My breath was visible in the cold air as I rubbed my hands together for warmth, my gaze settling on St. Mary's Medical Center. Nestled in the core of New Dawn City, the bustling traffic here stood in stark contrast to the neighborhoods with boarded-up houses, where homeless individuals roamed the streets in search of spare change, and crime was an everyday occurrence. This place, however, bore a pristine facade. No one feared walking on the sidewalks, worrying about being mugged or the possibility of witnessing criminal activities. The city center housed the police headquarters, upscale office buildings, and some of the finest restaurants one could find.

It was also a sanctuary for the wealthy, those privileged few who could afford to live here. Within the city, many opted to avoid this place due to the insane medical bills, choosing instead to gamble their health at second or third-tier medical facilities. So it was a surprise to discover that George had chosen this place for his mother's treatment.

Upon entering the building, I made a beeline for the reception desk. A beautiful blonde, her short hair framing piercing blue eyes, was engrossed in her computer. She noticed my approach and paused momentarily before resuming her task.

"I'm here to see Laura Keen," I informed her.

It irked my nerves when she continued typing, seemingly ignoring my existence. I found it highly annoying when people recognized my presence or heard me speak, yet chose to respond at their leisure, as though my time meant nothing. Nevertheless, I maintained my composure, watching as she wrapped up whatever task held her attention.

She hit the final key with a bang before looking up at me. "Room 612," she stated, pointing to the right where the elevators were located.

I nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded towards the sixth floor. The hospital was surprisingly quiet, with only a few individuals strolling through the halls. Most room doors were ajar, allowing brief glimpses into the lives they temporarily housed. After a brief search, I found the room I was looking for. A couple of knocks later, I announced my presence, ready to see the state Geroge's mother was in and also check in on him.

"Hey man," Geroge greeted me as he opened the door. He looked exhausted as if he's been up for days. The dark circles under his eyes and the yawn told me my thoughts were true. Unlike me his style was basic, keeping everything he wore simple. Faded blue jeans, and whatever shirt he could find that wasn't old and able to hide his ink. While I had my signature skull tattoo on my neck that my mother hated with every fiber of her being, Geroge had a whole arm sleeve, and some peaking out from under his shirt around his neck.

"Hey," I said with a smile as we bumped fists. "I'd ask how you are doing but you look like shit, so no need. I did bring a gift," I told him as I pulled out a box of truffles. His face nearly lit up after seeing them.

"You remembered!"

"Yeah man, I never forgot," I told him as he accepted the truffles. It was his mom's favorite, and even if she was unable to eat them right now for some reason, I felt it was the thought that mattered.

He gestured for me to come in and the first thing I noticed was not his mom sleeping in the hospital bed. It was the unfinished painting that was propped upright by an easel.

"Damn, you still draw?" I asked as I walked over to the unfinished piece of art. The woman painted on the canvas looked as if her world was about to come tumbling down. The pink and blue watercolor backdrop complemented it in ways I couldn't even express. It amazed me how talented Geroge was and I envied that talent of his. I had none that I knew of and wished I had an ounce of what he was capable of.

"Yeah, I still draw," Geroge replied with a soft chuckle. His eyes darted to the canvas, an unreadable expression on his face. He had always been a man of many words, but when it came to his art, he was remarkably reserved. It was his getaway spot, the place where he could escape the harsh realities of life.

"It helps me keep sane, especially during times like these," he added, his gaze now firmly fixed on his sleeping mother. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, one that couldn't be expressed with words.

The room was silent for a few moments, the only sound being the steady beeping of the monitors attached to Laura. It was a painful reminder of how fragile we were. We were all in this together playing this game we call life. Yet, all games had to come to an end eventually.

"How is she?" I finally broke the silence, looking towards Geroge for some form of reassurance.

He sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. "Doctors say it's not looking good, man. But, she's a fighter. Always has been."

I nodded, patting him reassuringly on the back. "She's strong, Geroge."

His gaze landed on me as he gave me a smile but his hazel eyes told me everything. This was a battle she was losing, it was just a fight she didn't realize was over yet.

"Yeah, I'd do more for her if I could, but this treatment is already kicking my ass."

