Dani’s Voice wasn’t the most pleasant to hear over the phone. It was rough and lost it’s melodic tone when she picked up a smoking habit after Jeff’s untimely death at the tender age of forty. He had his share of company over many years, but nothing compared to the feeling of peace that he felt around Katie. He could never keep many friends outside of Katie and Dani, despite his best efforts. Friends came and went, but no one ever stayed. In his older age, the long Blonde and gray haired man had since only held onto Katie. She was by all means, his best friend and the only person he got along with. That’s why when he got off the phone it hit him particularly hard.

  Brent grabbed his keys and rushed out the door as fast as his feet could carry him. Dread washed over him as he made his way down the road. The more he thought about it, the worse he started to feel. The thought of what could be happening, instilled a fear that pulled tears from the corners of his eyes. “No, No that can’t be it. . “ he whispered to himself, hearing only the echo of his own whispers bouncing off the walls of the car. The windows in the car were slightly cracked and the soft roar of the wind could be heard as Brent cruised down the open highway. A cool wind brushed at the back of Brent’s neck. His heart seemed to be racing as fast as he was driving. Thoughts of all sorts began to fill his mind. “No, no, NO!” he cried out in anger, pounding the dashboard with his clenched fist.

  Why hadn’t he seen it before? The way she stuck by him through his worst times. The way he worried about her with each doctor visit or chemo treatment. Anytime he refused to ask her to move, to make room for some other girl to move in. It’s something that had ended so many of his relationships over the last several years. He couldn’t let her go. The thought alone left him with a feeling of emptiness. The tears began to stream down his face.

  

  “Why do mortals do that sort of thing?” All three sisters asked in unison. “They keep these feelings for each other bottled up for anywhere from a few weeks to several years. And when they finally build up the courage to act, it’s too late.” Kronos opened his mouth to speak in response, but Aeryn’s hand shot up and stopped the Time keeper before he could start.

  “They’re Scared,” Aeryn said, letting out a deep sigh. “They’re scared that the other person won’t reciprocate it. It’s like walking up to someone they like and trying to start a conversation. Their nerves can get shot going over every worst case scenario in their head. And if they don’t do it just perfectly, they get labeled as a creep. In some cases they get that sort of thing yelled at them in a public place. Then a scar can evolve that can stay with them for anywhere from many years to the rest of their lives.”

  Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos sat there in silence for a few seconds before one of them spoke up. “Mortals can be so cruel to each other. Basing their actions off of assumptions. Thinking they know just what kind of a person another mortal is. Every person has a story that can tell someone everything they need to know. They just refuse to ask–”

  “And Asking questions is the only way to find the truth,” Kronos interrupted, taking a step forward and motioning Aeryn back to his position. “Thank you doctor,” Kronos said with a sly grin. “Your words of wisdom are appreciated," Kronos said, shifting his gaze between his apprentice and the Sisters of Fate. "All of your words. Now if you’d be so kind, I’d like to continue my story.”

  

  The tears began to stream down his face. He shook his head, in an attempt to clear them from his eyes. He was barely able to keep up with them. The anger built up inside him, compelling him to pound the horn of his car that echoed into the long dark night. Brent paused and took a deep breath, his eyes fixated on the road ahead. Brent signaled and pulled the car over to the side of he road. The tears were getting too heavy and he could barely see the road ahead. He buried his head in his arms. tears streamed down along the steering wheel. Why didn't he see it. Everything that Katie meant to him. A few minutes of crying would pass before he looked at the time. Brent turned the ignition and signaled to get back on the road. Time was growing shorter and he couldn't tear his mind away from the fear that she wasn't going to make it through the night. Brent pressed a little harder on the gas, He couldn’t miss this. Not this time. If this was Katie’s final struggle with cancer, He needed to be there. He wanted to be there.

