Mark gently placed a hand on Bernard's shoulder to ensure he's calm before talking to him. "Bernard, I'm so sorry. I'll take you to the hospital, okay?"
Bernard nodded numbly, still trying to process the news.
Diana stepped forward, her eyes filled with compassion. "I'll come too," she said softly.
Mark nodded, his expression grim. "Let's go."
Without another word, the three of them set off towards the car, Mark leading the way. Bernard walked mechanically, his eyes fixed on the ground, while Diana kept a supportive arm around his shoulders.
As they drove to the hospital, the silence was palpable, punctuated only by Bernard's occasional sniffles. Mark's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, his heart going out to his friend.
When they arrived at the hospital, Mark parked and turned off the engine. "We're here," he said gently.
Bernard nodded, his eyes welling up with tears again. Diana squeezed his hand reassuringly.
Together, the three of them stepped out of the car and into the hospital, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As they arrived at the hospital, Bernard rushed out of the car, his heart racing with anxiety. Mark and Diana followed close behind, trying to keep up with his frantic pace.
"Bernard, slow down!" Mark called out, but Bernard didn't listen.
He burst through the hospital doors, his eyes scanning the signs for the ward where his mother was supposed to be. He spotted the sign for the ICU and sprinted towards it, his feet pounding the floor.
Mark and Diana followed, their faces etched with concern. They reached the ICU, and Bernard rushed to the nurse's station, out of breath.
"Where's my mother?" he demanded, his voice shaking.
The nurse looked up, her expression sympathetic. "I'm so sorry, Bernard. You must be looking for Mrs. Jenkins."
Bernard nodded, his eyes pleading. "Yes, where is she?"
The nurse hesitated, her voice gentle. "I'm afraid she's not in this ward, Bernard. She's...she's in the morgue."
Bernard's face crumpled, his body swaying as if punched in the gut. Mark and Diana rushed to his side, holding him up as he stumbled.
"No," Bernard whispered, his voice cracking. "No, no, no..."
The nurse nodded, her eyes filled with compassion. "I'm so sorry, Bernard. Let me show you the way."
She led them to the morgue, the silence between them oppressive. Bernard's eyes were fixed on the floor, his body trembling with grief.
As they reached the morgue, Bernard pushed open the door, his heart heavy with foreboding. And then, he saw her. His mother, lying still and peaceful on the cold metal table.
Mark and Diana stood by Bernard's side as he gazed upon his mother's lifeless body, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination.
"We'll give her a befitting burial," Bernard whispered, his voice trembling. "The best, Mark. I want the best for her."
Mark nodded, his eyes moist with empathy. "We'll take care of everything, Bernard. I promise."
With a heavy heart, Bernard reached out and gently stroked his mother's face, his fingers tracing the lines of her beloved features.
"I'll miss you, Mom," he whispered, his voice cracking.
Mark and Diana stood in silence, allowing Bernard to say his goodbyes.
Finally, Bernard turned to Mark and nodded. "Let's go."
Mark and Diana flanked Bernard as they left the morgue, their footsteps echoing down the hospital corridor.
As they emerged into the bright sunlight, Bernard took a deep breath, his eyes squinting against the light.
"Let's get started on the arrangements," he said, his voice firm.
Mark nodded. "I'll take care of everything, Bernard. You don't have to worry about a thing."
Bernard nodded, his eyes welling up with tears again. "Thanks, Mark. I appreciate it."
Together, the three of them walked to the car, their hearts heavy with grief, but determined to give Bernard's mother the sendoff she deserved...
Jefferson Hendricks and Larry Johnson, dressed in their signature suits, arrived at the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. They were there to meet with the notorious international drug dealer, known only as "The Phoenix."
The Phoenix, a tall, imposing figure with a scar above his left eyebrow, greeted them with a nod. "Gentlemen, I see you're right on time. I appreciate punctuality."
Jefferson smiled, his eyes gleaming with greed. "We're always on time when there's money to be made, Phoenix."
The Phoenix chuckled, his voice low and menacing. "Indeed. Now, let's get down to business. I'm looking for a large quantity of cocaine. Can you deliver?"
Larry nodded, his grin widening. "We've got the best product in town, Phoenix. You won't find anyone else who can match our quality."
The Phoenix raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, let's take a look."
As they began to inspect the product, The Phoenix's expression turned from curiosity to outrage. "This is fake!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the warehouse walls. "You think you can sell me fake products?"
Jefferson and Larry exchanged nervous glances. They knew they were in trouble.
The Phoenix snapped his fingers, and his henchmen moved in, surrounding Jefferson and Larry. "You're going to pay for this," The Phoenix growled, his hand on his gun.
Jefferson and Larry tried to run, but it was too late. The Phoenix's henchmen opened fire, and the two men were caught in a hail of bullets.
As the gunfight raged on, The Phoenix stood back, his eyes cold and calculating. He had no tolerance for deceit, and Jefferson and Larry had made a fatal mistake.
The gunfight was intense, with bullets flying everywhere. Jefferson, Larry, and their messenger, Stone, fought bravely, but they were outnumbered.
Just when it seemed like the tide was turning in their favor, The Phoenix's henchmen retreated, leaving behind several bodies. But The Phoenix himself was nowhere to be found.
Jefferson, Larry, and Stone surveyed the carnage, their chests heaving with exhaustion. "We got them," Jefferson said, his voice grim. "But The Phoenix got away."
Larry cursed. "We can't let him escape. He'll come after us again."
Stone nodded. "We need to find him. Finish this once and for all."
But as they searched the warehouse, they realized that The Phoenix had vanished into thin air. His escape route was unknown, and his next move was unpredictable.
Jefferson's eyes narrowed. "We'll find him. And when we do, he'll pay for what he's done."
Larry nodded in agreement. "We can't let him win. We have to take him down."
Stone's expression was grim. "This isn't over yet. Not by a long shot."
As they walked away from the warehouse, they knew that their battle with The Phoenix was far from over. The war had only just begun.