"How much," I asked. My funds were low, but if I could spare anything I would. Geroge was a nice guy to those who knew him, he shouldn't be going through shit like this. Life just had a way of beating you down, and just when you thought you could get back up, the beatdown came again but this time twice as hard.

I was still figuring out the loss of my father, and I didn't want him to go through the same thing. It would break him, she was his everything.

Geroge shook his head. "Don't worry about it, it's more than either of us could afford."

"You're not with Blackout anymore?" I asked but I already knew the answer.

"Nah," He chuckled at that as he shook his head. "I left, and you know that the money wasn't that great anyway. Not for the cost of these," Geroge pointed to the scars he had from the fights he's been in while working with us. Or, them considering I'm no longer a part of that crew.

It wasn't like he was a small guy either, Geroge was sturdy and a bit on the shorter side only being five-eight. However, he had the balls to go up against anyone bigger than him. Fearless in the face of danger and never ran from a fight. This is why I wanted him to join me in what I had planned, but seeing the state of his mom made me wonder if that was even such a good idea.

Adam told me to leave him out of it, and I was beginning to see why.

"True, but we had some good times, no?"

He laughed at that. "Yeah, but at that time we were in it for the fun not only the money. Now though, I'm not so sure."

"What's going on with them anyway, you know?" I asked as everyone so far has been dodging the question.

Geroge sighed as he shook his head. I could see he was debating something. "Not sure man, things are just a bit different now. They are real killers now, none of that playshit. Drugs, shakedowns, or murder, whatever you need doing they'll do it."

I was shook as I couldn't picture them doing anything of the sort. Sure, we've done our fair share of crime, but the extent only went so far. Honestly, I could care less if they were dropping bodies, it's just the reasoning behind it that mattered to me. Doing it to protect yourself or someone else was one thing, but doing it for cash was another. I tried to make a joke of it all. "At least it pays well, right?"

Geroge didn't look amused and I could understand why. He's shot at others and been shot at before. He even beat people within an inch of their life, but the guy never actively tried to kill anyone that didn't deserve it.

"Yeah, well, money ain't everything, you know?" Geroge replied, rubbing his temples as if he were trying to banish a persistent headache. His voice was quiet, subdued, the direct contrast to the lively, vibrant man he normally was.

"I know that," I said, shifting uncomfortably. This was a side of Geroge I hadn't seen before, one that was grating against the tough exterior he had always displayed.

"I guess... I guess I just thought we were different," he continued, looking lost in thought. "We were supposed to be better than them. We were supposed to make something of ourselves."

His words hung heavy in the air. And for the first time in our friendship, I saw uncertainty in his eyes. It shook me, unnerved me. The Geroge I knew was fearless, unflinching in the face of danger. But this Geroge? This Geroge seemed lost, weighed down by the harsh realities of life.

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"Time changes people, but so does money and greed. I'm sure they have their own reasons." I told him. Not sure if I was saying it to him or myself.

"You still in contact with them then?" I couldn't help but ask.

He shrugged, "Adam mostly, but Kiki sends me messages every so often. Buttons and Ricky check in too, but just not as often."

I smiled as I nudged him against the shoulder. "So, you two are friends now?"

"Yeah I guess, I mean with everything she has going on and me, it just wasn't going to work out. Besides, pretty sure Kiki still has feelings for Ricky. I'm not really looking for a relationship right now, just trying to be here with her," He motioned toward his sleeping mom.

"I feel you. I actually came here to see if you were interested in getting your hands on something that would help with the cancer, and make her last moments be spent somewhere else outside these four walls. But honestly man, I just don't know anymore."

"Something to help?" He sounded a little skeptical, yet there was a spark of hope in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "What are you talking about?"

"Midzamaim."

"That miracle drug? Dude, I had to give up everything, the house, car, everything just to afford to put her here. I can't afford it, and you can't either."

He was right, neither of us had that kind of money. That's why when I stayed silent, he looked back at me with a face that told me he knew what I was getting at. Geroge did not look happy about what I just told him, he seemed more upset than anything else.

"No, I can't do it. That's too dangerous, even for you." He told me.

I nodded in agreement. "You think I want to do this? I can't think of another way, that drug is the only thing standing between you and her. Don't let her go out like this, let her go on her own terms."

