A/N Enjoy and I hope this bring a bit of delight to your day. Okay, I do hope none of you, the reader, mind but I'm going to stop uploading "God Among Us" and instead, upload this story. I'm going to try and upload every Sunday, but the chapter may be incomplete and short. Nevertheless, I do hope you all enjoy.

What a person "need" and what a person "want" is different. A lazy person may just want to laid around all day, but what they really need is some exercise. A kid may want a candy bar, but what that kid really need is some healthy foods. A scientist may want everything to go back to what is was, but what that scientist may most desperately need is to change. There was a time when I wanted something so badly, but needed something else. When everyone needed something, or someone else.

This is a story of sadness and change, of want and need, and of a very, very stupid and selfish man. A man who thought he was thinking about someone else, but was really only thinking about himself.

My name is Gabriel "Gabe" Hill. There was once a time when I was just a simple, radioactive scientist, working on what I thought was just some silly "sci-fi" experimental. Now, however, I am a knight in iron armor. A knight with a special, special power.

2: Chapter 1: The Car Crash

A/N Enjoy and I hope this video bring a bit of delight to your day

Gabriel “Gabe” Hills:
“Man oh man!”, I scream as I stomp into the kitchen, instantly dropping the mass amounts of papers I had in my hands. “Today may have been the busiest day I ever had! I mean… Come on!!! Look at all of this!!! And that’s barely any of the actually work!!! There’s still the testing, and the experimenting, and, and, and… Uuuuhhhhhh!!!!”

Feeling a sudden headache coming to mind, I shot out my arms like they were wings before falling face-first onto the counter.

Staying absolutely still for a few minutes, waiting for the migraine to go away, I was startle when I heard an adorable little voice all of a sudden

“Uh oh”, interrupt the little voice as she walk into the kitchen. “Mommy, daddy doing it again!”

“Oh no”, chuckle a familiar laugh as the laugh made its way into the kitchen. Stopping a mere few feet away from me, I turn my head to look at the source of the laugh. The laugh belong to a medium-height, beautiful woman with short, wavy, divine black hairs. Her skin was a smooth, caramel-color, eyes an unbeatable shade of brown, and her laugh only. The few short second of it could melt any man’s heart.

“What’s up honey”, ask the woman as she place her hands on my back and started rubbing little circle on it.

“Oh nothing new Rach”, I reply, smiling. “Just the usual.”

“Ahh, yes”, commented Rachel, taking back her hand to tap her finger against her chin. “”The usual”. Let me see, let me see, that could be any number of things. Your best friend and co-worker, Pearce, isn’t taking the work serious and is screwing around? Your other friend and co-worker, Dante, is begin too serious and is practically yelling at you and Pearce to “stop screwing around and start working”? Oh! You weren’t fast enough and lost the last donut in the break room?”

“In my defense”, I said, putting up my index finger, “It was been nearly two weeks since I got a donut from the break room.”

Chuckling at my “defense”, Rachel walk right up to me and planted a kiss right on my lips. Smiling, I notice out from the corner of my eyes, Rachel and my 7-year-old daughter, Allison. I saw shutting her eyes and sticking out her tongue.

“Well maybe to fix that”, she started, “I can get you some running shoes.”

“Nnnoooo”, I said, backing up and waving my hands left and right. “No! No! No! I’ll fine! I’m fine!”

Turning from a chuckle into full-blow laughter, Rachel started grabbing at the papers I had toss.

“Hey!“, she started, looking very curiously at them. “What is all of this? It look.....advance.”

“Oh that”, I reply, looking around the kitchen. “That’s nothing. Just some paperwork for all these new experiments Mr. Newman is trying to get started.”

“Experiments?“, repeated Rachel, grabbing at another piece of paper and examining it thoroughly.

“Yeah”, I continue, “He got Pearce, Dante, I all working on it. ’Course, since I draw the short straw, I have to finish all this paperwork before we can even get started on the darn experiments!”

Opening the fridge, I was about to grab some leftover peace-cobble pie when Rachel slap my hand away.

“Ouch!“, I yell, taking back my hand and rubbing it. “What was that for?!”

“No snacking”, she declare, rolling up my papers and smacking me in the forehead with them. “I’m trying this new recipe for dinner and don’t you or Allison filling up on snacks. Come on sweetie, you and I are going to the supermarket.”

Scooping up an excited Allison in her arms, she kiss me on the lip one more time before heading to our garage.

“Later Rach”, I said, smiling and waving at my leaving family.

Rachel:
Loading the last bits of the groceries into the back of the family’s SUV, I open the back door for Allison to come into. Once seated in her car seat, I buckle her in and then got into the driver’s seat myself.

Backing up slowly before putting the car on “drive”, I drove out of the parking lot and started heading for home.

Looking back at Allison and then at the road, I turn on the radio and started looking for some music for Allison and I.

Stopping at a red light, I turn around to face Allison.

“Do you like this music?“, I ask my daughter.

“Yes!!!“, Allison reply, clapping and kicking her feet up and down.

“Awesome!“, I thought, turning back in time to see the light turn green. Stepping on the gas and driving forward, Allison and I had just started singing along with the song when, all of a sudden, I saw lights coming at me from the side, before there was a loud bang and my window broke!!!

3: Chapter 2: Daddy's Home

A/N Today is Sunday. Today is Sunday. Today is Sunday (I was busy Sunday night and all day Monday so yeah, this is going up on Tuesday. Just pretend it's Sunday and that I'm not late by two days. Anyhow, enjoy, hope this bring a bit of delight to your day, and see you in week (or five-ish days).

Gabriel Hills:
It's about midnight when I finally arrive at my house. Taking the key from my pocket and inserting it into the keyhole, I turn the key and very quietly enter the living room.

The lights to the living room were off, so the room was pitch-black, with barely any moonlight shining through the curtain. Dropping off my briefcase on the kitchen's counter, I headed to the couch and drop onto it like a sack of flour. Letting out a sigh, I rub my tired eyes.

"Dad...", moan a sudden voice from beside me, scaring me for a second before I realize who it was.

"Allison", I said, turning around to turn on a nearby lamp. As I did, the living room lit up and revealing my daughter sleeping right next to me!

"Allison?", I continue, confusion and surprise creeping onto my face. "Wha-What are you doing here?! You should be in bed! You have school tomorrow! And a doctor appointment!"

"I know...", groan a sleepy Allison, rubbing her tired eyes. "But before I go to bed, I was hoping you could tell me a story. Like before."

"Aaaaahhhh...", I moan, rubbing my tired eyes. "I'm sorry Allison, but I don't think I can. I'm just too tired. Maybe tomorrow night."

"Oh...", reply Allison, as she push herself off the couch and headed for the stair. "Okay. Tomorrow night then. Night dad."

"Night Allison", I said, waving a weak hand as I watch my daughter slowly climb up the stair, a few seconds before hearing her bedroom's door open and close. As soon as she was gone, I let out a major sigh.

"Uuuuuuuuhhhhhhhh..."

Letting my head drop like a sack of potatoes, I stare up at the ceiling and started to think.

