The Rise Of Nicholas Hensaw

Chapter 6

Nicklaus rushed after the nurse as they hurried toward Rita's ward.

"What happened to her? What's wrong?" Nicklaus asked desperately as he tried to enter the room, but Dr. Stevens blocked his path.

"I'm sorry, but you can't see your sister right now," he said curtly before walking away.

Nicklaus tried to push past, but the medical staff wouldn't let him through.

BANG! BANG!

Furious and desperate, Nicklaus pounded on the door with his fists. He needed someone to open it—he had to see Rita.

"Come on! What's taking so long? Open this damn door!" he yelled, but received no response from inside.

As he continued banging, he heard the door unlock. He stepped back as a nurse appeared, frowning at him with obvious irritation.

"All this noise you're making will only worsen her condition! Stop it immediately," she snapped before disappearing back into the room.

Suddenly, the door opened again. "We need a lab technician to draw blood samples right now. There's no one available up here," Dr. Stevens said urgently.

"How is she?" Nicklaus asked, but Dr. Stevens ignored him.

"I'm waiting for you to go, young man! If we want her to survive, we can discuss next steps later," he finally said.

Nicklaus rushed downstairs, not caring about anything except getting help for his sister.

He reached the reception floor and told the nurse on duty, "Dr. Stevens needs a lab technician upstairs immediately! They have to come with me now."

The nurse paused what she was doing and looked Nicklaus up and down with obvious disdain.

"I'll send someone to the room. You can go," she said dismissively, which infuriated Nicklaus.

The nurse was not only slow but clearly resented poor people, which explained her deliberate lack of urgency.

"Didn't you hear me? I need someone to come with me right now!" Nicklaus insisted, but the nurse ignored him.

She narrowed her eyes and made a phone call. "Hello, Dr. Tim? You're needed in room..." She paused, waiting for Nicklaus to provide the room number.

"167, room 167," Nicklaus said quickly.

"You need to go to room 167," she told the person on the phone before hanging up.

By then, Nicklaus was already racing back upstairs, taking the steps two at a time in his desperate hurry.

"Watch where you're going!" someone shouted from behind, pointing out a pregnant woman directly in his path.

As Nicklaus turned to see who had called out, he missed his footing and tumbled down several stairs.

"Ouch!" he groaned, biting his lip hard as he hit the floor. He could barely open his eyes—his entire body was screaming in pain, and he could hardly move.

"Get the first aid kit immediately!" someone yelled nearby, but Nicklaus knew he couldn't waste time on the floor when Rita needed him upstairs.

He groaned and slowly opened his eyes, trying to adjust to the bright hospital lights. His head was throbbing, and his hands were badly scraped.

"Move back, everyone—he's bleeding heavily," a paramedic said as he approached.

Nicklaus's vision was blurry, but he tried to focus on the faces surrounding him. He bit his lip and struggled to sit up.

"Stop! Please, stop... I need to get to room 167," he said weakly.

"You're seriously injured, sir. We need to treat you," the paramedic insisted, but Nicklaus shook his head.

"I don't need treatment. I can manage." He forced himself to stand, clenching his fists despite the pain. When he tried to climb the stairs again, the paramedic stopped him.

"Please, sir, you need to calm down. You're losing blood, and the more you lose, the weaker you'll become until you lose consciousness," he explained, but Nicklaus was determined to check on Rita before anything else.

After letting out another pained groan, he bit his lip and managed to climb the stairs. He finally reached the top and began dragging himself down the hallway.

The medical staff passing by stared in shock. They couldn't understand what was happening.

With mixtures of concern and disgust on their faces, several asked, "What's wrong, sir? You're bleeding and need medical attention."

"I'm fine," Nicklaus insisted, continuing to drag himself forward. He just needed to reach Rita's room.

As he approached the room, he heard an argument outside the door.

"There's no way we're starting treatment. The sedative I gave her will keep her unconscious for three hours until the bill is paid. No one should begin any treatment," he heard Dr. Stevens saying.

Nicklaus was stunned. He didn't know what to say—he was exhausted and confused.

"I thought the chief of staff ordered you to begin treatment," Nicklaus said weakly.

As they argued, a crowd was gathering around them, whispering among themselves.

"How hard can it be to pay a simple medical bill for his sister's health?"

"Can't you see how poorly he's dressed? Obviously someone with no money."

Nicklaus ignored their comments. His hand was bleeding profusely, and as he looked down at his wrist, he saw his father's watch—part of the family heirlooms—now stained with blood.

Suddenly, his vision went black, and he collapsed to the floor, unconscious.