The Devil's Fortune

Everything Crumbles

Marcel couldn't even afford an ambulance he would have to carry her they

Trying his best not to worsen the state of her legs he puts her on the bike and drives to the nearest hospital

Marcel's hands wouldn't stop shaking as he carried Lily through the emergency room doors.

"Hang in there sis," he whispered, voice raw. "Help is right here."

Nurses swarmed them immediately. A young doctor with tired eyes rushed over, stethoscope swinging. "What happened? Talk to me."

"Some bastards took her," Marcel said, laying her gently on the gurney. "They beat her bad. Her legs... I think they're broken. Please, you gotta fix her."

The doctor nodded sharply, already checking her vitals. "We're on it. Name?"

"Lily Kane. I'm her brother, Marcel."

"Stay close, Marcel. We'll get her stabilized." They wheeled her away fast, curtains snapping shut behind them.

Marcel paced the waiting area, sneakers squeaking on the linoleum. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Finally the doctor returned, clipboard in hand, face serious.

Marcel knew it was bad, but the look on the doctor's face said it was worse than he imagined

Marcel swallowed hard as the doctor closed in on him

"She's admitted," the doctor said. "Multiple fractures in both legs. Shattered tibia and fibula on the right, bad breaks on the left too. Internal bleeding we caught early, thank God. But she needs surgery. Bone reconstruction, pins, the works. She might walk again"

Might? Marcel swallowed hard. "How much will the surgery cost?"

The doctor flipped a page. "With hospital stay, specialists, rehab... it's going to run around one point six million. We'll need a initial deposit of one million dollars before we can start anything. Insurance?"

"None," Marcel muttered. "Not for this."

The doctor put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll do what we can to keep her comfortable tonight. But you need to figure out the funds soon. She's tough, but this won't wait."

The doctor gave him one last look of forced sympathy and walked away

One point six million. Marcel sank into a plastic chair. He barely cleared thirty thousand in a good year across all his jobs. This was impossible. His mind spun. Loans? No collateral. Begging? Who would listen?

His phone rang. It was the restaurant manager, Tony.

"Where the hell are you, Kane?" Tony barked the second Marcel picked up. "You bolted mid shift like some punk kid. Customers waiting, food dying in the window. What gives you the right to do that. You even had the guts to ignore me, you stupid wench"

"Tony, listen," Marcel said quickly. "It's my sister. She got hurt bad. Kidnapped. I had to go. I'm at the hospital right now. I.. it was bad if I hadn't..."

Tony laughed, short and mean. "Kidnapped? Save the stories. You think I buy that? Half my staff calls in with excuses. But you? You just walk out. You're done. Fired. Don't bother showing up tomorrow. And lose this number."

"But Tony, I need this job. Please, man. Family emergency. Real one."

"Should've thought of that before ditching. Goodbye, Marcel."

"Wait!" Marcel pleaded

Click. The line went dead.

Marcel stared at the phone. Fired. Just like that. He rubbed his face, exhaustion and rage mixing together. Lily needed him. He couldn't fall apart now.

He drove straight to his night cleaning gig at the downtown office tower. The supervisor, Mr. Hayes, was already waiting with a sour look when Marcel clocked in late.

"You're forty minutes behind," Hayes snapped. "This ain't a charity, Kane. Get to the executive floor and make it spotless. No excuses tonight."

Marcel grabbed his cart and pushed it into the elevator. The floors blurred past. His mind kept replaying Lily's weak voice, Olivia's cold laugh, the doctor's numbers. One point six million. How?

He worked on autopilot, vacuuming, wiping desks. In the big corner office, a fancy antique wine bottle sat on a pedestal. His hand brushed it while reaching for a shelf. It tipped. Crashed. Glass exploded everywhere, red liquid staining the white carpet.

"What the hell did you do?" Hayes burst in seconds later, face red. "That bottle was worth more than your monthly salary. Priceless vintage. The boss is gonna skin me."

"It was an accident," Marcel said, voice tired. "I'm sorry. I'll clean it up. Please, I can't lose this too."

Hayes crossed his arms. "Accident? You've been sloppy all week. Now this? You're out. Pack your stuff and go. Security will escort you if I see you again."

Marcel didn't argue. He left the building with nothing but his jacket and the weight of another lost paycheck.

Rain started falling as he pulled up to his apartment building. He knew something was wrong the second he saw the pile on the curbim the lawn.

He step closer to recognize his own stuff, His clothes, mattress, old TV, everything soaked and scattered. The landlord stood under an umbrella, arms folded.

"Mr. Ruiz, what is this?" Marcel asked, running up.

The landlord shrugged. "Rent's three weeks late, Marcel. I warned you last time. Eviction notice was on your door. You didn't pay, so out you go."

"I was gonna get it," Marcel pleaded. "My sister is in the hospital. Bad accident. I just need a couple days."

"Stories don't pay my mortgage," Mr. Ruiz said. "Take your junk or the trash guys will haul it in the morning. Good luck."

Marcel stood there in the pouring rain, water soaking through his shirt. Everything he owned dripped on the sidewalk. No job. No home. No money for Lily. He walked away from the pile, feet splashing through puddles, head down.

This was a disaster, but he wouldn't cry he couldn't even afford to

The city lights reflected off wet streets. Then he looked up. There she was. Olivia. Her face lit up a massive billboard across the intersection. Perfect smile, glowing skin, wearing some designer dress. Another one nearby showed her holding an award. "Best Rising Actress - Olivia Hart."

She looked as beautiful as ever. Untouchable. Successful.

Marcel stopped under the glow, rain running down his face. The ache from earlier hit fresh. Maybe pride didn't matter now. One point six million. She had connections, money coming in. If he swallowed his hurt, went to her place, explained about Lily... maybe she'd let him crash for one night. Just one night to figure things out.

He pulled out his phone, thumb hovering over her number. The one she told him to lose.

His finger pressed call before he could talk himself out of it.