The night was dark. Darker than usual, no moon was visible and the snow slowly fell in small flakes covering the city in a white sheet.
The night was cold. Not really colder than usual this time of the year as it was late november.
The night was silent. At least as silent as a city with over 2.6 million residents could be. A constant mumble of cars and people making their way through the night.
But in one apartment this silent, peaceful night was disturbed.
Grumbeling and still half asleep Spike turned around and fumbled for his cell phone on the nightstand. With a loud thud he unwittingy dropped it on the floor. Finally getting it in his hand he pushed the "answer-button".
"Mhm?" he mumbled.
"Mike! Please come. I need you."
Suddenly wide awake Spike sat up in bed. "Maria? 'That you? What happened? Where are you?"
"I'm at Humber River Hospital. Please, just come."
With on hand already fumbling on his jeans Spike answered. "I'll be there in ten. Love you." With that he finished the call and rummaged through his closet looking for a shirt and sweater.
His thoughts were disturbed by a sleepy voice from the bed. "Spike? What's going on, where are you going?"
Despite his worry for Maria he smiled a little and sat down on the bed. "I gotta go. Maria called, she's at Humber River, don't know what happened yet." he said, gently brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "I'll call you as soon as I know something." Giving her a small kiss he stood up and left. "Love you Winnie."
Arriving at the hospital 15 minutes later Spike raced to the information desk. "Hello, I'm looking for Maria Abbiati. She was brought here?"
The clerk qickly checked her computer logs but for Spike it felt like hours. "Ah yes, she was brought in by an ambulance half an hour ago. I'm sorry, she is still in treatment. Treatment B, right down the hall. Someone will come out when they are finished."
Rushing to the doors, leading to treatment B he didn't even notice the two police officers sitting in the waiting area sipping on coffee. Not many people where waiting this time of the day. Spike lingered at the entrance and asked the next nurse coming out of treatment B
"Hello, I'm looking for Maria Abbiati, she in there? Can I see her?"
The nurse looked at him from top to bottom. Wearing an old jeans and a plain sweatshirt with his hair standing in all directions he was quiet the odd picture.
"You family?" At Spikes nodding she opened the door. Rushing in he never noticed getting curios look from the cops.
"Maria." he exclaimed as soon as seeing her on the hospital bed, taking in her bruises and devasteted look. One doctor and one nurse were tending to her and at the moment bandaging up some wound.
"What happened? How are you?" as he came to a halt next to her side taking her hand in both of his.
"Mrs Abbiati is fine, just some minor cuts and bruises, broken rip." the doctor chiped in. Not really acknowledging him Spike carressed Maria's face. "What happened?"
Slowly Maria turned her face and looked Spike directly in the eyes. "He took him Mike. He took Luca."