Wednesday, May 5th, 50XX
Elliot, Vincent and Levi sit around for hours, drifting in and out of sleep in the reception of their city's emergency room. Elliot's vaguely awake, blinking heavily to see his Mum standing at the vending machine and she gets something out of the shoot down the bottom, but then he drifts off again.
Waking up next time, he sees General Peterson get buzzed into the ER through the main doors that lead into where all the patients are. Drifting off again, then waking up again, Vincent is drooling on his own shirt beside Elliot, Levi is opposite to them lying down across two chairs and he feels his Mum place a blanket over himself.
"T-thanks, Mum." Elliot murmurs.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0cmEX6rZk
Next time he wakes up, sunlight is streaming into the waiting room. He groans, sitting up and stretching.
His Mum is across from him on another set of chairs is now fast asleep and he sees Levi sitting near her, awake now, drinking something out of what he can only presume is a cup of coffee.
"L-Levi?"
"Oh, uh, y-yeah, Elliot?" Levi stammers.
"What time is it?"
"O-oh! T-that's all? 7 a.m."
"Cheers, thanks."
Then he feels Vincent stir beside him, waking up. He yawns, "Morning."
"Morning, Vincent." Elliot responds.
"What time is it?" He asks.
"7 a.m."
"Ah, okay. Has anyone been out to talk to you?"
"No."
"They should've-"
"Vince, shh. My Mum is resting." Elliot whispers.
"Oh, sorry." Vincent whispers back and then they see General Peterson poke his head out the doors of the ER and gestures to them. "Me?" Elliot mouths, pointing to himself.
He nods. "Can you come with?" Elliot begs Vincent. "Nah, brother from another mother. You'll be fine, I'm going to grab a cup of expresso anyway.
And it's probably best not to have too many people in, crowding you're girl." He points out.
"Yeah, I guess..." Elliot answers.
"Hey, I'm always going to be here for you, okay? I sware on my life."
Elliot flinches and looks at Vincent afraid. "Shit, wrong choice of words. I'm sorry." He says. Elliot nods and stands up, softly walking over to Maxis' Dad who wraps a arm around his shoulder, leading him in.
They arrive at the room where Kiera is being held. It's not a normal bed separated by curtains in the ER. It's a full on room with a door.
The General knocks on it, then opens it, gently pushing Elliot in. It's a rather bare room, a hospital bed in the corner and two plastic, but heavy looking chairs on the opposite side of the room.
No doubt difficult to pick up and throw.
"Kiera?" Elliot whispers, seeing her curled up in the bed, her back facing them. They approach her carefully.
"Kiera, it's me again. Elliot's here to see you."
She doesn't respond and Peterson drags the chairs over for them and they take a seat.
"So, Kiera. How are you feeling this morning? You had a rough night." Person says.
"......"
"Do you want to talk to Henry and tell him what you're going though?"
"They drugged me and he let them...109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d4xIhAQUO
What happened to Maxis and Kaylee?" She whispers, finally speaking.
"Uh, General?" Elliot says, turning to look at him. He sighs, then composes himself. "I regret to inform both of you that both of them have passed away, I'm deeply sorry."
"N-no." Kiera cries, sobs escaping. Elliot is speechless and a tear rolls down his face.
"At-least you and Elliot are still alive." General Peterson says.
"But I wish I wasn't." Kiera says. "And that's the problem we're coming to right now." He responds.
"How did they die? When? When was their bodies recovered?" Elliot asks.
"Maxis had been suffering side affects following surgery to remove the bullet that was lodged in his skull. He had a blind spot in his left eye and his vision had considerably decreased in both his eyes.
It was why he was no longer fit to fly, or drive for that matter. I wasn't aware he drove you and himself to the bridge last night. The DMV was in the process of suspending his license. He was also about to receive glasses." General Peterson says.
"What happened to him last night? Why did he fall? Did Kaylee do it?" Kiera speaks up.
