A painful realization
Jayce, Caitlyn, and Vi headed towards the hospital. “Why are we here?” Vi asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Jayce glanced at her. “Well, Caitlyn needs her check-ups every three or four months. They make sure her lungs are good and also try to provide therapy, but Caitlyn refuses,” he explained.
Vi peered through the window on the door, her eyes landing on Caitlyn, who sat in her wheelchair looking annoyed. The sight tugged at Vi’s heart, and she felt a surge of empathy for Caitlyn’s situation.
“And when will she get better?” Vi asked, turning her attention back to Jayce.
Jayce hesitated, a pained look crossing his face. “Um, well, she’s not,” he said quietly.
“Wait, what?” Vi looked at Jayce, her eyes widening with shock.
“Yeah, she can’t get any better,” Jayce confirmed, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and resignation. The reality of Caitlyn’s condition hit Vi like a ton of bricks, and she struggled to process the information.
“Isn’t there like better technology and shit like that?” Vi asked, sitting down.
Jayce sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Well, yeah, there is better technology, but Caitlyn’s parents have been looking for a solution, and they can’t find anything that can help her.”
Vi’s heart sank. “This is so unfair,” she whispered, looking back at Caitlyn through the window. Caitlyn’s defiant expression softened for a moment as she caught Vi's gaze, a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes.
The door to the examination room opened, and the doctor stepped out, his expression professional but kind. “She’s all done,” he announced.
Jayce and Vi entered the room, where Caitlyn was waiting. She looked frustrated, her eyes betraying the weariness she felt.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” Vi asked gently, crouching down beside Caitlyn.
“I’m fine,” Caitlyn replied curtly, clearly wanting to get out of the hospital as soon as possible.
Jayce approached the doctor to discuss the results of the check-up, while Vi stayed with Caitlyn, offering her silent support. “I hate these check-ups,” Caitlyn muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. “They’re pointless. I’m not getting better.”
Vi reached out and placed a comforting hand on Caitlyn’s arm. “I know it’s tough, but they just want to make sure you’re okay,” she said softly. “We’re here for you, Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn’s expression softened slightly, but she still looked weary and frustrated. Vi could see the emotional toll these visits took on her, and it broke her heart. She wished there was more she could do to ease Caitlyn’s pain.
Jayce returned, his conversation with the doctor finished. “Alright, let’s get you home,” he said, his voice gentle.
A few days after Caitlyn's check-up, Tobias and Cassandra received urgent news of a family emergency. They had to leave unexpectedly, and Tobias sought out Vi to explain the situation before they departed.
“Violet,” Tobias said, his tone serious but gentle as he approached her. “We’ve had a family emergency and need to leave for a couple of days.”
Vi looked up from her task, her expression filled with concern. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Is everything alright?”
Tobias sighed, his face etched with worry. “We’re not sure yet. We’ll come back in two days, but if anything happens, call me immediately. I will come back as soon as possible.”
Vi nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Yes, I will. Don’t worry, Mr. Kiramman . I’ll take care of Caitlyn,” she assured him.
Tobias gave her a grateful smile, his eyes reflecting his trust in her. “Thank you, Violet. It means a lot to us. We know she’s in good hands,” he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
As Tobias and Cassandra left, Vi turned her attention to Caitlyn, who was in her room sitting by the window.
“Hey, Caitlyn. Your parents had to leave for a couple of days, but I’ll be here with you,” Vi said gently, hoping to reassure her.
Caitlyn nodded, her expression neutral but slightly more relaxed. “Alright,” she said simply.
Vi spent the rest of the day ensuring Caitlyn was comfortable and taken care of. She prepared her meals, helped her with her daily routine, and even suggested watching another play together. They settled on a comedy, hoping to lighten the mood and bring some laughter into the day.
As evening approached, Vi made sure everything was in order and that Caitlyn was settled for the night.
Vi decided to stay in Caitlyn’s room just in case of any emergency. The lights were left on but dimmed, as Caitlyn usually had nightmares, and the gentle glow helped her feel safer.
It was late, and Caitlyn was already asleep. With nothing else to do, Vi began to look around the room, her curiosity piqued by the personal items scattered about.
