A Friend's Departure

"Uncle Jack!" Drai exclaimed upon seeing the ambusher.

Jack coughed and slumped to the floor. His clothes were drenched in his own blood.

Drai and Ravi rushed to his side and knelt beside him.

"Jack… You shouldn't be moving…" Ravi whispered as he held his friend's bloodied hand.

Breathing heavily, Jack replied with much difficulty, "Too late… I took… the booster…"

Hearing this, Ravi's face sank. He checked Jack's heartbeat and said frantically, "Why did you do that?! You know it's a failed prototype!"

Jack chuckled and closed his eyes.

"I was… gonna die… either way… Might… as well save… you."

Jack suddenly coughed a handful of blood. With his worsening injuries, even speaking felt utterly agonizing to him.

"Dammit! Why must there be a blackout!?" Ravi questioned with a pained expression. He figured that if he could treat Jack in his basement lab, perhaps there would still be a chance to save his dear friend.