"Why?", I thought, "Why?! Rachel..."

Memories of the last two years then went flashing through my head, like a slideshow put on super speed.

Rachel and Allison were just getting some groceries from the supermarket. Something they must have done a thousand times over. Only, the last time, it was different. Horribly, horribly different.

As Rachel and Allison were preparing to drive away, a drunk driver, going over 90 mph, slam right into them, killing Rachel almost instantly! As for Allison, the crash might as well as kill her too.

Her heart was badly damaged in the crash. The impact was so strong, it shook her heart out of place, and little bits of metals and glasses pierce right through her skin and attack her heart!

The paramedics that arrived got her to the hospital as fast as they could, and the doctors there would able to save her. They couldn't save her heart however, as it was shredded and filled with immovable shards. She was put on a waiting list for a new heart, but I know for a fact I have a better chance of winning the lottery than of Allison getting a new heart.

What made the situation so much worst was that the drunk driver got away! After the crash, he just step on the gas and drove away, while everyone was busy trying to save the dying mother and her child.

Snapping out of the trance, I squeeze my eyes shut, before snapping them open and heading to the kitchen.

Heating myself a quick meal, I ate fast and then headed to the bathroom for a shower and to brush my teeth. As soon as that was done, I headed to my room and went to sleep.

Before entering my room though, I stop short and turn to look at Allison's room. About to wish her sweet dream, I stop and went into my room.

It was late, and I had work tomorrow.

4: Chapter 3: A New Hope

A/N Enjoy and I hope this chapter bring a bit of delight to your day. Also, I really do hope you, the reader, enjoy this story. For some weird reasons, its the only one that I can write (or type). Thanks you.

Gabriel Hills:
Slowly getting out of my car, I prepare for another day of work at Newman's Chemicals, a large, light-grey, laboratory-like building stretching longer than five footballs field place sides-to-sides.

On the inside of Newman's Chemicals, scientists would meet up to perform experiments in the name of bettering the world. From creating new, simple, over-the-counter medicines to a special serum that supposedly can quickly heal any wounds.

Currently, I'm working on an experiments with two other scientists, Dakota Pierce and Bram Damien. The three of us are working on a very experimental experiment, in which we use radioactive beams to try and manipulate the size of an object. It was all very science-fictional and what, but I didn't really care. I had bigger thing to worry about.

About a week ago, I got a call from Doctor Tracy asking if I would be free today. I immediately said "Yes!", praying and hoping it would finally happen. Allison's new heart! After two long years, things would finally go back to normal!

First walking through the lobby, then through a small hallway, I finally got to the radioactive science lab, where I met up with my two fellow scientists, Dakota and Bram.

Dakota was a thin, light-skin man. He was about two years younger than me, and had long, pitch-black hair, the end of it tied into a ponytail, combined with a small mustaches and beard.

Bram was a medium-height, also light-skin man. He too had pitch-black hair, only it was short, barely reaching the end of his forehead.

"Hello Gabe", said Bram as he walk by me with a clipboard in his hand. "Glad that you're finally here. Dakota and I have been preparing the testing chambers for today's experimental. Grab a lab coat and help us why don't you."

Shooting him a weak wave, I show a small smile and then went to work. Dropping off everything at my desk nearby, I grab a clean, white, lab coat and headed directly for the testing chamber. There, I find Dakota, also with a clipboard in his hand.

"Hey Gabe", he said, smiling and waving at me. "What's up?"

"Nothing much", I reply, turning my attention to some of the monitors on the walls of the testing chamber. "What are we going to be doing today?"

The testing chambers in the radioactive lab was a small, round room, with window walls so we could see inside of it. Located directly in the center of the testing chamber is a small, clean, four-legged, white table we used to test the effects of radioactivity on.

"We're going to be testing the effects of all three radioactive cells on some lab animals today", Pierce reply, "Alpha, beta, and gamma. Bram and I think that the reason why past tests have fail is because we use too much of only one cell. Maybe if we mix it and come up with some sort of "formula", we'll get results."

"Yeah...", I commented, turning my head to look another monitors nearby. "Yeah... Result..."

"You do know the monitors are off, right?", said Pierce as he walk beside me and elbow me in the arm. Snapping me out of my daze, I look up and realize that the monitors in fact are off, the only thing on the black screen is my bald head.

"What's up", he ask, "Why are you so interested in blank screen all of a sudden?"

"It's finally happening", I said, grinning and barely able to hold in my excitement. "It's finally happening."

"Allison's heart?", Pierce ask, his face filling with surprise.

"Yeah", I said, "After two long years..."

I then started daydreaming about how much happier Allison and I will be once she get her new heart. It'd be just like it was before; when I would read to Allison before she would go to bed, when the two of us would go to the nearby park ground and I would watch Allison swing as high as she could, when we would try and bake cakes together but the cakes always turning up half-bake.

"Soon...", I thought, "Soon, all of this will be my."

Almost breaking into a chuckle, I silence myself.

"Anyway", I continue, "I may have to leave work early today. Allison's doctor call me in today. I have an appointment with my daughter around 1."

"Got it", Pierce said, nodding his head and shooting me a thumb-up. "I'll cover you if Bram get all whining. Tell Allison I said yell."

Nodding back, I decided to try and get some "actually" work done.

Leaving the testing chamber, I headed back to my desks and started reviewing some notes on past experimental. Pierce's and Bram's "formula" solution sounded a bit farfetched, but I had to do something to make the day go by faster.

The hours went by about as fast as they did while watching grass grow. Every time I check the time on my phone or on my laptop, barely 10 minutes had gone by. By the time it was actually time to go, I felt like I been here forever.

"Okay!", I quickly said, neatly organizing a stack of papers. Banging the end of the papers against my desk a few times, I shove them into my briefcase and started headed straight for the exit as fast as I can. However, before I could cross the first door, I was stop by Pierce.

"Out of my way Pierce!", I shouted, on the verge of tackling him out of the way. "There's somewhere I need to be!"

"Wait!", Pierce said, putting his hands into a sort of "wall" position. "The lab rats just got here! The experimental can start! At least stay long enough to watch the result of two years of hard work."

Not really caring the experimental, but also not wanting to tackle my friend to the ground, I just nodded my head and went back into the lab.

Sighing and very impatiently taping my foot, I watch with Pierce as Bram walk into the testing chamber with a small, clear cage. In the cage is a single, white lab rat, the ones used for testing.

Putting the cage directly on the table, Bram then quickly rush out of the testing chamber, closing the door behind him.

"Is the equipment set up?", Bram ask, walking right past us and to his computer on his desk. Since the day started, equipment for our experimental have been coming in non-stop. Since my shift started, Bram, Pierce, and I have been preparing for the tests non-stop. We install equipment, clean the testing chamber so it'd be free of any radioactive as so not mess with our finding, prep and prepare the lab rats, and each took down our very own notes.

"Ready?", Pierce ask as he handed me a pair of clean, clear safety goggles.

Watching as Bram put on his own pair of goggles, he nodded at us, and then started inputted commands into the computer.

