SEASON 2 - DARKNESS

THE HOSPITAL

The squeaking of small, rubber wheels intensifies as the trolley picks up speed down the white tiles of the hospital corridor. It takes a sharp left through the open door, sliding into the emergency room. The strong scent of disinfectant fills everyone’s noses.

Yukio’s body ragdolls in its restraints. He lets out soft breathes as his trolley-bed is parked into the operation area of the room. Large, bright lights rapidly spring into life as the doctors detach the restrains and rip open his blood-stained shirt, revealing a 7-inch kitchen knife lozenged in Yukio’s abdomen.

Yukio’s breaths get slower with each passing second. His oxygen mask mists up to hide his sweat covered nose and freckles. His eyes are closed, with his long eyelashes acting like the gates to his eyeballs.

The doctors clear as a large man approaches the table. An eerie silence comes over the room, with the only sounds being the steady beeping of the heart monitor and Yukio’s breaths. The large man grips the knife and cleanly removes it, avoiding any more incision.

“The damage is deep.” He assertively says, as he picks up a small blunt surgery knife. He prods around with the knife, assessing the situation. He gently puts it back down onto the shiny silver tray.

A silence once again returns. The large man stares at Yukio as he thinks. The whole room is now watching the large man, waiting, anticipating his verdict.

He rolls his shoulders and lets out a sigh. He nods his head. He picks back up the knife.

Kichiro sits at the bottom of a wet staircase. His bloodied hands are clasped together. His eyes are locked on to the floor. Yukio’s note and chocolate peek out from Kichiro’s pocket. Passers-by move away from him as they walk past him down the street. Apart from one. This passer-by sits next to Kichiro. Kichiro doesn’t react. The passer-by looks at him, with his hands deep in his pockets. His black cap covers his eyes as he opens his mouth to speak.

“You should be the one in the hospital bed…”

Kichiro looks up, alarmed by this familiar voice.

Dark, piercing blue eyes meet Kichiro’s. It was… Yuichi?

“What are you doing here?” A baffled Kichiro responds, tiredly.

A pause.

Yuichi laughs to himself as he slaps his legs and gets back up.

“You’ll figure out eventually…” He says quietly as he returns to his walk, showing a fake smile and putting up a peace sign to his younger brother.

Kichiro watches him go as he ponders what in the world Yuichi was on about. There was no way he’s somehow involved in this mess surely… right?

A loud bundling of feet storm out from the hospital.

“KICHIRO!” Misha screams at the slumped Kichiro, who instantly jumps to his feet and sprints up the stairs, almost slipping in excitement. Yukio must be awake again.

A huge smile now engulfed his face. He races past Misha, completely ignoring what she had to say.

Kichiro waits outside the operation room with bated breath, debating to himself what to even say to Yukio.

The door slowly opens. Kichiro, followed by a late arriving Misha, enters the room. The squeaks and drips of his wet clothes trail him as he walks towards the curtain.

He stops.  Kichiro looks down at Yukio’s wounded body, up to his pale face and eventually meeting Yukio’s eyes. Yukio’s eyes are wide open, staring forward. Kichiro launches himself onto Yukio. Tears trickle down his cheeks. Yukio’s body lifelessly shakes. The doctors and Misha surround the bed, solemnly watching as Kichiro tightly hugs Yukio. Yukio's body doesnt respond. Kichiro squeezes Yukio with his hug. Yukio still doesn't respond. The room goes quiet as Kichiro stops.

Kichiro slumps to the floor in tears. He desperately looks up at Misha.

“Why… why isn’t he breathing anymore?”