Chapter 3: Against the Clock
953 Words
Daniel sat on the ground, his back against the gate, his phone still open. Jenny reached the alley entrance, slowed down, and looked at the houses on both sides. She opened her phone to see she was almost where she needed to deliver the cake.
Jenny quickly parked her bike and approached Daniel. Jenny looked around, shaking him in fear.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Jenny rang the doorbell repeatedly, but no one was inside. Daniel opened his eyes in a daze, recognized the girl's blurry figure but couldn't see her face clearly, and then passed out. Jenny panicked
"Wake up. Is there anyone to help me?"
Jenny sat next to Daniel.
"What the hell is going on? Did you order the cake? I brought the food. Do you want to faint from hunger?"
Jenny grimaced in pain when she suddenly remembered something. Jenny dialed the emergency number.
The emergency siren sounded. The ambulance blared and drove straight into the hospital corridor.
Daniel was brought down from the stretcher. The doctors took a quick look at the situation. Jenny stood beside him, worried.
"Is he dead, doctor?"
The doctor was wearing a medical headset, and when he saw Jenny's strange question, he looked at her surprisedly and continued working.
Jenny clasped her hands in front of her chest as if praying, but she kept hitting her chest in confusion.
"His death has nothing to do with me. I'm innocent."
The doctor turned back to look at Jenny, annoyed.
"What death? This girl is strange, isn't she? Hurry up and do the admission procedures; what are you standing there talking about?"
Jenny nodded repeatedly
"Yes, I'm leaving now."
Jenny suddenly remembered something and quickly ran after Daniel's stretcher; she stuffed a peacock feather from her pocket into his hand.
"Here, I'll give you this. Good luck will be with you. Don't die!"
Jenny looked up. The doctor pushed the stretcher and was impatient with her.
Jenny smiled awkwardly
"I'm going now!"
Jenny ran to the reception desk to check in but didn't know the name of the strange young man. After persuasion, they agreed to wait for the patient's family to arrive. Jenny searched the phone book for Dad and Mom. There was no nickname for Mom, but luckily, the name "Dad" appeared, and she called to inform that person. They should be at the hospital soon.
Jenny sat in the chair, tiredly waiting in the hallway. Her phone rang. Jenny suddenly remembered that she was on her shift. Jenny had just turned on the phone, and the store manager gave her a long speech. Jenny stood up and left the hospital immediately. She had to return to hand over the car for the next shift. Jenny looked towards the emergency room door and muttered.
" I've already given you my luck. Good luck!”
As Jenny left the hospital, Daniel's father arrived. His steps hurried. A secretary and Hubert followed him.
Hubert was consumed with anxiety. If anything were to happen to Daniel, his uncle, and employer would unleash a terrifying wrath upon him. William, a man whose emotions were easily inflamed when his son was in danger, had given Hubert strict instructions before his business trip. Daniel had a highly sensitive heart rate monitor that would send alerts straight to Hubert, but it seemed the boy wasn't wearing it today. Hubert had no idea what had gone wrong.
His uncle's fury was sure to erupt soon.
Panting, Hubert rushed in, followed closely by another man. Approaching the reception desk, Hubert quickly asked for information. The receptionist pointed, and they hurried inside.
Daniel was lying in a room visible through the glass door.
William stood outside, his gaze intense.
"What's going on?"
"He hasn't been taking his medication on time."
William cut him off. "He hasn't been taking his medication? What do you mean?"
Hubert stammered, unsure how to respond. "Daniel lost his medication but didn't say anything, so I didn't know."
"That boy is so careless. Have extra medication delivered everywhere - the company, home, school, everywhere."
Hubert was surprised by his uncle's relatively mild tone.
"Yes, sir."
The doctor turned to William. "There's something I think you should know..."
William glanced at Hubert, who nodded and left with the doctor.
"In the long run, a transplant is the best option."
William furrowed his brow. "Do it. As soon as possible."
"The cost isn't a concern, but finding a donor..."
William turned to the doctor, his face cold. "Do everything you can, by any means necessary. I just want my son to get better. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"I want to be with my son."
William pushed open the door to the room and entered. Daniel was lying motionless on the bed, pale. William sat down and placed his hand on Daniel's stomach, partially covered by a blanket.
"Are you sleeping well?"
Daniel opened his eyes slightly. "Dad?"
"Why am I here?"
"I don't know. The doctor said a girl was there. Could it be Martha?"
Daniel shook his head.
Daniel noticed something strange in his hand and held it up. It was a peacock feather, and he looked at it with surprise.
"What's this?"
William reached for the feather to throw it away. "Here, let me throw that away. It could be carrying germs."
Daniel held onto the feather. "No, it's pretty. I'll keep it."
Daniel looked at his father, and William stopped talking.
"Alright, if you want. Get some rest. If you need anything, press the button. I have to go back to the company."
William left the room. Daniel held up the peacock feather and examined it.
"Who was that?"
Daniel only remembered a girl being there before he fainted.
- Writer