  He let out a low, frustrated growl that blew away in the currents of wind. He was mad at himself. He’d tried for so many years to find this miraculous, life changing feeling. Yet in all his attempts to fix his mistakes he’d lost sight of what was sitting in front of him. He let his eyes close for a brief moment as he began to slowly move onto the off ramp of the freeway. The hour long drive had passed by. For the moment his tears seemed to have stopped. He drew another deep breath trying to regain his composure.

  His pupils followed the lights of the street and a few passing cars that he drove by. The streets were empty and the street lamps were fading out for the night. The road ahead seemed long and in his mind, it seemed to go on forever. The Hospital finally came into view and a glimmer of hope rushed through his mind as he pulled into the hospital parking lot. He glanced over at the building, pushing the gear shift into park. The lights on most of the windows were darkened, save a few that were lit up along the building.

  Brent opened the car door and planted his feet firmly on the asphalt. The muscles in his legs were sore, but he ran through the pain. He was determined to get to her. The reality of the situation had already set in and Brent was coming to terms with each possibility. If there was hope that she’d pull through, He would sit with her, by her bedside. Just like he’d always done with anything that happened to her. He just wanted to be there for her. He cared deeply for her. Katie was his partner through this life. The only partner he ever worked so hard to keep around. The only constant that he had ever come to rely on. She is. . His true love.

  “Which floor is she on?!” He demanded at the very second he made eye contact with the receptionist. His heart was racing faster than ever. “Where’s Katie?”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Sir, calm down.” The receptionist replied, looking up from the computer. “What’s the purpose of your visit?

  The sound of an elevator door opening, ripped Brent’s attention away from the receptionist. ”Brent! Come with me!” The rocky sound of Dani’s voice brought a brief smile to Brent’s face. “He’s with me.” She told the receptionist as she made her away down the hallway, her heels clicking against the ceramic tiles. Her long manicured nails wrapped around his wrist, pulling him behind her into the Elevator.

  “Thank you.” Brent mumbled, letting himself relax against the side of the Elevator. “I’m. .” he paused for a second, struggling with the words while trying to catch is breath. “I’m not thinking very clearly right now.”

  “I understand.” Dani said, flashing him a brief smile. “Thank you for getting here so fast. I know she wants to see you.” The smile ran away from Dani’s face and her gaze fell to the ground. She ran a finger through her hair and brushed it back behind her ear. “Look,” she continued as she brought her eyes to meet his. “I just spoke with the doctor on staff tonight. You aren’t gonna like this, but Her vitals are low. Her breathing is slowed and her heart rate below average.” She closed her eyes and a tear fell from her blush colored cheeks. “I don’t think she’s going to make it through the night. She’s still awake, but she could go any minute now. I’ve already said my goodbyes.” Dani said, sinking back against the elevator wall. Tears streamed down her face and sniffles could be heard coming from her nostrils.

  “Thank you,” Brent said, struggling to hold himself together. The door opened and Dani pulled Brent by the arm as fast as her feet could carry her. ”Are you sure that you don’t need me to hold those for you?”

  “Hold what?” Dani asked before pausing and glancing down at her chest. “Very funny. My Best friend is dying and you’re making jokes.” She replied, giving him a blank stare.

  “Sorry.” Brent replied, snickering to himself, “Just trying to lighten the mood.” Dani rolled her eyes and continued down the hallway. Brent’s eyes focused on the blood stains on the carpet. Seconds later they found the room. The lights were dimmed, barely revealing ginger haired lady that lay there in the hospital bed. Her arms fidgeted slightly and her gaze shifted ever so slightly.

  “This one’s reeaal mature, Katie.” Dani protested, standing firmly in the doorway. “He offered to help me hold my boobs.” Dani sniffled and lifted her arm to cover it up. “Dirty old perv!”

  A faint giggle escaped Katie’s lips. Her finger pointed at Dani and curled as if to summon her forward. Dani took a few steps forward and leaned over, listening to her friend. Katie leaned up with as much strength as she could gather and whispered softly into Dani’s ear. Dani rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. “You two were made for each other,” she muttered as she stormed out of the room.

  Brent laughed and settled into the chair next to the bed. “What did you say to her?” He asked, taking the joint of his index finger and using it to scratch his nose. She tried to speak, but Brent couldn’t hear anything. He leaned in a little closer, letting his head rest comfortably on the mattress next to hers.

  “I told her. .” Brent leaned forward just a tiny bit closer. ”I told her . . that you were only trying to take the boulders . . off her shoulders.”Katie laughed a little and Brent Joined her. “It’s too much fun making. . . fun of her.” Katie whispered, though her laughter was cut short by a hard cough that almost knocked the breath out of her.

  “Yeah it is.” He whispered, drawing a deep breath. ”What do you think Jeff would be saying if he was still here?” Brent asked with a grin slowly forming on his face.

  “He. .” She let out a hard cough and stared at him, trying to keep hold of her train of thought. “He’d probably give us a lecture on the miracles of Plastic surgery. .”

  “And chase after her.” Brent finished her sentence, letting his free hand wander over to Katie’s side. “Offering to help her while finding excuses to randomly feel them for himself.”

  The two of them laughed for a moment. Katie’s gaze fell to Brent’s hand. She looked up at him and flashed him a soft smile. “She was right about. . one thing.” she whispered softly, using what little energy she still had to cup her hand over his. “You always made it seem. . “ She let out another cough. “Effortless. .” said with her last breath. Her head relaxed, her eyes seemed to be fixated on her.

  An all too familiar sinking feeling washed over Brent. “I’m sorry that I've been so stubborn.” Brent replied letting out a deep sigh. The sound of the heart monitor still running compelled him to keep going. “I’m sorry I’ve been so selfish.” Brent’s eyes drifted off, letting his head fall to the hospital bed next to hers. “Thank you for everything you did. For getting me out of the house after my mom died. . For picking me up at the bar the night that Jeff finally convinced Danielle to go home with him. For taking me in after that fall out with Maria. . For helping me stay afloat while I started my career as a writer. .For supporting me." He paused for a second as a tear formed in his eyes. His throat was getting choked up. "Thank you for being there for me. For holding me up when things felt absolutely hopeless. I. . . I love you Katie Benson. .” His head dropped as his words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Brent closed his eyes, making himself comfortable. Tears trickled down his cheeks. The heart monitor in the background went flat and Brent’s tears streamed more rapidly. “I’m sorry I never told you how much that meant to me.” He squeezed her hand tightly. For a brief second her grip tightened around his, but loosened shortly after.

  “I just wanted to say. . “ Dani’s voice echoed as she came to a stop at the doorway. “Oh.” she paused again then scampered over to Brent and threw her arms around him. “I’m so sorry, dear.” She continued, closing her eyes and resting her head on Brent’s shoulder. “I wish we could have had more time with her. This was never how I pictured this ending. Not for you two. . Not for either of us.”

  Brent remained silent, letting Dani’s words echo through his head. Dani was right. Brent didn’t have enough time with her. He’d never held her, not like this. Even as the silence fell over her deceased body, He could feel his spirits rise. Dani soon left to go take care of another patient. Her words echoed through his ears once more. That’s what he wanted. In that moment he would have given anything to have more time with her.

  Brent took his hand from hers and started patting down her pant legs. The strangest thing about these bottles was that they were never far from them. He jammed his hand into one pocket but found nothing. He brought his hand to her other pocket, and scrambled around inside it, completely ignoring the confused looks from the Orderlies as they passed by.

  To his delight he pulled out the bottle from her pocket and wasted no time in opening it. Using his free hand to dig into his own pockets. His fist clenched tightly around the capsule, making sure not to drop it. He rose to his feet as fast as he could. He didn’t have much time before they’d be up to take her to the morgue. He pushed his fingers between her lips and let the capsule drop into her mouth. “Come on. . “ he muttered, removing the capsule from his own bottle. And pushing it between his lips. He sank back into the chair and closed his eyes tightly.