She noticed a photo album on a nearby shelf and carefully pulled it down, opening it to reveal a collection of memories. The first few pages showed Caitlyn in various competitions, holding trophies and rifles, her face beaming with pride. In one photo, she was in a pool, a wide smile on her face as a golden medal hung around her neck. The happiness radiating from those images was palpable, and Vi couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness for what Caitlyn had lost.
Lost in thought, Vi eventually fell asleep in the chair, the album resting on her lap. She was abruptly awakened by a voice calling her name. Startled, she jumped up so quickly that the chair toppled over. “Caitlyn, are you okay?” she asked, her heart racing with concern.
“Yes, Vi, I’m okay,” Caitlyn replied, her voice calm and reassuring.
Vi sighed in relief, her pulse slowly returning to normal. “You look uncomfortable in that chair,” Caitlyn observed, her eyes softening with concern.
“Nah, don’t worry about it. I’ve slept on the ground multiple times. A chair won’t hurt me,” Vi responded, trying to downplay her discomfort.
“Still, you look uncomfortable. The bed is big enough for both of us. Sleep here.” Caitlyn said.
“No, Caitlyn, I’m fine. Don’t worry,” Vi protested, feeling a bit awkward about the situation.
“Violet, I won’t say it again,” Caitlyn said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
“Alright, alright,” Vi said, slowly getting into bed as far from Caitlyn as possible. Vi laid down, feeling a bit uncomfortable but grateful to be on a bed.
As they settled in, Caitlyn broke the silence. “Tell me something.”
“Like what?” Vi asked, curious.
“I don’t know. Your dream gift?” Caitlyn suggested.
Vi thought for a moment. “Mmm, my dream gift was a pair of gloves signed by the boxing champion Sevika,” she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Oh, really?” Caitlyn’s interest was piqued.
“Yeah, I really wanted the gloves she uses, and even more if they were signed by her. It would mean so much to me,” Vi explained, her voice filled with admiration. “What about you?” she asked, turning her attention to Caitlyn.
Caitlyn's face softened, and a small smile tugged at her lips. “I really want to try some cupcakes they sell at the bakery near the shopping center,” she replied, her voice warm with longing. “I've heard they're absolutely divine, and I've been craving something sweet for ages.”
Vi's eyes sparkled with understanding. “We should make that happen, Cait. Let's go get those cupcakes together one day,” she suggested, her voice full of enthusiasm.
“Vi?” Caitlyn called softly.
“Yes?” Vi responded, turning to face her.
“Can you sing?” Caitlyn asked, her voice hopeful.
“Oh, no, no, no. I cannot sing,” Vi replied, shaking her head.
“I heard you singing last time,” said Caitlyn.
“What? When?” Vi asked, surprised.
“That day when it was raining,” Caitlyn explained.
“I thought you were asleep,” Vi said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Well, I wasn’t,” Caitlyn said, a mischievous glint in her eye. Both of them laughed, the tension between them easing.
“Would you sing for me, Violet?” Caitlyn asked, her tone sincere.
“What? Now?” Vi asked, taken aback.
“Yes, would you?” Caitlyn repeated.
“Promise you won’t laugh,” Vi said, feeling a bit self-conscious.
“I promise I won’t,” Caitlyn assured her.
Vi took a deep breath and started singing, but her voice accidentally cracked, causing Caitlyn to burst into laughter. “Hey! You’re not supposed to laugh,” Vi protested, a smile tugging at her lips.
“I’m sorry, I really tried, but your voice cracked,” Caitlyn said between laughs.
Vi looked at her, feeling a warmth inside. Caitlyn was laughing, a genuine, heartfelt laugh. It was a beautiful sound, and Vi felt a surge of happiness knowing she had brought that moment of joy to Caitlyn.
“Alright, goodnight, Violet,” Caitlyn said, still smiling.
“Goodnight, Caitlyn,” Vi replied, her heart full of hope and contentment.
The next morning, Vi woke up relieved she didn’t sleep on the chair. To her delight, Caitlyn suggested they go shopping together. Vi’s heart swelled with happiness at the progress they were making. The idea of spending time together outside the house felt like a significant step forward.
As they strolled through the bustling streets and into various boutiques, Vi couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder at the high-end stores. They entered a clothing store, and Vi’s eyes widened at the price tags. “Oh, look at the price of this,” she exclaimed, stunned at the cost of a single shirt.
“She’ll have that one,” Caitlyn said to the salesperson, ignoring Vi’s astonished reaction.