I could see he was deliberating over the matter, but with a shake of his head, he came to his answer. "Thanks, man, truly, thank you. But I'm not doing it."

Placing my hand on his shoulder, I looked him in the eye. "Geroge, you once told me you'd do anything to see her healthy once more. Well, this is that." Pointing to his mom who was sleeping soundlessly, I continued, "You'll regret this for the rest of your life if you don't even try. Always thinking back and questioning what if."

Geroge's brow furrowed as he glanced toward his mother. "I promised I would clean up my act. Now you want me to go back on my word? Would you?"

Thinking it over for a moment I nodded. "Yeah man, I would."

Geroge walked away to sit in the chair that he had placed in front of his canvas. "Is that why you came here? To convince me to do this? Ricky put you up to it?" He asked.

"No," I shook my head, "Ricky didn't put me up to this. He doesn't even know I'm here. This was my idea."

The room was silent for a while as Geroge contemplated what I'd just said. His hand absentmindedly stroked the canvas, the other rubbing his forehead, a clear sign of stress.

"I need to think about it," Geroge finally said, not meeting my eyes. "You're talking about going on a suicide run, this isn't a decision I can make lightly."

I nodded in understanding. "Take all the time you need, man. But remember, time is something your mother doesn't have a lot of."

As I turned to leave, I took one last look at the room. The unfinished canvas, the woman sleeping soundlessly, Geroge's hunched figure, everything spoke volumes of the love and the pain he had for his mother.

"Call me when you've made up your mind," I told him before stepping out into the hallway.

My phone vibrated multiple times, someone was calling me. It was Adam someone I had not heard from since I asked him to look into Sunrise to see what information he could dig up on them.

"Dude, tell me you're fucking with me?" Adam sounded pissed, and I knew why.

"You were listening?" I asked a question I was fairly confident I knew the answer to.

"Doesn't matter," He replied. "I told you, leave him out of it. He has enough shit on his plate as it is, you really want to go stirring some more?"

I sighed and took a seat in one of the open chairs in the waiting area. It was deserted, not one soul in sight. The television was showing some sitcom show that ended years ago.

"I know what you said, but I need him for this. He needs this too and you know it."

"Don't even go there. You're doing this for yourself, not him. I thought you changed man, but maybe not." Adam's voice was cold as if he were speaking to a stranger he wanted nothing to do with.

"I take it you're not going to finish what I asked you?"

Adam paused before answering, "I didn't say that. I'll get you the rest of the information you need, but you're on your own after that. I can't be a part of this."

I sighed, leaning back in the chair and running a hand through my hair. I knew that this whole plan was a risk, but hearing it from Adam - who'd always been one of the more pragmatic people I knew - made it feel even more precarious. Even worse I felt bad for not telling Geroge the real reason I came to see him. I just had to hope he would come through, if not for me, for his mom.

"I understand," I said, "Just... try to find out as much as you can, Adam. We need every advantage we can get."

After a beat of silence, he responded. "Alright. I'll do what I can. But remember, you're going after one of the major companies that run this city. You're trying to step into the lion's den and not get eaten. That won't be easy."

"Yeah, I know," I replied. "Thanks, Adam."

As I hung up the phone, I felt a heavy sensation in my stomach. This was really happening. The plan that had only been a far-off idea before was now quickly becoming a reality, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of fear.

"But what choice do we have?" I muttered to myself.

I needed that drug more than anyone else. My life was riding on it, and without using everything at my disposal I might as well just roll over in a grave now. So sorry for what I did, but I'd do it again if it came down to it.

I looked around the room. The darkened hospital corridor felt cold and unwelcoming. It was a stark contrast to the warmth of the room I'd just left, where a friend was grappling with his mother's impending death.

I felt a surge of determination. For Geroge. For his mom. For me. I had to get that drug, whatever the cost.

Steeling myself, I walked back into the room. Geroge looked up from his canvas, his eyes lined with exhaustion. His mother was still sleeping peacefully in her hospital bed, oblivious to the turmoil her illness had caused.

"I know you don't want to do this," I began, my voice echoing in the silence of the room. "And I respect your decision. But this isn't just about you, Geroge. It's about your mom. It's about me. It's about everyone who can benefit from this drug."

