Chapter Text
Cough. Cough.
I look down at my chest covered by a hospital gown and I see red petals and… thorns?
Shoot.
It's getting out of hand.
The doctors have tried everything but… not very much is known about this illness. It's late at night and I don't want to disturb anyone, but I can try one last time right?
I slowly reached out my arm to press the red button next to me.
Ding.
Within seconds, a nurse comes into the room. I’ve gotten used to the feeling of slight panic everytime I see that pale blue gown.
“Hello darling, is everything okay?”
I muster up all the strength in my body and speak
“I… I’m feeling worse…”
The nurse stared down at my chest and noticed the thorns. Her eyes widened and she stepped out of the room hastily without saying a word. I layed in silence, the weight of my chest increasing with every breath as the hospital lights hummed. It's been almost a week since I got here. It is not safe to go home yet. All this time in the hospital, and not a single sign of recovery. It’s the end right?
A few minutes later, a team of doctors showed up at the room. A tall, brown haired doctor came over and sat on a chair next to my bed.
“Hello again Jasper, hope you are feeling well. We are just here to take a few more tests, is that alright?”
Were tests necessary at this point? I think I’ve concluded this isn’t going away but anything to make them feel a sense of hope right?
Alas, I sigh, the air in my lungs gnawing at my throat, and I nod.
“Okay all we need to do is extract a few thorns and investigate them. Don't worry, we can take one of the ones already here.”
I look down at my chest full of rose petals and thorns, and nod again.
The doctors carefully extract a few thorns with their cold gloves and walk away. The sound of their footsteps give me a deep sense of loneliness. I did get a card from some friends a few days ago. I should reread it.
Hello Jasper! We hope you are feeling better!
Your family has been keeping us updated on whatever the doctors are doing, that's rough man. We wanted to let you know we are always supporting you and once get out of there, we will find the b*tch who did this to you and kick his *ss! Oh Jasper, how we miss you. Get well soon!
Lots of love, Andy, Jordin, and Katy!
I’ll be home soon guys. I’ll try my best.
I close the note and feel a sudden jolt in my chest.
I want to scream out but my mind is in pain too. My temperature plummets and the heart rate monitor next to me starts beeping loudly. The beeps become more and more discordant as they mix in with the footsteps in the hallway. I shut my eyes, hoping something will improve, but nothing does.
The doctors around me start injecting me with anything they can. Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, but nothing does the trick.
I start coughing again.
The petals feel humid.
Blood.
My insides churn in agony, and my mind panics. I'm out of time.
What can I do? Yell for help? Look back on my past? What about my loved ones? What will they do?
All the questions in the universe come to my mind, but I find an answer for all of them. Time will tell.
My heartbeat starts to quiet down, my pain starts to fade, and I open my eyes.
I see stars. A myriad of sparkles floating in nothingness.
When I try to touch one, it flees. The others follow. It feels as if pieces of my mind were disappearing.
What's going on?
Why are they running from me?
I just want to feel the light!
I want to be happy!
Come back!
But they don’t listen. I’m left in nothingness again.
Tears flood my eyes, and I close them. I feel empty. I have no sense of who I am or where I am. I don’t want to think. I want a reason. I want anything.