Chapter 1
Blair
Blair’s eyes flutter open to the familiar, sterile white walls of the hospital room that’s become her world. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor is a constant reminder of the fragility of her own life. Sunlight peeks through the slightly ajar window, casting a warm glow on the bouquet of wilting flowers by her bedside. Despite the cheeriness of the day outside, a heavy sigh escapes her lips. Each breath is a battle, each day a gift she’s sure she’d keep. Yet, as she lays there, a sense of determination kindles within her, a silent promise that she isn’t done fighting.
Her doctor enters the room. “Good morning, Blair,” she states. “How are you feeling today?”
“Terrible,” Blair responds softly, “but no worse than I was feeling yesterday.”
“That’s good. Do you feel up to eating something?”
“I’ll try, but I’ll probably vomit it up later on.”
Her doctor nods, leaving the room, returning a few minutes later with a tray of food. “Please try to eat some of it. I know it’s hard, you’ll only become sicker if you don’t eat though.”
Blair nods, nibbling on the food as her doctor administers medication through an IV. “Dr. West?”
“Yes, Blair?”
“How long do you reckon I have before I can’t move on my own?”
Dr. West’s expression softens. “One, maybe two years.”
She sighs. “I wish it could be over all ready. It’s not like I have anyone to live for anyway. My parents walked out on me the moment we learned about my diagnosis. They won’t care if I die, if they did they wouldn’t have left me to die by myself.”
“Blair, I’ve told you not to talk that way. You are so much stronger than you think you are.”
She sighs, pushing the tray of food away. “I can’t eat anymore.”
“You ate a few bites, it’s better than what you usually manage.”
“Thanks for caring Dr. West. I appreciate it. Really.”
“Blair, I wouldn’t be a doctor if I didn’t care about my patients.”
“I guess you’re right.” She yawns, her expression contorting with pain.
“Your pain medication should kick in soon. Please try and rest.” Blair watches as she leaves the room, before drifting into a state of unconsciousness.
Asher
“Mom?” Asher complains, “Are we almost done? How many people suffer from supernatural diseases anyway?”
“A lot more than you think,” her mother answers, “and yes we’re almost done.”
The air suddenly becomes heavy and suffocating. “Mom, what is that smell? It sticks, like…like a musty decaying body!”
Her mother peeks into the hospital room the smell is coming from. “Asher, come here.”
Asher pokes her head into the room. Inside, there’s a young woman, sleeping in the hospital bed. Hovering above the young woman is a swirling mass of inky blackness. Within this darkness, faint whispers of shadowy tendrils can be seen, reaching out and curling in on themselves.
“Mom? What the hell is that?”
“It’s a dark spirit. It seems like this young woman is very sick.”
“How can you tell?”
“Asher, look at her. Anyone with eyes can tell.”
The world fades away as Asher focuses on the young woman laying on the hospital bed. A magnetic force guides her into the room, where she gently takes the young woman’s hand, squeezing it lightly.
The young woman’s eyes suddenly open. “W…who are you?” she murmurs, “You’re so…beautiful…” They gaze at each other, a connection between them blooming.
“Asher?” her mother interrupts, “What are you doing?” Her mother’s voice snaps her out of her trace. “S…sorry, are we leaving now?” she mumbles. Her mother nods, and she follows her out of the hospital building.
Blair
When Blair wakes up again, the young woman who’d been in the room with her is gone. “Who was she?” she wonders, “She was beautiful….wait, why am I thinking about her like that? It’s not like I’ll ever be able to settle down and have a life outside the hospital. I wish…I wish I wasn’t sick.”
A few days pass, where Blair doesn’t see the young woman again. One day, she wakes up to find her standing in her room again. “Hello,” she says, “please don’t freak out.”
“Who are you?” Blair asks, “You…you were here a few days ago.”
“Yes, I was. My name is Asher.”
“Blair.”
“Erm…I know this might be a weird question a…and you don’t have to answer, I just…can’t get you out of my head, would you…would you like to go on a date with me?”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “You…want to go on a date with me? Why? I can’t leave the hospital. I can’t even function like a normal human being.”
Asher blushes. “Like I said, I can’t get you out of my head. I…I don’t care if you’re sick.”
She nervously bites at her lip. “M…my doctor, she says I only have a year or two to live.”
“We’ll make the most of what time you have left then. I promise.”
Blair lights up. “O…okay, maybe my doctor will let me leave the hospital for an hour or so.”
“If not, we’ll hang out here. I know it’s not the fanciest of places, we’ll make it work though.”
She pushes a button on the wall. Dr. West comes into the room a few minutes later. “Blair, what can I do for you?” she asks.
“C…could I leave the hospital for an hour?” she asks, looking hopefully.
“Blair…you’re too sick right now to leave this building.”
Her expression breaks. “I understand…”
“Blair, why do you want to leave the hospital for an hour?”
“I…I…it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Dr. West gazes over at Asher. “Erm…” Asher murmurs, “could we speak in the hallway for a minute?” She nods, following her into the hallway.
Asher
“It was for a date,” Asher confesses, “She wanted to leave the hospital, so I could take her on a date.”
“I see,” Dr. West states, “You do know, she’s terminal?”
“I know, she told me. I promised her that we’d make the most of what time she has left. I intend to keep that promise.”
“She may not be able to leave the hospital, but we could try and set something special up for your date with her.”
Asher nods. “How could we make it special for her? From what I can tell, she hates this place.”
“Yes, she does. She has an MRI scheduled later today, use that time to set something up in her hospital room.”
“I will, I have to go grab some things, so I can set up for our date. I’ll make it as magical as I can for her.”
“Please say goodbye to her. She’ll think you’re bailing on her if you don’t.”
She nods, and heads back into the room. “Hey, Blair?” she asks, “I have to go and do a few errands. I’ll come back later today.”
“Okay,” Blair whispers, refusing to look at her.
“Look at me, Blair.” She gazes up at Asher, who seems sad. “I promise you I’ll be back later.” Blair simply nods, watching as she leaves the room.
Once she’s picked up, everything she needs she heads back to the hospital, sneaking into Blair’s room. She transforms Blair’s hospital room into a haven of romance. She starts adorning the walls with twinkling fairy lights, which cast a soft, dreamy glow through the room. She carefully arranges fragrant flowers in a vase, their delicate scent filling the air.
Asher dims the overhead lights and lights scented candles, creating an intimate atmosphere. Soft music plays in the background, filling the room with melodies that speak of their connection. She even brings in a small table, adorned with a crisp white tablecloth and Blair’s favorite dishes.
As Blair enters the room, she’s greeted with a scene that goes beyond the sterile hospital environment, and in that moment, their love blossoms amidst the challenges they face. “Asher, you came back!” she exclaims, sounding happy.
“I told you I would,” Asher replies.
“What did you do to my hospital room?”
“I set up a date for us. I told you I would.”
Blair stumbles over to Asher, throwing her arms around her. “Thank you…t…thank you!”
Asher laughs softly. “I couldn’t have done it without Dr. West. She filled me in on your likes and dislikes.”
Blair turns to face her doctor. “Dr. West…you…”
“Blair, I know being stuck here makes you miserable. I’m simply helping you find happiness. I’ll leave you two alone for now.” She leaves the room.
