Darn Stupid Brother You Are

(Angel's POV)

I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on Hendrix's limp body as the medics rushed to his side. The girl he was talking to screamed, backing away in horror, her eyes wide with fear. I felt like I was in a nightmare, unable to move or speak, as if my feet were rooted to the spot. It wasn't possible. Not again. The scene before me couldn't be real. It was like something out of a horror movie.

The medics quickly surrounded Hendrix, blocking my view. I heard muffled voices, and the rustling of clothes as they rushed him to the infirmary to save him. I strained to hear what they were saying, but their words seemed like some sort of code I couldn't get. My mind raced with questions. What had just happened to Hendrix? Why was he bleeding like that? Was it related to his medical condition?

Suddenly, a hand grasped my shoulder, pulling me back as I began to run after them to the infirmary. It was Miss Stefan, our general dorm mother. Her grip was firm, and the look in her eyes were too. "Angel, come with me," she said without any preamble. I was still in a daze, but I knew that was the last thing I wanted to do.

I resisted, trying to shake off her grip. "No, I need to stay with Hendrix!" I pleaded, my voice shaking, I hadn't realized that I was crying. I dabbed my wet cheeks and began moving again.

But Miss Stefan's grip tightened. "You can't help him right now, Angel. Let the medics do their job. You need to take care of yourself."

Reluctantly, I followed her away from the chaos. We walked in silence to the dorm, my mind was racing. I was already known for not following orders, and this time I was forced to sit still.

I felt helpless, unable to do anything to save Hendrix. The image of his bleeding body haunted me, refusing to leave my mind.

As we entered the dorm, I saw the other girls staring at me with worry and curiosity. They came to hug me and a deep sob came out of me.

"It's okay. It will be fine." Hande was saying still holding me tightly.

I felt like I was on display, like a specimen under a microscope. They guided me to my bed and sat me down.

"Stay here, Angel. I'll go check on Hendrix and get an update," Miss Stefan said, her voice having a soft and reassuring tone now.

I nodded. I watched as Miss Stefan left the dorm. As soon as she was out of ear shot, I turned to the others.

"Please, help me. I need to know if Hendrix is okay."

"But Miss Stefan..." Dilada began saying.

"That's bullshit." Cylan cut her off. "For God sake, she just saw her brother slump to the floor, bleeding-all of us did! Why are they making her go to her room like some child?" Hande was nodding too.

"Yeah. It makes no sense. We will help you." She was always in support of being free from restraints and I smiled in thanks. "I know a way you can get to the infirmary faster without getting caught."

We all looked at her skeptically, remembering the last time we had actually got caught which had put us on a watchlist.

I was grateful to them really. It was much better than just waiting and wondering. Was he going to be okay? What was happening?

I thought about Hendrix's words to me before it all went to shit, about focusing on his treatment and wanting everything to be over and done with.

I refused to think but could it be...

Had he tried to hurt himself? No, that couldn't be it. Hendrix was strong, and he loved himself way too much. He wouldn't give up like that.

I followed the route Hande had describe and, my heart was pounding heavily in my chest. My mind was beginning to fill up with worst-case scenarios. I shook them off repeatedly but why the hell was he bleeding like that?

As I entered the infirmary, I saw Dr. Nixon, the head doctor of the center. I wondered sometimes why a lady had that name. She was a middle-aged woman with a hard face, and a plastic smile standing beside a bed. I saw him lying there, groaning and screaming in pain, and my heart broke.

"Hendrix!"

I wanted to rush to his side, but a medic stopped my movements.

The doctor seemed so strange to be smiling like that right now. What the hell was her deal? A prickle of sweat crawled down my spine and I felt somewhat uneasy. She turned her eyes on me, as if just noticing me there, and her smile remained as she said, "Don't worry, it's just a symptom of his illness. He'll be fine."

I stood there, mouth agape, looking at her as though she had lost her mind. How could she be so calm? Didn't she see the blood gushing out of his body? It didn't make any sense whatsoever. How could an STD cause blood to come out of every open orifice in his body? Maybe the penile area was understandable, but why his nose and mouth?

Dr. Nixon stood arms folded, staring at Hendrix as he groaned in pain. I began to panic. This couldn't be happening. A doctor couldn't be this way. He looked like he was dying. I screamed at her, "Do something! You have to help him!"

Dr. Nixon's expression changed, and she looked at me with a mixture of annoyance and exhaustion. "Young lady, I understand you're worried, but there's nothing I can do except wait it out."

I shook my head. "This is insane! You're insane!" I charged for her this time, wanting to hit her or something but the medic was there again. "How can you call yourself a doctor?" I yelled, crying.

She had a bored look on her face. "And who are you to tell me how to do my job? How the hell did you get in here in first place?"