The sun is setting and bright oranges, pinks, and reds flare across the skyline. Dusk is coming quickly and the breeze brings a chill that bites through fabric and straight to your skin. Along the street, lights are flickering on from lamps that line the sidewalks. Normally, no one would ever be caught out in this weather. But, a figure of a man can be seen walking briskly with his head down, taking meaningful strides with a dozen roses clutched in one hand.
A store keeper peers out at the boy and turns away to her husband, a hand covering her mouth. "He must be going to surprise his girlfriend!" She probably says. Which, is correct.
"I'm so late. Damnit..." Peter mutters, lifting his wrist to check the watch that sits there. He turns right into a large parking lot thats filled with rows and rows of cars. The wailing of a woman can be heard in the distance, but Peter ignores it and continues to the front door. Slipping through the sliding doors, he waves at the woman at the front desk and she returns his gesture with a small smile. Peter pads down the empty hallways until he reaches room 108 and he knocks quietly before opening the door.
"Leena?" He asks, peering his head around the corner. A steady beep, beep fills the room and Peter takes in the sight of his fiancee laying on the bed. Her hair was spread around her face and her face was peaceful as she took small, steady breaths. Walking over to her table, he pulls the two day old red roses out of the blue crystal vase and replaces them with the pure white roses that he had bought earlier that day. He plops down into the bedside chair and slips his fingers softly between hers. A soft knock interrupts his actions and he whispers a quick "Come in."
A woman with dark green scrubs enters the room a chart in her hand. "Hello, again, Peter." The doctor says while busying herself around the wires that were attatched to Leena's body.
"Hello, doctor Massey. Has anything changed?" He pleads, stroking Leena's arm and watching her face.
"I'm afraid not. You know how it is, Peter. We've told you." The doctor sighs. "There's nothing else we can do." She puts her hand on Peter's shoulder and gives it a light squeeze.
"There has to be something! With all the advances in technology, there has to be something! I can't live without her, doctor." Peter cries and turns to face the woman. "I refuse to let her go. I won't. I can't." Tears stream down his face and plop onto his hands that sit folded in his lap. He sighs and runs one hand roughly through his hair, making strands stand straight up.
"Peter. She's been in a coma for almost three months. The accident really... messed her up. We were lucky she even went into a coma, instead of being killed on impact." Doctor Massey whispers. She crouched down and lifts Peter's chin with her fingers. "You can't keep holding on to her like this. The head doctor says we can't hold her for much longer."
A sob escapes the boy's mouth and harsh convulsions shake his shoulders. More tears plop onto his jeans and hands. Doctor Massey purses her lips and stands quickly and goes to leave the room.
"Doctor..." Peter's voice echos through the empty room. "I'll be leaving, now. Goodbye." He stands and brushes past her. Sobs still tear through his mouth and his shoulders shake, but he throws back a sad smile. "Goodbye."
As Doctor Massey stands still, staring at the door, Peter stands right outside in the hallway, his head resting against the cool tiles. He listens to the beeps of the heart monitor, the steady beat of his love's heart.
And then, a sharp noise disrupts the rhythm.
"Goodbye, my dear. My love. My Leena." He whispers and slides down to the floor, hysterical cries coming from his trembling body.