Fragments of Youth by Richard Williams

Author:Richard Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing
Published: 2022-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Will sprinted through A&E, the others close behind him. Wounded people were being hastily wheeled around on trolleys. An angry man thumped a vending machine; a hundred anxious conversations bled into one.

He pushed through a door to his left. ‘Where is he?’ he cried.

An Asian man in a surgical mask and gown blocked the door.

‘You can’t come in here.’

‘I need to see him,’ wailed Will.

‘Come with me, please,’ said the man, shepherding them all into a small room further down the corridor.

Will’s breathing was rapid and acute, his head pounding and face pale with regret.

‘Is he gonna be OK?’ he asked.

The man shook his head – tiny movements, left and right.

‘Take a seat,’ he said calmly, gesturing for the three of them to sit down.

‘Tell us, please,’ said Luke, hopelessly.

‘I’m afraid he didn’t make it.’

He paused for a beat that felt like a lifetime.

‘We tried everything we could. I’m so sorry.’

Luke slumped instantly, head in hands. Pete sat rigid, stunned. Will felt a burning sensation hit him square in the throat like a juggernaut. He ran to the sink and vomited, thick yellow chunks of bile, followed by a violent convulsion of dry heaves, as if his insides were trying to exit his body. Pete followed him over, feeling like he was sleepwalking; he flung his arms around Will and they sobbed uncontrollably.

‘I can take you to see him, if you’re sure, but you must put these on,’ said the surgeon, handing them protective masks and gowns. The trio nodded and followed him solemnly and silently down the corridor, the smell of TCP heavy in the air.

Will braced himself as the surgeon opened the door. He looked down at Jake’s body, battered and lifeless. A splatter of dark red blood on the bedsheets. He took hold of his hand, icy cold and black with bruising, a tangle of wires taped to it.

‘I’m sorry, mate,’ he bawled. ‘I’m so sorry.’

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