THE PRICE OF A LIE

The sun was rising slowly over the city, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and gold. At the hospital, in a quiet room filled with beeping machines, Victoire lay still, connected to wires and monitors. His friends sat beside him, their eyes heavy with exhaustion, but their hearts holding onto hope.

Ryder burst into the room, a folder in his hand and breath slightly labored. Daniella stood up immediately.

— "Ryder? Did you get the money?" she asked, anxious.

He nodded, a relieved smile spreading across his face.

— "Yes. My parents gave me the full amount. I just handed it to the doctor. Victoire will get the treatment he needs."

Andrea let out a joyful cry, her eyes welling with tears.

— "Oh my God, Ryder! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means!"

Victoire stirred in his bed, his eyes slowly fluttering open. His voice was hoarse, weak.

— "Your parents… they helped me?" he asked softly.

Ryder moved closer, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

— "It seems like it. Maybe they're starting to understand that you matter… a lot."

Victoire gave a faint smile, tears building in his eyes.

— "Thank you, Ryder… for believing in me."

But neither of them knew — the money came with a terrible cost.

---

Later that day, at Ryder's house

Ryder came home to grab some clothes. His parents were in the living room, calm and collected. But Ryder's gut told him something wasn't right. He stared at them, suspicious.

— "You gave me that money so easily," he said slowly. "It was almost… too easy."

His father looked up from the newspaper.

— "Are you complaining now?"

— "No. But where did you get a million dollars that fast?"

His mother shrugged.

— "We sold a property we had."

Ryder's brows furrowed.

— "What property?"

Silence. Heavy and uncomfortable.

His father finally sighed.

— "The house. Victoire's parents' house. It was empty, no direct heirs. We used legal means."

— "You did WHAT?!" Ryder exploded, his voice shaking.

— "It was just sitting there," his mother said coldly. "And the money helped your friend, didn't it? Everyone wins."

— "You sold the only thing he had left! His home! His memories!" Ryder shouted. "And you made me think you did it out of kindness!"

— "That boy is a liability, Ryder. He'll drag you down. Open your eyes."

— "No… you are the problem," Ryder growled. "And I swear you'll pay for this."

He stormed out, heart pounding with rage and betrayal.

---

Back at the hospital, hours later

Victoire was now sitting up, looking a bit stronger. His cheeks had regained some color. When he saw Ryder walk in, he smiled softly.

— "You're back," he said. "I feel a bit better now."

Ryder didn't smile back. His face was tense, serious.

— "I need to tell you something."

Daniella and Andrea fell silent. Ryder stepped closer.

— "The money I gave the doctor… it came from my parents, yes. But they lied to me."

— "Lied? About what?" Victoire asked.

Ryder hesitated, then said firmly:

— "They sold your parents' house to get the money."

Victoire froze.

— "The house…?" he whispered.

— "I didn't know. I swear to you. I thought they were finally trying to help. I didn't find out until just now."

Victoire turned away, tears filling his eyes.

— "That was all I had left of them… my parents…"

— "I know," Ryder whispered, sitting beside him. "I'll do everything I can to fix this. I'll fight for it. I promise."

— "Thank you…" Victoire murmured, voice cracking.

But just then, his body tensed. His skin turned pale. His breathing changed. His eyes rolled back.

— "Victoire!" Daniella screamed.

The monitors began to beep wildly. Doctors and nurses rushed into the room.

— "Please stand back!" a nurse ordered as they ushered the friends out.

They watched through the glass, helpless, their hearts pounding.

— "What's happening?" Andrea cried.

A doctor called out instructions rapidly. Then he turned to them.

— "He's going into a coma. He's had a neurological shock."

Daniella broke down in tears. Ryder stood frozen.

— "No… not now…"

Minutes later, the doctor returned.

— "He's stable… but no one can say when he'll wake up. It could be days… weeks… months."

The world seemed to pause.

—

The hallway was silent. The three friends sat quietly, processing everything.

— "We can't give up," Andrea said in a whisper.

— "Never," Daniella replied firmly.

Ryder stared at the door to Victoire's room.

— "What my parents did… isn't over. I'll fight this. For him."

Inside the hospital room, Victoire lay still, his body battling in silence. His mind wandered in darkness — a place without sound, without music, without his friends. But somewhere deep inside, a spark of hope remained.