"No, likely not. When both their bodies we're recovered around 5:30 a.m this morning as it was daylight... A coroner did an autopsy, an urgent one.
It was found he'd had a seizure and likely, he took Kaylee down with him on accident. There is not alot of standing space once you go beyond the safety barrier of the bridge."
"So, a seizure killed Maxis or the fall?" Kiera demands, wanting clarification
"The seizure? He was likely dead before he made it down, or if not, unconscious and drowned" General Peterson responds.
"And plunging into the minus temperatures of the water below is what killed Kaylee V. The shock of hitting minus water would have not just been cold, but also the physical impact from that distance.
Water can become like hitting a concrete surface."
"I know." Kiera whispers.
"How do you feel?" Elliot asks her.
"I don't know, I just feel numb at the moment, but that's probably because of the meds I've been put on.
A Psychiatrist came after I received medical treatment last night. I'll probably miss them eventually, I did love him and I may hate what Kaylee did to me and Kade, but a small part of me loved her as well.
And I miss Kade so much right now."
"And that's okay. You can mourn them when you feel something. There's no rush. Oh... Kiera, we found this on the bridge last night." And he holds up a chromosome DNA resin keychain.
Elliot's eyes widen, realizing it was the keychain that was attached to her car keys and stuff ages ago. "This was Kaylee's, she must have dropped when she climbed over. They didn't take the keychain from her."
"Can I have it?"
"If you want it."
And she holds her hand out, taking it and holds it close.
"What's going to happen to me?"
"Yeah, what is going to happen? Can I take Ellie home?" Elliot questions.
"I'm afraid not. She's being detained under a 5150 for 72 hours and it will likely be extended and go for there.
You're going to be transferred to a private 15 bed unit that can look after and help you, Kiera"
"I can't afford it, I wasn't part of the Military long and now been medically discharged there is no money coming in and I don't have as much in savings as Elliot did."
"I'm paying for it."
"What?" We both say, looking at the General. She rolls over to race us now.
"I said I'm paying for it. I owe it to my Son to look after you both, anything either of you ever need, I will pay for.
And while I understand you're Mum is a CEO and will probably pay for you in general, Elliot. If there is anything you or her as well ever need, just ask me.
I'm serious." Says General Peterson.
"Both of us?" Kiera says.
"Yes." Responds the General. "I don't want to go." She whispers.
"I know you don't, but you're a danger to yourself right now, Kiera.
Give it a chance, work out the meds, talk about whatever you want to talk about, make some other friends besides Elliot and Vincent and we'll re-evaluate you're stay."
"There's no chance, Kiera can sign herself in instead?" Elliot asks.
"She can sign in voluntarily instead, but it won't change the length of stay."
"Kiera?" Elliot whispers.
"No."
"Kiera."
"I said no!" She shouts at him, sitting up and throwing her single pillow at him.
General Peterson blocks it from hitting Elliot in the face. "I think we should go, Elliot."
And Elliot stands up. "I'm sorry you're in pain right now. If I could take it away, I would in a heartbeat. I'll come see once you're transferred, I sware."
"Get out!" Kiera shouts at him. General Peterson ushers Elliot out, but not before the General gently places the pillow she threw back beside her on the bed.
Then the General pulls the door closed behind them, it locking. "How are you holding up, Son?" General Peterson asks, bending down to Elliot's level, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I miss Maxis too. Can't say much about Dr Kaylee V though... But I feel bad she won't have the chance to continue seeking help."
"Yeah, that's fair." General Peterson says. "So, what do you want to do right now?
Do you want me to wake your Mum and she could drive you both back home and you could get some sleep that is not on hospital chairs?"
"Uh, maybe. But I'll have to pack up Charlie's stuff now... And some of Kiera's too, so she can have her stuff on the ward."
"If you want help to pack both up, let me know. Or you're Mum. Hell, I think Vincent and uh, Levi would help you too."
"Uh, I guess. Maybe might get some rest first..." Elliot says, slowly walking back to the waiting room beside General Peterson when he coughs, gagging almost, feeling a choking sensation in his throat.
