CHAPTER 10

As I sat beside my mother's hospital bed, basking in the warmth of our joyful moment, I suddenly felt a pang of thirst.

I looked around the room, searching for something to quench my dryness. My eyes landed on a hot water resistant flask that was sitting on the bedside table.

I got up and walked over to the flask, hoping to find some water inside. I lifted it up and shook it gently, but it was empty. I felt a slight disappointment, realising I would have to go somewhere else to get water.

I turned to my mother, who was still smiling at me with pride and joy. "Mom, I'm thirsty," I said, feeling a bit parched. "I'm going to go get some water from the cafeteria downstairs."

My mother nodded weakly, her eyes still shining with happiness. "Okay, sweetie. Go get some water. I'll be here when you get back."

I smiled and nodded, feeling grateful for her understanding. I turned to leave, but then turned back to her. "Do you want me to bring you anything, Mom? Maybe some water or juice?"

My mother thought for a moment before responding. "No, sweetie. I'm okay for now. But thank you for offering."

I left the hospital room, I walked through the corridor, my footsteps echoing off the sterile walls. I made my way to the elevator, my mind still basking in the warmth of the joyful moment I had just shared with my mother.

I pressed the button to call the elevator, and as I waited, I noticed a man walking towards me from the opposite direction. He was wearing a black hoodie and trousers, and his face was obscured by the hood.

As he walked past me, I felt a sudden chill run down my spine. There was something about him that gave me a bad feeling, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I tried to brush it off as mere paranoia, but the feeling lingered.

Despite my unease, I decided to hurry and go get the water. I didn't want to leave my mother alone for too long, and I was also thirsty. As I entered the elevator, I glanced back in the direction the man had gone, but he was already out of sight.

I shook my head, chiding myself for being overly cautious. I was in a hospital, after all. What was the worst that could happen?

I pushed the button for the floor where the cafeteria was located and waited for the doors to open.

As the elevator descended, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. I tried to distract myself by thinking about my mother's smile and our plans to go to the mall, but the image of the man in the black hoodie lingered in my mind.

When the elevator doors finally opened, I stepped out into the bustling cafeteria, determined to push aside my doubts and focus on getting the water.

I joined the queue, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of the man, but he was nowhere to be seen. I breathed a sigh of relief and began to wait for my turn to order.

As I waited in line, I took a moment to glance over the menu options displayed on the board above the counter. When it was finally my turn to order, I stepped forward and greeted the cashier with a smile.

"Hi, I'd like to order a bottle of water, please," I said, trying to sound clear and confident.

The cashier, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile, nodded and asked, "Would you like still or sparkling water?"

I thought for a moment before responding, "Still water, please."

She nodded and asked, "Would you like to pay with card or cash?"

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet, extracting a few bills. "I'll pay with cash," I said, handing her the money.

She took the bills and handed me my change, along with a cold bottle of water. "Here you go, sweetie. Enjoy!"

I smiled and thanked her, taking the water and change. I turned to leave, feeling relieved that I had finally gotten the water.

As I walked away from the counter, I took a refreshing sip of the cool liquid, feeling it soothe my parched throat.

With my thirst quenched, I made my way back to the elevator, eager to return to my mother's side and share the water with her.

I pushed the button to call the elevator, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having completed my task. As I waited for the doors to open, I couldn't help but think about my mom.

I suddenly noticed a sense of urgency in the air. Nurses and doctors were running helter-skelter in the corridor, their faces etched with concern and focus.

I wondered what was happening, but I didn't have time to ask anyone. I quickly pushed the button to call the elevator, eager to get back to my mother's side.

As I waited for the doors to open, I watched the chaos unfold before me. Medical staff were rushing to and fro, some pushing wheelchairs or stretchers, while others were carrying clipboards and looking at charts.

The sound of beeping machines and muffled voices filled the air, creating a sense of tension and urgency.

I felt a pang of worry, wondering if something had happened to my mother while I was gone. I quickly pushed the thought aside, telling myself that I would know if something was wrong.

The medical staff would have informed me, wouldn't they?

The elevator doors finally opened, and I stepped inside, feeling a sense of relief. I pushed the button for my mother's floor, my mind racing with thoughts of what could be happening.

As the doors closed, I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I would find out what was going on soon enough.

The elevator stopped on my mother's floor, and I stepped out into the corridor. The chaos I had seen earlier was even more pronounced here. Nurses and doctors were rushing in and out of rooms.

I quickened my pace, my heart racing with concern. What was happening? I had to get to my mother's room and make sure she was okay.

I turned a corner and saw her room at the end of the hall. I rushed towards it, my mind filled with worst-case scenarios.

As I entered my mother's room, I was met with a scene that made my heart skip a beat. A team of doctors and nurses were surrounding my mother's bed, their faces focused and urgent.

One of the doctors was holding a machine, and he was shouting "One, two, three!" as he used it on my mother's chest. The machine let out a loud noise, and I felt a surge of fear run through me.

My mother's eyes were closed, and her face was pale. I couldn't see her chest moving, and I wondered if she was breathing.

I felt a sense of panic wash over me as I realized that something was seriously wrong.

I tried to push my way through the crowd of medical staff, but they were too focused on my mother to notice me.

"What's happening?" I asked one of the nurses, but she just shook her head and kept working.

I felt a sense of helpless as I watched the doctors and nurses work on my mother. I didn't know what was happening, and I didn't know if she was going to be okay.

The doctor using the machine shouted "One, two, three!" again, and the machine let out another loud noise.

My mother's body jerked slightly, and I felt a surge of fear run through me.

Suddenly, one of the nurses turned to me and said,

"You need to step outside, dear. This is a critical moment." I hesitated for a moment, but then I nodded and stepped out into the corridor.

As I stood outside my mother's room, I couldn't help but wonder what was happening. Was she going to be okay? I felt a sense of fear and uncertainty and I didn't know what to do.

I stood there for what felt like an eternity, waiting for news about my mother's condition. Finally, one of the doctors came out into the corridor and approached me.

"Aries, I'm so sorry," he said, his face serious. Your mother is dead".