Chapter 6 Ch: 06
Nathan called out for Vincent, but there was no response. The fear of losing his friend overwhelmed him.
"Vincent's not here!" Nathan exclaimed to Alexandru. "We have to go back and find him!"
"I'm sorry, Nathan. But we must get out of here first. We can come back for Vincent once it's safe,"
"Let me go! Vincent needs our help," Nathan shouted, struggling against Alexandru's hold. But despite his anger, the other members wouldn't let him go, determined to keep him safe.
They raced out of the temple, Nathan's heart heavy with worry for his missing friend. The tremors eventually subsided, but the damage had already been done.
He felt like the weight of the world was crashing down on him. He was the one who invited Vincent to join them, and now he was unable to save his friend. Tears streamed down his face as he realized the reality of the situation.
His sobs echoed through the tunnel as Alexandru stood helplessly by, longing to comfort him but ultimately choosing to follow his instincts as a protector. He instructed the group to move quickly, knowing that their safety was the most important thing at the moment.
***
The temple lay in ruins, its once-majestic structure now reduced to rubble. The very floor upon which it stood had given way, engulfing Vincent in a cruel twist of fate.
His body was a testament to pain, battered and broken by the cruel embrace of the stones that now surrounded him. Yet somehow, he still breathed.
He lay there weakly, feeling as though every bone in his body had been shattered. He gasped for breath, each inhales sending bolts of agony through his crushed chest.
The weight of the stone around him felt suffocating like the temple was determined to claim him as its own. He closed his eyes, wishing for the sweet release of unconsciousness to take him, but his body refused to comply, forcing him to endure the unrelenting pain. He was alive, but he wished he wasn't.
In his final moments, he took a deep breath. His heart stopped, and his last breath escaped his lips.
Yet, just as suddenly as his life had slipped away, it came rushing back. The sensation was unbearable, every inch of his being felt as if it was being torn apart and reconstructed.
A black slimy substance slithered through his veins, wrapping itself around his heart and lungs, forcing them to beat once again. The feeling was like nothing he had ever experienced, a mixture of pain and euphoria.
Finally, the pain became too much and he passed out again, unable to recall what happened next.
***
The emergency room was a scene of frantic activity, with medical staff rushing back and forth.
In the midst of all the chaos was a bed, on which Vincent lay, comatose.
He was hooked up to a variety of machines that monitored his vital signs, and the doctors and nurses were working tirelessly to bring him back to consciousness.
Nathan stood outside the emergency room, a mixture of fear and hope written across his face. He approached one of the doctors and asked, voice trembling,
"What's his status, doctor?"
Nathan's eyes fixed on the doctor, waiting for an answer
The doctor sighed and looked back at the chart,
"We're doing all we can, but the next few hours are crucial. His condition is still critical."
Nathan's heart raced, fear creeping in as he took in the gravity of the situation.
He felt hopeless, but at the same time, he couldn't give up on Vincent. He needed to be there for him, to be his friend in this moment of need.
With a heavy heart, he stepped back and took a deep breath, watching as the medical team worked to save Vincent's life. He only hoped and prayed that his friend would pull through.
Nathan stood outside the emergency room, lost in thought when Alexandru approached him. The older man held out a phone and said,
"Sir Nathan, your father is on the other line."
He took the phone offered by Alexandru, and with measured steps, he walked to a quiet corner, away from the chaos of the emergency room.
"Son, are you okay?" Nathan's father's voice was filled with concern.
"I'm glad you're alive." he continued, speaking with a sense of relief.
Nathan's father listened intently as his son explained the situation.
"I'm okay, Dad," Nathan choked out through his tears,
"but Vincent is... " His father could hear the pain in his son's voice and knew how much Vincent meant to him.
"Don't worry, son, we'll find the best doctors in the world to help him. Just focus on yourself for now." he soothed,
"Thank you Dad " Nathan replied.
"Just stay strong. We'll do everything we can to help Vincent," his father said, his voice filled with reassurance.
***
Nathan sat by Vincent's bedside, watching the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. The operation had been a success, the doctors assured him, and Vincent's injuries had been treated.
Yet, despite all the efforts of the medical team, Vincent remained in a deep coma, unresponsive to their attempts to rouse him.
"My friend," Nathan whispered, his voice shaking with emotion as he reached out to touch Vincent's hair.
"I'm so sorry for what happened to you. But don't worry, I'll be here. I won't leave your side until you wake up." He felt his heart break at the thought of his best friend lying here, unresponsive and in pain.
***
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, yet Vincent remained in his coma, unresponsive to the world around him.
Nathan refused to let go of hope however and continued to visit his best friend every day.
Sitting by Vincent's bedside, Nathan would tell him stories of their old life together, of their adventures and escapades.
He spoke of his university, of the classes he was taking, and of the friends he had made. Though Vincent couldn't respond, Nathan hoped that some part of him could hear and feel the love and care being lavished upon him.
He sat by Vincent's bedside, talking to him as he always did, his words a gentle lullaby in the quiet hospital room.
And then, a miracle happened. Vincent's hand twitched, just the slightest movement, but enough to make Nathan leap from his seat.
"Vincent," he cried,
"Can you hear me? Are you with us?" The hope in his voice was heartfelt.
Without waiting for a response, Nathan shouted for a nurse to call the doctor. His heart racing, he watched as the medical team rushed to Vincent's bedside, checking his vital signs and administering treatments.
As they worked, Nathan could hardly contain his excitement .
"Wake up, buddy." He watched as Vincent's eyes fluttered open, and he let out a relieved sigh. It was a small but significant sign that his best friend was finally on the road to recovery.
Vincent felt disoriented, his mind swimming in confusion, as unfamiliar voices surrounded him.
But amidst the chaos, there was one voice that stood out, a voice that was so familiar and comforting, a voice that he knew would never abandon him. It was the voice of his best friend, Nathan.
Vincent smiled , a small but radiant expression that seemed to convey a message of reassurance to his friend.