"Elliot, are you okay?" General Peterson asks, placing a hand on Elliot's back when he coughs harder, feeling something come out of his mouth.
Red rose petals mixed with blood and vomit. He brings his hand to his mouth. "Oh my god, it's back." General Peterson gasps.
Then Elliot hears the doors to the ER get pulled open, Vincent, Levi and his Mum standing there horrified.
Then he coughs harder, letting out more of everything. Some Nurses start sprinting over to help, one carrying a sick container for him. As he gags, holding his hand to his mouth so he doesn't make too much of a mess, he whispers, voice suddenly hoarse,
"Please no one tell, Kiera. She already has her own prob-" Then he feels lightheaded and his body and head slamming hard against the ground, everything going dark.
---
Elliot hears chaos and noise all around him alongside a fullness feeling in his lungs which is what led to his coughing fit of flowers.
It's back, then he gulps and coughs, feeling a breathing tube is down his throat. He starts panicking and slams a curled fist down on a metal tray he wasn't aware was beside the hospital bed he is on, sending the tray crashing to the floor, the instruments on it scattering everywhere.
"His combative, restrain him!" Someone says. He panics, feeling people force his limbs down, something being wrapped around them. He can't fight them and he can't speak either.
"Elliot Coleman, my name is Dr Mendays. I work for Fresh Start Industries." A voice says above him, a woman who is shining a light from a small pen torch into his eyes.
"Pupils not dilated, that's a good sign." She says. Elliot tries to speak, but only a series of jumbled sounds rather than words come out.
"I know you want to speak, but you have a breathing tube down you're throat right now. You had reduced breathing compacity, you fainted but almost stopped breathing all together in the ER."
He tries to signal with his hand, 'This isn't the ER anymore?'
"No, you we're transferred over to us. An ambulance bought you in about 10 minutes ago. At Fresh Start Industries, we're the leading researchers, but also treatment clinic and teaching school for Hanahaki Syndrome."
Then it hits Elliot. "Yes, you're Mum is our CEO. She asked that you're General transfer you over to us as we can treat your condition and push it into remission a 2nd time as opposed to the poorer the standard of care the first time you developed it who weren't as trained in Hanahaki.
While they removed the problem, but there was no level of aftercare."
Elliot looks anxious. "We're going to take you into surgery, okay? The flowers will be cleared so you can breath hopefully unaided, restore full lungs functioning, break up the seed pit fully and remove the pieces alongside check for any cysts and go from there.
When we have done that, we will hopefully be able to have a conversation with you about the 2nd course of treatment and get your consent.
As this an emergency situation now, if we don't help you, you will asphyxiate.
Do you understand?"
Henry tries to nod his head, but it hurts and he squints his eyes. "Okay, good." She responds. "Okay, we're all good for surgery. Let's bring him in." She says as they begin to head down a corridor.
Everything is blurring all over the place, there is quite a few patients on beds, waiting for help. They probably need help, but they're not choking to death unlike him.
One patient stands out. It's a young asian female with raven hair in two pigtails, brown eyes who is wearing glasses and there is a man and woman with her who look identical. He sees his Mum with them and she is talking to someone else.
"24 year old young female, Molly Fallon.
Was bought in by her parents after she was found coughing, but not vomiting blood or mucus on the floor of her bedroom as we're the nearest medical facility. 911 was called.
Coughing has been persisting for around two days now, no other symptoms to indicate a diffrent illness and in the last five minutes, she has coughed up blue roses.
Her younger and only brother has also been reported to have died a little over two days ago around the same time has persistent cough was said to have began."
"Probably has Hanahaki Syndrome then."
"Yes, but why? Hanahaki takes at-least a month or two to develop and does not progress this quickly usually."
'Mr and Miss Fallon, can we admit your daughter and runs some tests? We'd also like to insert a breathing tube to help you're daughter breath easier."
