Love For Hire

Dr. Horton sat back in his lab chair and rubbed his eyes. He had been looking through a microscope for days. He had been trying
out new drug treatment. The drug was experimental and had only recently been approved for human trials. He had organized a
test group a few weeks ago. 50% received the new drug, and 50% received placebos. Of course, everyone was told they were
taking the actual drug because he needed a controlled test.
It had been three weeks into the study, and he was personally working on blood workups to see if there were any changes. “Dr.
Horton,” one of his lab technicians called to him.
“Yes, Nancy?” He asked, looking into the microscope once more.
“I think you need to see this,” she said eagerly.
Interested, Dr. Horton stood up and walked over to Nancy’s station. She stepped back, and Dr. Horton looked into the
microscope. He could not believe what he was seeing. The white blood cell count was up, and the sample was showing signs of
vast improvement. Dr. Horton pulled back and looked at Nancy. “Is the only sample showing improvement?”
“It is the third I came across. I retested all the samples to make sure my findings were correct. I have about another fifty samples
to go through. There may be more.”
“Where are the files for these patients?”
Nancy looked around her station and searched the stack of files on her desk. She then handed three of them to Dr. Horton, who
quickly skimmed all three to find they were all taking the drug. He then looked up at Nancy. “Test the other.”
“Do you think we did it?” She asked, hopefully. “Do you think we finally found a cure?”
He did not want to get ahead of themselves. He wanted to test the other samples conclusively, but even he was excited. This
may be a huge medical breakthrough. They may have just cured Batten Disease or, at the very least, found a way to control it
and prolong the patient’s life indefinably. If it was not a cure, there was a good chance that living with Batten Disease from this
point on would be no worse than managing Diabetes. Those inflicted with it may live long and productive lives.
He only hoped it was not too late.
***

Kinsley lay on the bed next to Nicholas while he was asleep. Teegan was seated in an armchair in the corner while her father did
the same in the one by the fireplace. Naya sat on the bed on Nicholas’ other side, running a cool, damp rag over his forehead
and face trying to help him fight a fever. Even Octavius had chosen to stay in the room. He might have been staff, but he was
Nicholas’ friend and had dedicated his life to his friend’s care. The Royal family believed he had earned the right to see this
through.
The room had been silent for hours. No one spoke. Everyone in the room sat up and took notice when Nicholas weakly opened
his eyes and began to gasp like he could not breathe. He did not have the strength to move, so he lay there gasping. Kinsley sat
up and moved closer. She took his hand in hers while Naya stroked his sweaty hair.
Kinsley felt tears stream down her cheeks as her grip tightened around his hand. This was it. The moment had arrived. Nicholas
was taking his last breath. Nicholas went limp, his eyes open as he stared blankly at the ceiling. He had stopped breathing.
Kinsley lay her ear to his chest, trying to see if she could still hear his heart beating, but she heard nothing. No heartbeat, no
breath. He was gone.
Suddenly the door flew open, and Stephen came barging in with a phone in his hand. He was breathing hard like he had run all
the way. He offered the phone to Samuel. “It is the doctor. He wishes a word with you.”
Samuel took the phone and held it to his ear. “Yes?” Suddenly he shot to his feet. “Send the helicopter immediately,” he hung up
and looked at Octavius. “Revive him now. An air ambulance is on its way. Do not stop CPR until the medics take over.”
“But Your Majesty, the Prince signed a DNR,” Octavius said.
“Revive him immediately!” Samuel demanded. “Dr. Horton has made a breakthrough,” he looked at his wife. “He believes he has
a cure.”
Naya looked at Octavius. “For the love of God, man revive him.”
Naya and Kinsley jumped out of the way as Octavius took their place and started CPR in a desperate attempt to revive Nicholas.
Kinsley looked up at the window when she heard the helicopter outside landing in the yard. Stephan ran out to lead the medics
to Nicholas. Moments later, the room was flooded by medical professionals. Even Dr. Horton had hitched a ride in the helicopter.
As they transferred Nichols to the stretcher, one EMT stood on the run of the stretcher to continue CPR while two others wheeled
him out to the helicopter.

Kinsley chased after them wanting to stay with him. As they hoisted him into the helicopter, the EMT told her there was no room
for her to go with them. The last thing she saw before the door slid shut was Dr. Horton injecting a needle into Nicholas’ arm.
Suddenly Octavius was next to her. “Come on, Kinsley, we are heading for the hospital right now; you can ride with the rest of
the family.”
Kinsley looked into Octavius’ eyes. “Do you really think they can save him?”
“God willing. If anyone deserves a second chance at life, it is Nicolas.”