章 16: Chapter 16: Other Problems

Chapter 16: Other Problems

Axel sat by the large square table, shoveling mouthfuls of food as if it were the last meal he'd ever have. Each bite was savored, a reminder of what he'd been missing. His sister, Annie, sat across from him, quietly watching as he devoured the feast she'd painstakingly prepared. It had taken over an hour, but she wanted everything to be perfect for his return.

He could barely remember the last time he had a proper meal. The taste of her cooking was nostalgic, bringing back memories of better times—before everything went wrong.

Annie had told him that he'd been gone for over a month. To him, it had felt like only a few days. The realization was unsettling.

'A whole month… How did she manage to survive? Working, studying, and paying for Mum's hospital bills… It's impossible.'

Axel's chewing slowed, the food turning to ash in his mouth. He swallowed hard, the question burning in his throat.

"How did you manage everything while I was gone?" His voice was timid, almost afraid of the answer.

Annie's expression darkened, just as Axel had feared. Something was wrong—terribly wrong.

The silence stretched between them, a heavy weight that threatened to crush him. He wanted to push her for an answer, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Not when she looked so fragile, like a porcelain doll about to shatter.

Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry, Axel." Tears welled up in her eyes, guilt etched deep into her features. "I tried, but… the bills kept coming, and I couldn't handle them anymore. I had to drop out of college…"

Axel's fist slammed onto the table, rattling the dishes. The sudden sound made Annie flinch, but he was too consumed by his own thoughts to notice.

"Why?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "Why would you do that? I had savings. I left enough for Mum's bills for at least a month. It shouldn't have been this bad unless…"

His heart sank as realization dawned on him. His face drained of color, leaving him pale and cold.

"She… she went into a Grade Nine coma after you disappeared," Annie stammered, her voice barely audible.

A Grade Nine coma. The words hit Axel like a sledgehammer. It was a disease that had emerged after abilities began to surface in the world. There was no known cure, and the cost to keep a person alive was astronomical. He had left Annie to deal with this nightmare alone.

"Damn it!" Axel cursed, his voice breaking. He sprang to his feet and grabbed his sister's wrist, pulling her towards the door. "I have to see Mum. Now."

Annie resisted, shaking her head vehemently.

Axel froze, staring at her in disbelief. She had visited their mother countless times while he was gone. The thought of seeing their mother's condition again must have been too much for her to bear.

"I'm not forcing you," Axel whispered, letting go of her wrist. "But… I'm scared to go alone. Please, Annie, I need you."

Annie remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Axel couldn't wait any longer. He turned and bolted out the door, sprinting down the street as fast as his legs could carry him.

As he ran, his vision blurred with tears. It was his fault. All of it.

If only he had been stronger, he wouldn't have died in that battle. His mother wouldn't be lying in a hospital bed, clinging to life by a thread.

If only he had been stronger, he could have paid for her treatment in full. She wouldn't have had to suffer so much.

If only he had been stronger, his father wouldn't have left them. His family wouldn't be in ruins.

If only… if only he had been stronger, he would have found the courage to quit his job earlier. He never would have ended up in this mess, never would have died and left his family to suffer.

"It's all because I was too weak," Axel muttered through gritted teeth.

He reached the hospital in a matter of minutes, barging through the entrance without a second thought. The bright fluorescent lights overhead did nothing to ease his anxiety. Each step he took felt heavier than the last, his legs threatening to give out beneath him.

When he finally arrived at his mother's room, he couldn't bring himself to go inside. He stopped at the thick glass window, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked inside.

His mother lay motionless in the bed, surrounded by a web of tubes and wires connected to various machines. The life support system was the only thing keeping her alive.

Axel's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, his body wracked with sobs. "Mum… Mummy!" His voice cracked, the sound echoing down the empty corridor.

He had failed her. He had failed them all.

For over two hours, Axel lay there, unable to move. His tears had long since dried, but the pain in his chest remained, a constant reminder of his failure.

Then, a voice broke through his haze of despair.

"Teras Axel?"

Axel's head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes locking onto the three men standing in front of him. They were dressed in long coats, their expressions grim and unyielding.

One of them was the leader of the association Axel had been a part of before his death. The other two were unfamiliar, but their presence was ominous.

"We are military ops," one of the men growled, his voice coarse and grating. "And we need to take you in for questioning. You can come willingly, or we can use force. Your choice."

The guild association leader stepped forward, his voice softer, but no less insistent. "Please, Axel. We understand what you're going through, but this is important. You need to come with us."

Axel's mind raced, piecing together the implications. He had been declared dead. Now, here he was, alive and walking around. It was only natural that they would want answers.

But right now, all Axel could think about was his mother, lying helpless in that hospital bed.

"Where will you be taking me?" Axel asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

The military man leaned in close, his breath hot against Axel's face. "Somewhere so deep underground that no one will hear you scream for mercy when we're through with you."

Axel stared back at him, unflinching. He knew this was only the beginning of his problems, but he didn't care. As long as his family was safe, he was willing to face whatever came next.

Even if it meant descending into the darkest depths to find the answers he needed.