"The time is 12:33 pm", Bram said, taking a few seconds to add some more notes. "The day is Tuesday. After a busy morning of preparing everything, Gabriel Hills, Dakota Pierce, and I, Bram Damien, will attempt test 1 of our experimental to use radioactive cells to manipulate the size of living matter. Test subject 1, a single, white lab rat will be fire upon with alpha, beta, and gamma cells. Starting in 3...2...1... Now."

Typing in the final command, all the equipment in the testing chamber came to life.

Giant, cylinder-shaped machineries, screwed into the walls of the testing chamber, each equipped with massive tanks filled with radioactivity cells, started to slowly lift themselves up, all aiming at test subject 1. As the machineries got into position, there was a loud humming sound, lasting about ten seconds, before finally, an eerie, dark-green glow appear, covering everyone and everything in its grow!

"Whoa...", Pierce murmur, looking at his hand as it glow green. "This is weird."

"Not as weird as that", I commented, pointing at the lab rat.

"Uh?", Pierce ask, looking over at the rat.

As the eerie glow continue, something odd and disturbing started happening to the rat! It actually started to...to grow! Larger and larger! From a small rat, barely the size of my hand, to a giant rat! Almost as big and as long as my whole arm!

"Test 1 seem to going quite well", started Bram, his eyes moving from the rat to the computer screen. "Test subject 1 is growing at an extraordinary rate. Almost a 5% increase in growth per second of exposure to radioactive. Will now attempt to shrink test subject 1."

Inputting some more commands into the computer, a different sort of humming started to sound.

"Unbelievable", Pierce said, his eyes glue to the rat as it actually started to shrink! "It-It's actually working."

Gasping, Pierce place a fist over his mouth and watch as the rat continue to shrink.

"Beautiful", commented Bram, smiling and crossing his arm.

As the rat continue to shrink, it seem like the experimental was actually working! Or at least, it did.

About "normal" size now, the rat started running around like crazy! It kept on running around the cage, bashing its head and body against the clear, plastic walls!

"Wha-What's going on?!", Pierce ask, looking between Bram and the rat. As he did, the monitors on the inside started blinking red non-stop!

"The rat's vitals are dropping!", Bram reply, typing rapidly into the computer. "It's dying!"

Paralyzed, I could only watch as the back of the rat started growing bumps, one after another, and then it started to cough! Eventually, the rat just stop moving altogether.

The scene was quiet. The atmosphere silent. The place practically dead. The rat...dead.

"Well", I said after awhile, breaking the silence. "That was worth seeing. Bye."

Grabbing my stuffs, I headed out the door before Pierce could even think to stop me!

Practically running my way through all the doors and back into my car, I jump in the front seat and drove to pick up Allison as fast as I could. As soon as I did, the two of us would go to the hospital to get Allison's new heart.

5: Chapter 4: A Heartfelt Theft

A/N Enjoy and I hope this chapter bring a bit of delight to your day. Also, happy holiday.

Allison:
"Allison!", Coach Smith yell, his voice carrying far and wide throughout the lush, green field. "Allison Hills! The front office call you! They want you to grab your stuffs and go to them! You're leaving!"

"Lucky!", joke Jester as he run by me, shooting me a fake sad face. "You get out of doing the mile!"

Running ever faster after I shot at him an angry face, I turn around and started returning back to the classroom.

Before enter the courtyard which would have lead to the class room and then to the office, I wave bye to the coach and my classmates.

"Bye!", they all reply, waving back at me as I ran through the courtyard and straight into the classroom.

"Hello Allison", said Mrs. Waiver as I enter the classroom. Looking up from the stack of papers she was graded, she greeted me with a smile. "Back so soon?"

Mrs. Waiver is a beautiful woman and amazing teacher. She had long, blonde hair, with shining skin. She's always in a happy mood and her smile will bring out the smile in other. She cared very much about us students, always trying to teach us as much as she can.

"Hello Mrs. Waiver", I reply, smile and waving back. "Yeah. My dad's here."

"Oh", she reply, "Doctor appointment?"

"Yeah", I said, grabbing a few notebooks and putting them into my backpack. "Daddy and I are going to Hope Valley Hospital. Daddy said a doctor there called him and want to meet with us."

"That sound like amazing news!", Mrs. Waiver continue, her smile brightening the situation a little. "Well, best of luck Allison and tell your father I said hi.

"I will", I said, waving bye to my teacher and quickly walking down the hallway. It was only a few minutes later before I enter the front office and find daddy there, tapping his toes very, very quickly.

"Allison!", my dad scream, running over to pick me up in his arms. Swiping me up in his arms, he out of nowhere started spinning me around!

"Hahaha!", he said, laughing and smiling, something I haven't seen in almost two years! Getting caught in the commotion, I started laughing too.

"Hahahahaha!", I laugh, hugging my dad as we continue to spin around.

"Allison!", my dad scream. "It's happening! It's finally happening! Haha!"

While spinning, I could make out some of the faces of the offices ladies. They all look confuse and slightly angry, but I didn't care. My dad was happy! For once, in nearly two years, he was happy!

"Whoa!", he said, stumbling around a little bit as he stop spinning. Bumping into the office's front door, he shook his head and stood straight. Putting me down, he pick up my backpack and the two of us headed for the door. Reaching it first, he held it open for me, before waving to the office ladies.

"Thanks you!", my dad yell, letting go of the door. As it gently and slowly close, we then actually race to my dad's car! The first to slam my hands onto it, I shot them up in the air!

"I win!", I scream into the air.

"Way to go", my dad said, patting me on the back. Grabbing the car's door handle, he then open it.

"Come on kiddo", he said, nudging his head. "Get in. We're heading to the hospital for something special."

Nodding my head, I eagerly got in.

Bucking in my seat belt, I watch as my dad got in the car and the two of us started driving to the hospital.

As we drove, dad put on the radio and we started singing. Something he also hadn't done in a long while.

"This remind me of old times", I thought to myself.

Gabe:
"Uh hello?", I said, walking up to the reception desk, behind the desk is a young woman with long, brown-black hair, looking at some papers on a clipboard. "Excuse me, I'm Gabriel Hills. I'm here to see Dr. Tracy. She's expecting me."

"Ah yes!", the nurse reply, smiling at me. "Dr. Tracy told me you'd be here shortly. I'd phone her. For now, please take a seat in the waiting area."

"Okay", I said, nodding my head and walking back to the waiting area. Looking around for a bit, I found Allison sitting not too far away, and thankfully, beside an empty seat. Falling into the seat, I place my arm around Allison and smile at her.

"Not too long now", I whisper in her ear. "Not too long now."

"Yeah dad", she reply, smiling at me.

Shaking her a little, the two of us waited until the nurse call our names.

"Gabriel Hills?", the nurse quietly said, looking around the waiting room. Quickly getting up, I speed-walk back to the nurses' stations. As I did, I saw a woman with long, wavy, light-black and wrinkle, caramel-color skin. She wore a long, white doctor coat, both her hands in the pocket.

