Read Online The Assigned by A. D. Smith, Iii - Free Book Online

happening again . I won’t let it. “Don’t say that. Don’t you ever say that!”
    He pushes away. “I’ll give you some time with your daughter. I’m afraid we’ve done all we can do.”
    As Dr. Amali proceeds to the elevator, I lean over, my hands on my knees—it’s too much to process. The hurt engulfs me. I don’t know what to do. There’s nothing I can do. My daughter is—WHY ME?!?!
    Alicia sobs as she embraces me. My eyes look up to catch a glimpse of the doctor right before he enters the elevator. It looks as if—no, can’t be …
    It looks as if a black, smoke-like haze of some sort is radiating over his entire body. As the doors shut, the swaying mist lingers outside the elevator shaft. My eyes are so glossed over with tears, there’s no telling what I really saw.
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    More than an hour has passed since I promised my brother a ride, yet my location still remains Round One. Martin will understand. Besides, this isn’t your typical hunny down the way. Low-cut yellow top is pre-med.
    My phone flashes. Six missed calls. Conviction tries its best to override temptation. It’s a tough battle to say the least, especially with temptation being aided by strong drinks and a college sweetie.
    I try to leave … again … for real this time.
    “Look, I’ll be back in 20, 30 minutes, tops.”
    Low-cut yellow top grazes the side of my neck with her face. “Don’t go,” she whispers. “We’re just getting started.”
    “I know, I know,” I whisper back, her ginger-themed perfume further adding to my intoxication. Reaching for her hand, I’m met with a peculiar tattoo resting under her palm. Two identical shapes inverted, with a dot placed directly in between. “What’s this babe? The new sign for Gemini?” I laugh.
    “Maybe if you’re good, I’ll tell you about it one day,” she smiles back.
    “Well in that case, why don’t we continue this party at my place?”
    “Hmmm, I’m listening?” she smiles.
    “I’ll go scoop my brother right quick, drop him off, and then we’ll meet at my place. Just me and you …”
    “But I didn’t—”
    “—I’ll call you a taxi and text you the address. All you have to do is say … Yes.”
    “YES”
    “Now that’s what TNT likes to hear.”
    Although I can’t think of her name—besides the mental nickname I’ve given her—we kiss. Several more minutes pass before I finally leave. Martin knows how we roll. Besides, what’s a few more minutes?
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    When we reenter the room, Christina looks as if she’s already gone. Her skin is cool to the touch. I collapse beside the bed. It can’t end like this. It just can’t. We’ve been through too much.
    “Come on, Zeek. We have to be strong,” Alicia whispers. “We have to.”
    I caress my daughter’s tiny hand, but she doesn’t squeeze back this time. Eyes bloodshot red, my body has no more tears to produce. Alicia is silent. Guess even she’s run out of encouraging words.
    “There’s gotta be something they can do!” I wail. “There’s gotta be someone!”
    “There is,” speaks a voice from behind.
    I turn as quickly as my body allows, but my anticipation leaves just as hastily as it arrives.
    “There is someone,” repeats Chaplain Bryant. My initial urge is to pound in the man’s cranium, but there’s no fight left in me. Just about hopeless, I rest my head on the stony bed.
    “Mr. Myers, are you a man of faith?” he asks me. I sit quietly. In addition to tears and my fight, I have no words left in me either but this man is determined not to leave us in peace.
    “I ask that question because some say it helps to talk to her. Give her a reason to live.”
    Something in his statement causes me to slightly lift my head. I turn, briefly facing the chaplain, now Alicia. She nods, agreeing. I face little Chrissy, her skin paling by the minute. The machine keeping her alive hums loudly in the still room.