Henry Stickmin: The Tale Of Charles's Afterlife

Chapter 8- Old Habits (Part 2)

Sometimes the habit can
destroy
someone.

The sirens of the ambulance echoed throughout the streets of the city as it went against as much air resistance as possible to get Henry to the hospital. In the vehicle, he was hooked up to a machine, to ensure that his heart continues to beat. His chest was still bare, for he was only wearing pants. No one could hear Charles cry, only Ellie. She placed her hand on his, giving him a sense of comfort.

The paramedics were constantly checking on the equipment and the monitors, making sure Henry's condition is stable. Soon, the hospital was in sight, and they parked in the emergency zone. Doctors were one standby at the doorway, ready to receive Henry. They rolled him into a small room with curtains as walls and begun conducting checkups on him.

Ellie paced up and down the waiting area, with Charles still sobbing quietly in his seat. 5 minutes later, Hubert arrived and Charles starred at him, this time being able to not act so formal around him.

"What happened to Stickmin?" he asked, and Ellie responded, "The doctors are still examining him and hopefully we can get the results back soon." Charles had just begun shivering in his seat, assuming the doctors will give them some devastatingly bad news. Hubert was exhibiting the same kind of tension. Soon, the doctor came out of the examination area holding a clipboard full of papers, notes and pen marks.

Ellie stormed to the doctor and shot him a threatening look, but in actual fact she was just really worried. Charles did not have the strength to stand up.

"We did a blood test on Mr Stickmin, so I have to ask, has he been showing any signs of depression lately?"

Ellie did not have to think so hard to answer that question, she just had difficulty to reply. "Um... Yes." At the sound of the word depression, Hubert closed his eyes and sighed. But he had to maintain his smart look as he was in uniform in a public area.

"According to the blood test results that just came back from the lab, Mr Stickmin had traces of drugs found in his bloodstream. I assume he lives alone, since no one stopped him from continuing this bad habit." the doctor simply explained without a strain of concern in his voice for some reason. Maybe he is one of those with a big ego. Ellie looked at him in disgust, either from the unconcerned doctor or hearing Henry taking drugs again but he didn't take notice and just continued to scribble down some notes on the papers. He then waved his hand once he got the all clear from the nurse for Ellie and Hubert to come in to see Henry. Charles followed behind them, hugging himself and still shuddering.

There he was. Lying on the bed with some machineries hooked up to him, to make sure his condition remains stable and to check up on his heart and breathing rates. Ellie helped herself to the chair by the bedside, Hubert placing his hand on the backseat of the chair and Charles sitting on the bed, holding Henry's hand in his and fiddling with his fingers.

"I was pretty mad when I found out you were putting drugs on your body. But now," Ellie's voice immediately elevated, "I'm even angrier." Sometimes the human mind, causes one to be too mad to cry, thus leaving all emotions clogged in.

"You've made yourself a disgrace, Stickmin." Hubert scolded him, but later showed the face that indicated he wanted to take back his words. Some people are weaker and don't exactly take loss the same way some other people do.

"How are we going to continue taking down the clan?"

"I still haven't got word back from my lab guys back at the site. It could take them awhile. Until then, we can't really do much. Meanwhile, we are trying to round up the members on that list you guys found. " Hubert starred at the clock on the wall, 12pm. He headed out to grab himself a coffee. Once Ellie saw Hubert completely shut the door, she stood up and walked over to Charles, who cried louder with every second. That special bond between best friends.

Ellie placed a hand on Charles and he muttered, "I..I.. It's my f-f-fault, isn't it? For coming back?"

"No Charles, it isn't. You just wanted him again." Then she hugged him.

Who knows when Henry is going to wake up.

"Sir, Norman didn't return from the launch site. We scoured the place and found him dead, but they also took the box." The Right Hand Man told his boss.

The man stayed silent for awhile, thinking how to respond, "So they know... If they persist, we are going to engage war, even if it means exposing ourselves." Reginald Copperbottom replied with a sneaky grin.