Kapitel 34: CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
After a grueling battle that left him battered and bruised, the man finally returned home, his weary body aching with every step. Sliding through the door, he closed it behind him with a sigh of relief.
The man slowly began removing his elaborate costume, starting with black hoodie that covered his head, obscuring his face, then his sturdy mask which protected his identify. The costume was a testament to his vigilante nature, with its dark hues and tactical functionality.
Once freed from the confinements of his costume, the man hurriedly made his way to a small cabinet in his apartment. Retrieving a first aid box, he meticulously tended to his wounds, cleaning and dressing each one with determined precision.
With practiced hands, he bandaged his cuts and scrapes on his body, wincing with pain as he did so.
Eager to wash away the grime and stress clinging to his body, the man headed into the shower. The hot water cascaded over him, easing the tension that had settled in his muscles.
Steam billowed around him as he indulged in a therapeutic, hot bath, allowing the warmth to penetrate deep into his weary body. The exhaustion slowly melted away, replaced by a renewed sense of vitality.
Emerging from the revitalizing shower, the man dried himself off and dressed in fresh clothes. With his wounds tended to and his body rejuvenated, he was ready to face the world once more.
His next destination was a nearby convenience store, where he sought out a different kind of nourishment.
As he entered, the man's eyes wandered around the brightly lit aisles, eventually settling on an assortment of flowers and fruit.
Taking his time, he carefully chose a bouquet of vibrant blooms. Alongside the flowers, he selected ripe and succulent fruits, nourishment both for the body and the soul.
Approaching the cashier, he paid for his chosen items, his movements calm yet purposeful.
"Thank you, come again", the cashier said, waving him goodbye.
The man gave the cashier a polite nod , acknowledging their mutual business relationship.
With a sense of fulfillment, he left the store, his purchases in hand, he looked up at the night sky before looking at his wristwatch.
"Eight fifty, I can still make it before visiting time is over".
Upon arriving at the hospital, the man took a deep breath before entering, his eyes scanning the bustling hallways and the faces of doctors and nurses rushing about.
Making his way to the front desk, he inquired
"Is visiting hours still on?, I hope I'm not late?".
"Yes, but it will be over in ten minutes ", the lady said.
Nodding politely, he followed the directions provided, navigating the maze of corridors until he reached the designated room.
As he stepped inside, the scent of sterile cleanliness enveloped him, a stark contrast to the dark and gritty world he had left behind just hours ago. His gaze fell upon the frail figure lying in the hospital bed.
With a heavy heart, he approached the bedside, careful not to disturb the patient's rest.
Gently setting the bag of supplies down on a nearby chair, he carefully arranged the flowers in a small vase, the vibrant colors offering a ray of hope in the otherwise sterile surroundings.
Placing the vase on the bedside table, he sat down in the chair and pulled up his hood, partially concealing his face.
In the quiet stillness of the room, memories flooded back. Memories of battles fought, victories won, and losses endured.
The man's mind wandered to the countless nights spent in training, honing his skills and preparing for the perils that awaited him.
But tonight, he was just a man - a man on a mission to bring comfort and solace to someone he held dear.
Gently reaching into the bag, he retrieved the fruit and carefully peeled an apple, slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
Placing the prepared snack within reach, he then reached for her frail hand, placing his it on his forehead, while taking heavy breath.
As he worked, his mind drifted to a time when he himself had been wounded, his life hanging in the balance. It was during that darkest hour that he had made a solemn vow - to always be there for her no matter what , to protect and heal. And tonight, he was fulfilling that promise.
"I promise, you'll be okay. Just be patient for me. The doctors will make you better, so just keep fighting for me".
The man leaned back in the chair, exhaustion tugging at his weary limbs. The weight of the world seemed to rest upon his shoulders, the burden of his dual life becoming almost unbearable.
However, the sight of the unconscious figure before him reminded him why he willingly carried this heavy load.
Taking a moment to cherish the peacefulness of the room, the man soaked in the presence of his loved one.
His heart swelled with determination, fueling his resolve to continue fighting the battles that others could not face. And so, with one last glance at the patient, he silently rose from his seat, leaving the room and treading back down the corridor.
As the man slowly made his way towards the exit of the hospital ward, his mind was filled with a mixture of relief and apprehension.
