The book had a unique aroma and warm temperature. Kai cracked open the mysterious red book, its unique aroma and warm temperature wafting up.
Kai raised an eyebrow as the aroma and temperature increased but he shrugged it off;
'Maybe it's some kind of new technology or technique in use nowadays? It's not some kind of addicted drug, is it? Meh, even if it is I am going to die anyways. I don't have the time to be curious about these things.'
The title, written on the first page, revealed it was a novel. Kai's frustration simmered as he thought about his uncle's request to read it. Kai sighed, tempted to toss the book;
"Dumbass uncle."
As he muttered;
"That dumbass of an uncle wants me to read some dumbass novel at the last moments of my dumbass life. What's the point of reading this now?"
Kai clicked his tongue and began to read the prologue as he cursed his uncle. Kai's irritation slowly turned into curiosity.
[ "It hurts... It hurts so much. Mother told me to run and to not look back. My throat and legs hurt so much. I can not stop, I need to find that man. I must. Mother said he's waiting at the crossroads, he has same hair and eyes as me. I need to hurry and help mother."
A child barely eight whispered, his breath hitching as he sprinted through the rain-soaked darkness in the jungle. In the dark under thundering sky and merciless rain. He ran, his clothes torn, his feet and hands injured.
Holding a charm, his mother gave him before paving the way for her son by fighting the attackers, he held it tightly in his hand. The charm increased his vision and kept wild beasts away from him. Perhaps, a last hope of protection from his mother.
Far off in the distance he saw a light. Thunder boomed, and the child's voice trembled as he cried out for help with all his might;
"Help...HELP ME..HELP."
Rain's pitter-patter and thunder drowned his voice. As a shadowy figure creept up from behind and kicked the running child mercilessly. Child, unable to withstand such force fell into the mud as the charm fell from his grasp.
Shadowy figure approached the frightened child and raised it's blade as he brought it down towards the small child. Before it could touch the child, a man in a red cloak and black outfit appeared in front of the child, his strike swift, severing the attacker's head.
The air was suddenly filled with the metallic scent of blood as the attacker fell down. The child, wary of the stranger, crawled backwards, tears welling up in his golden eyes.
The new savior gently then turned towards the child, bent down and took his hood off to reveal his black hair along with his piercing golden eyes as he gazed at the shivering child. Stranger went forward and gently scooped up the child in his arms and kissed his forehead.
"It's alright, I won't hurt you. Everything's alright. I am here."
His soft whispers and warm words calmed the child as he feel unconscious in the comforting embrace of the stranger.]
Kai's gaze lingered on the page, a slight smile creeping onto his face. He clicked his tongue, intrigued, and turned to the first chapter as he mumbled to himself;
"Guess it's not so bad after all."
As the hours ticked by, Kai's eyes remained glued to the pages, the words blurring together as his vision began to fade. Six hours passed, and with each passing moment, his breathing grew shallower, his grip on the book faltering. Finally, he couldn't hold it anymore and stopped reading.
During that time, some nurses and staff members close to the Kai came to visit him, saying their farewells. Kai listened to each of them patiently and smiled as he felt that he was not entirely alone. Kai thought to himself;
' I couldn't even finish the book. Should I ask someone to read it to me? Forget it, everyone must be busy doing their work.'
Rachel would come every hour to check up on Kai. Today she decided to stay extra few hours at work for Kai.
As more time passed, Kai's condition deteriorated even further. He even skipped his lunch and dinner, not wanting to eat anything. Kai checked the time it was already 10:55pm. It was already night.
17 hours left till his death.
The snowfall had stopped, leaving behind a serene silence and the sky cleared up a little. Soft moonlight danced across Kai's bed, providing a sense of calm.
He held the book in arms. All alone in the dimly lit room, breathing heavily. Kai chuckled to himself. A bitter smile crept onto Kai's face as he whispered;
" I've stared death in the face before, but now... I'm terrified. The irony isn't lost on me – I've given up on living, yet the thought of dying is unbearable.'"
Beeping machines beside him echoed in the room. Kai's body began to weaken greatly. Just eight hours ago, he was brimming with energy and now he could hardly hold book and the bouquet of lotus flowers left by his uncle.
"Heh... Hahahaha hah."
After sometime Kai laugh echoed in the room as few tears streamed down his face. His chest began to feel like it was burning, it became hard to breathe as he spoke his last words. He felt death approaching him before time limit he was given.
"I miss you, I love you. Mom, Dad and dumb uncle... I am scared. I am so scared, what do I do?"
Blood trickled from his nose and mouth as he struggled to breathe, his chest constricting with each labored breath. His fingers loosened, releasing the bouquet, and it fell to the floor.
Struggling, he tried to ring the bell, not because he wanted to be free of this pain, not because he wanted to live but because he was scared, he was scared of dying, he was scared of being all alone. He rang the bell and under two minutes Nurse Rachel came in along with other nurse.
Rachel immediately checked everything and shouted at the nurse beside her;
"Go and get the Dr. Jason."
The nurse ran out and Rachel was about to go out to get necessary medications when she felt a weak grip on her uniform. She turned back to find Kai holding her and shaking his head.
Rachel understood his gaze, tears welling up in her brown eyes. She asked with barely audible voice;
"Scared?"
Kai nodded. Rachel held his trembling hand for the last time and smiled gently as she brushed few strands of hair sticked on Kai's forehead. Her gentle touch helped Kai calm down.
Dr. Jason along with few more nurses came in and checked Kai's condition. His expression grim as he gazed at Kai. He silently then injected a painkiller and sat on the stool next to Rachel.
Pain eased a little but breathing was still difficult. Kai gazed at Rachel and Jason as he gently forced a smile. His hand was still weakly holding Rachel's warm hand. In the quiet room Rachel began narrating her activities and along with few gossips as she wiped sweat and blood off Kai. Dr. Jason would occasionally join to crack a joke or criticize the subjects of Rachel's gossips.
The room was filled with an unsettling calm, the only sounds filling the room were the soft hum of machines, Rachel's gentle voice and Dr. Jason's cool laughter.
As Rachel's gentle voice and Dr. Jason's warm laughter filled the room, Kai's eyes welled up with tears. He felt a deep sense of gratitude and peace wash over him. In his final moments, surrounded by these two people who had become like family, Kai's grip on Rachel's hand tightened slightly, as if trying to hold onto the warmth and love.
Kai smiled as he listened to them. As the moments ticked by, Kai's vision blurred, the grip on the book and Rachel's hand faltered. The book slipped from his fingers, and his hand went limp in Rachel's. She felt his warmth fading, and her eyes welled up with tears.
At 12:01, Kai Williams took his final breath.
Dr. Jason's eyes, usually bright and reassuring, clouded with a mix of sadness and regret as he gazed at Kai's lifeless body. He thought about all the times he wished he could have done more, all the moments he couldn't be there for Kai like he wanted to be.
The weight of his profession often demanded detachment, but with Kai, it was different. He felt a deep sense of loss, not just as a doctor, but as a family member.
Peace HospitalReport: Kai's Death
Patient Information
- Name: Kai Williams
- Age: 22
- Dateof Admission: November 18, 2019
- DateofDeath: November 18, 2024
MedicalSummary
Kai Williams passed away due to complications from severe injuries sustained in an accident on November 18, 2019. His medical conditions included:
- CardiacFailure: EF 20-30%
- ChronicRespiratoryFailure
- End-StageRenalDisease: On hemodialysis
- SpinalCordInjury: T4-T5 with permanent paralysis
TreatmentCourse
Kai received comprehensive medical care, including:
- Medications:
- Cardiac medications (Lisinopril, Metoprolol)
- Respiratory support (Oxygen therapy, bronchodilators)
- Renal replacement therapy (Hemodialysis)
- *Therapies*:
- Physical therapy
- Palliative care
Outcome
Despite aggressive medical management, Kai's condition progressively deteriorated over the five-year period, and he succumbed to his injuries on November 18, 2024.
AttendingPhysician
Dr. Jason Michaelson
Date: November 18, 2024
Dr. Jason finished his report as he sighed. Today was 18, November. Today was the day Kai came in this world and today he will be buried and leaving this world.
Kai's uncle paid all his hospital bills and transferred funds for the burial and funeral expenses then he vanished without a trace. Dr. Jason upon finding out that Kai's sudden uncle disappearance was royally pissed.
Dr. Jason's calm demeanor was a hallmark of his professionalism, but he reserved his smiles and emotions for a select few: his wife Rachel, their daughters, and Kai. To be able make him furious was truly a feat accomplished by Kai's uncle.
Kai's mother was an orphan while his father only had a younger brother. Dr. Jason told his wife Rachel about the situation and she, too wanted to slap Kai's so called uncle. Dr. Jason spoke;
"What did I expect from a man who only visited his nephew twice in four years. First, when Kai lost his parents and was admitted and second, when Kai was dying. Of course, he only stayed for twenty minutes."
Rachel patted her husband's shoulder and spoke;
"It's okay. We are here for him. Let's do our best. Oh and make sure to keep that money sent from that bastard safe. We won't be spending a penny from the money of that bastard. If one day he shows up asking where Kai is buried, we will throw that money on his face."
Jason nodded and smiled bitterly;
"He was such bright boy wasn't he? Calling uncle, teasing me at any chance he could get."
"We're here for him now, Jason,"
Rachel said softly.
"Let's give him the best sendoff we can. I'll make sure to take care of the funeral arrangements."
Her words were a comforting reminder that they were in this together, as a team. Dr. Jason smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards his wife.
At 10:30am, Kai was buried. Dr. Jason, Rachel and few more people including his friends from college attended his funeral.