Behind the doors was an illuminated operating room with elaborate specialized equipment that appeared to have been prepped for a surgical procedure. Surprisingly, though, there was not a trace of another person's presence other than that of the duo's.
Closing the door swiftly behind him after Brian had entered, Jayden turned off the lights. Almost instantaneously, the numbered stickers on the wall began glowing with a fluorescent hue. Spotting the zero stuck closest to the floor on the right-hand wall glowing in a conspicuous orange hue amidst the green ones, Jayden switched the lights back on and went over to it.
Pressing on the previously glimmering character which protruded ever so slightly out from the wall produced a clicking sound succeeded by the mechanical sounds similar to that of an elevator, and the wall on the left side shifted inward before separating, exposing the hidden compartment.
Slipping into the space just enough to hold three men, Jayden selected zero on the number pad projected mid-air on the globular object levitating three feet above the floor causing the walls to return to their primary positions, entrapping them inside as the compartment began its descent.
While the descent continued in absolute silence, Jayden tapped onto the surface of the shining sphere in a well-versed pattern and lifted the top half up to unveil a faucet, an unopened bar of soap, surgical masks and rubber gloves, as well as other materials you would expect to be required by surgeons to prepare themselves for undertaking a surgery.
"Wear the surgical apparel and wash up," having relayed his instructions, Jayden swiftly changed into the provided set in a practiced manner and then got to work on his already pristine palms.
Of course, it was unlikely for him to finish before the elevator had completed its journey, and by the time the doors parted to the sight of a robust middle-aged man attired from head to toe in surgical clothing leaning relaxedly against the surgical bed, Jayden had only just begun scrubbing the nonexistent grime from between the recesses of his fingers.
"This time, the donor seems to be quite young, don't you think so, kiddo?" a soft yet stern voice emerged from the buff man's mouth.
Jayden being the obvious recipient of his question, crudely replied with an audible snort, going out of his way to act rebellious- which served as evidence of the sour relationship he shared with the counterpart.
"Don't overstep your boundaries, keep your mouth shut. Just because the old man trusts you, doesn't mean I do." glaring intensely at the burly adult to shut them up, Jayden proceeded to complete the preparations for the surgery.
Now garbed in professional apparel, the tall kid with black hair stepped out with the apparently emaciated youth in tow.
"Lie down, it'll be over in a jiffy. And no need to be nervous, you can place your trust in me, I'll be doing the surgery after all." declaring level-headedly, Jayden pointed at the bed with his chin.
Heeding the orders, Brian laid down without uttering a word.
"Did you get the blood?" Jayden inquired.
"O negative, correct?"
"Okay, then apply the general anesthesia." saying so, Jayden looked back to his friend on the bed and said with smiling eyes, "We'll see you in a bit."
***
Two days later. In one of the partitions separated by curtains of a certain practically vacant recovery room at a particular hospital.
"So, how're you feeling today?"
"Never been better."
A conversation was occurring between two youths; one of whom was slumped onto a medical bed with an IV attached to the back of their left hand, while the other was slouched against the metal frame and held a medical report in their right hand.
"This says you've made a remarkably hassle-free recovery. I guess it's about time we get down to business, although I would prefer it if you'd give it a few more days," the black-haired kid with pale white skin and glistening hazel irises earnestly scrutinized the report with squinted eyes as he relayed his opinion to the boy sprawled on the bed.
"I don't have the time for rest, let's go," mumbling out the words, Brian, the one laying down, requested to have the IV taken off through gestures.
With dexterous movements, Jayden, the one wearing black formal clothing and standing at the bedside, removed the IV and cleaned the area of insertion.
"Shall we?" inviting Brian with an unhurried expression, Jayden strode forward in the direction of the wide entrance.
Trudging ahead, he took several turns along with a descent down a sequestered flight of stairs that had the emergency exit sign hanging over them prior to entering the supply room at an isolated section on the second floor.
Unexpectedly, the interior turned out to contain two sets of black sleek leather sofas placed across from each other separated by a small glass table. Actually, with the discreet mannerisms executed by Jayden over the course of the last few days, it was anticipated that the room wouldn't be regular in the first place.
Perching down onto the sofa on his right, Jayden signed Brian to follow his example.
As soon as Brian was seated, the door through which they had walked in opened again, and the burly middle-aged man from last time set foot in the room alongside a dwarfish plump old man who had an unrestrained white beard reaching his navel, which was in stark contrast with the glossy surface of his skull.
