Missing

The doctor enters to find a stranger trying to take the oxygen mask off a patient.

“What do you think you're doing?” He asks, and the stranger stiffens. He pulls the cap closer to conceal his face before turning to the doctor.

“I was just talking” He replies.

“While taking off his mask?” The doc asks suspiciously. He rolls his eyes instead and exits the room. The doctor walks over to examine Dean.

'I better inform his family about this. That man will certainly return' He says inwardly before exiting the ward.
As soon as he leaves, a nurse enters with a syringe. Dean moves his fingers, but she doesn't notice because she's busy with the drip. Before she can do anything, he starts jerking. Panic sets in as she quickly hides the syringe.

She didn't even do anything, and he's already reacting. She rushes out of the ward for fear of being accused if anything goes wrong. She returns to the reception and waits for someone else to notice.

Seconds turn to minutes. Almost an hour passes and no one's yet to notice. He's probably dead. Did she even hear the beeping of the heart monitor?

Suddenly, a nurse runs in, calling for the doctor.

“You have to come with me. It's Dean Shaw…” She says as soon as he rushes out. He follows her immediately and few nurses around watch on. Several minutes pass by, and they're yet to be out.

As soon as they return, she notices it isn't sadness on their faces like she expected. It isn't joy either, but fear. Yes, fear. An impromptu meeting is called with all staff. Tension fills the room as everyone ponders on the cause of the meeting.

“I called this meeting because we're in a huge mess. You all know the billionaire, Dean Shaw, was entrusted to our care” He pauses briefly and everyone exchanged glances.

“We'll, he's missing? His ward's empty, and he's nowhere within our reach. I'd like to know if anyone saw anything” He says, but murmurings break out. Dean Shaw, missing? How is that even possible?

She's surprised as well. She thought he died. How could he have left? Left? She scoffs at her thoughts. How could he have left when he was in a coma?

“Anyone with some sort of information?” The Doctor asks amidst the murmurs, but no one gives any answer as they panic. If Dean's missing, it's no news that their jobs are as good as gone. The hospital will automatically shut down.

Where could he be? Who took him?




/-Riley-/

I keep staring at nothing as the emptiness fills me. I'm to be discharged today, but I don't think I want to leave. I want to stay with my baby here. I don't want to leave.

Someone enters the room, but I don't even bother to find out who it is. That person can't bring back my Dean or my baby.
I wait for the intruder to speak, but he or she doesn't, so I take a look myself. It's Liam. He looks lost. I want to ask why, but at the same time, I don't want to. I remain silent and look ahead.

“Let's go home” He says finally. I let him take my hand and lead me to the bathroom to change. l let him do it himself. After dressing me, he leads me out of the ward, signs a few papers and we leave.

Home doesn't feel like home as I step in. A grave silence greets me, reminding me of my loss. Liam lets go and I quietly walk upstairs. I enter my room and sigh. Back to being lonely. Right how I started.


2 Days Later

I don't leave my room for any reason. I shower, sleep and blame my ill luck. Liam brings food up but I ignore it most of the time. A few times, I eat little to ease his worry.

These days, he seems very unsettled, but I'm too deep in my grief to even ask. It's very selfish of me, but I can't help it. I know I should visit Dean too but I feel too hopeless to.

Most comas last for months or even years, how can I visit knowing fully well I'd want him to just open his eyes? Seeing him will add to my misery. Though I know I'm neglecting him, but I can't help it. I just can't.

I wash my face and step out of the bathroom. I see a figure backing me. I simply assume it's Liam and walk to him. I really need to know what's bothering him, but as I get close, I feel something oddly familiar about him.

“Liam?” I call as I reach him, but the cologne takes me aback. My heart started racing. It can't be. Only one person can make me feel this way. This cologne….isn't Liam's. It belongs to someone who makes my heart flutter. Someone that steals my senses.

“Did you miss me, Barbie? Or you just hate me more than ever?” He asks and my heart skips. It's him. It's Dean. My Dean. He turns to me with glistening eyes.

“I missed you, Barbie. So much that it took my life away” He says softly. I continue to stare, frozen. I can't believe he's really here.

“Barbie, please talk to me” He pleads, stepping closer but I unconsciously step back. This can't be real. Dean's in a coma. He can't be here. He can't.
He takes another step and I back away. I'm hallucinating, for sure. I blink rapidly, but it doesn't fade away.

“If you don't want me near, then I'll go. Just know I'm sorry. I let my fear get the best of me. I couldn't bare the thought of loosing you too. I thought I.....”

“Don't go. Even if you're my imagination, stay. That's all I ask. Just stay” I interrupt and he kisses me immediately. I gasp and push him off.

“Oh my God, you're real. You're really here. You're real” I gasp.

“Yeah. I….” I pull him back and kiss him. He's really here. Kissing me back. I pull away and stare at him tearily.

“I missed you, Dean. You have no idea what I've been through. I almost lost my mind”. He lowers his head guiltily.

“You lost the pregnancy”.

“You got my letter, didn't you? ".

“I'm sorry, wifey. It was all my fault. Once again, I was selfish. I didn't consider your feelings. I.....”

“You're here now. That's all that matters”. He smiles and cups my face.

“You've lost so much weight” He says and I chuckle.

“I believe you know how to fix it, Mr. Shaw”.

“Let's disappear, wifey. You and me. Maybe for a week or two” He says suddenly and I grin.

“I'd like that very much, Alvin”.