I watched the Doctor walking away after delivering the bad news to me, leaving me weak on the legs that I have to find something to support myself in order not to fall. Everything seemed to be crumbling, my life falling apart fading away like dust. I don't recall how long I stood up thinking, it was so hard to bear.
"If the surgery isn't done on time I'm afraid it will be all a few days left for her to live. I'm sorry." The Doctor's voice kept repeating in my head over and over again. My mother just has a few days left to live, but there was still a chance of saving her if I manage to get the surgery money which was knotty. I have no one to ask for countenance and I don't know what I'd do. I turned to have a glance at my mum's ward's transparent window, seeing her sleep like it was a peaceful one, but I was saddened I couldn't do anything but watch her thole.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, it was a message, hoping it was a better one that would relieve a bit of my troubles, but instead it was the total opposite, it was from someone I don't want to have anything to do with, not in this life not in another.
The message said. I glitched my teeth reading the disgusting message. I decided not to reply, ignoring him will be better.
The second one popped in and I had enough of his shit so I switched off my phone to prevent any of his messages from coming in. I might lose my shit if I haven't done that, I don't want to be disturbed, I want to be left alone.
I glanced around the hospital corridor and to my greatest displeased, standing at one corner was the bastard I do not speak of, grinning like a demented psychopath, he waved at me and began to approach me.
"What the hell are you doing here, Silas? I told you I don't want to see your face ever again. How did you know I was here?" I lashed at him and gave him an unwelcoming expression.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy man... You should know you can't get rid of me, not completely you know why? Because we are brothers. And I'm here because of... Our mother."
I laughed dryly because this was the funniest thing ever. "Get your head out of your ass, Silas. She's not your mother, she's my mother. MY MOTHER!" I exclaimed, repeating it hoping that it would sink into his thick skull.
"Whatever, suit yourself. At least you can't change the fact that we share the same father. We are family whether you like it or not," Silas said with shrug, help himself by sitting on the chair beside me while I remained standing. "If you love her as you claimed, I know you would do anything to save her but I assure brother you can't do it alone. So I am here to help." I heard Silas say and immediately detected a cunning and sinister motive behind the offer, he always does have his own motive. That's who my half brother was, his way of getting into you and feeding on your desire.
"I know you more than anyone else. What are you up to this time?" I asked folding my arms and maintained the uncouth face to send the message that I'm serious. I gazed at him trying to read his expression but he was not an open book.
"That doesn't matter, what matters is how to save our… your mother. I'm aware the money required for the operation is beyond your capacity..." He stood up and came closer to whisper something which made me gasped in shock.
"What?! I can't do that. Never!" I discarded, but he just scoffed at my response.
"I guess you are not ready then, but here's the truth you must know and accept. If she dies, it's on you, your omission! Reason is for making the wrong choice at a critical moment. So, I'm offering you a chance, accept my offer and she lives, declines and you live with the consequence for the rest of your damn life!" He shrugged before he left.
I was stuck between the hard rock, all that he just said was undeniably true, a bitter one that was sturdy to accept. Sacrifice must be made for greater purpose; sacrificing my sanity to save the loved one. I'm stuck in the mud of critical decisions without knowing the right one to make.
I watch Silas depart before me as I become lost in thinking. Should I accept this tempting offer? NO, I WON'T. I'LL FIND ANOTHER WAY…
Now I was in the same truck with Silas and some others, heading to the bank we want to heist. I kept sinking into the black hollow of shame and guilt every second that passed for accepting Silas bargain in order to save my mother.
"Alright boys, this shouldn't take long. No one should mess up the plan or we will end up behind bars. So, get your head straight 'cause this isn't a child's game," Silas warned before giving me a quick glance.
The truck pulled over with the tyre making a scratchy sound on this road, we all dashed inside the bank in seconds. Our presence alone mandated respect, making every civilian present in the building go down on their knees, and heads down, shivering in fear and panic.
