Disclaimer: No, I don't own Static Shock
Warning: Lots of swearing in this chapter, just in case people have an issue with that you've been officially warned.
Chapter Two: Relapse
This plan would have worked a lot better if the bank hadn't been on the other side of the city. Now Francis had to appear innocent and average for the half-hour it took for him to walk back to the hideout. Not something that came easily to the pyro.
"What was so wrong with robbing a closer bank?" Francis muttered to himself, hitching the loaded backpack up higher and keeping his head ducked low.
High above, he heard a faint whining noise. Francis glanced up and down again quickly. "Shit."
Static flew overhead, scanning the crowds of people. Francis swore again under his breath and ducked into an alley, waiting for the hero to fly past.
Static continued on and only a few people looked up, some waved happily at a sighting of their favorite local hero.
Francis rubbed his forehead, trying to work away the faint twinge that was developing into a headache and groaned. "This just couldn't be easy could it?"
He would have to be more careful. If Static caught him or he lost the money, there was no point in Francis even going back to the hideout. Ebon would kill him. The others would help. Francis weighed the backpack and out of curiosity, he unzipped it.
"Damn." Francis whistled in admiration. The bag was stuffed to the brim with bundles of bills. "There's gotta be almost ten grand in here." Suddenly Francis felt a lot more nervous about transporting the money. This amount would keep the Breed happy and warm for a good long while.
Francis pulled the zipper shut and swung the bag over his shoulder, melting back into the stream of people walking the sidewalks and ignored the now pounding pain in his temple.
With Static and Gear patrolling the city, the going was much slower. Francis saw them both twice more in the next fifteen minutes. They were looking for him, Francis was sure of it. With twenty blocks to go before he was in the relative safety of the Breed's neighborhood, Static and Gear flew over together, coming at towards him.
Francis changed directions abruptly and walked into a store. Turned out to be a video rental store. The red-head hid in the back of the store. He didn't see any cameras and his aisle was free of customers so he risked whipping his hood and hat off and running a hand exhaustedly through his hair. Francis let out a deep breath and rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"This sucks…a lot." Francis muttered, slapping his cap back on hurriedly when he saw the cashier straining to get a look at him from behind the counter. While he did look like a potential shoplifter Francis didn't appreciate the attention and walked back to the door, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.
"Excuse me sir, may I check your bag?" The cashier had swept out from behind the counter and was holding his hand out expectantly.
Francis looked from the cashier's hand to the cashier. "No."
"I have to insist. Store policy." The cashier stepped forward and Francis noticed that while he had moved away from the register, his hand was underneath the counter, undoubtedly on the security button.
"Seeya." Francis pushed the door open and walked out quickly, the cashier shouting behind him. A security guard followed Francis out but the teenager had already broken into a sprint
"Hey! Kid!" The security guard tried to run after Francis but he was much more nimble in the crowd and nobody reached out to stop him. He was two blocks ahead of the guard before he slowed down. Well, was forced to slow down.
There was sharp, unbearable pain in Francis' stomach and the teen doubled over in agony, gasping for air.
Francis hobbled into a park and found a bench, grasping its side and trying to take deep even breaths. The pain continued, punctuating each breath with a pang of misery.
"Hey, are you okay man? You look really pale." A jogger asked as they passed the bench. Francis nodded weakly and waved them away.
"Oh man. " Francis sat down and put his head between his knees in an effort to make the dizziness go away. He hadn't felt this terrible since…since…
"Oh man." Francis groaned again, his breath hitching in realization. "Fuck, fuckity fuck fuck." Why hadn't he seen this coming? His finger, the tiredness, the fever, the shaking, he should have known what those were. And now he was having a full-blown relapse here in this park with ten grand on his back and Static and Gear searching for him of all the times and places.
"Okay, don't panic." Francis forced his breathing to calm. "I know how to handle this. First things first though, get this money back to Ebon."
Francis stood slowly, knowing if he stood up too fast the blood would rush to his head and he would pass out. Safely on his feet, Francis carefully began making his way back to the street.
Static and Gear flew over the streets again and again, with no luck. There were several teenage boys with hats and backpacks, but none matched their favorite pyromaniac. They were about to turn east and make another sweep of that area when there was a faint shout from behind them.
"Hey! Kid!"
Static turned his head and saw a husky security guard hustling as fast as his legs could churn chasing a teenager….in a hat with a backpack. Static stopped and turned in the air, staring after the teen.
The kid was losing the guard fast and he glanced backwards to make sure he wouldn't be caught. Static got a glimpse of red and then the head turned away again.
Static smirked. "Got you Smoky."
"Yo Rich, double back fast, I got him." Static shouted into his shock vox, already in pursuit.
"Roger V, don't lose him. I'll be right there."
Francis emerged back on the street, face slick with sweat to a most unwelcome sight. "Aw c'mon."
Static was flying towards him, fast. He was spotted.
Francis quickly ran through his options. Running was out; the last time had nearly killed him. Fighting was iffy, he wasn't sure he even had enough strength to bring out the flames, let alone do anything with them. Getting captured wasn't an option either. Oh hell, what was he supposed to do then?
Francis turned and ran back into the park as quickly as he dared. Hiding seemed like a good choice.
Static was much faster unfortunately. He rammed into Francis like had hit Ebon earlier, although this time the hero managed to stay on his disc. Francis still went flying however.
His cap fell off and he was exposed, the few people watching ran off screaming. Francis lay on his stomach, fists clenched. "Ouch."
"Alright Smoky, c'mon. Let's get this over with." Static taunted, hovering a few feet above the ground.
Francis rolled over slowly and sat up.
"Whoa dude, what's wrong with you?" Static's taunts cut off as he noticed how crappy the other boy looked.
Francis' face was pale and wet with sweat. He was gasping and his chest jumped up and down with each erratic breath. He looked like he was in pain.
"Hotstreak?" Static jumped off his disc and folded it into his pocket, stepping forward with concern.
Francis jerked his head up and met Static's gaze for the first time. Static felt his heart skip a beat. The red-head's normally clear and mischievous green eyes were dull and glassy, he seemed to barely be holding onto consciousness.
"I think I'm in trouble." Francis ground out, hating himself for being so weak in front of his rival.
"Static! I'm here man. I…" Gear landed beside Static and caught sight of Francis. "Aye yi yi."
"What's wrong with him." Static asked.
Francis looked between the two. Then he felt it. A horrible familiar feeling. It bubbled up within him and then Francis blacked out.
"Shit! What's happening?" Static jumped when Francis slumped backwards. He was writhing on the ground and twitching uncontrollably.
"A seizure I think. Call 911." Gear rushed to Francis side tried to hold the older and larger boy still.
Static put his hand to his ear and zeroed in on the nearest paramedic group's radio wave. "This is Static. I'm with Gear in the park on 10th near the south entrance and Hotstreak is having a seizure of some sort, he looks sick and in pain. We need medial help immediately."
"Roger that Static, en route now." Came the brisk reply.
"Help me V!" Gear shouted.
Static hurried over to Francis side and held his chest down, not able to look the pyro in the face.
Author's Note:
Look! When I said the next chapter would be up soon I wasn't lying. I was lying when I said it would be longer but...what are you gonna do? One more chapter. The symptoms all point to one disease if any of you guys can guess it, although I suppose these symptoms are similar for a lot of diseases. It will be revealed next chapter. Don't worry, I won't kill Francis. I love him far too much.
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