I'm so sorry it took so long! I've had two weeks of tests and since this is my senior year in high school, I've been working my butt off to get into college. I haven't had time to write a proper chapter so this is all I got done. I have one test left so hopefully the next chapter will be longer and better.
Who are you?
The words echoed in his foggy mind as it looked for some kind of response. Neal thought about answering the question, but he couldn't. He just didn't know. All he knew was that he needed someone, someone important to him, someone he trusted. Does that person feel the same. Neal mentally shook his mind. "You're a criminal." No they didn't need him. He was, and forever will be a criminal.
"Seriously, dude, what are you doing here? Are you okay?"
Neal felt himself being pulled away from the heavy mist.
"Wha-" He croaked forcing opened his heavy eyelids, a blurry image of a young figure danced in front of him.
"You need help?"
Neal sat himself up, his hands sinking in the ground, pulling them out to rub his eyes. He regret the action immediately. Sand covered his eyes but the burning sensation quickly faded as other parts of his body began screaming for attention.
"Yeah, is there a phone nearby?" Neal looked up at the kid, as he gradually started recalling his last events.
"Yeah there is. You want me to call an ambulance? You look pretty bad."
"No I'll take care of that, just show me where it is."
They young boy helped the young man up on his feet. He walked him up the beach and pointed to where the pay phone was located.
"Here" The boy opened Neal's clenched fists and gave him a few coins.
"Thanks." Neal smiled a crooked smile as the boy ran elsewhere.
Hands shaking, Neal picked up the phone as he inserted the coins. His body was now trembling; he could feel his pulse weakening as the amount of blood reaching his brain decreased. He was frustrated at how long it took him to locate the numbers. The activity of just pressing the keys sent waves of pain through his bleeding shoulder. Sharp pain threatened to overcome him as he leaned his throbbing body on the glass walls incasing him.
Hello?
"Peter?"
Peter had finally agreed to go home, after spending 20 hours working dead ends. The agents worked hard and were doing their jobs well, but Peter had been very agitated and well, unstable, that they decided he needed to go home and get some sleep. After all he was the assistant special agent of the White Collar division. He was supposed to leave all the fieldwork to his agents instead of insisting on accompanying each and every single one of them. But this was different. It was about Neal and although they weren't partners, Neal was still his friend. This was his fault and he owed him much more.
"Hon"
Peter tried to enter the master bedroom without waking his wife, but she was a light sleeper.
"Sorry I woke you up."
Elizabeth rolled to her side to get a clear look of the clock sitting on their nightstand.
"Two in the morning! Hunny," She knew her husband was tired but also upset because he hadn't found Neal yet.
Peter only took off his jacket, and shoes before he collapsed next to his wife. He buried his face in his pillow when he felt water forming behind his lids. El caressed his hair, like she knew despite his attempt to hide his emotions. He felt pathetic. How could he let himself cry when Neal was probably going through worse?
"Peter, honey, your phone is ringing."
Peter briefly buried his face deeper into the pillow, so the fabric would absorb the water that had escaped his eyes, before questioningly looking at his wife.
"No caller ID."
Peter accepted the call and held the phone next to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Peter?"
His heart sunk deep, and his face flushed with disbelief. Tears presumed to roll. But this time he let them.
"Oh my God, Neal? Where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm not sure." Neal wheezed painfully.
"Don't worry."
Peter moved the mic away from his mouth and told Elizabeth to call Diana.
"Tell her to track the call-"
"I got it Peter." Elizabeth's smile was full of relief. She was on her feet immediately.
"Neal, you still there?" Peter could hear Neal's ragged breath and it seemed like it took forever for the kid to reply.
"Yeah. Maybe you could… hurry up a bit?" Neal voice was getting weaker by the second.
"Hey, hang in there okay? I'm coming to get you." Peter put his shoes and jacket back on, as El brought him the car keys.
"Diana sent the location to the GPS in your car." Said El anxiously.
"You hear that Neal? I'm on my way!" Peter was darting towards the stairway when he heard a thud and then a clunk. "Neal! Neal? Neal, please answer me!"
"You hear that Neal? I'm on my way!"
Those words did it for him. He knew Peter was now coming for him. He trusted the man with his life. Now he can finally just let go.
Neal fell back against the phone booth door, pushing it open with his weak figure. He collapsed out in the cold rain, tapping of the raindrops hypnotizing him and motivating him to go deeper. Neal let the pain overcome him and fell into unconsciousness.
As soon as Peter arrived, he sprinted out of the car looking for a phone booth, his heart beating fast. He found one at the end of the street he was in. Peter's chest broke as he looked down at the pale form of Neal Caffrey. Peter wrapped his strong arms around the man's lean figure and gently dragged the rest of his body out of the booth.
"Neal? Neal, wake up." Peter begged as he desperately patted Neal's face. He noticed it felt burning hot despite the rain and the cold weather. He had an ugly, dark bloodstain on his shoulder and shirt. He cringed as he took in the countless other injuries, all of them blending together to form dark colored patterns on Neal's skin.
"Hmmm" Neal's reply was weak, and it took a lot of strength for him just to get that out. Peter smiled and placed his palm around Neal's jaw, happy to hear his voice. He took off his jacket and covered Neal's lean figure, then gingerly, lifted Neal's head and placed it on his lap.
"Hey, buddy, you think you can open your eyes for me?"
"Pe-" Neal's shaking became more prominent. His eyes were now wide open, pupils dilated. Peter held Neal's hand and squeezed. "It's alright, Neal Relax. I'm right here."
"Peter. It burns," Neal painfully moaned, as he squeezing back.
"Ambulance is on its way-" Neal cried as agony escalated in his open wound. He tried to curl around it but his injured body objected, causing him more pain and suffering.
Peter felt overwhelmed. He wanted to pull Neal into a hug and comfort him, but he knew that would only cause his friend more pain. Instead, Peter cupped Neal's face and soothed him with words. He had to be there for Neal.
"It's alright buddy. I'm here. I'm right here. Stay with me okay? You hear that? The cavalry is here, you're going to be fine." Neal's sobbing eyes focused on Peter's.
"That's right. Show me those big blue eyes of yours." Peter continued to stroke Neal's wet hair, brushing it away from his wet forehead, until the shivers subsided.
"Agent Peter Burke? Can you step aside please?" Peter nodded at the EMT then took a quick glance at Neal as he positioned his head on a cushion the EMT offered.
"Peter!" Agent Seigel called from behind Peter, his voice full of concern. "How is he?"
"I'm no doctor, but from what I've seen, he looks pretty bad. I don't understand why they would do this." Peter ran his fingers through his moist hair as the rain began to stop.
"Agent Burke!" An EMT yelled at Peter, pointing at the other EMT trying to pin Neal to the ground. "He's panicking. I think he's hallucinating."
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