Silas wasted no time dragging one of the bank assistant manager to the bank's volt while the cree keep the civilians under control. I was following Silas, watching his back like an owl as he roughly dragged the lady like some kind of animal.
"Input the goddamn pin or I will put the goddamn bullet in your goddamn brain!" Silas repeatedly threatening and swearing with a scary tone making the lady even more scared than before. Her hands were shaking like crazy and she was already bathing in her own sweat like a shower dripping down from her head.
"Do you value your life or people's money?!" He asked coldly and it looked like the lady would die with a panic attack from how aggressive the crime boss was acting.
"I'm...I... am try... trying. Ple... Please don't..." she stammered, shaking life a frozen cat. Knowing Silas aggressive shouting and the lady extreme fear wouldn't get us anywhere, I approached the situation and did it my way; which wasn't part of the plan in case you're wondering.
I approached the lady, shoving Silas aside, I whispered to her to take a deep breath, focus and get it done. She did as I ordered her to do and the vault was open in no time. After it was opened, 2 of the gang came to join in packing the money in bags as fast as we could. We couldn't pack it all, but the one we managed to get was enough... for me but I know thief's could never be satisfied.
"Let's roll boys. Come on! Come on!" Silas ordered as we all trooped back into the truck when the police siren could be heard from close distance. The driver started the truck and off we went.
After getting to a safe distance, far away from the trouble we have caused, that's when I finally have a smile on my face, but beneath creep guilt. We cheered to our successful heist as we zoomed off.
THE NEXT DAY…
The sound of the phone ringing woke me up and what I felt was a terrible headache. I growl slightly as I search for my phone which I finally find on the floor. I didn't check the caller ID before picking.
"Good morning Mr. Steven, this is Doctor Kabrin speaking..." With those short statements, I became wide awake immediately as if I was not feeling sleepy a second ago. "Are you there?" The doctor asked to confirm.
"Yes. Yes, I'm with you doctor." I replied before the man proceeded.
"Good, I'd like you to come to the hospital, I hope you won't keep me waiting." And the line goes dead and from that moment, I become restless as if the world burden was placed on my shoulder.
I bursted out of the room like a cow that was stung by a bee. As I entered the living room, I saw Silas busy on his laptop doing god knows what. He noticed my impatience and restlessness.
"What's the matter? Are you being chased? You look like you have seen a ghost."
"The doctor called, he wanted to meet. I think it's an emergency," I said quickly heading to the door.
"Better calm yourself before you end up hurting yourself bro," was the last thing I heard before shutting the door.
Arriving at the hospital at a fast light speed, the doctor called me in. I settled, waiting patiently for what the doctor had to say, and I was also praying inwardly hoping my fear didn't become a reality, but in the end the inevitable happened which shattered my soul to thousands of pieces. I became weak the moment the doctor confirmed my mother's death, the worst news I was praying not to hear. It hit me so hard to my core, as my conscience travelled light years away from my body. I became dumb and deaf, watching as the man before me continued speaking, but I heard nothing cause I was far already.
Cruel Fate has finally triumphed, I felt myself dwindle like dust. I wanted to cry the pain and sorrow out but I know that wouldn't change a thing.
I broke down and sobbed my eyes out, trying to let go of the pain before I became broken beyond repair. I heard the doctor offering his condolences making me remember the last time I was at the hospital. They said she has a little time left, I wasn't expecting it to be a quick one. When she was dying, I was robbing. I was not by her side the moment she needed someone to hold, but instead I was laughing for the success of the heist whose real reason I did it for was forgotten. I became the night child on the night death came for her poor soul. I don't think her spirit would ever forgive me and I WON'T FORGIVE MYSELF EITHER. I'M SORRY MOTHER.
I got home tired and exhausted, trying to enter but the door was locked. I banged it for whoever that's inside to open up but there was no response. One minute I was standing at the door and another minute I was being arrested by the cops.