Game Of Survival

JAMES "It's cancer. Your sister has lung cancer, James." It felt like my heart was ripped into two as those words came out of the doctor's mouth. I forgot how to breathe and I felt a cold chill run down my spine while my twin brother gasped in shock. "Oh my god..." Daniel muttered, his eyes expressing pure horror as he stared at the doctor. He then glanced at me as if he didn't want to believe this nightmare. "So what's the way forward Doctor Kelvin?" It took me every ounce of courage to say that and the doctor heaved a light sigh as he placed his hands on the table, palms facing downward. "Fortunately, When she was admitted her case hadn't worsened completely. She'll need to undergo surgery as soon as possible," he explained and I gulped down my saliva, hoping my fears would be put to rest. "And how much are we talking about here?" I asked. “For the surgery, that is.” "Eighty five thousand..." he replied and it felt like a truck slammed into me while my brother gasped again. "What?..." Daniel muttered, his eyes darting between me and the doctor. "Eighty five..." his voice trailed off and the doctor nodded. "We need to commence her surgery as soon as possible because it's only going to get dangerous for her." He explained and I sucked in a sharp breath, running my fingers through my hair. I could barely maintain my composure at just the thought of losing my younger sister and there was the fact that providing eighty five thousand dollars for the surgery wasn't child's play. We barely survived on the money we got from our menial daily jobs so how the hell are we going to get that amount of money? It currently felt like life hated us! "We'll try to get the money as soon as possible." "Y-yes, yes, we will," Daniel added even though we both knew we were trying to achieve the impossible. We both then left the doctor’s office before heading to our sister’s ward and there she was, lying unconscious on the bed. I couldn't keep my gaze off her innocent face, at the same time I kept cursing fate! Why did it have to be her? Why couldn't it be me instead?! Why did she have to suffer?! My hands tightened into fists as my fear and frustration intertwined kept growing at a wild rate. No matter how angry I was, It wasn't going to save my sister if I didn't do something. The three of us have been together through thick and thin. This was just another test. A test I wasn't willing to fail! "Helloooo..." I heard a voice call out in my head but it was too faint for me to pay any attention to it. "Hey!..." The voice came again but I still ignored it. "James!" An overly familiar voice then yelled next to me and I finally snapped out of my thoughts, turning to glance at Arya, my co-worker, who was giving me a disapproving look before facing the customer that was standing in front of me. "Hey! I've been standing here for minutes now," the angry woman announced and I slightly shook my head sideways to dispel my thoughts as I started to scan the things she had placed on the counter. "I'm so sorry ma'am," I said politely before bagging the things I had scanned while she clicked her tongue in disapproval. "That will be a hundred dollars ma'am," I added and she handed me a hundred dollar note before grabbing the bag from me. That's right. Ever since the day we found out that our sister had cancer, my brother and I have been doing whatever petty jobs we could find but we haven't even made a quarter of the money yet. "What's wrong James? You totally spaced out back there," Arya said, holding my gaze so I found it hard to look away, and I took a deep breath. There was no point telling her about my misfortune because that would only make her feel pity for me and the last thing I wanted was pity so I decided not to tell her what was going on with me. "Nothing. I was just having random thoughts," I replied, plastering a smile on my face, and she didn't look like she believed me but she didn't press further on the matter either. "Random thoughts, okay," she mumbled. "So, Ana is having a party tonight and she invited us. Are you coming?" she asked with her face full of excitement and I pressed my lips together. "No," I stated firmly and she frowned. "I have some work to deal with at home," I added and she shook her head sideways. "Work work work, at least give yourself a break sometimes. Anyways, have fun with your WORK." She gave me a small frown before leaving my side and I exhaled loudly. I then shot her a smile but she just shook her head sideways again before heading to her counter to tend to a customer. My smile faded after I looked away from her and I covered my mouth with the back of my palm as I let out a yawn. She was right though, I needed to give myself a break sometime... but giving myself a break only meant putting my sister at further risk so I couldn’t. I heaved a light sigh as I rolled my shoulders and was about to stifle another yawn when my eyes caught the flyer on the table. ‘It must have been left by that customer that I annoyed,’ I thought while moving towards the dust bin after I picked it up but I instantly came to a stop when I read the content. It was an invitation for a reality TV show sponsored by Omega Companies and my heart leapt as I saw the prize money. "Hundred million dollars..." I whispered with wide eyes as I tightened my hold on the flyer. “Holy shit.” This was more than enough to solve all the problems in my life. Maybe the sun has finally decided to shine on me. But then again, I couldn't be too happy. Getting this money was going to be a battle of luck but that didn't mean I wasn't going to give it a shot. The application requirements weren't anything too personal and without entertaining further thoughts, I slipped my phone out and checked out the website that had been listed on the flyer. For the first time in so long, I actually went home with a tiny ray of hope and happiness in me.