1 Prologue

'Oh, father in heaven. I beseech you to have mercy on my poor family. May my sister recover, and live the life she was meant to have. And so, I pray to you...'

'I pray...'

Inside a church, there was a large gathering of people. The room was dead silent as they prayed. Out of the numerous people, a group of 3 had a sorrowful atmosphere about them. They were a middle-aged man, a middle-aged woman, and a tall teen.

The bunch wore traditional, formal clothes together. The two males wore black suits with black dress pants. Under their suit were white dress shirts and red ties. The middle-aged woman wore a light blue dress that covered her figure.

On the middle-aged man's forehead were numerous creases. His hair was considerably white at the roots, and though his eyes were closed, heaviness emanated from his solemn expression.

The middle-aged woman was the same. Her face, once beautiful and radiant, was now filled with wrinkles. She was solemn as well, and one would also feel heaviness from her expression. Her long, deceptively-black hair had some white strands mixed in.

Next to them was a tall teen, who could easily be mistaken for being a grown man. His figure was considerably built, and he filled his clothes out nicely. His face was likewise solemn, but his hands were trembling a bit.

In front of the gathering of people was a podium, where a priest stood. The priest wore a long, black uniform with a roman collar. He prayed silently as well with the crowd.

After a minute or so, the priest stopped praying, as did the crowd.

"Let the light of the lord envelop us. He, who has blessed us with so many riches, blessed us with our precious friends and families, and blessed us with our lives. Let us thank him."

The priest spoke, as the crowd recovered from the silence.

"Amen."

"Amen."

"Amen."

The crowd stood up from their seats, and began to walk down the aisle. They started to chat with one another, wishing each other good fortunes as they made their way out of the hall. Though, the group of three were silent as they walked out of the church.

Church service had ended, and it was time to leave. The three, evidently a family, walked to a car and entered. The middle-aged man entered the driver seat, while the middle-aged woman entered the front seat. The teen opened the passenger door and moved inside.

His height really was exceptional for a sixteen year old. Compared to other sixteen-year olds, who were around 5'7, he towered over them; he was 6'3. It was apparent that the car was a bit cramped for him, as he moved his legs around uncomfortably, finally settling after a minute or two.

They wore their seat belts, and the middle-aged man began to drive out of the parking lot.

"Dad," the teen suddenly spoke up.

The middle-aged man, his father, looked at the rear-view mirror, glancing at the teen for a split second.

"What is it, Mars?" his father asked.

Mars revealed a bit of struggle on his face as he composed himself before speaking. He looked at the rear-view mirror.

"Has the lord given up on our family?" his voice was quiet.

Mars's father's eyes looked at the rear-view mirror, meeting Mars's eyes for a moment. His eyes trembled a bit, but there was no hesitation as he opened his mouth.

"This is merely a trial, a tribulation, the lord has sent us. We must keep our faith, Mars. Don't ask nonsense like that," he answered with a resolute voice.

"Really..." Mars muttered silently to himself as he looked outside at the passing scenery.

The middle-aged woman, who was looking at the road despondently, suddenly turned her head towards Mars.

"Dear, we just have to pray. Everything will be alright. The holy father blesses those who are virtuous," she said with a soft tone.

"Yes, mom..." Mars responded weakly.

Mars's mother turned her head away, unable to look at her son's downcast expression. Her eyes turned misty as she looked out of the side mirror. Her child, once so happy, had a look in his eyes that pained her deeply.

Mars leaned back, looking out the window with emotionless eyes. As of late, the days seemed to have been getting more and more dull, the world didn't seem so colorful anymore.

Rain started to fall from the sky. It gently sprinkled down as the skies turned gray. Mars lowered the window a bit, letting some of the rain fall onto his face. It was cool and refreshing as a tiny bit of water dropped on him.

"Are we going to the clinic?" Mars wondered as he realized what the direction they were heading.

"We need to make sure she's doing alright," Mars's father nodded.

"I hope she's having a good dream..." Mars sighed.

A few minutes passed, and they arrived at a clinic. The clinic was quite big, about three stories tall. Mars and his parents stepped out of their car, and walked forward to the entrance. The rain was extremely light, so they didn't bother getting out an umbrella.

