The dying point

My eyes were wide open. Sleep refused to come.

I sat tiredly on the edge of my bed, staring at the business card like it was a symbol of life itself. My phone was clutched tightly in my trembling hands as I called and texted Xavier and his assistant again and again.

Very Painfully.

No reply.
No callback.
Nothing. Nothing.

I was completely stranded between life and death.

The digital clock glared at me.

3 hours, 29 minutes left.

“So fast,” I whispered in surprise.

Every second struck my chest like a hammer.

Now, Three hours left.
Two hours left.

The moment the clock hit exactly 3:00 a.m., I shot to my feet. And give myself an energy of courage.

“You need to move now,” I whispered hoarsely to myself. “I can’t wait anymore. Under any circumstances, I have to find Xavier… anywhere. Even one of his assistants.”

I didn’t know where he lived. not even the street. I only know his office and that was the only option left for me.

I stuffed the twenty dollars into my pocket, the contract papers and Also Xavier’s business card into my bag, and slipped out into the cold night.

The streets were still very dark. Empty and Silent. That no shadows would show at that time.

“I can’t trek there it’s long distance,” I muttered to myself, sounding almost mad. “I need to see him urgently.”

I stood like a pole by the roadside, praying for a taxi.

Five minutes passed.
Ten minutes.
Thirty minutes.

Nothing.

I checked the time.

3:42 a.m.

“Time is not on my side anymore.”

My chest tightened painfully.

I started walking. Then faster. Soon, I was running.

By the time I arrived at Xavier Blackwood’s office building, my lungs burned and my legs trembled beneath me.

1 hour, 51 minutes left.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed.

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

Xavier… or his assistant I guess.

I answered furiously without checking the caller ID.

“Hello, who is that?”

“Miss Lura.” The voice was cold. Professional. Cruel. “Do you want Catherine to die? Is that what you want? Why are you so cruel?”

Immediately My blood turned to ice.

“If we don’t receive the payment this morning, we can no longer guarantee her survival,” the hospital staff continued. “Is that clear?”

The call ended.

I stood frozen like a tree, unable to breathe.

But I was very determined.

I would do anything to save Catherine.
Anything to see Xavier.

I rushed to the building gate and knocked frantically.

A security guard stepped out, suspicion written all over his face.

“What Madam, why are you here at this hour? This isn’t the proper time to be here.”

Another guard’s thick, intimidating voice followed. “Madam What business do you have here?”

“Please… please,” I begged with God, my voice shaking. “I need to see Mr. Xavier Blackwood. It’s very urgent.”

“No, madam. He’s not here now,” the guard replied firmly. “He arrives here around 8 a.m. and His office opens by 8:30.”

“So Please leave,” I cried, hot tears spilling freely. “I’m begging you.”

“It’s not possible.” The guard replied firmly.

My legs gave way.

I stumbled a bit back and sank onto the cold ground, my hands clasped tightly as I prayed silently.

“God, please. I need a miracle. Do a miracle. I need to see him now.”

The seconds kept ticking restlessly.

Each tick felt like a slap across my face.

If the contract expired, everything would be over.

“If this contract expires,” I whispered brokenly, “then the world should end as well.”

My voice cracked.

“Maybe… maybe I’ll meet Catherine again in the hereafter. And my parents too. Maybe we’ll all be together again.”

I was tired.

Tired of fighting for myself.
Tired of fighting for Catherine.
Tired of hoping.
Tired of living in fear.

21 minutes left.

“No, not possible” I whispered. “I won’t just watch the contract expire like this.”

I staggered back to the gate and grabbed one of the guards desperately.

“Please, please…” I sobbed. “Where does Xavier live? I need him now.”

The guard shook his head, tense. “I don’t know, madam. Please.”

My last hope collapsed.

Standing there, I checked the time again.

5:00 a.m.

The contract had eventually expired.

Just like that.

I stared at my phone screen, my vision blurred by tears.

“God… God,” I whispered, broken. “We’re ready now.”

My hands fell limply to my sides.

“Now… everything should go black. The world should just end.”

Because I couldn’t watch Catherine die.