As Time Slowly Fades (Chapter 1: So this is it huh?)
As Time Slowly Fades
Tirren rubbed the side of his head slowly as he looked down into the sink. Little crimson blossoms lay spread in a haphazard way around the small bowl. Sighing and leaning back, the 20 year old cheetah stared at the mirror in front of him, his own emerald green eyes gazing back at him. For 20 he was in terrific shape like most in his species were. Lean, toned muscles filled in his arms under the golden fur with its mottled brown array of spots. His hair was mid-length and dyed black with red highlights. The bangs hung down around his cheeks, full and sculpted as they were. His chest and stomach were as toned as his arms and legs. Like nearly all cheetahs, Tirren had a runners body. His long tail was still a bit knatted up from laying in bed all night. Tirren didn't sleep much any more. It seemed an unnecessary thing to one as himself. His nights were spent pondering his life and what he wished he could do with it before it came to a close. He would spend hours contemplating the life he had led up to this point and wonder if he had made wise choices.
Tir? Is everything ok in there? The voice of his roomate woke Tirren from his stupor. Brenna was a beagle. Her nose told her all she needed to know about the situation in the bathroom.
I will be fine B. Don't worry. came her answer. But she did worry. Brenna had known Tirren since they were kids. To her the cheetah was her brother. With a grunt of acceptance, she walked back down the hallway of their little 3 bedroom house. As she moved through the hall, she looked over the pictures on the walls. Scratching under the strap of her sleeping top, she sat down at the kitchen bar and picked up the spoon she had been eating cereal with. Swirling the spoon in the milky concoction, Brenna looked at newspaper. She was an online stock broker for a small company in Greensen, the town that she and Tirren lived in.
Any good news in the paper this morning? Tirren queried as he walked to the kitchen sink and searched for a bowl in the cabinet above.
The BOW is up today, not as much as we would like but at least its up. WOW is barely moving.
Tirren sat down beside her and began eating. Her long ears would lift as she found a piece of news she enjoyed and fall when she found one she didn't. Brenna had grown shapely since they were children. She had large breast, at least a double C in cup size. Her eyes were a seafoam green, always seeming so gentle. Her average height didn't make her stand out but instead helped her fit in with the crowds. It was the maroon hair that Tirren liked the most though. It fell halfway down her back and she often would braid it.
I suppose it will rise when the time comes. he replied. Finishing his cereal, he scooped up the bowl and poured the milk down his throat slowly. The sugar from the cereal always made the milk better.
Don't forget you have to go to the doctor today Tir. Brenna said moodily.
What for? There isnt anything they can do for it... he mumbled.
Well there sure as hell wont be if you do not go and let them run more tests to try and find a way! she growled. Her expression softened and she let out a small sigh. She knew exactly why Tirren didn't want to go. Hearing bad news again and again was not something that made you giddy.
Alright... I will go, but I want to go to Zocarra's for burgers at lunch. he replied. She nodded and smiled. With a grunt he pushed himself up and carried their bowls to the sink and washed them. Then, as he walked by to go to his room, he gave Brenna a gentle whack with his tail and chuckled. She yelped quietly and smiled again. Once in his room, Tirren dug through his drawers and pulled out a long-sleeve brown shirt with a symbol for Blazing Circles. It was one of his favorite bands. Sliding his arms into the sleeves he pulled the shirt over his head and straightened it. Moving down a drawer, he searched for a pair of pants until he found some smokey black jeans. Careful to slide his tail through the loop in the back first, he pulled them up, buttoned and zipped them.
And the sun will rise with the spirits high until dawn becomes day!!!! Then we will all see the vict-oh-reee that was wrought that night!!!
Tirren picked up his phone off of his bedside table and pressed the SND button. Hello, it's Tirren?
Hey Tirren! It's Dr. Greyl. I just wanted to remind you of our scheduled visit today and to tell you that your test results are in. We know for certain what your condition is now.
Oh, thanks doc. I was just getting ready to head over.
Oh well then I will see you in a little while then!
Tirren sighed slowly as he sat the phone back down. Pulling his slips on, he wiggled his toes until the slips felt right on his feet. Sometimes he wished his feet were like Brenna's, instead of digigrade. Standing, he sprayed himself with some deodorant then put his phone and keys in his pocket. Grabbing his jacket and wallet as he walked out of the room, Tirren flicked the light switch off.
**********
The waiting room was cold. Probably from a lack of a heating vent. The snow outside was stealing what warmth the room did have slowly every time the door was opened. Tirren was sitting next to the small tv in the corner listening to the whispering set release the sounds of Jerry Springer. He was busy looking on his phone's internet browser when Dr. Greyl came to the waiting room.
Tirren? Want to come back here with me? Tirren stood and slid his phone back into his pocket and silencing it. Quietly he followed the doctor to a small room with a medical examination bed. Sitting on the end of the bed he greeted the doctor with a small nod. Dr. Greyl was a tall, slightly overweight gray wolf. His hair was in a military crop and his eyes were a dismal brown. He wore the usual lab coat.
Ok Tirren, I need you to take your shirt off and I am going to check your vitals. the doctor said, more of an order than a request. Tirren obeyed without a word. He was curious to find out what his condition was called and that was the extent of his interest for the doctor or his practice. He sat still in silence as the doctor first pressed his stethoscope to the young cheetah's chest then back. Then the doctor checked his blood pressure and pulse.
Well, your heart is still pumping regularly, but your blood pressure is down a bit. Did you bleed again today? the doctor queried, looking over his notes.
Not much, just a nose bleed. Tirren replied. The doctor nodded and sat down on a rolling stool that he pulled out from beneath a counter.
Well... I am sorry to say that the news isn't going to get better. It seems you have Cardio-Vascular-Disentoma. Basically, your vein's cellular structure is collapsing. Normally we could stop the spread of this cancer by either amputation or transplantation of veins, but it seems that your case has developed within your skull. Attempting either of those options is strictly non beneficial to anyone as I am sure you understand.
Is there anything I can do? I mean how fast does this cancer work? Tirren asked solemnly.
This is a relatively new cancer to us Tirren. The cases we have observed were rapid. Most who were inoperable did not make it past a year. The only treatment I can offer is morphine. Unfortunately, using blood thinners or blood pressure medicine could increase the speed that this cancer advances... the doctor replied.
Tirren leaned back on his palms and stared at a sign. Every day is a blessing, what will you do with yours? Shaking his head slowly, Tirren said Keep the morphine, I will deal with this on my own. Getting up, he walked out of the room and down the hall. At the reception desk he paid his fees and walked outside. There on the snow covered sidewalk, he stared at the gray sky, watching the clouds swirl slowly. So this is it huh?