Chapter 3

Motionless. Completely still. Wrapped warm and safely in sturdy quilted blankets, the strong willed fire head opened his red oak eyes and blinked; surprised but not uncomfortable. He was alone in the room, surrounded by two other beds, neatly and cleanly awaiting their next victims. How he hated this room, so many bad memories and almost bitter goodbyes to his brothers were made, yet they all walk out better then they came in. The last person other than himself to be in this room, with something as serious as what he had imagined had happened to him, was Scott. His fall into one of the many steep valleys of the island in the worst storm they have ever experienced on the island, had given him a snapped leg and fractured arm. He recovered, though he still gets twinge in his leg now and again. Gordon reached for the alert button but only held it. He felt sick, very sick. He had no doubt that he had had his stomach pumped.

This has to stop.

It wasn't the first time he had passed out in the last six months but it was the first time it could have gotten him killed. No one had any idea what was causing them but he did. He was stressed. From head to toe his body was tense and restless and tight; he never slept for longer than a couple of hours. He would sit, legs pressed into the shapes of his sheets, staring blindly out into the lifeless darkness beyond his cold still balcony doors. He hated the wait for sleep and the feeling of tiredness over whelming his body but over the last six months he had learnt to hide it well. After his first black out, Virgil followed him and examined him for two straight weeks, he had had enough by then and decided something important. If this was the way he was going to have to suffer in his life, he would rather do it without anyone knowing then have to suffer the constant worrying of his family and the annoyance of needles and scans. But now, things had changed. They would know now that it hadn't stopped and they would never leave him alone again. He would be forced to confront his ill state and try to get better; but he understood now, that this has gone too far and he was sick of it.

"Scott, will you please stop pacing, you're giving me a migraine"

Scott stopped, removed his hand from his mouth and unwrapped the other from his waist. His bruised eyes scanned the living room surroundings; he had been pacing again, the habit was unbreakable and he hardly noticed himself doing it. To the annoyance and pity of his younger brothers they knew Scott's pacing and its different meanings all too well; this version was something they dreaded to see. A slow rhythmic, short stride yet long length pace. It only meant one thing. Someone was hurting and Scott was trying to find the reason why, buried deep within himself. His brothers could see the guilt playing across his face like a stolen empathy, for he didn't know what Gordon was going through yet he could touch on the pain he must be feeling, the helplessness, the frustration. He knew it all too well yet refused to let himself be tainted and spoiled by it; he had a responsibility much larger then himself and one he did not take for granted.

"Just sit down Scott"

"I'm sorry John."

"Look Scott it's no use pacing and thinking, try something else"

"Like what? Mixing myself half of the bars alcohol and using the excuse that 'its my holiday' to cover up that I have an underline alcohol problem? John that's the worse idea you have ever come up with and in the future why don't you keep your useless comments to yourself. I am completely in control of what I do or don't and I don't need you to tell me otherwise!"

"Scott!"

Everyone's head snapped towards their father, Alan jerked awake from his slumber, Virgil jerked his pencil across his sketch and John split some of his cocktail over his hand. Scott however, kept completely still.

"Scott, my office now"

His eldest son stood and turned to face him. Eyes blood shot and grey. Jeff was slighty taken back by the haunted look on Scott's face, he was pale but straight back. Jeff wasn't expecting the military tone in his son's voice as he replied.

"I would rather go to my room sir"

"Then make your way immediately"

Scott wasted no time exiting the room. Jeff walked slowly towards John, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"He doesn't mean it John, he's upset, we all are"

"I know dad, it doesn't stop the sting though"

Jeff squeezed his platinum blondes shoulder; he could see the sting Scott had given John in his eyes. John gave his father a weak smile, bravery through the battle within, before making his way into the kitchen and pouring the remaining liquid in glass down the sink, he washed the glass clean, eyes glued to the empty vessel. Jeff watched him with utter precision before deciding his next move.

"Alan?"

"Yeah dad"

"Those magnetic force field devices you were working on with brains, are they ready?"

"Nearly, they just need some final improvements and testing"

"Hmm good, how about you take John down to have a look; he may be able to shed some light on them for you"

"Um, yeah sure dad"

Alan flashed a sympathetic smile to John, signalling to him follow. Jeff's shoulders relaxed once the boys were out of view but after a matter of seconds he heard them talking of mechanics and element compounds. Placing his hands on his hips, he spun on his heels to take a last glance around the now peaceful living room; his eyes fell on Virgil whose pencil was posed and still and who's eyes met his father's with a light, warm chuckle.

"Good job dad"

"Don't say that just yet Virgil!"

"I best go check on Gords, my readings haven't changed on the tablet but I want to see if he is awake yet"

"Let me know if he is"

"Of course dad"

Virgil placed his sketch book on the sofa and left the room, taping away on his tablet before answering his ringing phone. Jeff wondered aimlessly through the kitchen, picking up an apple and biting it once before the taste disapproved with him, he placed it on the counter knowing Alan would finish it off, when the sketch pad caught his eye. He felt uneasy looking without his son's permission however the offer to see his son's masterpieces was far too tempting for him to resist. Interested in his lasted work he flipped to the page Virgil had been working on; the smile of a beautiful, young woman shone back at him. Thank the earth for Bethan, she has brightened the darkest corners of Virgil's life.

I am so sorry for the long wait on this. Thank you for the feedback; I hope you enjoy this chapter and ill post the next one soon, promise! - LeahMaeLaugh