Dying Breath: Unveiling Secrets

The Check Up

Askova laid quietly, faced away from her door. Danny, Robert, Derek, and Willow were in there with her. Derek stopped crying, but he was still worried about her. They were all anxious to see if the serum could heal her. Everyone else was half asleep, but Askova was wide awake.

" What if I'm really infected?" Askova asked quietly.

" Don't think about that now," Maggy replied. Everyone looked at her. She was standing in the doorway, " I heard what happened, and came to see how you were doing."

" I was bitten. It's not like I'm immune to this. I'm going to die," Askova replied. Dr. Atkinson came running into the Askovas hospital room.

" Askova, I know you were bit, but you are not done for," he said. Everyone, including Askova, looked at him.

" Maggy told me earlier that she was working on a cure for cannibal bites. Maybe that could help. I can make it stronger," Dr. Atkinson explained. Everyone looked at him.

" Bro, this is not a movie. This is real life here," Robert said.

" No wait, he's right. He can alter it. I couldn't do it before because I didn't have the right tools," Maggy explained.

" In order to do it, I am going to have to examine her arm, ensuring where most the virus is. After, I will inject the mutated serum, and see what happens. She'll be on an anesthetic machine, so she won't feel a thing."

" Well, let's do it. Askova, come on," Derek started.

" No," Askova protested.

" Why not?"

" It's my time, Robert." Everyone was silent. It was quiet. Derek started to cry again.

" No, you can't leave me, not now! We just started getting along!" Derek sat down, covered his face, and cried. Willow walked over to comfort him. Askova looked over. She thought... and sighed.

" Fine. I'll do it," Askova grudged. She struggled, to get out of bed, pulling the covers with a quick swipe of her arm. Derek walked over to help her up.

" But why?" Derek asked, face red from tears.

" I just thought that if you guys really wanted to make sure that I'm healthy, might as well check."

" How come you changed your mind all of a sudden?"

" Don't want to be dying when I just made a new friend do I?" Askova gingerly looked up at Derek. Derek looked hopeless, and she left on her own accord.

Dr. Atkinson walked at the same pace Askova was walking, not wanting to rush her. Askova had a slow pace, looking down, breathing heavily. She had a faint limp to her walk. It was quiet.

When they arrived at the examination room, Dr. Atkinson motioned her to lay down on the bed.

" Okay, I know we've had our faults, but that can be fixed if you cooperate, okay?"

" Don't kill me, and we might come to an agreement. Otherwise, my dead self will eat you, alright?" Dr. Atkinson stifled a laugh. He got the anesthesia machine ready and got the mask. He put it around her face.

" Wanna hear a joke?" Dr. Atkinson asked.

" Sure?" Askova asked, unsure. He started the machine, making a horrible vacuum noise.

" What type of person likes you for who you are on the inside?" He asked.

" What?"

" A cannibal," He said. Askova began to laugh, but it was very soft. It got quieter and quieter, and she finally passed out.