"I'm not asking you to go back on your word, to become the person you once were. I'm asking you to fight. To not give up. Because sometimes, doing the right thing requires us to get dirty."

Geroge remained silent, his gaze focused on the unfinished painting in front of him. I knew that he was grappling with his inner demons, trying to reconcile his desire to help his mother with his promise to stay clean.

"What?"

I looked confused, he interrupted me in the middle of my big pitch. It tossed me off my game so I couldn't help but ask, "What?"

"You said this isn't about me, it's about you and my mom. What are you talking about?" He pointed out.

I took a step back unconsciously, I messed up. I've been dancing around the matter because frankly I just did not want to face the reality of it. I was dying, that was a fact and without Midzamazim I was a dead man walking. Telling someone this was not on my to-do list, but if I had to come clean, now was the time.

"I'm dying Geroge."

His gaze swung up to meet mine, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. "What... What do you mean you're dying?"

"It's my crystal, man," I replied, trying to maintain my composure. I'd known about this for some time, and it was strange how saying it out loud didn't make it feel any more real. "The doc has given me a month or so, maybe less if I don't get this thing cut out of me."

I could see him processing the information, his face a mix of surprise, horror, and pity. I hated that look - I didn't want pity. I didn't want to be the object of sympathy. But most of all, I hated the fact that I was putting this burden on him. He already had enough on his plate.

"Man... I... I don't know what to say," he finally said, looking genuinely lost.

"I don't need you to say anything, Geroge. I just need your help. This drug, it's not just for your mom. It's for me too."

A heavy silence descended upon us. The only sound was the soft beeping of the heart monitor connected to his mom. I could see him grappling with the enormity of the situation.

Finally, he spoke again. "So... so you tried to manipulate me by using my mom's condition? That's cold Raven, even for you. So what, you think I'm... I'm just going to instantly change my mind now that you're being upfront with me?"

"I'm sorry okay! But it was the only way I saw."

He shook his head. "Nah man, you could have just asked."

His words stung, but I couldn't deny their truth. I should've been honest with him from the start, should've trusted our friendship enough to believe he'd help me regardless. But fear and desperation had clouded my judgment.

"You're right," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. "I... I should've just asked. I'm sorry, Geroge. But I knew if-"

"If you asked I'd say no?" He sighed heavily, running his fingers through his messy hair. "You're a real piece of work, you know that?"

"So, I've been told."

"Alright, so tell me," he said, his tone hardened, "What exactly is your plan? How do we even begin to steal this... this miracle drug?

"I've got a contact," I began, trying to regain my composure. "Adam's been giving me information on Sunrise and their operations. He managed to find out about a shipment of Midzamazim that's due to arrive in a few days. The plan is to intercept it before it reaches the facility."

Geroge looked at me incredulously. "And how exactly do we plan on doing that? It's not like we can just walk in there and take it."

"No, we can't. But we can create a distraction. Cause a scene somewhere else, draw their security away, and then swoop in and grab the shipment."

The disbelief in Geroge's eyes slowly changed to a glimmer of hope. "That could work," he murmured. "That could actually work."

"And we'd only have to do it once. One shipment would be enough for both your mom and me."

"But what if we get caught?" he asked, the worry creeping back into his voice. "Sunrise man, it's a big company. They won't let this go, we'd be wanted in the entire state, let alone the city. None of us would be safe, you, me, our friends and family. They'll come after us, and come after us hard."

"Then we strap up. Hit them hard and fast, leave no witnesses."

Geroge didn't answer right away, his eyes narrowing as he weighed the gravity of my words. The silence was tense, the only sound was the beeping of the medical equipment keeping rhythm with our anxiety.

Finally, he took a deep breath, "Alright... I'm in."

He turned to face me, determination etched across his face, "But Raven, we have to do this right. No mistakes, no one gets hurt unless they have to."

"Of course, Geroge. We do this clean, in and out, and then we disappear. Sunrise won't even know what hit them."

He looked skeptical, but nodded, "One last job."

As he extended his hand out, I grabbed it, our hands locking in a firm grip. We were going to steal a miracle.