Chapter Title: Hidden Pulse, Broken Truth
He held me , and I got lost in his eyes. We clung to each other tightly, as if hoping time itself would stop and never pull us apart.
Mary cleared her throat, interrupting us.
We quickly let go of each other's hands.
"Oh… Mary…" I rubbed the back of my head nervously. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Sister?" Jackie said in surprise.
"Yes, me," she replied calmly. "It's time. Your mom is about to come."
I hugged Jackie one last time before letting him go. Mary led him away, and I slowly made my way back to my room, sinking into my own quiet world.
Then it started.
A strange dizziness washed over me, like the earth itself was trying to swallow me whole. My head throbbed, sharp and relentless. My heart pounded harder than ever before, each beat louder than the last.
Suddenly, everything went dark.
I collapsed onto the floor.
The last thing I remember was Mom rushing toward me, her voice filled with panic as she shook me.
"Mom… Mom…" I whispered weakly, pain shooting through my body.
I turned my head and saw heavy machines connected to me, my hand full of drips.
"Mommy…"
Suddenly, she came running to me, wearing a mask and a hairnet, with Dad right behind her.
"What's wrong with me? Why am I in so much pain?" I asked as Mom pulled me into a tight hug.
"I thought we lost you, sweetie," Mom cried.
Mary stepped closer and gently rubbed my head.
"Where is Jackie, Mom? Didn't he come?"
Mom's expression darkened as she looked at Mary furiously.
"Don't tell me you're referring to Mary's brother," she said sharply.
"But sweetie, you know you're not allowed to meet strangers," Dad added.
"Dad, he's not a stranger… he's my friend," I said, tears slipping down my face.
"That is why you are sick! You met a stranger!" Mom shouted.
"How long has this been going on?" Dad asked, his voice tense.
"It was only once," Mary replied quietly.
"It only takes once for you to die," Dad said harshly, turning away. Then he faced Mary. "How could you be so irresponsible? We could all lose our jobs here!"
I didn't ask what job he meant. I already knew they would cover it up—like always.
"Madam, please step outside. You're stressing the patient," the doctor said.
They all left the room.
Silence filled the space.
I had to ask.
"Sir… when am I going to recover?" I asked, my voice barely steady.
The doctor looked at me, confused.
"Recover? But you're not sick. Didn't they tell you?"
My heart skipped.
"They told me I'm epileptic," I replied.
He shook his head slowly.
"No, young lady. We're still trying to figure out what's wrong with you… but you are not epileptic. We don't understand what happened. Something isn't normal, but I'll keep you updated," he said, tapping on the machine above my head.
My breath caught.
The room suddenly felt colder.
If I'm not sick…
Then what is wrong with me?