The car doors behind them closed by themselves as the three entered the clinic. The family came into the front office, which was just a simple room with a counter. The female clerk behind the counter saw them and waved her hands.

"Hello Mr. Star, Mrs. Star," she greeted them.

"Hey, Belle. We're here to see our daughter," Mars's father reached into his pocket, taking out a card.

He put the card on a black area in the counter. A red beam suddenly came out of the black area, going through the card. After scanning the card a few times, it disappeared, and a hologram of a check mark appeared.

"You've been approved. Enjoy your time."

"Thanks."

They passed the counter and went into the hallway. The clerk blushed as she stole a glance at Mars. Her hands fidgeted a bit, but she quickly turned back to normal. Mars's father led the way as they passed the rooms to their sides.

Eventually, they arrived at the room they were looking for and went in. Artificial sunlight filled their eyes as they walked into the room. There, a girl laid on a white bed with closed eyes. Next to her were all kinds of machines and iv drips attached to her.

Mars stepped forward, and looked down at the girl's face. There was a peaceful expression on her face. Her brown hair was long and spread out under her. She had cute freckles and flawless skin. Mars's eyes turned misty as he looked down at her.

How many years had it been now? When would it finally be over? He knew deep in his heart that the amount of time they could afford for her was diminishing by the day.

His parents stepped forward and tried to comfort him. Suddenly, the door behind them opened. Mars turned around quickly, trying to see who it was. He settled down immediately after realizing who it was.

"You guys came to visit?!" a cheerful and melodic voice resounded throughout the room.

A blonde woman wearing a nurse outfit gave them a big smile. She went up and checked the machines and the records, making sure everything was alright. Mars stepped aside, trying to give her all the space she needed.

'Everything looks to be in order,' she nodded to herself.

"Nurse Susan, thanks for taking care of Christina," Mars looked into Nurse Susan's eyes with a grateful expression.

"It's what I do, no need to thank me, Mars," she chuckled.

"Nurse Susan, how is Christina's condition?" Mars's mother questioned.

"All of her vitals and numbers are perfectly healthy. You won't have to worry about a thing, Mrs. Star," Nurse Susan replied.

"Is it alright if we have some alone time?" Mars's father asked.

"Absolutely," Nurse Susan responded seriously and walked out of the room.

Now, it was just the four of them. Mars's mother went forward and gently moved Christina's hair aside. Her hands started to tremble as she started to rub Christina's forehead dotingly, but there was no reaction from Christina at all.

Mars, who was looking over his mother, ached inside. He remembered the moments before Christina went into this state.

Three years ago, he was out fishing with Christina at the local pond.

"Brootherrr... fishing is so boring! I wanna go to McDonald's!" a younger Christina went up to the thirteen year old Mars.

"Ok! None of the dumb fish in this pond are moving!" Mars wailed as he reeled back.

As he reeled back the line, Christina began to sway a bit.

"Brootherrr..." Christina tugged at Mars's shirt.

"What?" Mars turned his head to Christina.

"I don't feel so good... my head hurts!" Christina informed him.

"What?!"

It didn't look like Christina was joking. Was she actually hurt? Mars's face became serious as he went forward and looked at Christina's head.

"Where does it hurt?" he asked.

"I don't knowwww, it just hurts!" Christina's face turned red as she yelled.

Mars, feeling that something was off, picked up Christina and jogged back home, leaving his fishing stuff at the pond. Along the way, Christina constantly cried and screamed, pulling at his shirt. Mars's face was scrunched up, he didn't know what to do.

In a few minutes, they arrived back home, and the front door automatically opened for Mars and his sister. Mars rushed in, and went up the stairs.

"Dad! Mom! Christina's head hurts!" Mars shouted, not knowing what to do.

A few noises came from the room in the hall and their parents rushed out.

"What?" Mars's father stepped forward with furrowed brows.

"Daddy! My head hurts!" Christina left Mars's embrace and walked up to their dad, grabbing his leg..

"Your head hurts? Where? Mars, what did you do?!" their mother berated Mars as she knelt down and examined Christina.

Their father became agitated as he and their mother looked at Christina for any injuries. Strangely, there was nothing at all. What happened to her?

"Baby, where does it hurt?" their father gently asked.

"I don't know!!" Christina screamed.

