Chapter 3 A LIFE ON THE LINE

"Brent!!!" Ava screamed the moment she saw her brother lying lifeless on the rug, spewing a whitish foamy substance out of his mouth.

Her world stopped at that moment and she became lost in her pain and agony.

"Brent!" She ran to him, dropping to her knees. She picked him up, frantically checking his pulse to confirm if he was still alive.

Fortunately, there was a pulse but it was as weak as her dying brother. Relieved by the faint rhythm, Ava raced out of the house to get a cab. Luckily, she found one within minutes and hurried back inside to get Brent.

The cab driver assisted her in placing Brent into the vehicle before returning to his seat.

"City hospital! Please hurry!"

Ava's voice trembled, her fear palpable. The cab driver nodded and sped off as fast as he dared, cautious not to fall into the hands of the road safety cops.

"Please, I beg you faster!" Ava pleaded, her eyes darting between the driver and Brent. His pulse grew weaker with every second, heightening her terror. Each tick of the clock tightened her chest and tensed her shoulders.

Thirty agonizing minutes later, the cab pulled up at the hospital's entrance. The driver jumped out to help Ava carry Brent as she dashed ahead to alert the nurses.

She returned moments later with two nurses and a stretcher. Brent was gently placed on it and wheeled into the emergency ward.

"Ma'am, my payment," the cab driver reminded Ava softly.

"Oh, yes! I'm so sorry," she stammered. Digging into her jeans pocket, she pulled out a couple of notes and handed them over.

"Thank you, ma'am. And please, stay calm for your brother. I'll pray for his recovery," the driver said kindly.

"Thank you!" Ava replied with heartfelt gratitude, managing a small smile.

The driver left, leaving Ava alone in the stark, cold hallway. She began pacing back and forth, her body trembling not from the chill in the air but from the fear of losing Brent. She couldn't afford to lose him not after the promise she'd made to her dying father.

He would be fine, she told herself. He had to be fine. This wasn't the first attack but it was worse than any before. The image of the substance leaving his mouth sent shivers down her spine and prickled her skin, even now.

The doctor had warned them to be watchful. How did it come to this? Ava thought, gripping her head as a headache began to form. Exhausted, she slumped into one of the waiting chairs.

A nurse approached her with a blue booklet of files. Ava stared at it, berating herself for being so distracted.

"I'm sorry, it slipped my mind," she said, giving the nurse an apologetic look as she accepted the files. They were Brent's medical records still held by the hospital because Ava hadn't paid the bills to take them home.

"It's alright, ma'am. I didn't see your mother here. She was here a week ago but left without the files because she didn't have the money". the nurse said. Ava winced, realizing her mother's absence.

"She's on her way. I'll arrange the money soon but please you have to save my brother. I can't lose him," Ava pleaded through her tears.

After signing the necessary forms, Ava returned the files to the nurse, who left quickly.

Mom! Where are you? How could you leave Brent alone? Ava thought in frustration. She pulled out her phone, realizing she hadn't even called her mother yet.

"Mom," she said the moment the call connected.

"Ava, are you home already? Sorry I stayed out late. Mrs. Pascal asked me to wait for freshly baked bread; she'd run out when I got there. How's Brent? He looked weak when he got home but he didn't say anything. I left to get some money from Mr. Grams. Don't worry, I'll be home soon."

"Mom, why did you leave the house? You could have called me," Ava said, her voice breaking under the weight of her emotions.

"I didn't want to bother you, my dear. You already have so much on your shoulders. I couldn't add to your burden."

Tears spilled from Ava's eyes, no matter how hard she tried to hold them back.

"M-Mom..."

"Ava, what's wrong? Are you crying? Did something happen at work? Were you fired? Tell me, you're scaring me."

"I-It's B-Brent," Ava choked. "He had another attack. We're at the hospital."

"What?! How? I gave him his medication before I left. When did this happen? Hold on, I'm on my way." The line went dead.

An hour later, Ava's mother arrived, her hair disheveled and her dress streaked with mud.

"Mom, what happened to you?" Ava asked, alarmed.

"Where's Brent? Is he alright? Where's the doctor? I want to see him!" her mother demanded, ignoring the question.

"The doctor hasn't said anything yet, but Brent will be fine. Please sit down-you look exhausted." Ava guided her mother to a chair and stood nearby, waiting anxiously.

The emergency ward doors opened, and the doctor stepped out.

"Miss Arden, I need to speak with you in private," he said gravely.

"Doctor, how's my son?" Mrs. Sierra asked, her voice shaking.

"He's out of danger for now. The nurses will move him to another ward, and you'll be able to see him soon. For now, I need to speak with your daughter."

Ava followed the doctor, her heart pounding. What could he want if Brent was out of danger?

In his office, she barely sat before blurting out, "I know this is about the surgery. I swear I'm working on it, just a little more time!"

The doctor sighed. "Miss Arden, I've been patient but this is beyond me now. After running tests... I'm sorry but Brent has less than a month to live."

"W-What?" Ava whispered, her body shaking.

"I'm sorry. Surgery is his only hope. Without it, his days are numbered." He handed her the test results.

Ava stumbled out, collapsing onto the cold tile floor.

Her brother's days were numbered. She had nothing; no job, no savings, no hope. For the first time, she truly felt like a failure.