Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust (Open!)

The nurse didn't sound happy, but at least Alec kept pace well and followed Lukas closely until they reached the roof where it was quiet. He didn't know where or how he managed to lose the nurse, but he did, at least for the time being. That might change sooner or later, but that was a bridge to cross when he came to it. For now he was going to enjoy the sunny spring weather. After all, this could very likely be his last spring on this earth, or one of his last. Life was too short to just sit around his hospital room, hooked up to far too many iv's and machines, none of which could save his life, only extended it by months maybe a year. What good was that time though if he couldn't go out and do anything. He hated living in a hospital and would much rather die next week after spending the entire time having fun, than die next year and spend the entire time in a hospital.

"Now Mi Amigo, we sit back and enjoy the weather while we can before one of the bitchy nurses finds us and drags me back to my room for more tests and medicines, and probably a good lecture for both of us. But may as well have some fun while we can right?" Lukas replied as he walked to the area behind the entrance to the roof. It was smaller and the fence around the top was not as sturdy there. They had put tape across to keep patients out of the area, but Lukas figured they wouldn't immediately see him if he was back there, so he waved Alec to follow and ducked under the tape, soon finding himself with his legs dangling over the edge of the building, looking out of the city. "Well this hell hole has one thing going for it. It has a great view." Lukas spoke as he looked out over the city. "I have plans tonight but what do you say tomorrow night we sneak out of this place and head over there." Lukas pointed to a hill at the edge of town, It was known for having parties there almost ever night and bonfires that touched the sky. Lukas hadn't gone to one of these parties, but it would be a lie to say he didn't want to go.​

 

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A smile grew on Lukas’ face when Alec agreed to come with him to the party. “See I knew there was a reason I kept you around. How many of the other do you think we can drag with us? I mean I know I could get Nick there, he wouldn’t have a choice. It will be fun.” His smile had turned mischievous by that point. He liked the idea of it all, going to parties, like he did when he was young. Lukas never went to many parties. There was only so often he was able to sneak away from his father. Plus with the brain tumor for so long, home or hospital there was only so much he could do, whether it was his body or his father preventing.

Lukas had gone silent contemplating how they would get out, and how he would get the others to join them, when the door creaked open. “Here it comes.” Lukas mumbled as he fully expected the yelling of a nurse, but nothing, Lukas waited for a moment in tense silence before he heard a shaky voice. It was not a nurse but instead the new girl. She soon rounded the corner enough to see her. “Well well who do we have here? I thought I wasn’t going to see you until tonight.” Lukas gave Ivy a wink. “Currently I am hiding from nurses, I don’t know about you, but if you join me over here we will be out of sight if the nurses comes up.” He suggested.

 

Current day: April 10th
Current time: 6:30pm
Time passed: 8 hours
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This day could very well turn out worse than normal. On top of the normal mischief and the report of Lucas dragging the new patient to the roof where they weren't supposed to be, she had to throw a birthday party. To be fair Nurse Janet had a soft spot for Nick, he wasn't nearly as much of a trouble maker as some of the others were. She supposed that it would be nice to help him celebrate his birthday, but another year, and another step closer to death, especially for these kids.

"Alright listen up, just because you aren't forced to sit in your beds and eat dinner tonight by yourself doesn't mean you can act like savages, please for the love of all things good do not make a mess of the common room." Janet instructed the people who sat there all to celebrate Nick's birthday. "Some of the nurses and I will bring around the food, and after everyone had eaten then we will talk about some games." It wasn't that Janet like being mean but she had to keep some sort of order to this place that seemed to lack order no matter what rules or punishments where in place.

 

The last of the food was handed out, and the patients began to eat. Nurse Janet dished herself last. She didn't touch her food at first, quietly staring at the lasagna on her plate. There was a sad look on her face as she pushed it around a little bit. "I am sorry Nick, that it had to come to this on your birthday..." She breathed quietly as she looked around the room at everyone laughing and enjoying their food. The other nurse was too busy watching for trouble to notice strange way that Janet was acting.

Finally after a good five minutes, Janet took the first bite of her own meal. She did not move to clean up after those who had finished their dinners, there was no point in it, not now.... A small child, far too small for her age wandered up to Janet. "Um... excuse me.... Nurse Janet. I feel funny." She complained starting to look paler than normal. "It's okay sweetie, why don't you come sit with me for a moment, see if it passes." Janet suggested taking the girl to a big arm chair and sitting with her in her lap.

The child's eyes grew heavy as she began to yawn. A few others now were also feeling tired it seemed. So the drug was finally taking effect. On their weak bodies, it wouldn't take long for the life to leave them completely, just like it was leaving the child in her lap. The girl whimpered and Janet just stroked her hair. "It will all be over soon. All the pain and suffering will come to an end soon. I promise." She told the girl. The child nodded in response and cuddled closer to Janet. It wasn't long before she was asleep, and only a minute later she drew her last breath. Janet watched as the rest struggled to stay awake, even her fellow nurse was too out of it to do anything. Janet had served her before the rest had gotten their so she could do her job, and patrol instead of eating. Truth be told the only reason she allowed the girl to eat first was so she the drug would kick in before she could stop it from effecting the others.

There was several cries of confusion and worry, but in the end no one was strong enough to get any help before the drug dragged them into the realm of sleep, where they slipped peacefully from this life. Slowly Janet's eyes too began to droop. So she finally put an end to it. Not only to her own misery of watching people suffer for a living. Only ever able to mask the pain. She finally put those she had been so called helping out of their misery. Never once did she believe she was helping these people. She knew all too well that she was prolonging their suffering. Providing drugs and supplements that hid the problem a little longer so their family didn't worry as much. It was pointless anyways. The longer it held out the more it effected them mentally. But now, they were at peace.... As was she....