Dying Breath: Unveiling Secrets

Valentine's Day

The next couple of days was boring. Everyone asked how Askova was feeling since she was immune. Boring. Askova walked around learning more about the disease that most of the patients there had, Cystic Fibrosis. She found out that people with CF had to take breathing treatments and nebulizers to be healthy, maintaining the amount of mucus in their lungs. But their lungs were not the only thing affected, their pancreas too. They had to take a medicine called Creon before they eat, or else they wouldn't gain weight. It was very interesting to her.

But this day was different. It was Valentines Day. She hated Valentines Day. She never had a Valentine, nor did anyone like her, except for Lindsay. But she also didn't like it because of of...reasons.

February 3rd was the day that this whole thing started, and it has been about a week so far. They weren't making any progress.

Askova waked out of her hospital room to find hearts hung on the ceiling and walls. She scoffed but continued to walk. She then spotted someone run across the hallway.

" What?" She picked up her pace and ended up in the lounge. People were exchanging cards and other Valentines Day stuff. She sighed and sat down, alone. She set back, closed her eyes, and quietly listened to the sounds and hums of people, the pattering of feet. If it was a good day to die, today would have been it.

" Here you go!" a voice said. Askova slowly opened her eyes, an expression not changed. There was a little girl, around 5, holding out a fake rose. Askova hesitated but took it. The little girl giggled, and ran away, talking with the other kids her age.

Askova looked at the rose and sighed, " I hate Valentines Day," she quietly whispered. She put the rose in her hoodie pocket and sat back down.

" Hey," said a familiar voice. It was from Derek. Askova didn't move. She looked out the window.

" Hey."

" Why are you sitting here alone?"

" It's Valentine's Day. I hate it."

" But it seems like you got something," Derek commented, pointing at the rose in Askova's pocket. She took it out and looked at it.

" It was from a little kid."

" But you got something," he protested.

" So? Did you get something?" She asked. Derek smiled a mischievous smile, closing his eyes.

" Yep." She was confused.

" Okay, what did you get?" Derek opened his eyes again and looked into Askova's eyes.

" I've got you. You're still alive." Askova looked away, blushing, but quickly shook it off. Derek put his hand on her shoulder.

" Valentines Day was the worst for me. My dad-," Askova continued, but hesitantly stopped.

" What about him?" He asked inquisitively. Askova sighed.

" He... left to go to the army on Valentine's Day last year," Askova explained, voice starting to quiver, " but he never came back." Derek hugged her, assuring her that everything was going to be alright.

" I'm so sorry to hear that."

" They sent us a letter about the bad news. I never felt the same again." Askova buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed. This went on for a couple of minutes.

" Hey, what's wrong?" Derek looked over to see Lindsay. She frowned looking at Askova. She sighed.

" Um, she," Derek started.

" She told you about her dad, didn't she?" Lindsay asked quietly. Derek nodded. Askova kept crying. Lindsay walked over and sat down, putting her hand on Askovas hand, " I know it's hard Askova, but we can get through this. You're gonna have to trust me." Askova sat up and wiped her face off. She saw that everyone was looking at her.

" What are you guys looking at?" Askova asked, voice still quivering. Everyone looked away. Askova's face was red, tears stuck on her face.