[Story] The 4 Minutes Before the End of the World.
This is a story about Malcolm. 4 Minutes. A bead of cold sweat snaked down Malcolm’s ribcage. He gave in involuntary shudder. These medical gowns never covered as much as ...
This is a story about Malcolm.
4 Minutes.
A bead of cold sweat snaked down Malcolm’s ribcage.
He gave in involuntary shudder.
These medical gowns never covered as much as one needed them to.
And whose idea was it to turn the thermostat down to “arctic”?
But it wasn’t the frigid air that caused his fear.
Malcolm was normally the consummate “calm under pressure” type of guy.
Always collected, always articulate.
Always on top of his game.
Not now.
Malcolm’s head hung between his shoulder blades,
his breathing shallow.
He could feel his heartbeat in his ears.
This couldn’t be happening.
“Mr. Stone, the Doctor will be here in four minutes.”
“I’m so sorry… for the delay.”,
whispered the nurse, as she popped her head into the room.
“Are… are you all right, Mr. Stone?”,
she offered, concerned.
“Peachy”, Malcolm grunted.
“I’m outta time. And all I got is four minutes to save the freakin’ world”,
Malcolm mumbled to himself.
He laughed, ruefully.
Bitterly.
At 30 years old, he was about to get news that could amount to a death sentence.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
Not to him.
Not this early.
(… to be continued…?)
Thanks for reading.
This was an excerpt from The Rumpelstiltskin Papers. Enjoy.
What’s your take on Malcolm’s story?
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Bolaji O, known as "The Nocrastinator", is an expert in goal getting for digital entrepreneurs.
6 Responses to this article
… Time seemed to pass so slowly then Malcolm heard the sound of footsteps approaching followed by a soft knock as the nurse opened the door and the doctor entered.
“Good afternoon Mr. Stone” said the doctor looking at his notes.
“Bad news I am afraid” he added.
There was complete silence.
Malcolm looked at the doctor who shook his head. No words were necessary.
“Please don’t tell me that I am… I am…” Malcolm said as his heart seemed to sink to the floor as he was unable to complete the sentence.
“Yes; unfortunately so.” Replied the doctor.
“So I only have only 4 minutes left?” asked Malcolm.
“I am so sorry.” Replied the doctor. “But there is nothing else we can do.”
Malcolm felt in his heart, long before the doctor arrived, that this would be the outcome.
“Thank you, and all your staff, for all you have done for me Doctor. You have put 110% into my care and I will be eternally grateful.”
Malcolm walked up to the doctor, put his shaking arm around him, and embraced him.
“Be strong” said the nurse at his side. One of us will remain with you until the end.”
“You will never know how much that means to me.” Replied Malcolm looking into her eyes while trying to restrain his tears.
The nurse put her arm around Malcolm and helped him onto the bed.
“You don’t have long now” she said softly. Holding his sweat drenched hand.
As Malcolm lay on the bed his mind started racing. He had enjoyed these last few days in hospital so much. It was hard for him to come to terms with the truth… He must be strong. He must face the last few minutes with dignity.
Time seemed to pass so quickly.
Before long he heard the sound he was dreading. The sound of the doctor walking back along the corridor to his room.
It seemed only a couple of minutes had passed but Malcolm could tell by the clock on the wall it was nearly three since the Doctor’s last visit.
The Doctor knocked softly on the door and entered the room.
“I am afraid it is time.” Said the Doctor.
“I guess so.” Replied Malcolm.
The nurse who had been holding Malcolm’s hand broke down in tears and ran out of the room in deep distress and another nurse left the doctor’s side to run after her and comfort her.
Malcolm’s heart was pounding in his chest but he managed to summon his last remaining strength and get up off the bed and walked over to the doctor…
“I am so sorry.” said the Doctor once again.
“Don’t blame yourself. You have done everything possible.” replied Malcolm before adding “What must be must be. My fate is out of our hands now!”
Ian Douglas´s last [type] ..The Dark Side Of Internet Marketing
WELL DONE, IAN!
That’s got to be the most creative comment I’ve ever received!
Hurray!
I enjoyed “The Dark Side of Internet Marketing” thoroughly. What other writings have you done?
I’m working on a series of children’s stories myself, at the moment.
We should exchange notes.
Thanks for the great comment!
Bolaji O´s last [type] ..Personal Branding- Personal Development & Internet Marketing Posts Around the Net Feb 19- 2011
Hi Bolaji,
Glad you liked the comment. Malcolm does however have several seconds left before the 4 minutes expire… Perhaps the next person to comment would like to continue the story as I, like you, would love to know how it all ends.
Yes; it would be good to get in touch, although preferably by private email rather than using our public blogs.
You asked if I had any more interesting writings. I do not want to type any links in this comment in case your Akismet trashes the comment as spam but you may like to take a look at the story I will use for the CommentLuv link below this comment.
Best wishes,
Ian.
Ian Douglas´s last [type] ..The Dark Side Of Internet Marketing
Hi Bolaji,
Oooops, wrong commentluv link! Try this one.
Ian.
Ian Douglas´s last [type] ..Confessions Of A Computer Addict
Barely able to stand, Malcolm lowered himself on the bed, “Doctor, please bring me the form.”
“They will be grateful” the Doctor replied.
“Yes, for it is that I must pass from this life, but in my passing, another might live. Tell them it was from the strength of my own hand that I signed. Tell them it was my own hand, Doctor.”
A tear followed it’s own course down the Doctor’s face. It fell to the floor in a moment of stillness as the doctor replied, “I will. I will Malcolm.”
The men hugged tightly.
“One last thing Doctor,” Malcolm whipered almost incoherently, “tell them to read it.”
“Read what Malcolm?” the Doctor quickly asked.
As the words, “My journal” departed gently from Malcolm’s lips so did the remaining life depart from his body.
There was but a soft smile that remained.
Live it Loud!
That ending was DOPE, Rob!
Nice one – thanks for tagging that on!
“My journal…”
man. That’s a powerful cliffhanger. Ending of the story takes you to the beginning.
EPIC!
Bolaji O´s last [type] ..My Top 25 Favorite Inspirational Quotes of All Time