Arms of an Angel – Chapter 4
Still own nothing. Sorry to any of those out there who may have (by chance) liked Fred. =)
I apologize for the slight delay on this update. I got my wisdom teeth out yesterday and I've been down for the count.
"I'm so sorry." The words cut through Faith's brain like a train wreck. Her biggest fear came up and pulled the carpet right out from under her. She felt her knees go weak as Bosco struggled to keep her from falling to the floor.
"Whoa Faith. Come on, let's go sit down?" Bosco began to guide her away as she let out another pain filled sob and pushed him off her.
"I can walk by myself Bosco. I don't need you to walk me anywhere. I don't wanna sit down, and I don't wanna see you here right now."
"Faith? I'm not leaving you here alone." Bosco's voice was soft as he continued to comfort his best friend the best way he could.
"Go away Bosco!" Faith laid her hands on his chest and shoved him a few feet back. "Leave me alone!"
Bosco's jaw fell as her actions became real to him. He momentarily stared at her, turned on his heels and walked out the double doors, back into the night air. Faith crumbled to the floor in a heap and cried hysterically. God, what have I done?
Back in the RMP's protective silence, Bosco leaned his head back on the driver's seat head rest. He couldn't believe how poorly this day had turned out. He wearily opened his eyes and took notice that the sun was no longer shining. A slight breeze had picked up and a few of the fallen leaves landed, unceremoniously on the windshield of the car. He sat, debating with himself whether or not to wait for Faith. Her words had cut like a knife. She was all he had left to keep his sanity, and she had pushed him away like he wasn't worth the space he occupied. As if this day could possibly get anyway worse… now his best friend didn't want him around.
He continued to sit for a few minutes longer before he pulled out his cell phone and dialed the station house.
"Lieutenant Anderson." Came the reply.
"Lieu? It's Boscorelli."
"Where are you guys? I put you guys on lunch break after that accident. Didn't hear you guys acknowledge."
Wow, was it already lunch time? Bosco stole a quick glance at his watch. 2:15pm. Holy crap, where did the time go?
"Sorry Lieu. Faith's husband was involved in the MVA a few hours ago, I guess." Bosco still couldn't believe his shift was over in just under two hours. He never wanted to work days again.
"Is everything alright Officer?"
"No. He didn't make it." Bosco shut his eyes against the emotion that was suddenly threatening to overtake him. His best friend was dealing with the world's evil burden and she didn't want him to be there. He was useless.
"Oh. Well tell Yokas she is released of duty until further notice. You are more than welcome to sit with her at the hospital. You guys are done today." Anderson's sympathy was lost on Bosco whose mind was stuck on Faith's teary face.
"Bosco?" Anderson prompted when he didn't get an immediate response. Everyone knew Bosco didn't like Faith's husband in the slightest way but knew that he would be by Faith's side for as long as she needed him.
"Uh yeah? Sorry Lieu. Thanks." Bosco hit end on the phone, ending the conversation. He didn't think he'd be able to walk back into the emergency room and face Faith's despair. He'd had enough today. He threw the car into drive and headed slowly back to the precinct.
Maurice Boscorelli sat in front of his locker, staring blankly at the lock dial that hung there. He had no desire to dress back into his civvies and go home. Home only meant dwelling on the pain that today had insisted he endure. Such a beautiful day had taken the lives of two, undeserving people. The little girl's face once again appeared before his eyes; her 5 year old life coming to an end as he could see every detail replay like a movie strip. A loud bang, a gun shot, made him jump as her screams filled the air. He shook his head, willing away the sorrow that had followed the flashback.
The beautiful child's face was replaced by Faith's. Her soft, angelic skin was stained with tears and hurt. Her words reverberated through his mind.
"Go away Bosco!" Her words had hurt him. Just as soon as he had heard them again, the child's face returned, her terrified cries and her outstretched arms reaching for him to help her.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled as he stood up, not bothering to change. He shuffled his feet as he walked out of the locker room and down to his mustang.
He numbly drove back to his apartment and flopped, boneless down on his bed. The Kevlar vest made lying down uncomfortable so he rolled over onto his back. There, the gun belt dug into his back muscles. This was just not his day.
"Oh god, please! NO!" Bosco's mind faltered as he saw the gun aimed at the girl. "Do something!" He stood, frozen in time as the girl fell to her death again in front of his eyes.
The gunman had turned back around and began walking in the officers' direction. A slow, creepy smile formed on his chubby face. He crept closer to where the partners hid behind a squared off pillar.
Bosco watched in pure, unadulterated, fear as the man took Faith's throat in his hands. His pudgy, pink fingers dug in as she made no noise. There was no attempt to escape. Bosco just stood there.
"Go away Bosco!" Faith said once more. "Leave me alone!"
Another shot filled the air as he watched his friend's eyes roll back in her head, and she fell.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Bosco awoke in a deep sweat. He swiped at his forehead attempting to gather his wits. Rolling over, he was stopped by the crick that had formed in his back from his uniform. He groaned as he slowly swung his feet over the edge of the bed. As his feet hit the floor, he allowed himself to slowly straighten up. His lower back was tense and stiff. He sat on the edge of his bed trying to collect himself. Faith had gotten hurt, just like that little girl, because of him. He hadn't acted quickly enough. It was his fault.
Still perched on the side of his bed, he made slow work at removing his shirt, belt, and bulletproof vest. He kicked off his shoes. The pants could wait. He pushed himself off the bed and ran a shaky hand through his hair. It had been awhile since he was plagued by nightmares. That last one was unbelievably realistic.
As he made his way out towards the apartment's kitchen, a picture that hung on the hallway wall caught his attention. It was a picture taken from the last police department picnic. He and Faith stood together, holding a trophy their team had won in a softball game. They wore yellow NYPD t-shirts and black shorts. It had been a mandatory "uniform" for their team. A solid black hat hid their sweaty hair. Faith had her head resting on his neck and the two wore matching grins as they held the trophy over their heads together. She was his best friend, and he had thought that he was hers. Why would she just push him away? All he wanted to do was show that he actually did care about her.
He let his head fall away from the happy memory and continued to shuffle out towards the coffee pot. When he was done pre-setting the machine, he walked to the couch and fell inharmoniously to the black, leather, cushions. Smells of coffee wafted across the kitchen and in front of his nose. It was a reassuring smell and he let his eyes fall closed again.