"Ah Mr. Hills", she started, taking out one of her hand to offer a handshake. Shaking her hands, I smile at her.

"Dr. Tracy", I said, eagerly shaking her hand. "Hello. Am I glad to see you today. When can we get started?"

"Started?", Dr. Tracy repeated, her smile disappearing and begin replace by a look of confusion.

My smile, very much like the doctor, started to disappearing.

"Yes", I continue, letting go of her hands to rub my together. "When can we get started? With the operation? For my daughter? Allison? That...That is why you called, right?"

Clearing her throat, and adjusting her glasses, Dr. Tracy look around for a sec, before looking back at me.

"Mr. Hills", she begun, "Could you please follow me into my office please?"

"...Yeah", I reply, "Yeah sure. But before I do, I'm just going to tell my daughter I'll be gone for little bit. Excuse me."

Turning back before the "doctor" could said anything, I ran back to Allison.

"Hey honey", I said, kneeing down in front of her. "Listen, daddy going to be gone for awhile. Okay? Will you be fine without me?"

"Yes", she said, looking me in the eyes. "I'll just be doing some of own stuffs."

Grabbing her backpack from off the floor, she open it and pull out a thin, purple, spiral notebook. Also pulling out some color pencils, she open the book and started drawing in it.

Nodding my head, I left Allison and follow Dr. Tracy to her office. Only down the hall from the waiting room, I found myself in a very small office, the pale-white walls covered in doctorate and pictures of the doctor and her family. In the middle of the room, a metal desk, taking up most of the space in the room, a simple 1 by 3 file cabinet in the corner behind it and in front of it, two chair.

"Please", she said, holding the door open for me. "Take a seat."

A little cautious at first, I reluctantly took a seat. Closing the door behind me, she went to her desk and took a seat. Afterward, she turn around to pick from the top drawer of the filing cabinet a thick folders, most likely filled with Allison's medical records.

About to say something, I quickly began.

"Just tell me!", I said, slamming my palm against the desk, the sound echoing throughout the office. "Is she getting a new heart or not!? Is my 8-years-old daughter getting the new heart she need to live, on isn't she?! If she is, then what is taking so long?!"

I don't know how long I went on and on, but eventually I just ran out of steam. I ran out of things to be right about. Waiting til I was done, Dr. Tracy gently place the folder down on her desk, before bringing her hands together and lifting them up to her mouth.

"Mr. Hills", she started, her tone changing suddenly. "A new heart did arrived yesterday, All the way from Carson, Nevada. The "original" owner, a Mr. Boxwood, according to his medical record, lived a very healthy life. He never smoke or drink, exercise twice a week at a local gym, was beloved by everyone he worked with. His heart would be excellent replace for Allison. If only the heart wasn't too big."

"Too big?!", I repeated, praying that my ears won't working right. "Too big?! What do you mean by "too big"?! What was all of that about he never smoke or drink and exersie twice a week and "his heart would be excellent replace for Allison"?! What the heck was all of that about!?"

"Please calm down", Dr. Tracy ask, flatten her hands and lowering them. "When we first receive the heart, it seem like a match for your daughter, but upon closer inspection, it turn out the heart is too big. Instead, the heart will be going to another patient."

"Another patient?!", I repeated, trying with all my might not to slam my fists onto the desk. "Another patient?! What other patient?! What "other patient" could be more important than an 8-years-old!?"

"Well Mr. Hills", began the useless Dr. Tracy. "I'm not exactly at liberty to dissolve that information but…"

Flipping a few pages through the folder in front of her, she stop when she came across a certain page. Readjusting her glass again, something that was getting really annoying, she then continue.

"Mr. Boxwood's heart will be going to a… Mr. Bruce Valley."

"Bruce Valley?", I repeated, scratching my nails against the legs of the chair I was sitting. "Bruce Valley!? A man?!"

"Yes", interrupt the doctor, her eyes glue to the records in front of them. "Mr. Bruce Valley, 42, will be getting the heart. He been on our waiting list for almost his whole life, born with a bad heart from his father's side. He's-"

"42!", I scream, shooting up from my chair and slamming both my fists onto the doctor's desk, the sound of my flesh hitting the metal echoing throughout the room and scaring the doctor. "A 42-years-old man is more important than my 8-year-old daughter!? A 42-years-old man!? A 42-years-old man who should have kick the bucket already is more important than my 8-years-old daughter!?"

"Mr. Hill", Dr. Tracy whisper, "Please calm down. Or else I will call security."

"Go ahead!", I yell, extending my arms like they were wings. "Go ahead and call security! I'll give me another reasons to sue you! To sue this whole hospital! To sue you! When this is over, you'll be lucky if you're a nurse in a retirement home!"

Before I could even hear another word out of the doctor's mouth, I turn around and slam the door open, the handle hitting the wall. Walking out with so much as looking back, I just started walking, too much in my own head to focus on anything else.

"How could them!?", I thought, "How could them do something so stupid!? So inconsiderately!? Allison need that heart more than some old guy!? Some old guy more than 5xs Allison's age! Aaaahhhh!"

My vision filling with red, I was on the verge of exploding when all of a sudden, I realize where I was.

In my fit of rage, I had somehow accidentally wander deeper into the hospital. The hallway I was in was filled with nurses and doctors, all of which were ignoring me as they went on with their business.

"What the heck am I?", I ask myself, turning wildly around and trying to recall which way I turn. "Darn. Really don't want to ask any of these monsters for help. Just want to get Allison and get out of here."

Picking a less crowded hallway, I started speed-walking through it.

"I didn't bump into anyone while walking", I said to myself, "So I must have gone through this hallway."

Avoiding a few empty carts on my back, I was dumbfounded to find myself at another intersection.

"Now where the heck am I?"

Spinning around over and over, I couldn't seem to get a sense of where I was. Still spinning, I was just about to walk down a random hallway when, all of a sudden, I stop. In another hallway, I saw a nurse put something small and almost invisible, the color of the box bending in with the wall color, on a metal cart before walking away. Recognizing the box, and what could be in it, I actually ran toward it!

Skidding to a stop, I reach for it. The box, no bigger than my clutch hand, feeling lighter than paper, seem like a small, blinking light in the dark. Carefully looking around to make sure no one was around, I started examining it.

Written on top of it, in dark blue, bond letters, was the name "Mr. Boxwood".

"Mr. Boxwood!", I thought, rising the box into the air. "Mr. Boxwood!"

Taking a quick breathe, I slowly open the box. Peeking inside, I quickly shut the box.

"This is it", I whisper, bringing the box closer to my chest. "This is it! Allison's new heart! Her new heart! With this, she-she-she can have a normal life again!"

Feeling some tears come loose, I turn around and started walking away, the box in my hand.

Overjoy, I pick a random direction and started walking down it, the box proudly in my hands. Only, I remember something important, just as just as someone was walking my way.

"This is stolen!", I told myself, "Stolen! I just stole an actually human heart! Is this right?!"

Weighting the options in my head, I thought about only one thing: Who is more important?

