Chapter 18: Flicker of hope,,

Arthur and Alice stood before the imposing building, its sleek modern design gleaming under the bright sun. The door, massive and heavy-looking, slid open effortlessly as if responding to an unseen force, sending a wave of surprise through both of them. They exchanged a glance, eyes wide with wonder at the advanced technology the hospital seemed to boast. They stepped inside, their footsteps echoing slightly in the grand, sterile lobby.

The place was alive with movement, patients bustling about in various stages of treatment. Nurses and doctors, moving with purpose, attended to each person with practiced efficiency. The line at the receptionist’s desk was short, and the atmosphere was calm despite the steady stream of patients.

Arthur and Alice approached the desk. The receptionist, a woman with a welcoming smile, greeted them.

“Good morning, how may I help you, sir?” Her voice was smooth, and the warmth in her eyes made the coldness of the room seem less harsh.

Arthur took his card from his pocket and placed it gently on the desk. “Good morning. I made an appointment for a check-up yesterday,” he said, his tone steady but with a hint of urgency.

The receptionist took the card, glancing at it for a moment before looking back at him with a soft smile. “Ah, Mr. Arthur. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person. Dr. Fye has reserved time just for you today. Her office is on the 4th floor, room 4509. She’s expecting you.”

Arthur nodded, relieved by the promptness. “Thank you,” he said, his voice warm. He gave Alice’s hand a reassuring squeeze, and they headed toward the elevator, the soft hum of the building’s energy filling the air around them.

As the elevator doors closed, Alice turned to him, her voice laced with surprise. “I didn’t know you’d already made the appointment.”

Arthur’s eyes were focused on the floor indicator, but his voice was calm, steady, though it carried an underlying sense of determination. “We need to treat your leukemia before it gets worse. We can't afford to waste more time in lines. You’ve suffered enough already.” He glanced at her briefly, his expression softening. “I can’t bear to see you like this.”

Alice looked down at their intertwined hands, her pulse steady but her heart heavy. She was grateful for Arthur’s concern, but part of her wondered if she deserved it. She pushed the thought away.

When they reached the 4th floor, Arthur’s grip tightened slightly as they walked toward Dr. Fye’s office. His eyes darted to Alice. “Are you okay?” His voice was low, almost a whisper, but full of concern.

Alice forced a faint smile, her tired eyes meeting his. “I’m fine, Arthur. Don’t worry about me,” she said softly, trying to sound convincing. She squeezed his hand, though it felt like an effort.

They entered the office. Dr. Fye, an older woman with silver hair neatly tied back, looked up from the papers on her desk. Her eyes widened as she smiled warmly at them.

“It’s been a while, Arthur. Seven years, I think?” Her voice was warm, like a hug, yet sharp with the wisdom of time.

Arthur smiled back, his features softening with nostalgia. “It really has been seven years, hasn’t it, Dr. Fye? It’s good to see you again.” He gave a small bow, more out of respect than habit.

Her eyes crinkled in surprise as she stepped toward them. “I didn’t think I’d see you smile like that,” she said, her voice gentle but curious. “You’ve changed, Arthur.”

Arthur looked at Alice, his hand instinctively moving to rest on her waist. “This is Alice,” he said, his tone growing serious. “She’s my fiancée. She’s been diagnosed with leukemia, and it’s getting worse. We need your help.”

Dr. Fye’s eyes softened as she stepped forward, placing her hand gently on Alice’s wrist. Her fingers lingered for a moment, feeling the pulse beneath Alice’s skin. It was faint, weaker than it should have been. Dr. Fye pressed a bit harder, her brow furrowing as she counted the beats.

“Your pulse is weak, dear,” she murmured, her voice steady yet laced with concern. “And your heart rate is elevated. Likely due to anemia, but we’ll need to monitor it closely. How are you feeling right now?”

Alice didn’t meet her gaze immediately. She looked out the window, her body slumping slightly. She knew the doctor was asking for more than just a surface answer, but she didn’t want to burden her any more than necessary.

“I’m fine,” Alice said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Just... a little winded. It’s nothing to worry about.” She shrugged slightly, though the movement was slow, like even that small action took too much energy.

Her hand lay still beneath Dr. Fye’s touch, but the tremor that ran through her fingers betrayed the calm expression she tried to hold. She didn’t want to admit how exhausted she was, how the fatigue wrapped around her like a constant weight. But the doctor would see through her, she knew that. For now, she kept the smile on her face, even if it felt fragile.

Dr. Fye’s expression softened. She withdrew her hand and stepped back, her voice gentle as she spoke. “You’ve done well, Alice. Managing the symptoms, I mean. It’s not easy, but I can see you’ve been strong.”

She walked to her desk and began writing something down, her movements deliberate and thoughtful. She paused, then looked at them with a level of seriousness that made the air in the room feel heavier.

“Please, have a seat,” she suggested, her voice still warm, though now carrying the weight of something important. “We need to talk.”

Arthur and Alice exchanged a brief look, uncertainty in their eyes. They sat down at the table, their hands still intertwined. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words, neither knowing what to expect.

Dr. Fye looked at them for a moment, her eyes sharp behind her glasses. She then picked up a piece of paper, her fingers tracing over the words she’d written.

“Alice, is it?” she asked, her gaze never leaving the paper.

“Yes, doctor,” Alice responded quietly, her voice barely audible.

Dr. Fye nodded, then folded the paper and looked up at them. Her eyes held something serious, almost regretful.

“Unfortunately, with the current capabilities of this hospital’s technology,” she began slowly, “I can’t say whether we’ll be able to cure your leukemia.”

Arthur’s breath caught in his chest, and his lips trembled, but he didn’t speak. He clenched his fists, fighting the rising panic in his chest.

Before he could say anything, Dr. Fye raised her hand, stopping him. “But there’s a chance,” she continued, her voice steady and reassuring. “There’s one way we might be able to cure it.”

Alice’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes lighting up with hope.

“Please,” she said, almost breathless. “Tell us what we need to do.”

Dr. Fye handed them the piece of paper. Arthur took it gently, his fingers brushing against hers. He unfolded it, scanning the information quickly. He looked back up at her, confusion and desperation flickering in his eyes.

“This... this is a location,” Arthur said, his voice thick with emotion. “You want us to go there?”

Dr. Fye nodded, her expression softening.

“Yes. That’s the address of a clinic, a place only accessible to those who carry a life-threatening disease. It’s my clinic.” She smiled, her warmth filling the room. “When I first met Arthur seven years ago, I thought he was a robot. He didn’t show any pain, not even when he was wounded badly. But when he called me three days ago, I could hear it in his voice—his raw emotions. He’s changed, and it’s all because of you, Alice.” She stepped closer, her hand resting gently on Alice’s. “Trust me, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

Alice’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. She placed her other hand over Dr. Fye’s, her voice trembling. “Thank you for always being there for Arthur, for helping him when he needed it most. I want to live. I want to be with him. I want to have a family with him.” A single tear slipped down her cheek. “Please cure me. I don’t want to lose him.”

Arthur’s throat tightened, and his eyes burned with unshed tears. He could feel the weight of Alice’s words, the raw emotion in the room. His hand tightened around hers, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he just pressed his forehead against hers and whispered, “I’ll always be with you, no matter what.”