In one of his gloved hands, the refined middle-aged man clasped a brown envelope.
"This is it for our end of the deal. Happy cooperating with you," pondering ever so slightly, the man dropped the envelope on the table and resumed with, "We look forward to the next time."
Having made his words heard, he receded behind the stout old man and stood at attention, seemingly vigilant about something.
"It's been a while since the last time, Adam. I understand your hesitation, but you know we're your only way out, don't you?" the hunched-over old man supported by his mahogany cane questioned in a raspy voice, his gaze trained on Jayden.
"F*ck off. I guess you don't have anything better to do, now that your main supply's cut off?" mockingly replying with furrowed eyebrows, Jayden stared into the white eyes of the wrinkled elderly, "You're aware that what you did last time was something that I didn't want, aren't you?"
"Well, I guess you're at the rebellious age after all. Fine, I'll ensure that those things don't happen in your presence again, so stop being so adamant about it." the old man sighed as he voiced out his thoughts.
-Hmph.
"Leave." brusquely expressing his discontent, Jayden imparted his command to the latter duo, who promptly withdrew.
Once several seconds had passed following the odd duo's retreat, Brian seized the envelope off the tabletop and tore into it with both hands, revealing the thick wad of 100 Union Dollar bills with the First Union President's photograph on them.
"What do you planning on doing with it?" Jayden asked.
"I guess it's all right to tell you," Brian's timorous voice conveyed his uneasiness in sharing his situation.
"Duh, it is."
"You know Amy, right?"
"Your older cousin? The one's house you're staying at now?"
"Yeah. You know how she's crazy about games, right?"
"Mhmm." Jayden straightened his posture as he nodded.
"Well, when Svengali began selling the slots for the Closed Beta of WD Online, you can guess just how enthusiastic she became, and instantly purchased one using her savings over the last few months, even being one of the first 10 to do so and receiving a free latest edition wireless VR headset." despite the fact that there didn't seem to be much to the story, Brian's grim tone seemed to point otherwise.
"And..." having his interest peaked at the mention of Svengali, Jayden leaned forward with pricked ears.
"So, when the Closed Beta began two days before I came to you, she was leaping with elation, and had Engaged the headset a few minutes earlier than the official time mentioned on the site."
"Yes..." feeling as if the elongated story was finally reaching the climax, Jayden urged Brian to continue.
"The thing is, when I went to get her to Disengage for dinner, she had outright refused and was unyielding in her stand to play through the night. So, I had my interest piqued, and decided that I would buy a VR helmet too, and try out the game. Also, while I wouldn't be able to buy a slot, I could still play it when it came out." regardless of how simple the reason appeared, Brian's voice was still quivering.
"Wait, you're telling me you sold your kidney to buy an effing VR headset?! How's your brain screwed for heaven's sake!?" Jayden yelped out in surprise, clearly flabbergasted by the stupidity of his friend.
"Well, I wouldn't have if I didn't need the money urgently. Let me finish, dammit. I'm not that dumb." Brian rolled his eyes at Jayden's abrupt behavior, "What spurred me to do this wasn't just this, but the fact that when we checked up on Amy the next morning, her VR headset had already entered into Auto-Disengage- which only happens when a person either crosses the safety limit mentioned or experiences severe shock- and had turned off, but she was still lying there listlessly with it on her face, the heaving of her chest the only sign that she was still alive, and she's been comatose ever since, forcing us to take her to the ICU. Even when I called Uncle yesterday, she still hadn't recuperated."
Jayden blanked when the words registered in his mind.
"So, I took it upon myself to find out what had happened, and went to Luke- the wealthy senior, cause he said he had a few slots which he bought extra, and was willing to sell them at the unreasonable price of 1000 bucks each when it only cost a 100 per slot. You should be as cognizant as I am of the financial situation, as well as the current mental state, of Uncle right now. I couldn't ask him for money, and you were the only option I had left. Plus, I'll live just fine with one kidney, I promise."
Forming a thumbs up, Brian smiled in a frail manner.
-Fuu.
Letting out the breath he had been holding, Jayden peered into the quaking eyes of this closest friend of his while firming his will.
"I've been wanting to look into WD too. I guess I'll have to start earlier than predicted," he stated.
"I promise I'll find out the reason behind what happened to your cousin. I swear it upon my life." Jayden carried on to say.
At that instant, both of them smiled at each other, before opening their mouths at the same time.
"Don't make promises that you can't keep."