Never

Chapter Eight

A few weeks later...

It had been just under a month since the doctors numbered Hadrian's day, however it was obvious that he would pass away before their predicted dates. He had been slowly growing weaker as the days past, his breathing starting to slow, napping more often, struggling to eat and drink... The day was drawing near, and before I knew it;

The day had come

I entered the temple, unaware his day had arrived. I knocked on his door as per usual, before coming in. However, as soon as I entered; I knew it was time. Hadrian was awake, however his breathing was slow and shallow. He had his eyes on the flowers and cards left on his side table from Harper, Otto, Ivor, Olivia and even Lukas, Petra and Axel to my surprise. As soon as I walked in, his gaze shifted over to me. He smiled sadly...

"J-Jesse..." He croaked. His voice had become hoarse the last few days. I bit my lip as I took a seat by his bed

"Hi Hadrian" I said calmly, trying to keep it casual as Hadrian wanted. "How... Are you today?" I winced when I asked that question, such a stupid one to ask right now... Hadrian's smile faded away. He looked up at me, the colour in his eyes slowly draining, his skin pale....

"Jesse..." He whispered. "I feel w-weak..." I started to tear up slightly. "I... I think it might be the day..." I nodded slowly, holding back my tears

"I know..." I whispered. "Are you... Ready?" I asked, once again wondering why I would ask such a stupid question. Hadrian only smiled weakly

"I am..." He whispered. "I... I want to stay awake... A little longer..." He croaked. "How are... The others doing?" I bit my lip once more

"Mevia is still in her coma..." I started. "But she's healing well! Otto... He's very distraught... He hasn't left Harper and Ivor's lab in a week now... B-But Harper is looking after him, he'll be OK, I know it!" My stomach was churning as I spoke, anxiety slowly rising. I'm not one to get anxious often, but right now, I couldn't help it. I knew this day would come, but once again, I wasn't ready...

"What about... You?" He asked. "Are you... OK?" That question struck me down. I wasn't OK. I hadn't been for the past few days. I knew this day would arrive eventually, and now that it was here, I was slowly crumbling... I had done all I could to help Hadrian, but even so, I still felt guilty for never helping him beforehand... I fell silent, looking down at my hands placed carefully in my lap as I fiddled with them. My throat felt tight as tears finally started to fall. I didn't know how to reply... I couldn't speak...

"Jesse..." Hadrian spoke. "It's OK-"

"It's not OK...!" I sobbed. "I couldn't help you...!" I blurted out. Hadrian only looked at me sadly, but his expression softened almost immediately

"Jesse..." He started in a stern tone "You have helped me. You may not... think so, but... If you had not taken me in... I would've passed on, with all the guilt I held... You listened to me every day, and never judged me. Despite... my condition, you spoke to me like everything was normal, which is all... I wanted, before I pass on, but not only that, you... You brought my friends... To me... I got to see them again! One. Last. Time... And... You saved... My wife. She may not be awake now, but... I know she will one day... Jesse, you have done so much... for me, for these past weeks, and... I wish I could thank you properly for it..." He paused for a moment "Actually... When... I pass-"

"I'm NOT taking something from your inventory!" I shouted with a sob mixed in. Hadrian chuckled slightly. How could he take all this so lightly?!

"No, I don't mean that..." He continued. "There is something back... At The Games which was special... to me. When I pass, tell Otto I said... you could have it" I sniffled slightly