"It's Allison", I quickly told myself. "It. Is. Allison! She's is my daughter. She is an eight-years-old girl. She is by far more important!"

Thinking fast, I crouch down slightly and hid the heart. For added security, I tuck it in my shirt.

"Hello", I moan as I pass the nurse.

"Hello sir", the nurse reply, waving at me as we pass each other. Thinking I was in the clear, I become paralyze when the nurse turn around.

"Uh, excuse sir?", said the nurse as she turn around.

My heart literally skipping a beat, I slowly turn around, preparing for the worst.

"Yes?", I reply, still crouching.

"Are you okay", she ask, putting her hand on my shoulder. "Do you need a walker?"

My heartbeat returning to normal, I let out a sigh.

"No", I moan, "I just need to know which way is the waiting room. I have family waiting for me there."

"Oh yes", she reply, smiling and pointing down a certain hallway. "The waiting room is just down this hallway. Just take a turn after two lefts and you should be there."

"Thanks you", I said, nodding at the nurse and walking away. Watching as she walk away, I quickly speedwalk down the hall, before taking a left, as the nurse instructed, and finding myself back in the waiting room.

Looking around, I saw Allison, still sitting where I left her.

"Allison", I said as I walk up to her and grab her hand. "Come on, let go."

"Okay", she reply, putting her books and pencils back in her backpack. "Did the visit go well?"

Taking a moment to think it over, I took a deep breath, before smiling.

"Yes", I said, nodding my head. "Yes. The visit did go...well."

6: Chapter 5: Desperate Actions

A/N Enjoy and I hope this chapter bring a bit of delight to your day. And by chance, if it does, please do leave a review. Thank you.

Gabe:
"What to do?", I ask myself over and over. "What to do? What the heck to do?!"

It was late into the night, somewhere around 1 or 2 I think. Allison already went to sleep. While she was sleeping peacefully, I was in our dining room, sitting alone at the table, the only light

shining from above, staring at...it.

"I stole a human heart that is too big for my daughter to use", I said to myself, rubbing my knuckle against my mouth. "I stole a human heart that is too big for my daughter to use! Aaahhhh!"

Hitting my fists against my head, I painfully thought of what to do next.

"Come on!", I told myself, "Come on! You stole a freaking human heart! There is no going back here! There is no turning back! You have to do something! Anything! Anything at all! If only there was a way to shrink...it. If only there was a way to shrink a human heart? Can it be done?"

My mind then started racing back to yesterday, when I was at work.

"The rat", I began, "For awhile, the rat did grow! It did actually grow! Maybe, just maybe, I can somehow reverse it! So not to grow, but to shrink! Bram mention something about size manipulation! That include shrinking!"

Thinking it over in my head, weighting the pros versus the cons, I took a deep breath, before grabbing the box and my car key and heading out the door.

Careful not to make a sound to wake Allison, I quietly but quickly exited the house and got into my car. Starting the engine, I place the heart in the front passenger seat before putting the car into reverse. Backing out of my driveway, I switch from reverse to drive, and then took off back to work.

Coming to a red lights, I took the time to pull from my pocket my smartphone. Turning it on, I quickly stated dialing a number, just as the light turn from red to green.

"Hello?", answer the voice on the other end, obviously having just woken up. "Who-Who is this?"

"Pierce", I started, "Hey! Hello! Are you busy!? Never mind! Listen, I need you to meet me at work right now! Got it! Right now! I don't have time to explain! Just get there!"

Before even I could hear what Pierce was going to say, I ended the call.

"It's the last obstacle", I said, smiling. "This is the final obstacle. Once I do this, everything will be back to normal. Allison will be happy. She will be healthy. No more hospital visits! Everything. Will. Be. Normal."

Focusing now on the road ahead of me, I drove to Newman's Chemical as fast as I could. As I reach the almost empty parking lot of the building, I park in the nearest available space to the front entrance.

"Let me see", I said as I turn off the engine. "It's late at night, so no one beside the security guards should be here."

Remembering something important, I then look at the clothes I was wearing.

"Darn!", I growl through my teeth. "I was in such a rush to get here, I forgot to change out of my pj!"

Thinking the guards wouldn't believe me if I told them I was here for work while wearing my pj, I look around my car for some other clothes. Thankfully, I was also in such a rush to leave work that I must have thrown my lab coat in the backseat without realizing it.

Grabbing it, I did a quick change before getting out of my car. Once presentable, I grab the heart and started walking toward the front entrance.

"Just act normal", I said, tucking the heart behind me. "Just act normal and no one will notice."

Stopping for a quick second, just before the automatic door could open, I took a big breath, and walk through.

Pierce:
Seeing Gabe's car as I pull into the Newman's Chemical, I instantly started getting an upset stomach.

"Oh no!", my stomach said I pull up beside empty car. "Gabe. What are you doing?"

Quickly getting out of my car, I made a beeline for the entrance as fast as I could. I may not know what Gabe is up to exactly, but I do know it won't end like he pictured.

"Like he pictured", I repeated to myself, shaking my head left and right as I quickly pass through the front entrance. "Like he pictured. I'm sorry man, but what you think is best is really just worst."

Hoping to catch Gabe before he could do whatever crazy thing he was going to do, I was stop by the late night security guards at the desk.

"Excuse me", said one of them as as he walk forward to block me. "Pass please."

"Oh come on!", I said, shooting my arms outward. "I worked here for over a decade now! My name is Dr. Dakota Pierce! I'm part of the radioactive research team here at Newman's Chemical! I just need come through to see a colleague! You may have seen him!? Tall? Dark skin? Goes by Gabe Hills?"

"I'm sorry sir", reply the security guard, putting up his hand, "But no one is allow in without a pass. And proper clothing."

"Proper clothing?", I repeated, looking down at what I was wearing. "Shoot!"

With Gabe calling so late at night and my gut feeling telling me to hurry, I didn't bother to change! I was still in my white-and-blue stripes p.j. My lab coat, and ID, were back home.

"Darn!", I said to myself, thinking of what to do next. Going back home would take too long, and I doubt Gabe would patiently wait for me to drive home and then drive back here.

"Listen!", I said in my most calm, yet demanding voice. "I am a doctor here at Newman's Chemical!"

About to say something, I quickly cut him off.

"No!", I yell, "I am! Listen! I just need to know if another person came in through way in the last...10 minutes?!"

"I'm afraid I can't disclose that information", the security reply, sounding exactly like a robot. "Unless you can prove you're an employee here."

"I AM!", I scream, holding down the urge to punch this wannabe cop across the face. "Listen! His car is in the parking lot! He called me! I know he's here!"

By now, my outburst was started to draw a crowd. When I first got here, there were three security guards sitting and talking to each other by the front desk. Now, while one was face-to-face with me, the other two were slowly walking toward us.

"His name is Gabe Hills!", I continue, "I don't know exactly what he is doing here! But I know it won't end well! All I want to do is just pass through and talk some sense into him!"

Even now, a blind man could tell I wasn't getting through the security guard! Out of options, and patient, I try some dramatic.