"His favorite animals was cows! Moo!" The girl says, sitting up. "Hi Molly, we need you to lay back down for us, okay?" She says, helping her to lay back down.
"Who's favorite animal was cows? Would you like to tell me about that?"
"My younger brother, Kade. Moo!"
"Yes, they go moo. He liked cows?"
"Y-Yeah."
Then she goes into a coughing fit and closes her eyes.
"Molly, you need to stay awake for us, okay, honey? Mr and Miss Fallon, do we have your consent? You're daughter is also dehydrated likely and seems dissociative.
The sooner we commence some treatment to halt her decline, the sooner we can begin a full course of treatment to help her. But we can't do that till she is stabilized."
"Yes, just help her!"
And then they vanish from Elliot's sight as he is pushed into a surgical room, and everything goes a blinding white.
---
Elliot feels hot, but also cold at the same time. Awake, but also sleepy. Hungry, but also full. What's wrong with him and his senses? His alive isn't he?
Yeah, he wouldn't be able to ask himself this if he wasn't so he tries to open his eyes.
He manages, but the lights are off and his snug in a bed, the sheets tightly pulled and tucked in. His not restrained anymore, but he can hardly move because of how well someone bundled him up, snug as a bug.
Looking around with his eyes, he is clearly in a private room. Not really any kind of ER type place, then he flinches seeing there is three more beds in the room, but the two opposite to him have the curtains drawn so he looks at the other bed right next to him.
It's her, on breathing support and attached to a machine. There is a tub on wheels beside her bed full of blue roses.
Then Elliot notices his own tub beside his bed, it's full of red ones and come to think of it, his breathing tube is missing.
That's lucky, his able to breathe unassisted... Once you end up on a vent sometimes, you're stuck on it...
Then something blurry moves in the corner of his vision, and takes a seat on a chair near him. Looking properly, she slowly comes into focus, sitting there, looking sad and her hands in her lap.
She still has her blonde hair pulled back in a bun, her military uniform and boots on. But you can't even see the stab wound thankfully.
"A-Allie?" He whispers. "Yeah?" She says. "W-why can I see you all..." He whispers. "I don't know, you tell me." She says with a hint of aggression.
"I'm sorry I hurt you, that-"
"I hate you."
"I... That's fair."
"......"
"Is their anything you want to say? You're welcome to shout at me if you want. Why are you here?"
"Figured I'd check up on you, I guess."
"Thank you-"
"But it's not because I so much care for you. I care for Ellie more actually. Her and me we're friends."
"Have you been to see her? How is she?"
"Yeah, I've seen her. But she can't see me. Probably just as well though, she's already beginning the worst 72 hours of her life. Being on a section sucks."
"How do you know?"
"Because I tried to kill myself one time too before actually, tried to walk into oncoming traffic. Do you know who stopped me?"
"Someone stopped you?"
"General Peterson, was at Cafe with Vincent and Maxis. Saw me and sprinted to save me, stopped me just as I began to walk into traffic."
"Maxis lied?"
"He didn't lied. He knows what I did, but not why."
"Why did you try to walk into oncoming traffic?"
"I was married before you know? A wife, I married young.
"Oh... you had a husband?"
"He was an asshole. I left while he was asleep, just walked out one day because I couldn't take it anymore. But then I realized how lost I was once I left.
I had no job, no assets. Only a backpack on my back full of a few clothes and my documents. I divorced my now ex-husband later. General Peterson didn't let me go back.
Got me into a shelter, and eventually I signed up for the Military with his encouragement and passed the fitness exam and so fourth.
Also..."
"Also?"
"I was infertile. My husband hit me and turned cruel when he found out I couldn't have a baby."
"Did you want to be a Mum?"
"Not being one sometimes made me feel sad. But oh well, I guess. Those we're the cards I was dealt."
"Kiera knew everything bout you?"
"Yes and I never told Maxis the reasons behind why though. I think it was the first time he had being confronted by someone's suicide attempt.
Oh, and Elliot. I know what you promised Maxis, one night when Kiera was asleep, he told you to marry her if something happened to him.
