The following chapters contain snippets from my Molly arc. I had originally not intended to put them up like this but I read the other day that the original authoress of the ATF sandbox has requested this realm be closed. For now I will post what few pieces make a gray sort of sense then lay this arc to rest. However, don't be surprised if someday it wrestles me down and demands to be finished.

Crazy

A call for Help

The phone was ringing when Josiah entered Ezra's condo. Grimacing at the shrill noise he started for the stairs. He didn't make it a habit to answer someone else's phone, and wasn't going to start now.

He made it up three steps when the sudden silence that emanated from the answering machine made him pause in curiosity.

"Ezra?"

The large man gripped the wrought iron railing in surprise when the tremulous voice sounded through the otherwise empty condo. "Ezra, are you there?" He could hear Molly's uncertainty and her fear, almost as if he were looking into her gray eyes. Thoughts of where she was ran through his mind, but he knew he wouldn't get an answer from her directly. His only hope was to let her leave her message and maybe, god willing; there might be some background noise that would give them a clue.

"Oh… well, I…I suppose your still in the hospital."

Josiah unconsciously leaned forward when she paused, willing her to continue. "I had hoped…well, I'd hoped you would be out by now." Again she paused, this time to take a deep shuddering breath. "I just wanted to know how you're doing now. Oh god, please, I…well, I…Please Ezra, get better…" She was crying now, Josiah was sure of it, judging by the harsh deep breaths she was taking. Slowly he made his way down the stairs, waiting, hoping for her to continue. In some obscure way he felt that every moment she talked proved she was still alive, and the fact that she called Ezra, led him to believe she was asking to be found.

Slowly the large man's hand crept towards the phone as he fought with himself. To answer now, might be to frighten her away. But he knew she was in so much emotional pain, and he wanted so desperately to help her.

"I'm sorry, Ez. I'm sorry this happened to you." Inches from the receiver, his hand clenched as her voice squeaked past a sob before whispering, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Again his hand moved forward. "An'…Ezra?" Somehow he knew he was going to be too late.

"I'm scared." She whispered.

The answering machine hung up before the receiver even left the cradle.

Listening to dial tone, Josiah stared into nothing, tears in his eyes.