Morning came swiftly, the first rays of dawn casting a soft glow through the curtains. Calvin was up before the sun, dressed and ready to go. He paused by Lizzie’s room, watching her sleep peacefully, and felt a renewed sense of determination.He grabbed his keys and headed out, the city streets still quiet in the early morning light. As he drove towards Lang Hospital, he thought about the boy—Oliver Jackson—and the life that hung in the balance. This was more than a chance to right a wrong; it was an opportunity to make a real difference.Arriving at the hospital, Calvin walked with purpose to the front desk. The nurse looked up, surprised to see someone so early.As Calvin approached the reception desk, the receptionist's eyes widened in recognition. Her posture stiffened, and she glanced nervously around the quiet hospital lobby."Mr. Hudson," she said in a hushed tone, "you really shouldn't be here. Dr. Kevin Lang will be furious if he finds out you've been allowed in."Calvin sig
Thomas watched in stunned silence, his breath catching in his throat as he saw the glow envelop his son. The light emanating from Calvin’s hands bathed Oliver in a gentle, pulsating warmth, casting a soft, ethereal glow around the room. It was as if the very air hummed with a strange, comforting energy, a resonance that seemed to calm both Thomas and his son.“The tumor on his stomach is not only one. There’s more underneath,” Calvin said, his voice a low murmur filled with concentration.“W-what? The doctor never said that. And how do you know he had a tumor? I never mention it,” Thomas stammered, his eyes widening in shock and fear.“It’s difficult to see, even with sophisticated technology,” Calvin answered calmly, his focus unwavering. “But I can feel them. I can see them in a way the machines cannot.”Thomas felt a chill run down his spine, the gravity of Calvin’s words sinking in. He watched as Calvin’s face tightened with effort, the glow from his hands intensifying. Calvin's e
Calvin looked Kevin squarely in the eye. "I was already planning on leaving," he said calmly. "I'll be out of here in a minute."As Calvin began to walk towards the exit, a few people in the hallway recognized him. "That's Calvin Hudson," someone whispered. "The super doctor."Word spread quickly. Some of the patients who had been discharged from Lang Hospital, unsuccessful in their treatments and disillusioned by the rumors of the hospital’s declining reputation, saw Calvin and started to gather around him. Their eyes were filled with hope and desperation.One brave soul stepped forward, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes and a frail frame. "Mr. Hudson, where can we find you? Can we come to your clinic?"The crowd around Calvin grew larger, murmurs of curiosity and hope rippling through the group. People were eager, their faces a mix of desperation and belief. They pressed in closer, seeking answers and help.Kevin Lang's face twisted with fury. "Get out! This is my hospital! Securi
The nurse hurried off, leaving Thomas standing in the lobby. Around him, murmurs of curiosity and concern filled the air. Kevin Lang’s actions had left everyone on edge.Minutes later, a doctor arrived, his expression cautious. "Mr. Jackson, I understand your concern, but we need to ensure Oliver's recovery is complete."Thomas led the doctor to Oliver’s room. The doctor performed a quick examination, his frown deepening with each positive result. Finally, he sighed and turned to Thomas. "It seems your son is indeed in remarkable condition. If you truly believe he’s ready to leave, we won't stop you."Thomas nodded, grateful but still resolute. "Thank you, doctor. I appreciate your understanding."Returning to the reception desk, Thomas finalized the discharge paperwork. "I'll pay whatever I owe," he said, pulling out his wallet. "Just tell me the amount."The nurse calculated the remaining balance and handed Thomas the bill. He handed over the money, his heart heavy but his spirit li
"We need to pull this plan against Calvin now; otherwise, the reputation of Lang Hospital will continue to spiral downwards," he said to himself while growling frustration in the depths of his mouth. Kevin was almost stalking his office like a caged beast.A twinge of bad feeling began at home in his stomach when the phone would not stop. It was his father, Lionel Lang. And right then, Kevin's stomach sank. Reluctantly, he answered the call, pushing the answer button, ready to face the storm."KEVIN!" the voice roared off the speaker, full of anger and disappointment. "What in the name of God have you done? A video is doing rounds that you broke that vase in our hospital lobby! Ouch. Now, everybody has seen how empty our hospital is! Cybercitizens are declaring you nuts! Do you have any idea how much you've sullied our image just because of your stupid pranks?"Kevin bit his jaw, gnawing at it to hold back tears, gripping the phone just that much more tightly. "Dad, I—""Don't Dad me,
Calvin could already feel what this place would do: rejuvenate and bring peace to the people who needed it. Calvin presented his minute and stood back to look at the progress he had created. And there was the clinic, nearly ready to be in use. Satisfied, he felt, but he knew pretty well that the real work was tomorrow. It was Tina, coming up to him like a shadow with a clipboard."Everything's on track, Mr. Hudson. We've had a fabulous response from the medical community. Your reputation helps."Calvin laughed quietly. "A reputation, I hope, for the right kind of things.""Yes, it is," Tina assured."Everyone here believes in what you are doing."Again, Calvins, now with an opportunity and chutzpah, nodded. "Make sure we prepare for tomorrow. Everything should be perfect."To this which Calvin saw a vision, an assignment of working into the sunset, with a shared objective of making a difference. When the clinic was finally ready to open, Calvin felt this was an accomplishment of sheer
Calvin stepped into his room, his head in whirlwinds of both anxiety and confusion. What had he just watched? That which he had just watched take place with Lizzie floating over her bed, bathed in green luminescence, would fit well in a nightmare or maybe in a mystery that he hadn't even started to fathom yet.He sat on the edge of his bed and looked at the wall, on which he saw only ghosts of things passed. Was it the necklace? Was it that now Miranda Dew—full and fat but a decent figure, as those things go—had given him the thing? It loomed large in his thoughts. Had she foreknowledge of what it could do? Was it a gift or a curse?Calvin shook his head to loosen the ironed unease. But she loved the chain, thinking it represented the link developed and the shared love between them. There was no way he would dispossess her of it, not until he learned more about what was happening at that moment."Later to consider," he murmured, then to the intonation, the resolve seemed abjected. He
When Calvin nodded at Tina, she went to the front door and passed out numbered tickets to the crowd streaming out of the waiting room. "Take a number and wait your turn," she said, cutting through the sound of the crowd. "We will start seeing patients at nine o'clock. Thank you for your patience."The patients were relieved, thankful to have some semblance of order amidst the rush. As Tina began distributing the tickets, Calvin went back inside, where his staff were already making last preparations, almost scurrying with enthusiasm."I need to ensure we are prepared to handle this number," Calvin briefed his team. "This has to be carried out fast and with cool heads. After all, we are here to serve as many as possible."Then, just as quickly, the surprise dissolved away, and the staff got back to work. They were suddenly setting up more seating in the waiting area, making sure that all necessary medical supplies were at hand. The small space of the clinic took on a frazzled bustle of