You can, but don't do it till Kiera has had at-least a few months months worth of treatment so she is in the beat state of mind to make that decision.
"How did you-"
"I knew you wanted to tell her, but when she turned violent and threw the pillow, our General ushered you out before you really got around to that.
I suggest you heed the advice, Maxis left you with also before he passed."
"What advice?"
"Neither you or him can be her everything. You can be there, but you cannot cure her, fix her.
The ones who can her make well, but not exactly cured are the ones who have been to school. The doctors, the nurses and so fourth.
Reduce her suffering and symptoms just enough so she can start to live a normal life and heal-
Then she shuts up quickly, looks worried. I see my Mum appear and she goes right through Allie, oblivious and takes her seat.
I blink and Allie's gone. "I thought I heard talking." She says, sitting where Allie was just a moment ago.
"Who we're you talking to?"
"No one."
If I tell her the truth, I'll might get written off as slightly delusional and I won't get to leave this place...
"Are you sure?"
"I'm okay, talking to myself sometimes help to process my thoughts."
"I see... Does it help?"
"Uh, kinda?"
"I'm sorry I abandoned you as a kid. I fucked you up-"
"How, I am is not you're fault entirely. Other things went wrong in my life and I knew better than to break the law, but did it anyway.
"Do you think you want to talk about your past, what you went through."
"See a-
"Yes. You could see a psychologist-"
"I'll think about it. I have to look after Kiera now that Maxis is dead..."
"You know you don't have to do that alone, right?"
"I know, but..."
"If you can't look after yourself, you won't stand any chance of looking after her. Maxis told me you can barely cook or do housework or file taxes without help. While you're maths skills, athleticism, etc did get better over time and you graduated later with a diploma so you met the requirements to join the Military, you are lacking other skills which you need to improve on.
Kiera will be vulnerable for a while and it won't be safe to let her near knives and so fourth. I can help, but I can't do 100% of all the cooking and general household chores, Elliot."
"I know."
"So you understand what you need to do?"
"Sort myself out, and take some cooking classes?"
"Yes. Now, I wanted to talk to you about you're Hanahaki actually."
"Am I cured?"
"You're better, but not cured per say. You went from having no Hanahaki growth to being like two months along in the disease overnight which is highly unusual.
You're not the first person we've seen this in, but it's rarer than the likelyhood of anyone getting Hanahaki in the first place."
"I could have died?"
"Yes, you could have. Dr Mendays, my colleague...
She wants to get you on a combination of antibiotics and other medications in the morning so we can reduce chances of post surgery infection, but lower the chances Hanahaki will reoccur a 3rd time."
"Okay."
"You're okay with that?"
"Yes."
"Okay, uh, cool."
Then Elliot yawns. "I see you're tired. I'm sorry, baby. I'll leave you to get some rest. See you in the morning.
I need to go hone for a few hours actually, get some more sleep, a shower and change of clothes. But I will come back, okay?"
"You promise?"
"Yes."
"Am I-"
"You are a voluntarily patient, Henry. You can choose to walk out and leave if you want. But I don't recommend it right away.
Let's just get you on the meds you need and I'll then take you home and you can catch up with your friend, Vincent and Levi and maybe you can visit Kiera.
Your General said she was a tad distressed when you and him went to see her."
"Uh, make that more angry, Mum. She threw a pillow at me. Well, tried too. General Peterson punched it out of my path."
"Oh...."
"I don't blame her though. Not after everything she's been through-" Then Elliot yawns again.
"You really are tired, I'm sorry. I'll leave you to sleep. I love you." She says, giving him a hug.
"I love you too, Mum."
And then she slowly retreats outside. Elliot sees her meet someone outside, but he can't hear. She appears to kiss someone on the cheek and they walk off together.
Oh... She mentioned kinda dating someone, from work... He wants her to be happy, but then Elliot yawns again, unable to think further as his brain is all over the place and he drifts back off to sleep.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDWdIfClQT
