Split Lives

Chapter 8

~Marcuss~

I was sitting on the chair next to Azura still, I'm just looking at my phone when I hear my mom enter, I turn around to face her when she says "How are you son?" I shrug " I'm fine I guess mom" "more important, how's AJ?" I ask concerned for my friend, my mom gives a faint smile as my mom walks over to stand next to me "there's a lot more than I was originally anticipating, other tests have came back, she's severely underweight and her body is beyond exhausted" "wow" I say blown at what my mom said, but I can tell she's holding back "what else is there mom? I know you" I begin "what aren't you telling me?" I ask concerned knowing there was something more, my mom sighs and sits next to me, now I know there's more "son, her body is ready to shut down completely" I gasp, I mean I knew there was something else but I weren't expecting that "so what's, what's next? What are you going to do?" I ask took aback by her words "well" my mom begins "the best thing to do at this point is to put her in an induced coma, so that's what I'm going to do" then continues "I'll take her to a private ward on my intensive care unit where I alone will be looking after her, I'll take that drip off her when I'm putting her into it, it will give her body a chance to rest and recover" my mom finishes "how long for?" I ask worried over my feisty friend Azura "I don't know yet" my mom begins 'well that's reassuring' I think sarcastically to myself then my mom carries on "I'll know more when the other results come through. I'm also going to put an NG-Tube in, that way she'll get fed the nutrients she needs and hopefully she'll gain some weight" taking in all the information I just give a simple slight nod "thanks" I say, trying to wrap my head around what I've been told.

My mom smiles at me "you don't have to thank me son, she's like family, plus it is my job. Go home, get some rest you look like you could use a break" I shake my head "no, I can't mom" "son you've been here all day, it's nearly midnight, you need to look after yourself as well; please son, go home and get some rest" "I need to be here for her" I say almost pleading with my mom, she sighs in defeat "ok" then she recomposes her stature and finishes "but once she's in the coma, you have to leave, ok?" I nod lightly, my mom stands up and gives me a kiss on my head then leaves

I sigh then turn back to Azura, I hold onto Azura's hand again "don't worry AJ, my mom is the best around, you'll be just fine, she'll make you better scrappy" I say as I giver her hand a soft small kiss then return to stroking her face.

Next Day

~Oliver~ 

Myself and Dylan was sitting on Marcus's couch waiting for him to get ready, after a few minutes he comes down the stairs and goes into the kitchen, then comes to me and Dylan with cold glasses of water with ice in as it was roasting hot outside, then he sits at the end of the couch next to me, Dylan on the other end. As he sits down you can see the exhaustion on his face he looks like he's not slept all night, it's not often you see Marcus like that often "man you look like s**t" Dylan said when Marcus sat down, I slap Dylan's arm "dude!" I say embarrassed by what he just said "what? It's true" he replies defensively "gee thanks Dylan" Marcus replies sarcastically, I mentally facepalm myself as I roll my eyes at Dylan's choice of words then I look at Marcus "are you ok Marc? You look exhausted" I said concerned for him "yeah man I'm just beyond tired, I've got a friend who's in the wrong crowd. She has a condition and is really unwell" he replies taking a drink "what do you mean she's unwell?" Dylan asks, Marcus sighs "well" he begins "she's been put in an induced coma, to give her body a rest as it was going to shutdown. She's underweight, she's being tube fed and to top it all off she's got over 5 broken bones" "geez man, that's heavy" I say as I can only imagine how he feels, then a question starts to overrun my mind "what did you mean she's in the wrong crowd?" I ask curious to what he meant "she hangs out with a gang, there's only one guy in it that doesn't have a criminal record. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm not judging her and never will, she's my best friend who I have known for years, I accept her as she is, but I....I don't want her to get herself killed" then it hits me as to why he's so exhausted and looking rough "ohh, I get it now" I say as I realise exactly how he's feeling "so you're worried about her?" I ask tilting my head slightly "you could say that" he replies sighing.

Dylan then asks wait, is this why you never came to the meeting yesterday? Coz of this one friend?" Marcus gives a quick nod "yeah, she fixed my motorbike for me, then she 'taught' Edward a 'lesson' he won't forget for a long time" 'damn this chic sounds like a total badass' I think to myself, then I say "she sounds awesome, you'll have to introduce us to her" Marcus contemplated for a minute then said "yeah sure, she's in hospital right now, but when she comes out I'll introduce you to her" I smile "awesome, can we come with you to the hospital when you next visit her?" "I don't know she's..." "please man" "you ain't gonna shut up til I do, are you?" Marcus asks "nope" then he finally sighs in defeat "ok, fine. But when we're there, you must listen to me, ok?" I nod "sure man" then Dylan was next to speak "you both have fun with that one then" he says in a not bothered way "ain't ya coming to see this badass awesome chic?" I ask Dylan slightly confused and shocked that he doesn't want to meet the chic who can 'teach' Edward a 'lesson', he of all of all the band hates Edward the most "hell no man, I don't wanna be near the chic that put a spanner in the works yesterday" Dylan answers looking like I asked him to do something stupid like set his crotch on fire or something. 

Marcus looks at Dylan then says "your loss dude, she's pretty cool" excited I say "she sounds it, I can't wait to meet her" "whatever" Dylan shrugs "are we ready to get on with business?" I nod "sure" then we all stand up as Marcus says "come on then guys, let's go" an with that, we all leave.