The sterile smell of antiseptic that had clung to him for just the few minutes he had spent there ,was being replaced by the faint scent of fresh air wafting through the open hallway windows.
However, as he glanced back at the ward he had just left, a flicker of concern passed over his face.
Suddenly, a nurse, clad in her crisp white uniform, emerged from the bustling sea of doctors and patients, her footsteps soft against the linoleum floor.
She approached him, her kind eyes shining with a sense of urgency. "Sir," she called out, her voice tinged with both sympathy and concern, "the doctor wants to see you."
Instantly, a lump formed in his throat as his mind raced to find an explanation for this unexpected summons.
Had her condition taken a turn for the worse? Were there complications he hadn't been made aware of?
Fear crept into his heart, overshadowing the glimmer of hope that had just begun to blossom within him.
Pushing back his worry, he nodded at the nurse and forced a faint smile, concealing the creeping uncertainty that threatened to overwhelm him.
Trusting her expertise, he fell in step beside her, leaving the familiar comfort of the ward behind. Each step towards the doctor's office felt heavier than the last, as if an invisible weight was slowly bearing down upon his shoulders.
As they weaved through the maze-like corridors of the hospital, the man's mind became a torrent of questions, each possibility seemingly more ominous than the last.
Did the doctor need to have a serious discussion about her treatment plan?
Eventually arriving at the doctor's office, the nurse knocked softly before opening the door.
The man took a deep breath, attempting to steady himself, before stepping into the room.
The doctor, seated behind his desk with an air of composed professionalism, looked up from his papers, his eyes filled with both gravity and empathy.
The man's stomach tightened, his breath now caught in his throat.
"Please have a seat sir", the doctor gestured to the man.
"Goodevening doctor".
"Goodevening, how was your day?".
"It was okay, yours?".
"Same. Not to waste anymore of your time, I hope you are aware I called you here to discuss something very important".
The man sat there, with full anticipation and curiosity.
"Doctor, please tell me what's going on. Is everything alright?"
Looking at the man before him with pity, he started, "I'm afraid the situation has worsened, Your daughter's Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva is progressing rapidly. We're doing our best, but I must be honest with you - we have very limited knowledge and understanding of this disease. There is no cure, and our current treatments can only manage her symptoms to a certain extent".
With panic etched to his voice, he replied"What do you mean? Are you saying my daughter is getting worse by the day and there's nothing we can do?".
" I wish it were different, sir. FOP is a rare and devastating condition. We're doing our best, but without further medical attention, her condition will only continue to deteriorate".
"Money is not an issue, Doctor. Whatever it takes, I'll bring all the money necessary to ensure my daughter gets the care she needs. Please, do whatever you can".
"I understand your concern, but let me be clear. We need to transfer your daughter to a more advanced hospital. The treatment there will be expensive, much more than what you've been paying before", he said calmly ,as he picked up a file from his desk and began inspecting it.
"I don't care about the cost, Doctor. Just promise me that my daughter will be okay"
He became silent after hearing those words from the man. He took slow deep breath before continuing, "I won't promise you sir but I assure that we will do everything in our power to help your daughter. But I must ask, why are you spending so much money on a disease with such a low cure rate?".
The man became silent, furrowing his brows, then he spoke, out of pure irritation, "Your job is to do whatever is needed to save my daughter. So I kindly request you refrain from asking questions like this"
The doctor immediately realizes what he had done, "I apologize if I've overstepped, sir. I only wanted to understand your motivation and ensure that you are fully aware of the situation".
" Please, just do what needs to be done. I'll provide the funds necessary. Just take care of my daughter".
The man proceeds to step out of the doctor's office, leaving the doctor alone in the office.
Leaving the doctor's office, the man's steps were heavier than before, his worries rapidly increasing now. As he glanced back at the ward he had just left, seeing his only daughter on the hospital bed, lying motionless, he felt a sense of trepidation.
Walking alongside the nurse towards the exit, he then waves her goodbye, exiting alone as she turns back and returns to the hospital.
As he stepped outside, the cool evening night greeted him, offering a brief respite from the confines of the hospital.
He closed his eyes, taking a moment to regain his composure before blending back into the world as a mere shadow.
"This really sucks", he muttered to himself.
To be continued.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein