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A Jaded Path

December 31, 2012-England

A body laid still in a hospital. A body of a man who had hardly made any sign of life for over a week besides a heartbeat & breathe only seen by machines. A body on borrowed time…that time is now up. Alarms begin to sounds as the last traces of life drain from the body that once belonged to Drew McIntyre.

Bradford, New York

Another form in another hospital laid near as still as death. Unlike the other this one female. While the other alone this one always had some life around her. Since she was brought there, someone almost always sat watch other her in hopes of signs of improvement. Silver hair weaved with dark chestnut, her skin brushed with the age of someone who could be a grandmother, but she had no children.

Currently her father sat in her room keeping watch that night. He had no other place to be, but by his daughter's side. By her side as he had for days before praying for a change. He was getting to a point the would not care if the change was for better or worse. He just wished her free from the limbo he was sure her soul was trapped in.

"You know the threads to the web are still there." Came a deep rumbled voice from the doorway.
"I thought you would have been back home with your wife."
"She thinks I am at a company event in the city." Mark walked into the room looking at the bed. "Hard to believe it is really her."
"But we both know it is."
"Yeah…so any change?"
"She steady…I am trying to keep hope…she is my baby…I only left to lay her mother to rest. I don't want her to be next…but I don't want her tormented either."

"Has anything else been tried?" Mark wondered as he looked her vitals over.
"A few people have been brought in…modern medical, as well as spiritual. Just as you stated there is still the spark of life there…she is not fully lost yet, but how much longer can she last?"
"He tried to rip her soul from her body. Whatever ritual he used it could not grab a firm hold on all of it. If someone could be found that can see the essence…transverse the veil in some form." Mark filled in what he thought he had figured out.
"A spirit walker? They are not easy to find. Then the hazard of if the rite was preformed within the shadows."
"Even if they can walk it they may be attacked be the guardians."
"Yes & who would take that risk for someone they do not know?"

"Not many." Mark sighed. "My hands are tied at this point. My own payment for my sins has left me weak…even so if I can be of help I would gladly offer. We both know my knowledge is of a dark nature & would be of little to no use. It is that nature that caused this to happen. I am surprised you do not have me thrown out."
"And what would that do? Having you thrown out Mark would do nothing to change the past. Maybe the more support she can tell she has the more she may fight."
"Grasping straws a little?"
"It's better than nothing."
"True…" Mark reached down brushing her check. What heart the older man had wanted to break. She was so still, cold, near lifeless. For her sake & her father's he would try to keep faith.

New York, New York

"You sure I can't get you anything my little crumpet." Wade asked as he kissed Krys' hand. She was in a flowing sapphire blue gown that had jewels accenting the umpire waist. Wade was in a black suit and his tie matched Krys' dress.
"I am fine Wade, relax."
"Ye know he gonna fuss over ye like a mother hen until ye pop that lil bun out of the oven lass." Sheamus joked with a laugh before taking a sip of his beer.

"Hey I just want to make sure my girl is taken care of." Wade told them.
"Mother hen." Sheamus started again.
"Hey watch it."
"Cluck…cluck fella."
"OK that enough you two." Krys told them.
"Yes Love. Well I need a new drink." Wade headed off.
"Ye know I only like to ruffle his feathers ye know that lass aye?"
"Yeah I know Sheamus, I know." Krys commented sipping her water.

It was a few minute later when Krys looked around. "I am sure he got delayed by one of the other guys…what could happen here?" Sheamus told her.
"I guess you're right." Wade returned a few minutes later, the look on his face was unreadable. "What is it?"
He looked at her, debating over how to word his thoughts. "When did you last hear anything on Jade?"
"A couple days…why, you think something is up?"

Wade lowered his head rubbing his forehead a moment. "I just got a call…the group watching over Drew. He…he passed a few hours ago."
"And cause they may be joined…?" Sheamus started.
"That is what I am wondering." Wade admitted.
"I'll step out to call him." Krys admitted as she moved her chair to stand up.
"Want me to come with you."
"No, I'll be fine. I am sure there is no change or he would have called." Krys grabbed her silver clutch bag heading into the lobby to make her phone call. She found a quiet spot to pull out her phone. "Hey pops it's Krys…Not much I was calling to see if there was any change…good, keep an eye out…Wade just got word that Drew passed away a few hours ago…No…I'm good…from what we can tell they're fine too…We will…take care pops."

Krys hung up & headed back into the ballroom. She took her seat trying not to interrupt the guys talking, but she soon felt both sets of eyes on her. "No change from what he can tell."
"It better than her declining." Sheamus admitted.
"True" Wade answered. Krys nodded as she grabbed her water taking a few sips. "So you going to your moms tomorrow right Love?"
"I was debating going to see Jade."
"Love we been through this I thought."
"Wade if nothing has happened yet…"
"Doesn't mean it won't. I don't want you near her."

Krys sat there rolling her eyes. "Give me your word Love."
Krys gave a faint huff. "Fine I promise. I'm not happy though."
"Noted but in this case I don't care. I am just worried about your safety & that of our little one."
"I already told you fine."
"Well aren't ye to just so cute."
"Oh blast ya…you just jealous you don't have a girl." Wade told Sheamus.
"Why the hell I be jealous of some ball & chain weighting me down."
"Ball and CHAIN?!" Wade quickly placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Calm down Love…I loved being chained to ya." He leaned over kissing her cheek. Sheamus looked like he was about to be sick before he slammed the rest of his beer down.

"I'll catch ye to lovebirds later…time for me to find my own bird for thee night." Sheamus laughed as he got up to mingle.
"Damn dog." Krys snipped.
"Yeah that coming from a Cat my dear." Wade chuckled. Krys just rolled her eyes before moving to snuggle close to Wade till it was time to countdown the New Year.