"Move it!", I yell, pushing the guard aside and running through the lobby. I must have only made it ten steps before the other two guards tackle me to the ground!

"Gabe!", I scream while struggling to get free from beneath the two. Hopefully, either my echo or common sense would find it way to Gabe. "Gabe! Whatever you're doing, stop it!"

Gabe:
"Where the heck is Pierce?", I said to an empty room as I check the time on my phone. According to the call log, I called him over half an hour ago, and he still hadn't show up.

"Nevermind", I said, waving him off and going to the testing chamber. "I'll figure it out on my own. Can't be that hard anyway. Worked on this project for over five years now."

Taking a quick breath, I took out the box holding the heart and gently place it on the table. Once on the table, I flip open the box. A little sickening at first, I suck it up and left the testing chamber. Heading right over to the main monitor, the same one I saw Bram used, I started it up.

As I did, the equipment in the testing chamber once again came to life, all of them slowly rising and taking aim at the heart.

"Okay", I said, looking at the testing chamber before examining the screen. "From the looks of it, Bram can control how much of each radioactive cells goes into the testing chambers."

Thinking it over for a bit, I continue.

"I wasn't really paying attention when Bram first did the experiment. Generally speaking though, if he wanted to make the rat grow, then he'd have...added more of each radioactive cells, right? In order to make the heart shrink, I'll have to take away some of the cells in the heart!"

Examining the screen a little more, I started typing some commands into the computer. Taking a while longer than I thought, I type in the final command and was about to press enter when, all of a sudden, it dawn on me.

"I only got one shot at this", I though, looking at the box. "I literally only have one shot at this. If I mess it, then Allison will never be happy again. I gotten test it first!"

Rushing back over the testing chamber, I squeeze through the opening just as soon as there was enough space, and slam shut the box's lid.

"I can't use a lab rat", I thought, resting my arms on the table with the heart. "It's against company's policy to keep lab rats in the lab overnight and we don't receive new shipments til the morning. I'll have to find something else. Something biological. But there nothing living in this whole lab! Nothing!"

While thinking what to do, I started hearing an odd "beeping" sound.

"Wha-What is that?", I ask, getting up from the table and looking around. Listening in on the sound, I manage to pinpoint its source: the computer.

Heading for the exit to see what was on the computer screen, what that beeping was for, I was startle when I accidentally walk right into the screen door!

"Gaah!", I yell as I bump my head against it. "Wh-What!?"

Frantically, I started pushing against the screen door, sliding my hands all over it.

"Why is the door close", I ask myself, looking all over for the exit. "Why is the door close!? You ain't suppose close by yourself! Only someone at the computer can close you!"

Panicking now, I started slamming my fists against the whole door!

"Help!", I scream, hoping that maybe the security guards in the lobby would hear me. "Help me! I trap in here! Someone! Anyone! Open this stupid door! Let me out! Let me out!"

Now, slamming my whole body against the door, all I got was a bruised shoulder instead of a way out.

Still trying to figure out what is going on, my mind race back to the beeping.

"It's still beeping", I said, walking from the door to the section of the testing chamber that was closest to the computer. "Hey! What the heck!? Why are you still beeping!? Shut up already!"

Feeling beads of sweats slide down my forehead, I wipe them away before covering my mouth, thinking what to do. However, as I was thinking, I started to hear another annoying sound. A loud humming sound, coming from behind me?

Turning around, I was horrified to see the machines come to life, the large metal arms getting into position and readying to fire at Allison's heart!

"NO!", I scream, running over and throwing my weight on them! "NO! Don't!"

I must have weight no more than a piece of paper for the arms! Even with my added weight on top of them, they continue to move into position!

Lost, confuse, unsure of what to do next, I look at the small box holding Allison's heart, her one and only shot to having a normal life. Images of her in the sunlight, running around and playing begin to cloud my thought. The life Allison had before the accident. I couldn't let anything happen to that heart.

Looking at the arms as the humming started to get louder and louder, I could only think of one thing to do. One thing to ensure the safety of the heart.

Jumping off the arms, I threw myself onto the box, shielding it with my body, just as the arms got into position and fire! The world around me turn an eerie green. Instantly, everything from my head to even my pinky toes started to ache with unbelievably pain! It felt like I was going to exploded, like there was a bomb inside of me one second away from erupting!

"CCCCAAAAAHHHHH!", I scream, clutching my box even tighter, the box leaving indent in my chest.

Pierce:
"Let me go!", I yell as struggling to get my hands free as the two security guards push me out of the building. "Look! Look! There! See?! That is Gabe's car! That prove that he is here!"

Trying a running start, I push with my right leg hoping to run right past the two, only to have them catch me and push me back out!

"Sir!", one of them said, "If you don't leave this instant, I will be force to call the-"

"CCCCAAAAAHHHHH!", interrupt a earth-shattering scream. The scream frozen the three of us, basically turn us into stone. It would be an least another minute before I broke free and tackle the two guards to the ground!

"Move!", I yell as I shove them aside and run directly toward the scream.

"Hey!", scream the guards as they got up and started chasing me. "Stop right there!"

Ignoring them, I ran and ran with all my might, only stopping after making it to the workplace and seeing a horrified sight. There, laying on the ground, trapped in the testing chamber, was Gabe.

About to rush over to help him, I was tackle to the ground by the security guards! Ramming me in the side of the chest, I slid across the title floor before begin flip over onto my back like I was a hamburger patty.

"Call the cops!", order the guard on top of me as he bring my hands together and kept them pin.

"No!", I scream, my scream halfway block by the floor. "No! Call 911! Tell them to get an ambulance here now! The testing chamber! Look at the testing chamber!"

"What the heck!?", yell the another guard as he look at the testing chamber and saw Gabe. "Wh-What happen!?"

Now, as the guard on top of me look at the testing chamber and saw Gabe, he stop pinning my hands together. Pulling them free and pushing myself off the ground, I once more shove the guards aside and went to the testing chamber!

"The door", I thought as I reach the chamber and started looking all over it. "The door! Why is the door closed!? It shouldn't be close if you were in there!"

Trying my best to keep calm, I turn back to the two security guards.

"Call 911!", I scream, my voice echoing all over like thunder. "Now!"

Taking up a few precious seconds, the two eventually nodded their head and ran back to the lobby. Meanwhile, I ran over to the computer. Pushing away the wheeled chair in front of the computer, I was about to type in the command to open the testing chamber door when I notice something on the screen.

"Automatically testing begin", the computer's screen said.

"Automatically testing?", I repeated, "What the heck is "automatically testing"? And why would the computer have this? Nevermind!"

Closing the "automatically testing" window, I quickly started typing into the computer the command to rid the testing chamber free of any radioactive and to open the testing door.

"Come on!", I scream as I type the necessary commands as fast as I could. As soon as I was done, I slam my finger onto the "enter" key before running back down to see Gabe.

"Gabe!", I yell through the tiny opening the door was giving me. The darn thing was moving at a snail pace! It felt like I would died of old age before the stupid door would open!