“No, Cait, no, it’s too expensive,” Vi protested, trying to stop her.
“And I’ll have the black one,” Caitlyn continued, completely disregarding Vi’s objections.
“Caitlyn, this is too much clothes,” Vi said, her voice filled with concern.
“It’s alright, Vi. Come, let’s go,” Caitlyn replied.
They continued shopping for a while, Caitlyn selecting various items while Vi tried to keep her protests in check.
Eventually, Caitlyn seemed satisfied with their purchases, and they headed to the checkout.
Once done Vi said “Wait here,” a mischievous smile on her face. “Don’t move.”
“I can’t really move, you know,” Caitlyn said jokingly, making Vi laugh.
Vi quickly darted out and into a nearby bakery. A few minutes later, she returned with a small box in her hands. “What’s that?” Caitlyn asked, curious.
“It’s for you,” Vi said, opening the box to reveal a cupcake with blue and red frosting and colorful sprinkles.
“Vi, you didn’t have to,” Caitlyn said, her voice softening with gratitude.
“It’s literally nothing compared to everything you got me,” Vi replied, feeling a bit embarrassed by the small gesture.
“It’s nothing,” Caitlyn insisted, her eyes reflecting her appreciation. “Can I eat it at home? I don’t feel like being fed in front of everyone.”
“Alright, let’s go then,” Vi said, smiling as she held all their shopping bags.
That same night, Vi was keeping a close eye on Caitlyn, who had started sweating profusely. Vi's concern grew with each passing minute. “Come on, answer,” she muttered anxiously as she tried calling Jayce. When he didn’t pick up, she attempted to reach Tobias, but there was no response there either.
“Don’t call Mom. It’s alright. We’ll be fine, Violet,” Caitlyn said from her bed.
“Violet?” Caitlyn called again, her voice sounding weaker.
“Yes, Cait, I’m here,” Vi responded quickly, moving closer to her.
“Could you please lift the pillows a bit more? My neck feels off,” Caitlyn requested.
“Yes, yes,” Vi said, gently putting her hand under Caitlyn’s neck to adjust the pillows. Caitlyn gasped, startling Vi.
“What did I do?” Vi asked, her heart racing with concern.
“Your hands are very cold,” Caitlyn explained, a small chuckle escaping her lips.
“Hash, don’t scare me like that,” Vi said.
“Is that good?” Vi asked, ensuring Caitlyn was comfortable.
“Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you,” Caitlyn replied, her voice soft.
Hours passed, and Caitlyn continued to sweat and occasionally cough. Vi’s worry deepened, especially when Caitlyn closed her eyes to sleep. Desperate to ensure Caitlyn was alright, Vi got close and put her finger under Caitlyn’s nose to check her breathing. Panic set in when she couldn’t feel anything. She quickly placed her ear on Caitlyn’s chest, and to her immense relief, she could hear her heartbeat.
“Don’t worry, I’m alive,” Caitlyn said weakly, scaring Vi with her sudden words making her move away form her chest as fast as possible.
After a few more tense minutes, Jayce arrived, nearly breaking the door open in his haste. He dropped his backpack and rushed to Caitlyn’s side. “What’s wrong, Cait? Talk to me,” he urged, his voice filled with concern.
“I’m fine, Jayce. Don’t worry,” Caitlyn tried to reassure him, but her voice betrayed her exhaustion.
“Cait, you’re burning up,” Jayce said, his worry evident. “Violet, get me some towels and cold water.”
Vi quickly did as she was told, rushing to gather the supplies. She returned with the towels and a bowl of cold water. Jayce lifted Caitlyn gently and placed a towel under her neck and another on her forehead, hoping to bring her temperature down.
“What now?” Vi asked, her voice trembling with worry.
“Now we wait until the temperature goes down,” Jayce explained, his tone calm but serious.
Both Jayce and Vi stayed up all night, keeping a vigilant watch over Caitlyn and frequently changing her towels. They took turns sitting by her side, their eyes heavy with exhaustion but determined to ensure she was okay.
Vi held Caitlyn’s hand, feeling the weight of the responsibility on her shoulders. She glanced at Jayce, who was equally exhausted.
Caitlyn woke up to see Vi sitting in a chair beside her, her head resting on the bed as she slept. Caitlyn could feel Vi’s hand holding hers, a comforting presence in the quiet room. She coughed softly, inadvertently waking Vi.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up,” Caitlyn said apologetically.
