dark, but it feels comfortable.
I am at home.
No sense in worrying about what might happen in the future, I'm going to live today like always. I can go to school, hang out with friends, do homework, and play games. Life is good.
*Beep beep beep*
I reach over to mute the alarm, but something is holding my arm back.
Why can't I move my arm?
I look down at my arm. There's something long and narrow connected to it.
What is this?
Sweat continues to drip off my face. Where am I sleeping at? I no longer feel safe.
*Beep beep beep*
The sounds of reality enter my frantic mind. I swallow hard as the truth finally sank in when I saw the screen next to me.
"Ha, I suck at lying."
I force out a laugh and lean over to press the nurse button. There's nothing more I can do in this state. This is the end of the dream of my normal life. I slump back into bed and close my eyes.
O O O
"I'm sorry, but because your medical report states you have an extraordinary disease, we cannot accept you into our school."
I'm not sick!
"Because of your special needs, we have decline your book."
I don't have any special needs, I just need a place to stay!
"You have it? Sorry man, but I can't take you in."
I'm your friend, please help me!
"Leave. I can't have a contagious sick person eating with everyone else."
It's not contagious!
"Get out of here! Don't ever come near me or my sister again! I don't want to die early!"
Ahhh...
When I stop screaming, she was standing over me, holding my hand.
"Are you awake now?"
"..."
I was silent. I didn't want to wake up to find this is real. Living is torture. I want to stop this pain and suffering and just die (in peace).
"I know many bad things happened in the past because of <Death Angel>, but there's still time for you to enjoy life. But you have to think positive for change to happen in your life. You can't live your life in self-pity and expect good things. You need to believe and live like you have a chance."
She presses the button. My bed moves into the Advanced PhotoEnergy Scanner System (APRESS) in preparation for my daily testing.
It's almost two years of living in <Death Angel>'s shadow. How depressing.
The machine's humming intensifies.
Yet... Why am I still alive even though I've tried to kill myself?
I close my eyes. The heat from the laser gently bathes me as I hear Nina tapping on the machine.
What is keeping me alive?
"All done. No abnormal symptoms, which is surprising considering that you've been taking the original LivE medicine for a year and a half. You should do something different today. Why not join the other patients for gardening class? The weather's been nice all week, you should go outside and enjoy it."
"I'll pass. I have no interest in gardening or recreation."
"Then why don't you go to the park and draw? I saw your previous drawings, and I think you did well."
"Yeah right."
"I'm serious! With this talent you can be an professional artist. I've never seen anyone draw as good as you before."
"I guess. Thanks for trying to cheer me up through, Nina."
"Not a problem."
The young nurse let out a bright smile and quickly left the room.
Is this what Doc is talking about: Find my good points in life?
"Think about my life in a new way." That's what he said.
So how do I think positively about this life?
An quote from a person in history popped up in my mind.
"Let's live another day, shall we?"
YOU ARE READING
DREAMORIES #314 - When I Am Home
Short Story[ Life. You only get one chance in living it. ] Death. That's what Kai has been promised. It is a promise everyone was given, yet his came early. [ If you can change anything, what will you change? ] He's not the only one to have his...
