Page 113 of Private Exhibit
The next morning, it was all Andy could do to wait for Crawford to arrive. As soon as the man was there, they took right back up where they left off. Andy could swear he felt a clock ticking off the seconds that Devon had left to live. They had to get his heart beating again before it was too late.
Alright, Crawford said.I think we're there.
Andy tensed. There was still so much work to do, but like Crawford had said before, none of it would matter if Devon's vital systems couldn't function.
He followed Crawford out, and they checked the monitors before running a fresh holoscan.
Crawford shook his head. “His organs look good,” he began, sounding cautious. “Alright. Let's try this.” He looked at the nurse standing by the monitors. “Charging.”
“Charging,” the nurse replied, then pressed a button on the screen.
Devon's body jerked, but nothing happened.
“Again,” Crawford said.
The nurse did it again. And again. Then three more times at Crawford's order, but still Devon showed no signs of a heartbeat.
“What's wrong?” Andy asked. Had the repair failed? Had they missed something? Was it already too late?
Crawford frowned in thought. “Hang on.” He closed his eyes, and Andy sensed the man diving back into Devon's consciousness. After only a few seconds, Crawford resurfaced, shaking his head and cursing. “Damn it.”
“What?” Andy demanded.
“It may be too late. He's ready to let go.”
Andy went rigid as a chill ran through him.
Oh hells no.
It couldn't end like this. He wouldn't let it. Andy bent over Devon and threw himself into the boy's mind.
Devon?
Andy?Devon panted, sounding completely drained.
Baby, don't give up. Please. Stay with me.
So tired, Devon whispered.And it's so loud. I need it to stop. I need it to be over.
I'm not ready, Andy protested.
Daddy, please, Devon softly cried.
Devon, Andy growled.Don't you dare give up on me. Because I willnevergive up on you. You hear me? I'm going to keep working until everything's fixed. Until you can live a full, normal life. But I need you to stay with me. I need you to fight.
Andy felt the equivalent of Devon weakly shaking his head.
But he wasn't going to let Devon give up. The boy deserved to live. Deserved to be happy and loved.
And—gods damn it all—Andy deserved it, too. Junior was right. Andy deserved to have a live. To be happy and whole.
Damn it, Devon, he cursed.I love you!
Devon paused.What?
I love you, Andy repeated.I didn't want to say it like this. I wanted to say it to your face, so I could look you in the eye. I love you, baby. And I need you to fight like hells right now.
A long, eerie moment of silence passed while Devon's mind seemed to stare at him in shock.
