The Legend Of Rayden Arsenio

Chapter 3: At The Hospital

The gangsters quickly fled when the patrolling police arrived. They saw Rayden lying on the ground, appearing lifeless.

They hurriedly approached him to check his condition.

"Can you stand up, young man, or do we need to carry you?" asked one of the police officers, crouching down to the injured Rayden.

Rayden couldn't speak due to the intense pain he was feeling. He could only moan in response to them.

"Buddy, we should call for backup," suggested one of the police officers.

Another officer grabbed the radio. "Come in base, over..."

The other line responded, "This is Santa Lucía Police Station, over."

"We have a young man beaten on Mabuhay Street. Send backup to apprehend the gangsters... Also, send an ambulance, over..."

"Copy that, over..."

The two police officers carefully helped Rayden, supporting him as they leaned him against their vehicle. They gently laid him down.

"Poor guy, he's covered in bruises," lamented one of the officers, placing a hand on his chest.

"Yeah, buddy. Those idiots really did a number on him," replied another officer.

"Was he drunk?"

One of the officers sniffed Rayden. "No, he wasn't. He probably just caught their attention because he was well-dressed and looked decent."

They tried asking Rayden where he was from, but he remained unresponsive and weak.

"Let's not ask him right now. Maybe they just targeted him for no reason," requested one of the officers.

Rayden could hear the conversation between the two police officers, but he couldn't open his eyes or even move his mouth to respond to them.

After a few minutes, the awaited backup and ambulance finally arrived. They loaded the unconscious Rayden onto the ambulance.

"Good thing you're here. Let's get the victim on board," said one of the police officers, with the help of the paramedic.

Meanwhile, the patrolling police officers apprehended the attackers and handed them over to the backup. Once Rayden was inside the ambulance, it departed for Santa Lucía Medical Center.

The medic rushed Rayden to the ward for treatment. The police officer then contacted Rayden's mother.

"Hello, who is this?" Rayden's mother asked the caller.

"Mrs. Rebecca Arsenio?" the police officer inquired.

"Yes, this is she. Why?" Mrs. Rebecca's heart raced with anxiety.

"Your child is here at the hospital. You need to come here right away."

"Why? What happened to my child?"

"He was beaten up by some troublemakers. Please hurry..."

"Yes, I'll come right away." Mrs. Rebecca quickly hung up her cellphone.

Within less than ten minutes, Mrs. Rebecca arrived at the hospital. She saw the police officer in the lobby, and he noticed her too. Despite her nervousness, she asked about her child's whereabouts.

"Are you Mrs. Rebecca Arsenio?" the police officer asked.

"Yes... Yes, that's me. Where is my child?" There was a tremor in her voice.

"Please follow me—" The police officer led her to Rayden.

The police officer explained all the details of what had happened to Rayden. The mother embraced the motionless Rayden tightly.

She felt an overwhelming worry for her child. She gently caressed his face and held his hand. Compassion was evident on her face as she looked at her child.

The police officer bid farewell at that moment. Mrs. Rebecca expressed her gratitude towards him. The police officer promised that justice would be served for what had happened to Rayden.

"Thank you very much..."

Mrs. Rebecca sat beside her child and kept a watchful eye on him throughout the night. Rayden eventually woke up and saw his mother sleeping. Her head was resting on his bed. He smiled and closed his eyes again.

The next day, Rayden's sister, Leila, arrived with Ricky, his friend. They approached them.

"Hey, buddy. How are you doing?" Ricky asked, showing concern.

"My body still hurts," Rayden attempted to stand up but struggled.

"Don't move yet, son. Just lie down," Mrs. Rebecca advised.

"What really happened to you, huh? Weren't you just visiting Isabelle? Did Mr. Fernando order this to happen?" Ricky inquired.

"It wasn't Isabelle who had anything to do with it," Leila interjected into the conversation.

"Don't butt in," Mrs. Rebecca reprimanded Leila.

The young girl fell silent.

"Son, tell us what happened when you went to Isabelle's last night. What really happened that led to this?" Mrs. Rebecca asked.

Rayden recounted the entire incident from the previous night. He explained how they were chased away, especially by Isabelle's father. They were shocked to learn about it.

"Isabelle's father is heartless. Money is all that's on his mind," Ricky expressed angrily.

"Why do you think Isabelle did this to you? Is it because we're poor and our livelihood is fishing?" Mrs. Rebecca's face held regret.

"I already told her that I love her, but she didn't give me a chance to change," Rayden felt disappointed.

"Buddy, I just found out about Isabelle's true nature. She may be beautiful, but it seems like she's only after wealth. I wish she had told you that from the beginning."

"She chose that businessman over me, her boyfriend... but then again, who am I to her to be taken seriously? I'm just a lowly fisherman and a high school graduate."

"Son, don't belittle yourself. God has a plan for you. Just trust in Him," Mrs. Rebecca comforted her child.

"So, what now? Are you going to look for someone new?" Ricky joked.

Rayden took a while before responding. He stared out the window, observing the clouds and birds in the sky.

"I told them that I will strive and do everything to improve my life," he looked at his mother and sister, "and our lives."

They smiled at what he said.

"That's the spirit, buddy. Don't let your emotions dictate you. She's just a girl, you'll forget about her eventually. I'm here to support you and help you find someone new," Ricky joked.

Rayden winced at Ricky's foolishness.

"Son, your sister and I are here to accompany you, okay?" Mrs. Rebecca reassured her child.

"Thank you, Mom. Thank you to all of you."

Rayden felt relieved by his mother's words and the support of his friend. In those moments, they shared the food Ricky and Leila brought.

"Alright, enough with the drama. Let's eat first," Ricky took the food wrapped in plastic and placed it on the small table.

Little did they know, Isabelle was outside the ward, peeking in and observing them. She felt embarrassed to approach them because of what happened.

Meanwhile, as Leila was about to go to the restroom, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face but wasn't sure if it was really Isabelle.

"Wait, is that Isabelle?" She stood up and walked towards the end of the ward.

Fortunately, Isabelle had already left. Leila didn't want to see her, especially not Rayden. Leila searched for Isabelle but couldn't find her.

"Maybe I was just imagining things. I should just go to the toilet..." Leila shook her head and headed towards the restroom.