Only Time Will Tell

The woman leads you through a door.

"Father Time will see you soon."

Beyond the door, a security guard looks on, vigilant, aged, ageless. He sits quietly, attending to a book as you approach the council. They are deliberating around a round table.

Hope is gleaming. Her dreadlocks tumble down her shoulders in a glimmering cascade of golden strands, illuminating the table before her with a warm, golden glow. Her smile is equally luminous, as are the glittering specks in her eyes. She is bright. You watch her, absorbing her radiance. Before her are cups, a chalice, and a golden blindfold, all embellished with gold and gleaming gemstones.

Despair shifts slightly in his seat. He looks a shadow. Dark hair runs the curvature of his scalp in tousled braids. His eyes are merely slits, uncomfortably compressed between thick bushy eyebrows above and bags that carry the weight of unspoken burdens. Before him is a tub of water, a cup of coffee, and a hammer.

The two turn as you take a seat at the table.

"What will happen to her?"

Your eyes appear almost as heavy as Despair's. The sight of you brings a millimetre of upward curve to his frown.

"There, there, my love." Hope reaches out to soothe your oscillations, gold glittering on every finger.

"She's going to be fine."

"She's going to die," Despair says plainly.

Your heart slams against your ribcage.

"No... She..." You sniffle. "The doctor... the doctor said..."

"It's okay... It's okay... Shhh." Hope's voice is like a sweet tune.

"The doctor said she has a chance," you manage to say through the tears.

"The doctor said her chances were slim," the man corrects.

The security guard chuckles before returning to the book at hand.

"Don't listen to him. Here, take this."

The woman offers you a cup. You receive it with shaky hands, spilling drops of red over the table. You take a sip.

"Have some more," the woman says with a smile.

Your sip matures into a gulp.

"Your daughter is going to be fine."

"She'll... be fine?" you ask.

"Yes... Yes... She'll be fine. She will survive and be back in your arms in no time."

You empty the cup.

"Yes," you agree. "She'll be fine."

"Nonsense," the man cuts in.

Your head seems to sway as you turn to face him, tipsy. The world is now a blurry haze, and you have to strain your tear-stained eyes to focus on the black-clad figure.

"You saw her condition, didn't you?"

He reaches into a bucket and scoops up some water in a cup, splashing it onto you.

"You heard the crash, didn't you?"

Again, he splashes you.

"You saw the blood, didn't you?"

Another splash.

"You saw her head, didn't you?"

The security guard coughs, then glances at his watch.

"Oh?" the man says.

Your eyes widen. Your sensations are heightened, and you can feel the tempo rising in your chest. The tears gather once more. Your daughter is going to die. You are certain of it.

"Stop it."

You feel the warmth of the golden lady's hands on your clenched knuckles. She still wears a smile, radiating comfort through her golden eyes. Everything about her is bright, and even a glimpse of her gives you courage.

"Have faith, my love. Come."

She rises from the table, pulling you to your feet.

"Come here, my love."

You dissolve into the warmth of her embrace. You tighten your grip around her waist, her golden dreadlocks brightening your cheeks like a brilliant sunset. You plant your face against her breast and feel courage seep deep into your limbs.

"She'll be fine," you say into the ethereal woman's chest.

She'll be fine.

She'll be fine.

The man at the table pours two cups of coffee. He takes slow sips.

You return to your seat. You eye the cup before you, then look towards the woman, who shakes her head, advising against it. Instead, she reaches for the chalice and takes a sip before passing the golden vessel to you.

Your smile is in tears as you sip from the vessel. You feel your faculties depart, and your smile wipes away its tears. Your daughter is going to survive.

In a flash, the man dives towards you, his hand armed with a hammer. He strikes hard against the side of your forehead, and you feel your senses rushing back, fighting against the intoxication of hope. You stagger and drop to the floor. The golden woman dashes towards you, flashing hateful eyes at the man in black. She reaches out a tan arm and brings you back to your feet.

Then you feel someone pull at your other arm. The black-clad figure seems to be in tears.

The security guard rises from his seat. He yawns and stretches his stiff muscles before stepping down from the stand until he stands before you.

You read the name tag clipped onto the man's uniform.

"Father Time."

"Now..." the man speaks. "Shall I tell you?"

A flash of light awakens you. The hospital seats are crowded. The doctor steps towards you. 

The man waits for you while you rub your eyes. Then at last your eyes lens clear. You look towards him, your vision lens clear, your heart in a silent frenzy

The Doctor spoke behind a facemask

"About your daughter..."