I Watched my mother burst into tears, bringing a sense of sadness within me. Her tears flowed uncontrollably, revealing her soul, deeply engulfed in despair. Without wasting time, my father moved closer to her, understanding there was not much he could do to calm her tormented heart. He wrapped his arms gently around her, providing a comforting embrace, as he murmured words of thanks to the doctor.

The doctor's expression was solemn, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of the news he had just delivered. "I'm sorry, it's too advanced. I wish we could've seen him earlier."

The moment I noticed my parents approaching the room, I realized I should hurry back to bed. But unexpectedly, I felt a presence behind me. Turning around, I saw an old woman standing behind me, a smile spread across her face as she observed me attempting to spy on my parents.

"You know, it's rude to eavesdrop on adult matters," she said with a gentle, teasing tone. Her smile was warm and understanding, giving me the impression she wasn't truly upset but rather amused by my curiosity. "But I'll let this one slide."

I was suddenly surprised by her unexpected appearance, and for a brief moment, I was at a loss for words. However, there was something about her, a familiarity in her behavior, as if I had known her for ages. My eyes were immediately drawn to a shiny brooch she wore, depicting an angel playing a trumpet.

This detail flared up my interest, as it reminded me of the children who had visited me in the past few days, each bearing a similar charm.

"Do you know how to keep a secret, Sammy?" she asked in a low tone.

"I can keep a secret, but who are you?" I whispered.

"My name is a mystery, but I knew yours the moment I stepped into this room," she replied with a gentle giggle, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "It's all over the place," she said, pointing towards a small magnet on the bed that had my name written on it.

"Your name is a mystery? why?"

Leaning closer, she whispered, "It's a secret."

Without hesitation, she assisted me back to bed. With care, she tucked in the blankets around me and fluffed my pillow, ensuring I was comfortable.

"Can you guess my name, Sammy?" She asked. "If you do, I'll give you a reward."

Engaged by the challenge, I began to guess her name. I found joy in this new interaction, throwing out names, some of which were difficult even for me to pronounce. The more I turned it into a game, the more she seemed to enjoy it.

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"You are so silly, Sammy."

Our conversation was full of laughter and understanding. I could feel a bond forming between us, a relationship I've always wanted to experience. Her presence filled me with a surge of energy, a liveliness I hadn't felt in a while. It reminded me of the excitement and joy I experienced when the lollipop girl visited my house a few days earlier.

In the presence of this old lady, I felt a sense of unrestrained openness, as if I could express any thought or question to her, even the most difficult ones. Gathering my courage, I asked her the question that had been weighing heavily on my mind since my admission to the hospital.

"Am I going to die?" I asked the old lady.

"Don't we all?" she replied with a gentle giggle. "Life and death are just parts of the big picture. They are the start and the end. Some people have a longer run than others, but eventually, everyone reaches the same finish line. You shouldn't trouble yourself with these questions because, in a way, we don't really die."

At twelve years old, her response didn't provide the clear-cut answer I was hoping for. Her words felt more like a riddle, leaving the true answer to my question hanging in the air, perhaps to be understood at a later time. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to process her answer and make sense of what she had just said. When I opened my eyes again, expecting to see the old lady and continue our conversation, I was surprised to find that she had vanished.

"Hey, buddy!"

My dad's familiar voice broke the silence as he entered the room. He walked towards my bed and wrapped me in a warm, comforting hug. After a moment, he pulled back slightly, studying my face with a concerned look. "What's wrong, Sammy? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Where is she?" I asked, my expression filled with confusion, as I took a glance around the room.

The question seemed to catch my parents off guard. They exchanged a look, one filled with a hint of sadness. It was clear from their expressions that they hadn't seen the lady; neither of them had been present when she appeared in my room.

"Who, Sam? There was nobody in this room when we walked in. I know this is all a bit much for you, Sammy. But remember, we're in this together."

The certainty of my encounter with the kind lady contrasted sharply with the reality presented by my parents. This discrepancy left me feeling like I might be losing my grip on what is real and what's not. I was so sure of the guessing game we had played and the connection we had shared, yet now I faced the possibility that it might have been a figment of my imagination.

Seeing the confusion in my eyes, my mother pulled me into a tight embrace. She looked at me with concern, trying to offer comfort in her own way. My dad joined in, wrapping his arms around both of us.

"I think it's time for some rest, we all need it." My mother said, carefully tucking the blanket around me, ensuring I was comfortable and cozy in my bed. Then, leaning down, she placed a tender kiss on my forehead.

As my parents settled onto the sofa, they turned off the lights, creating a tranquil atmosphere for a much-needed rest. The room descended into silence, yet my mind was anything but quiet, racing at a hundred miles per hour, still grappling with the enigmatic encounter I had just experienced.

In the dim light, I noticed the yellow envelope resting on the corner of my bed. Curiosity tugged at me, urging me to uncover its contents. Yet, the thought of what the envelope might reveal coated my skin with goosebumps. I threw the blanket over my head, succumbing to the lack of energy in my body, and lastly, falling asleep.