A Beta's Undying Love

Chapter 2: Sickness

-Garrett-

“How is she today?” I asked Katrina, one of the nurses.

Katrina sighed deeply, and I knew exactly what that meant.

“It’s not one of her best days,” she said sadly, glancing over at a small sitting area where a frail older woman sat alone, staring out of a large window.

I nodded and walked away, taking slow steps towards the woman, who studied the outdoors as if she didn’t recognize it. I sat down in front of her and took a moment before speaking.

“Hello, Mother.”

She didn’t look at me, but that wasn’t surprising. Most of the time when I visited, she barely noticed I was there. She would just sit there, staring out the window.

I sighed deeply, running a hand through my hair. It only got harder to visit her in this human nursing home for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. My mother didn’t have dementia, but she might as well have.

“So, everything’s pretty calm lately,” I began, my voice low. “We still haven’t tracked down Zane’s mother, but with the state she’s in, we’re not too worried. We’re pretty sure she won’t last long out there.”

Whenever I came here, I’d update my mother on what was happening. I didn’t know what else to talk about. I

“Darren? Is that you?” my mother asked, her eyes still on the window.

I sighed again. She often called out my dad’s name, sometimes confusing me for him. I looked exactly like my father, except for my blonde hair, which I got from her.

“Mom, Dad isn’t here,” I said, too tired today to play along today. “It’s me, Garrett.”

But her gaze remained fixed on the snow falling outside. I wanted to reach out and hold her frail hand, but I knew that would only confuse her. God, she was so skinny now. I wondered if she’d even make it to summer—and if I should even hope she would.

“Darren, I’m cold. Could you bring me my scarf?” she inquired.

I shook my head lightly. It was very warm inside, with the fireplace right beside her, ensuring no one in here was cold.

“Of course,” I said, getting up.

-Lily-

I stretched my back, feeling the fatigue already setting in as I placed my belongings into a small locker in the staff room. I was exhausted, but I had decided to go to work as if nothing was wrong. Besides, what else was I supposed to do?

I had just transferred to this small nursing home after my old hospital closed. Since all the elderly patients were moved here—my favorites—I requested to be transferred as well.

“Lily, right?” a voice behind me suddenly asked.

I turned to see a smiling red-haired woman with her hand extended.

“Yes,” I replied, shaking her hand. “And you are?”

“Katrina. Nice to meet you,” she said, letting go of my hand.

“You too.”

“Well, if you’re ready, I’d love to show you around and give you your first assignment.”

I nodded. “Go ahead.”

Her smile grew wider as she waved me along. She was short and chubby, but there was a calm and cheerful energy about her that made it clear she was well-suited for this line of work. She wasn’t overwhelming, just warm and welcoming. Instantly, I felt at ease around her.

“This is the reception, and here’s Vicky,” Katrina said, gesturing to a small blonde woman sitting behind a computer, glasses perched on the tip of her nose.

We greeted each other before Katrina led me into a large, cozy living room. “And this is the seating area, where both visitors and residents spend time if they’re not too weak to leave their rooms.”

I nodded as I looked around. The room had a warm, homey feel with its central fireplace, green and gold couches, and large windows that overlooked a snow-covered garden.

“Very nice,” I said. It wasn’t a bad place to spend your final days. The decor was a mix of old Victorian charm and modern 2000s style.

“Yes, it has its own charm, and so far no one has really complained,” Katrina said with a small, playful smile.

She continued leading me across the room, showing me a few of the residents’ bedrooms. Some were empty, while others had elderly patients lying in bed, moaning softly, unaware of our presence. Each room carried the same cozy Victorian style, but there wasn’t much in them beyond a bed and maybe a couch or two. Unless visitors had brought decorations, the rooms were fairly plain.

“And in here we have—Oh, so sorry, Garrett, I was just showing our newest staff member around,” Katrina said, as we almost bumped into the most handsome man I had ever seen.

His piercing blue eyes seemed to look right through me. As he slowly scanned me, I felt a shiver run down my spine, as if I were being watched by a predator, ready to pounce at the slightest movement.

He is tall. Very tall, I thought. He towered over both Katrina and me, and his broad shoulders and muscular frame were unmistakable, even beneath his black shirt. Was he made of nothing but muscle? I reminded myself to stop staring like a creep, but I wasn’t the only one mesmerized by his appearance. Katrina was practically devouring him with her eyes as she spoke.

Who was this man?