Suddenly, Christina collapsed on the floor, and they screamed.

"Christina!"

"Charles, call the medics!"

The scene flashed by in Mars's mind. He shook his head, breaking out of the past. He looked down at his mother and comforted her with his words.

"I'm sure she's having a happy dream," he spoke.

"I hope she is," his mother nodded, a few tear drops fell from her eyes.

"Mars, can you leave the room and call over Nurse Susan? Me and your mother will have to talk with her for a few moments," Charles, his father, suddenly spoke up.

Mars's eyes shot towards his father. He wasn't sure why his father wanted to exclude him from the discussion, but he obeyed.

"Ok."

He walked towards the door and exited the room. Outside, Nurse Susan's surprised voice rang as she chatted with Mars for a bit, before the door opened once more. Nurse Susan entered and closed the door behind her.

Charles looked over with a grateful look as he bowed respectfully. All the while, Mars stood outside of the room, leaned back against the wall with his eyes closed. The female clerk at the counter stared at his contemplating face with zoned out eyes.

"Mr. Stars, is there anything you need?" Nurse Susan asked.

"Nurse Susan, I understand that my daughter's condition is one of a few others in the world. But have you found any solution yet?" Charles's eyes were pleading with her.

Nurse Susan hesitated for a bit.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Star. But, we haven't found anything as of now. However, her brain and body are oddly in perfect condition still, albeit reduced gray matter," Nurse Susan answered, her eyes trying to avoid Charles.

"Anything? Not one bit?" Charles's voice was pained.

"Mr. Star, please believe us, we've been working on her full tim-" Nurse Susan's voice sped up, but she was cut off.

"It's alright," Charles's voice turned back to normal.

He looked at Christina laid out on the bed for a moment before turning his head back towards Nurse Susan.

"How much for this month?" he asked.

"$230,000 will cover all your expenses," Nurse Susan stated.

"$230,000... where's Dr. Jango by the way?" Charles asked as he pulled out his wallet and handed over a card.

Nurse Susan took the card, her fingers trembling a bit. She went over to a device stationed on one of the walls and ran the card over it. A green light came from the device and she returned it back.

"Dr. Jango is... busy with another patient..."

"So he can't see me this time too, is what you're saying?" Charles's face contorted.

"Please, Mr. Star, Dr. Jango would absolutely love to meet with you, but he's simply been too busy," Nurse Susan quickly explained.

Mars, who was listening to their conversation, suddenly furrowed his brows in anger. The clerk watching him jolted in surprise and quickly turned her head away, hoping he didn't notice. Mars's eyes were dark as he continued to eavesdrop.

"Too busy with?"

"We have another patien-"

"That's worth more than my daughter, the highest at risk and the number one priority at your facility?!"

"Charles!" Mars's mother exclaimed at Charles's words.

"Mary, we've been shut down time and time again! I won't stand for it, my daughter doesn't deserve this! It's obvious that they've been pushing it off!" Charles took a hold of Mary and stomped out of the room.

They exited the room, and walked towards the exit. Mars trailed behind them as they went out to the parking lot. Charles and Mary were silent as Mars followed them. Their car automatically lowered its doors as they approached and they went in.

"Charles, what was that behavior?!" Mary turned to Charles.

"They're damn crooks, every one of them!" Charles fumed as the car started up.

He looked at the rear-mirror, staring at Mars.

"Mars," he let out an angry huff from his nose.

"Yes, dad?"

"When you grow up, don't give a single dime to these animals. Take Christina to a better place, these people are just sharks! That damn Dr. Jango has only seen me a few times, and that was because he was forced to!"

His father fumed as they drove back home on the road.

"Understood," Mars nodded.

Though his father's outburst was out of nowhere, it was understandable. Mars knew what the clinic was doing. 3 years ago, they had put Christina into the clinic, hoping that one of the higher-end medical facilities would be able to do something. However, when the leading doctor, Dr. Jango, had been hiding from them so much, they quickly realized that the clinic had given up on Christina.

He didn't hate the nurses or other workers for it. Nurse Susan took good care of Christina, and the other workers they had met were exceptionally friendly. But the few, leading figures of the clinic were completely aloof to them.

Mars felt bitter thinking about it; all he could do was rely on small endorsements from the school to earn some money.