Epilogue – Bitter Medicine

He heard voices.

Whispers from the void. They seeped in, bare remnants of meaning. He clutched at them. Tried to hold them. Tried to find the truth behind the scatters as he woke from the bliss of dreams.

The voices grew stronger. The clarity returning. They flowed inside his mind, the pieces slowly melding.

"I'm sorry. It's the only way."

"No. It can't... It can't be true."

Mom? Mom! Was that his mother? Was that her voice?

"Is there really no other way?"

And that. Was that his father?

"I'm afraid not. We've held on as long as we can. Its hopeless."

He heard his mother begin to cry.

"What's happening?" he wanted to scream, "Mom! Why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry. Truly, I am. He'll be catatonic. He won't have life in any real sense. His heart still beats, but his spirit has flown."

"Maggie, it's the truth. You know it, honey."

Her sobs grew louder. Oh, the ache in those cries. It shattered his heart to hear her mourn like that. Suddenly, his father muttered.

"A drunk driver. One idiot drunk driver."

They were silent for eons. His mother's cries were hushed and he guessed she'd turned her back on what was about to happen.

"No..." he wanted to whisper, "I'm Superman..."

"Pull the plug, doctor."

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