Squeezing right on through as soon as there was a chance, I rush to Gabe's side and check his pulse. As I got closer to him however, I realize the effect of the radioactivation on Gabe was unlike anything I ever seen.

Huge, bubbles, a few looking about the size of tennis balls, were forming all over Gabe's skin! His whole body was twitching non-stop, and he appear to be taking quick but small breath, which is the only reason I know he was still alive.

"Gabe!", I yell, bending down to pick him up. However, as I did, I instantly started feeling hot, like there was a fire next to me!

"Whoa!", I scream, jumping back and wiping some sweats from my forehead. "Wha-What the heck?!"

Quickly getting out of the testing chamber, I felt relieve as I was blasted with a breeze of cold air. Taking only a few seconds to enjoy the cold, I turn back to Gabe.

"Gabe", I said, "What the heck man? What happen? What happen!? What the heck happen!? What would you thinking!?"

Rubbing my hands through my hairs, I fought back the tears gathering in my eyes. I had no idea what to do. Should I move him, or leave him in the testing chamber? Should I try and cool him down? He is burning up after all! But with what? The only thing in the lab that could remotely "cool him down" would be the fire extinguishing!

Sucking in air through my air, I was beyond grateful when a pair of paramedics came sprinting in with a rolling stretching, the two security guards following after them.

"Please move aside sir", order one of the paramedic as he ran around me to get into Gabe. While the first paramedic ran to Gabe, the other one came to me.

"You!", he said, pointing at me. "Can you tell me what happen?"

"I-I-I don't know!", I reply, not even sure if the paramedic heard me correctly. "Gabe called in here to help him with something! As soon as he did, I came here as fast as I could! I would've been here if these two hadn't stop me!"

Pointing at the two security guards, they would about to say something back, but before they could, the first paramedic scream!

"Whoa!", he yell quickly backing out of the testing chamber. "Marcus! You feel that!? What is that?!"

"What?!", said the second paramedic, who name was now Marcus. Walking past his friend, and into the testing chamber, he too quickly back away!

"Wh-Wh-What is that?!", Marcus yell, using one of his hand to shield his face. "It's like this guy is an oven!"

Looking around for a second, Marcus then look at me.

"What the heck is this place?", he ask, sweats already falling down his forehead.

"It's nothing but a radiation testing chamber!", I shouted, "He and I are scientists! We're testing the effects of radiation on a few subjects! Listen! That's not important! Can't you two take him to you ambulance and drive him to the hospital!? The man need medical attention! Now!"

Through stern looks, the two nodded their head and jump into action. Going back to their ambulance, they got a stretcher and quickly lifting Gabe onto it! Once on, ignoring the sweats already covering their faces, they carry him back to the ambalace as fast as they could and drove off!

Jumping into my car as fast as I could, I follow after them.

"Gabe", I growl through the gaps in my teeth. "Why?"

7: Chapter 6: Bigger but Not Better

A/N Enjoy, please leave a review, and I hope this chapter bring a bit of delight to your day. Thanks you very much.

Gabe:
“Allison!”, I yell over and over. “Allison! Allison!!! Come on sweetie! I know you don’t want to go but we gotten!!! Allison?!”

Thinking it over a bit, I quietly and very carefully started tip-toeing once I enter the tiled-floor kitchen. Sticking close to the cabinets, I waited for a bit, before leaping out!

“Got you!”, I scream, leaping from around the corner, my arms readying to grab Allison. Only, instead of Allison, I found Rachel on her knee.

Looking more annoyed than startle, Rachel got up on her feet.

“Shoot”, she said, planting her hands against her hip. “I thought for sure she’d been in here!”

“Same”, I said, crossing my arms and looking to my left and right. “I mean, it’s the last place we haven’t looked. Where could she be hiding?”

Tapping her finger against her chin for a few seconds, Rachel then started smiling.

“I know where she’s hiding”, she said, speed walking past me and to the stair leading down to our basement. “Come on! We have to hurry if we want to get Allison to Dr. Tracy before she leave.”

Nodding my head, the two of us started sprinting down the stair as fast as we could. Turning a corner and going down another set of stair, we enter our basement.

Really more of storage/logue area, our basement was filled with all sort of different assortments, some we still use and some we haven’t touch in ages. For example, on the shelves close to the staircase Rach and I walked down were old board games we played when Allison was little. Such games as “Candyland” and “Sorry” and even “Connect Four”. Also on the shelves were some holiday decorations, some arts and crafts supplies, and a bunch of old kid books Allison outgrown.

Further down the basement were many things too big to fit upstair, hence why we keep them down here; the treadmill Rachel used, my and Dakota's air hockey table we play on something when he come over, and a second t.v. Allison used something to watch wit her friends when they have sleepover.

“Allison honey!”, Rach said, cupping her hands around her mouth. “Please come out! We know you’re here somewhere! If you come out now, I promise we’ll stop for ice-cream after the doctor! Agree?”

The two of us waited for awhile, but Allison never show.

“Well”, I started, giving the basement a look quick around. “If she is hiding in here, she doing excellent job. I can’t see her.”

Tilting her head a little, Rachel then look over at the stacks of puzzle pieces, from the old “puzzle piece play mat” Rachel’s friend in California sent us. The “puzzle piece play mat” (I calling it that because I don’t actually know the official name for it” is basically a giant puzzle/play mat for kids. They first put the pieces together and play on it, before taking it apart and storing it somewhere for later.

A little confused at first, I took a closer look at the stack. Normally, the pieces were be “stacked” on top of each other, one on top of another. However, this time though, they were all slanted, forming more of a pile than an actually stacked. A pile that a little girl could be hiding from her parents in.

Now looking at me, I roll my eyes before reaching in and grabbing Allison. The next few seconds look a lot like a kidnapping honestly, a grown man grabbing a little girl and the little girl screaming and shaking all over.

“Allison!!!”, I yell, struggling to keep my grip on her. It was like holding onto butter, only butter would just slip through your hands, not try and dig into it with nails that needed to be cut.

“Allison!!!”, Rachel shouted, bending down and rubbing the side of our daughter’s face. “Please. Calm down.”

By some unbelievable magic, Allison actually did seem to calm down. She stop trying to shake me off, her arms and legs dropping down.

Still rubbing her face, Rachel continue in a calming and soothing voice.

“Allison”, she began, “I know you don’t want to go to the doctor.”

“I don’t like the doctor”, Allison reply, tears forming in her eyes, “I don’t like the shot! They hurt!”

“Sweetie”, Rach continue, actually chuckling a bit. “You’re not going to get a shot. I promise. No, you’re just going to get a simple check-up. Dr. Rider is just going to make sure you A-Okay! Got it?”

“I’m A-Okay!”, Allison yell back, “See?! No coughing! No sneezing! And I eat my vegetables, unlike everyone else in my class! Beside, can’t daddy just look at me. He’s a doctor too!”

“I’m not that kind of doctor”, I interrupt, slowly putting Allison down. “I’m the kind of doctor that study stuffs. Like beta rays and gamma rays and...I’m not that kind of doctor.”

Now, back to the sweet little girl Rachel and I raised, Allison started laughing.

