Chapter Two : Unraveling

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Tank

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He was lying there, looking lifeless. The only thing that told me he was still breathing was the steady hum and beep of the machines that were connected to him. His chest, bare, was pale in contrast to regular hue and adorned his cuts. His face was littered with bruises, his hair was mussed.

The nurses had done all they could do to help his injuries. His ribs were wrapped up, his head was wrapped up, his leg was in a cast. At the moment, he was restrained and, most likely, drugged. He would often be tied down to stop him from thrashing around and hurting himself.

A nurse was at his side now, taking his temperature, checking his blood pressure. She treated him like he was just another hurt civilian that would heal back up just right. All smiley and talking to him like he was awake. Like he had never woken up and caused any body harm.

It was eerie. To see Ranger in this state. I watched him from the far wall, where the doctors had made me promise to stand if I insisted on being in his room. And even though I didn't fear him, I obeyed their wishes. The staff was afraid of me, afraid of Ranger as well, afraid of our whole damn team. I didn't blame them. We were imposing, we wore nothing but black, we stood stoic, we weren't to be messed with. I saw no real reason in staying away if he was tied down but I didn't want any trouble. They were kind enough to treat him so I'd be kind enough to do whatever they asked.

I folded my arms and leaned back, trying to place the emotions I felt. I was worried, angry, agitated.

But, the worst of all, I was lost.

When I left Stephanie behind to digest the news I had given her, Ram faced me in the hallway and asked, "What's our next move?"

It took that question, uttered from one of the men I've been working with for over five years, to realize something that almost made my knees buckle.

I had no idea what to do.

It was the first time in over eleven years that I had ever felt like this. Aside from my escapades with Lula, that is. That woman had me trying all sorts of things I was unprepared for. Dancing, for example. I had two left feet.

But this was more serious. I was the leader, by unvoiced vote, this everyone knew. I was the next in charge, right hand man. After all, when Ranger was out of town, I always stepped to the plate. But even then, I was taking orders from him. I was doing what he advised me to do, what he needed me to do.

I didn't know what he wanted me to do at this point. I didn't know what needed to be done. I had already fucked up big time with trying to protect Stephanie for his sake. God only knew what I would do in a few hours. In a few days. Months. How long would I stay in charge? How long would Ranger remain this way?

I had turned to Ram, and with the most bravado I could muster, said, "I'm going to stay here and if anything happens, I'll call. You head back to Rangeman. Inform the guys to continue as if nothing had ever changed."

Ram had looked concerned. He had noticed me hesitating. Throughout the entire three months, I had been in complete disarray. Client phone calls weren't being answered, jobs weren't being done. I had been in the mode. I had ordered nothing but searches for Ranger. Somewhere in between that madness, I realized my mistake and set about to make Rangeman what it use to be. It was hard. We had pretty much lost all of our inventory, clients and, furthermore, determination. But we were steadily building back up. In a few weeks, we should be back and it'd be nothing but another reminder of how I had failed Ranger yet again.

"I could stay, sir, if you want." He had offered.

"I think it's best if I did." Ranger would have done the same if roles were reversed, I was sure.

"What about Stephanie?"

I didn't have to ask to know what he meant. Even Ram knew that she would be a problem. She was too damn stubborn. She would want to see Ranger again. "I'll take care of her."

He turned to go, stopped and then gave me a sidelong glance. "What do you think is going to happen? When he regains his sense?"

Hopefully, take over as the leader again. Comfort Stephanie. Get well. Laugh and joke about it. Pat us all on the back. Give us all a day off. And never ever put himself in such a grave predicament again. I smiled but couldn't make it reach my eyes. "I think he'll be just fine."

Ram had smiled too but it didn't take a genius to see that neither one of us believed it.

I glared at Ranger now and tried to will him awake. Wake up, give me a sign, use fucking telekinesis. Something. What the hell do you want me to do?

All I got in return was a beep from the monitor.

I sighed and left. Once outside in the hall, I clenched my fists and cursed violently under my breath. Trying to get anything out of Ranger right now was hopeless. I would have to stop dwelling on the things I couldn't control and deal with the things I could. Like Stephanie.

I took out my phone and dialed. As it rung, I realized how absurd this conversation would be.

When I was done explaining to the man on the other end, I heard someone say, "Uh oh. I know that look. Who has your boxers in a knot?"

I wasn't sure if I was happy or irritated to see Lula standing beside me, hands on hips, eyebrows raised. One part of me inflated with joy and the other erupted with rage. I hung up the phone and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Lula pursed her lips. "Now, that's not how you're suppose to speak to your girlfriend. The woman who you supposed to love and adore. After it took me damn near a hour to convince them nurses to let me up here, that's the thanks I get?"

I smiled. She was dressed in the brightest green pants I ever saw and a neon blue halter top with a leopard jacket. Her hair was bright red, her heels were at last a thousand inches high. She was probably the biggest lunatic I knew. The craziest woman I ever met. The only person who would wake up every morning and try NOT to match. I was sure she hadn't "convinced" anyone to let her come up here. She probably ranted and raved until they grew too tired to argue with her. Lula was like a bull when she was on a mission. Un-fucking-stoppable.

