When Worlds Collide

Chapter 29

~Stefano~

2 months had passed, 2 months of waiting for Roxanna to wake up, 2 months of being at her bedside. I've been keeping Robert locked up in our cells, have my men hurt him then back to being left alone in the cell. only giving him scraps once a week and 1 bowl of water a week. Making him suffer, until Roxanna wakes up, but if she dies so will Robert. I still talk to her, even though she can't hear me I still talk to her "come on kid, you've been sleeping for 2 months, it's time to wake up now. Come on hun, wake up for me" just then Angelica comes over to me, not wanting to miss the moment Roxanna wakes up or dies, not wanting to let her be alone, she's been alone for so long, but no more. "Mr. Mandolza, can I have a word with you please?" Angelica asks as she taps my shoulder "Fine doctor, what is it?" I ask turning to face her, she goes on to say "you know how miss Limes has been in a coma for 2 months?" "I am well aware of that doctor" "well, me and other doctors and specialists have had multiple serious meetings regarding her care" why do I need to know that? I get that, like everyone has to be on the same page so meetings will happen, wondering why she told me useless information I ask Angelica "so?" Angelica carries on "she hasn't shown any sign of improvement, she's not alive herself, it's purely the machines keeping her alive" wondering where Angelica was going with this I ask "so? What are you saying?" Angelica goes on explaining "after much discussion and serious consideration, it's been decide that we may be doing more harm than good keeping her on the machines" the doctor is beating around the bush, something I hate so much "what are you trying to tell me? Just get to the point already" Angelica sighs "we're going to have to pull the plug on her" rage and shock took over my mind "What?! No! Absolutely not!" Angelica remain professional but also compassionate "I understand it's a lot to take in, but it's for the best. She obviously means a lot to you, we've done everything we can, but she could be suffering more being kept on the machines instead of just letting her go. Every doctor and specialist agree on this, we even called other doctors and specialists for their opinion and they have all agreed. We're doing more bad than good, it's been 2 months, it's time to let her go, I'm sorry" I wanted to just pull my gun out and demand her to take back what she said and keep Roxanna on the machines, but I don't because it's not the doctor's fault Angelica is just telling me what is happening, but still I can't just let Roxanna go like that "you can't just let her die, she's too young" I say trying to plead her to change her mind, but Angelica goes on and says "she's not even alive, as soon as those machines go off, she'll die in seconds. I'm going to let you and anyone else who would like to say goodbye to her before I turn off her life support. Mr. Mandolza, I'm so sorry" "ok, thanks" I say thankful I'm being able to say goodbye to Roxanna, Angelica puts a hand on my shoulder then walks away.

I stand looking at Roxanna, holding her hand and begin to say goodbye to her "I'm sorry kid, don't worry Robert will pay for this, I'm sorry I was too late to stop him. You were the closest I ever had to a daughter since my own died, but now I guess now I've got to let you go too" I hear footsteps coming in the room but I'm more focused on saying my goodbyes.

~Tobias~

I enter Roxanna's room to see her as I do everyday only to see him talking to Roxanna, so I just stand watching him and listening to what he was saying to Roxanna "you had such a bright future as part of 1 of us, now you won't experience that as you've already left, you've got to go now. Sweet dreams kid, enjoy your lifetime sleep" I feel touched in an odd way by what Stefano said but then what he said at the end caught me off guard "lifetime what?" I say, Stefano looks up at me with much sorrow showing on his face "oh hey there officer, do you want to say goodbye to her? They're pulling the plug on her, reckon she's already long gone, and that there's no hope left for her. I've had time for my goodbyes, do you want to say goodbye?" I couldn't believe what he was saying, now I know why there was sorrow on his face, all I felt was guilt and sorrow run through my whole body "yes, thank Mandolza" was all I could say as I walk over to Roxanna and hold her other hand.

I stroke her hand ever so gently with my thumb, now it's my turn to say goodbye to Roxanna "oh Ann, why are you leaving now? I'm sorry for grassing you up when we were younger" just then Stefano interrupts " wait, you grassed her up?" "I did, and I'll always regret it" "dude, you never rat out your homie" Stefano tells me, I've learnt that lesson well and truly the hard way "I'm glad we've been friends again, even if it was short lived, before this horrible thing happened to you. I just wish you'd stay longer, if you've of woken up for us, I'd of turned a blind eye to all of your jobs, I'd keep my colleagues away and help you find better friends. No offence to the gang you hang out with, but other friends that are a better influence on you" tears start to fill up my eyes as the reality of what I'm doing hits me "I'm sorry I've not been there for you, Goodnight Ann. May we meet again, but for now, sweet dreams" as I finish talking, tears start rolling down my face. I rest my head on our hands as I begin to cry, I've never wanted this to happen. Stefano bows his head to show respect towards Roxanna "goodnight champ" Stefano says, "sleep well" I add crying.

Angelica comes over to us "you guys ready now? Have you said your goodbyes?" Stefano is the 1st to answer "yes doctor" he says with much sadness in his voice, "I wish I didn't have to, but yes I have, end he suffering. Goodbye, I'll miss you so much Ann" I say trying to not let my voice crack. "You'll truly be missed by me kid, you really will" Stefano said finishing saying goodbye to Roxanna, I just couldn't hold back anymore "she can't, I can't. She's too young, I don't want her to go. Ann, don't go" I plead breaking down and sobbing.

I don't hold back anymore, I can't so I just let all the tears fall as I sob mourning for my friend. Angelica puts a hand on my shoulder to try and give some form of comfort, but fails as she then walks to the plugs of all the machines and turns every single 1 of them off. It was then I knew what true pain felt like as Roxanna's heart monitor flatlines and I see my friend die in front of me. She's dead, Roxanna is actually dead and I don't know what to say or do, I'm stuck in place as I hug a lifeless Roxanna. Stefano keeps hold of Roxanna's hand and strokes her face, and for the very first time I actually see a tear roll down Stefano's face as he bows his head again to Roxanna. And with that, she was gone, Roxanna died and I can't do anything to bring her back.