“They should change that”, she said in between laughs, “They should change it to something like “Professor”. That’s way, kid will like you better.”

“Yeah…”, I said, rubbing the back of my bald head. “I..I think about it. Yeah.”

“Sweetie”, Rachel said, our attention returning to her. “I know you don’t like visit the doctor. I know you don’t know these shots. No one does. Not even your father or me. We hate them. But sometimes, you have to do what needed, not what wanted. Isn’t that right, honey?”

A little lost at first, my mind focus on my wife just said, I was just able to snap out of in time and agree with her.

“Yeah!”, I said, shaking my head up and down like a bobbing head. “Yes! Words couldn’t be more true! And beautiful.”

Hopefully not hearing that last part, I started slightly pushing Allison back toward the basement’s stair.

“Come on!”, I said, grabbing Rach’s wrist on the way by. “Dr. Rider closes his door at six and it’s already past 5:30! If we can beat the rush coming home, I think we can make it!”

“And then can we get ice cream like mom promise?”, ask Allison, slowly but surely moving by herself up the stair and toward the front door.

“No”, reply Rachel, opening the front door for Allison to run through. “The deal was, if you came out willingly. You didn’t come out willingly, so no ice cream.”

“Aaaawwww”, moan Allison as the two of them jump into the car.

Locking the door as I was about to leave, I stop suddenly, staring at Allison and Rachel as they patiently waited for me to get in.

“Odd”, I thought, sorting through memory as I continue to just stand and stare at the two. “I feel…like...like something should happen here. Something….something….”

While still sorting through nearly 30 years of memories, I then started hearing some singing, and some music too. Looking up for a quick second, I saw Allison and Rachel singing to the radio. Watching them for a bit, it the dawn on me.

“The crash!”, I scream, “The accident! Allison! Rachel!!!”

Looking back up, I suddenly find myself in the parking lot, with Rachel and Allison driving away from me. Looking away some more, I saw the driver! The stupid, stupid drunk driver that ruin Allison’s life and murder Rachel!

Speeding at what must be 100 mph, I try desperately to stop Rachel.

“Rachel!!!”, I scream at the top of my lungs. “Rachel!!! Don’t!!! Stay!!! Watch out!!! Drunk driver!!! To your left!!! Your left!!!”

My screams not getting to Rachel, or anyone in the whole parking lot, I started running as fast as I could. Only, I couldn’t move. I mean, I could, I was running, one leg after the other, but I wasn’t move an inch! I stay right where I was, my eyes glue to the moment when it happen. When the crash happen.

“RACHEL!!!!”

As soon as the crash happen, the very second that both car touch each other, a bright light appear before me, completely blinding me! I shut my eyes and put up my hands to protect myself from the light, but it was no use. The lights, whatever it was, was just too bright! Despite the brightness thought, the lights seem to have a…”warm” feeling to it. It wasn’t hurting me. It wasn’t burning my skin. It felt...welcoming, and homey, like a fire during a snowstorm. And it spoke!

“Gabe…”, said the lights, its voice sounding...sad. “Gabe. Please don’t forget. Don’t forget the most precious thing in your life.”

“The most precious thing in my life?”, I said to myself, confuse by what the light said. “That’s Allison? Right?”

“Don’t forget”, the light said once more, before vanishing suddenly, leaving me in a vast, empty space, the only thing for miles and miles a cold blackness, the cold and loneliness eventually creeping its way into me, before a new light shine!

Pierce:
Flipping a page in my book as I continue to read, I use my one free hand to brought the bright red apple in it closer to my mouth so I could take a large bite.

“Crunch!”, went the apple as I pull it back.

“And despite everything he had done, everyone he had wrong, the man still stood there”, the book said, “The man, whose heart was once filled with only greed and selfishness, now gone, and replace with a man whose heart is filled with only with lights of other. Other who have help him through his journey, and who will help him defeat the evil king and his army.”

“You wrote this?”, I ask myself, pulling back a little to reread some of the sentence. “Wow. You know, for a 4th grader, you aren’t half bad. Hopefully, your dad will be able to read when he’s better.”

Taking a break the book, I look over at Gabe, resting on his bed in the hospital’s “quarantine” room.

It been a little over a week since Gabe’s “work accident”. From what the doctor told me when I got here, a few minutes after the paramedics, Gabe was placed in the quarantine ward of the hospital because of something the doctors have never seen before. It seem like Gabe was somehow “leaking” radiation, and that it was spreading quickly. Already, the two paramedics and even the drivers of the ambulance were in treatment for radiation exposure. Doctors are trying to save Gabe, but with the radiation problems, there had been slow progress. Unfortunately, that isn’t the only problem going on.

With her dad in the hospital, and her mother “gone”, Allison is without a guardian. She been staying over at my house, and I been doing everything I can for her; taking her to where she need to go such as school and her doctor appointments, making sure she eat well, even reading to her before bed. However, the state is saying that I’m only a temporary guardian, and that Allison may stay in my care only until they find her a more permanent solution. They say with Gabe’s “recent behavior”, Allison may not be safe with him and that they looking for adaptation parents. At least things at work are calm.

According to an email send earlier in the week, Mr. Newman is busy in Carson City, so it’ll be awhile before he can come out here to “asset the situation”. That's mean Bram and I have maybe another week to show our boss that the project we been working on for about half a decade isn’t a waste. Bram is already hard at work trying to reset everything, and I’m planning to help him as soon as I can. When I was dropping Allison off at her school this morning, she made me promise to visit her dad in the hospital, and to give him a little “get well” gift, hence why I am.

About to take another bite of my snack, I brought the apple close to my mouth and was just about to chew, when all of a sudden, I started hearing a slow “beeping” sound. It started faint, but quickly grew.

“Beep”, said the noise, “Beep...Beep...Beep..Beep..Beep.Beep.Beep! Beep! Beep!”

“Uh?”, I said, looking up from my book to see the heart monitor beside Gabe go absolutely nuts! The thing was beeping non-stop, a 100 beeps a seconds, with pulses as sharp as needles on the screen. Not sure what was going on exactly, it felt like I was watching a ghost re-enter its body. Gabe was actually going up now! After a week of stillness, he was finally beginning to move! First his right arm shot up a little, then it look like his left foot started shaking. Eventually, Gabe open his eyes and started to get up!

“Nurse!”, I shouted, looking left and right for a nurses or a doctors. “Nurse?! Dr. Tram!?”

I yell and yell and look and look, but no one was around! Eventually, I just give up and ran down the hall to try and find someone.

Gabe:
“Mmmmmm…..What---Wh---What’s going on?”, I ask myself, my eyes opening to an unfamiliar ceilings. A little slow at first, I was able to open my eyes fully and move my body. As I did, I find myself in what look like...a hospital room?

“What the heck?!” I thought looking all over. “How did I get here?!”

Taking a closer look, I find myself hooked up to all stuffs of hospital stuffs; a heart rate monitor, a respiratory, some clear plastic tubings attached to me that lead to some hanging bags with some fluids in them, all sort of stuffs.