And I loved her in spite of those things. Or because of them. I wasn't entirely sure which yet. Although I was positive I did love her. I had been working up the courage to tell her and I think by 2076, I might be halfway there.

"I like your outfit." I told her and got a little smirk in return.

"I hope you aren't making fun of me, big guy. Because I got a shotgun in my purse."

I laughed out loud at that. Even though I knew a shotgun wouldn't fit in a purse that small, I took a cautionary step back. Underestimating Lula was not wise.

"Stephanie called me." She was saying, hiking up her purse. "Said she was at the hospital and that she probably wouldn't be in today. And I was concerned, ya know? So I asked her what was wrong but she wouldn't tell me. Then I ran into Ram on the way over and learned that Ranger's back." She eyed me angrily but there was a smile on her lips. "How come no one told me? Well? Where's he at? Is he okay?"

I gave her a pained expression. "He is back. And I guess you can say he's okay. He's not in the best of shape, however."

Lula's grin faded. "What do you mean?" There was a hint of terror in her voice. She knew all about Ranger and his disappearance as well. She had stayed with me through it all. Had seen me at my weakest points, saw every little emotion I tried to hide. It was one of the reasons I hadn't phone to tell her. I didn't want her to see how aggravated I was.

I sighed. "He went through a lot, Lu. More than I want to imagine. It put him in a bad spot."

"So, what? You're saying he's depressed or something?"

That'd be putting it mildly.

"I've never saw Ranger in a funk before."

I almost laughed at that. Neither had I. "It's much more serious than that."

"What could be more serious? He's not hurt is he?"

"Physically, he's pretty banged up. But the wounds will heal."

"Well lets just cheer him up. Hell, with you, me and Stephanie, we'll get him up and at 'im. This is Ranger we're talking about. He won't be down for long. We'll have him throwing people out of windows in no time." She glanced around. "Where is the white girl, by the way?"

I opened my mouth to reply but a nurse came skirting out of the room and looked at me. "Mr. Manoso is up. And he's asking for a woman named Stephanie."

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Morelli

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Everything was all wrong.

Something was in air. Some black aura. A demonic one. I could feel it.

It sounds silly to admit this aloud but I came from a family of the supernatural. It's true. My grandma Bella is the perfect example. She has this thing, calls it the evil eye. It can bring bad luck to a person. All she has to do is glare at someone with it and their hair will catch on fire or their balls with fall off. I'm serious. I grew up with my Grandma. I saw the power be put to use. It's fucking scary. I try my best to play if off and act like she's crazy but, deep down, I believe. Not because I want to, per se but because I just...know.

Suffice it to say, I've acquired a bit of her talent. But it's not that I cause bad things to happen.

I just feel them coming.

It always starts off the same. I get this weird sensation in the back of my neck, like something is crawling around under my skin. Then my palms get sweaty and my heart starts to beat in rapid succession. My doctor says it's just my nerves, and that they're just mini panic attacks. But he can't explain why, when I get them, something bad ALWAYS happens after wards. It's damn frightening sometimes.

For the most part however, I've gotten use to them. Thanks to a certain brown haired female named Stephanie Plum. 99% of the time, she's the cause of it.

And this time is no exception. The invisible creepy crawly creature was at my neck five minutes before my cell phone rang. My hands got damp as soon as I answered and my heart was hammering against my chest when Tank finished explaining from the other line and hung up the phone.

I got to the hospital relatively fast although I don't recall getting in my car or speeding down there. Probably because my mind was filling up with the things that Tank had relayed to me, drowning me in concern.

According to the large man, Ranger was back.

Ranger, who had been declared dead a month ago while on some mission across the world, was back.

Ranger, who had stolen Stephanie away from me without even being present, was back.

It hadn't been hard to see that Stephanie and I just weren't the way we use to be. She was attached, so damn attached, to finding him. She spent nights with Tank and the others while they waited for any news on their boss. She drove around endlessly, as if Ranger would be sitting in a corner of Trenton, waiting to be found. She called his cell phone every day, just on the off chance that he would pick up. She barely slept or ate. She had nightmares about him. She focused on him, zeroed in on him.

She left me. Not physically. But mentally and emotionally. Even subconsciously. She choose him over me. Something I still could barely comprehend. It didn't take long for her to leave me for good.

According to Tank, Ranger was in "critical condition." He said nothing further about him.

Then he started to speak about the real reason he had phoned me. About Stephanie needing my help. The information shocked me. How long had I waited to hear that again?

It was even more surprising to hear it uttered from Tank, of all people. Because it wasn't everyday that I got a call from him. We weren't friends, we weren't acquaintances, we weren't even colleagues. Our relationship began and ended at Stephanie, the love of my long, miserable life. He was Ranger's right hand man at his company, Rangeman. A company full of men dressed in black, loyal to a fault and doing shady things. They were not a group I trusted. But, then again, nothing about Ranger as trustworthy, in my humble opinion.

But when it involved Stephanie, I'd do anything.

That was why I was plowing into the hospital room, asking for her and praying that she was okay.