“Oh, no, don’t worry. I wasn’t asleep. I was just, um… thinking, yeah, thinking,” Vi replied, trying to hide her grogginess. Caitlyn chuckled slightly at Vi’s attempt to cover up.
“Could I get some water, please?” Caitlyn asked.
“Oh, yes,” Vi said, quickly grabbing a glass of water and a straw. She helped Caitlyn drink.
“Thank you,” Caitlyn said, her voice soft.
“Where’s Jayce?” “He had to leave.” Said Vi wiping Caitlyn’s lips with a tissue.
“Caitlyn?” Vi hesitated before asking, “May I ask what happened to you?”
“What, my mother didn’t tell you?” Caitlyn responded.
“Um, no, but it’s alright. You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Vi said, placing the glass on the table.
“It was an explosion,” Caitlyn began, her tone serious. Vi looked at her, sensing the weight of the story.
“I was on a mission. I am—was—the best sniper. It was a simple mission. We had to take down this man, the leader of a criminal organization. It was me and two teams. My job was to make sure both teams got to the building that the man was in safely. I took the targets down and ordered the teams to advance. Once in position, team one confirmed their building was clear, but team two did not. I had the whole view of the field. I saw all of team two down. Someone took an earpiece from team two and told them they were in position too. But it was all a trap. I tried warning team one, but I lost communication with team 1.”
Caitlyn’s eyes started to water as she continued her story. Vi reached out, placing a comforting hand on her arm.
“I decided to go towards team one to warn them, but when I got there...” Caitlyn cleared her throat, her voice trembling. “They were all dead. I could hear someone from team two still alive, asking for help through my earpiece. Without a doubt, I ran to help them.” Caitlyn’s tears began to fall, and Vi took a tissue, gently wiping them away.
“When I got there, I saw him—his leg was badly injured. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a bomb on the wall. I ran towards my comrade and covered him with my body. The bomb blew up, sending me and him into a wall. I got the worst of it. Part of the ceiling fell on my back, injuring my spinal cord. And now I’m here, stuck without being able to move,” Caitlyn finished, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and frustration.
Vi sat silently, absorbing the gravity of Caitlyn’s story. She felt a deep sense of empathy and sorrow for what Caitlyn had endured. “I’m so sorry, Caitlyn. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through,” Vi said softly, her voice filled with genuine compassion.
Caitlyn nodded, her eyes still glistening with tears.
Vi reached out and took Caitlyn’s hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m here for you, Caitlyn. Whatever you need, I’m here to help.”
Caitlyn managed a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Violet. That means a lot to me,” she said sincerely.
Two days passed, and Caitlyn's condition seemed stable. The Kirammans returned one day later than expected due to their family emergency, but everything appeared to be back to normal. However, Vi’s sense of peace was shattered one afternoon when she overheard a heated conversation between Cassandra and Tobias.
Vi was in the hallway, heading towards Caitlyn's room when she heard raised voices coming from the study. Curious, she paused, straining to catch the words.
“Why, Tobias?” Cassandra's voice was filled with anguish. “You know she's in pain. If she wants to, I’ll support her.” He said.
“You support her dying?” Cassandra's voice rose in pitch, filled with disbelief and fury.
“No, of course not!” Tobias's voice boomed, frustration evident.
“Then why are you okay with this?” Cassandra demanded, her voice breaking with emotion.
“Because I’m a doctor, Cassandra! I know how much pain she is in,” Tobias responded, his voice still loud but filled with sorrow.
“I won’t let her do it,” Cassandra declared, her voice resolute. “She’s my daughter. I won’t let her do this.”
“She’s my daughter too,” Tobias said quietly, the weight of his words sinking into the silence that followed.
Vi felt her heart race, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard. “What? Caitlyn wants to end her life?” she thought, the realization hitting her like a punch to the gut.
She leaned her hand against the wall, trying to steady herself. The thought of Caitlyn contemplating such a decision filled her with dread. Vi had seen glimpses of hope in Caitlyn, moments where she seemed to find joy. The idea that Caitlyn might be considering ending her life was almost too much to bear.
That day, Vi felt overwhelmed by the weight of the situation and decided to seek comfort and advice from her sister. She made her way to Powder’s college dorm, needing someone to talk to about Caitlyn’s distressing thoughts.