Yay another day another chapter! Hope you enjoy this one!
Henry had just finished lugging his suitcase into the room when he heard a knock at the door. He turned to see who could possibly be there at 1.30 in the morning. He froze when his eyes met Jo's, only moving again when she cocked an eyebrow at him and pointed at the door.
'Sorry.' Henry said when he had unlocked the door and let her in. 'We weren't expecting anyone.' Jo blinked at him.
'No way!' She said sarcastically. 'Is that because it's the middle of the night or because you're meant to be in hospital right now!' Her voice rose until she was yelling. 'What the hell is going on Henry? The last time I saw you the doctors were saying you might not ever be able to talk or move again, then I get a call saying you've disappeared from the hospital and when I get here you're packing suitcases!' Henry shifted uncomfortable from foot to foot.
'It's another long story.' He said nervously.
'Oh I bet.' Jo shot back. 'And I intend on hearing every word of it.'
'Hey Pops!' Abraham shouted from down in Henry's laboratory. 'Why are you talking to yourself, ya finally gone crazy? If you're done with the clothes can you help me with your stuff down here? I don't know what you want. Then we need to leave, ok?' Jo frowned.
'Leave? Leave where?'
'We were going to go to Spain. I haven't been there for years.' Henry smiled at her, trying not to show how panicked he was.
'I'm being serious, Henry.'
'So am I. Abraham!' He called, 'We have a visitor.' Jo heard Abe's footsteps coming up the stairs.
'At this time of night? Who is it?' He rounded the corner into the room. 'Oh. It's Jo. Well, the more the merrier, I guess.'
'It's no time for jokes, Abraham.'
'Aww come on Henry. You're so uptight, someti-' Jo interrupted him.
'If you guys are quite finished arguing, can someone please tell me what the hell is going on.' Henry and Abe looked at each other, before Henry turned to Jo, clearing his throat.
'Of course, detective.' He gestured towards the stairs leading to the apartment and sitting room. 'Have a seat in the lounge, I'll get some tea.
'I don't want tea, I want an explanation.' Jo stared Henry down. He looked away from her.
'Ok.' He led the way to the sitting room and sat on a couch. Jo took a seat on the couch opposite.
'After you left they moved me to another room. During the night Abe killed me, I returned in the river, we came home and started packing. We can't stay here now. You think I'm crazy and a hospital and the police are looking for me.' Jo sighed, looking over her shoulder at Abe who was leaning against the wall.
'Again with the immortal thing. What is it, Henry? Your secret? What is it that makes you rather tell me this story than the truth?'
'This story is the truth!' Henry stood up and began pacing the room. 'Do you know how long it took me to open up to you? Wait, it wasn't even me who told you, it was Abe. This is why I don't tell people about my condition. Because I'm scared they will react like this!'
He ran a hand through his hair before leaving the room. Jo turned back to face Abe.
'Abe-' she started to say, but was cut off by Henry coming back into the room.
'This time I really will show you.' He said, holding up a knife.
'What, Henry no!'
'I have to show you, Jo. I can't have you thinking I am mad. Or Abraham for that matter. He might be growing old, but he's not mad. Yet.'
'Watch it, Pops. You're older than me.'
'Doesn't count Abraham. Sorry, Jo.' He turned to her, sending her a reassuring glance before reaching up and slitting his throat.
'Henry! Oh my god, not again. Abe, call an ambulance.' Jo rushed to Henry's side.
'Sorry, kid, but you need to see this.'
'See what?! See Henry die?'
'Yes. And after you see him die, you will see him disappear. Watch, Jo.'
'Watch?! I'm not going to watch my best friend die!'
'Watch.' Something in his voice made Jo fall silent. She turned back to Henry, and smoothed his hair with the fingers.
I can't believe I am watching Henry die. What has happened to my life? A tear fell from her eye, landing on Henry's forehead. It glistened there for a few seconds, before it disappeared. Along with Henry. Jo jumped to her feet, stumbling backwards.
'Ab-Abe?' Her voice trembled. 'What happened? Where is he?' Abe had left the room.
'He'll be at the river. We have to go and pick him up.' He returned with some clothes.
'What's with the clothes?'
'I said in my letter, remember? He comes back naked.'
-15 minutes later-
When they pulled up by the river, Jo jumped out of the car.
'Henry? Henry!'
'Shh. I'm here.' Jo turned to see a dark shape behind a tree.
'Henry?'
'Yes it's me. Can you pass me some clothes please?' Abe handed Jo the clothes and she passed them to Henry. A minute or so later he stepped out from behind the tree, and Jo launched herself at him.
'You worried me.'
'Sorry, but I had to show you somehow didn't I detective?'
'Don't call me that.' She scowled at him. Henry laughed.
'Sorry det- Jo. It's habit.' She stood on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear,
'Break it. I know some habits I'm going to break.' She stepped away from Henry, back towards Abe and the car. Henry smiled his lopsided smile at her.
'Like what, detective.' She put her head on the side, giving him the look.
'Wait and you'll see.'
'Well before he sees, maybe we should work out what we're going to do next? Like with the hospital and everything?' Henry sent his son a look.
'Thanks for ruining the mood Abraham.'
'No problem. Anytime.' He grinned at Henry, holding the car door open. 'You coming?'
'We're coming.' Jo replied, returning to the car. 'Henry?' He was still standing by the tree.
'Sorry. Coming.'
-Back at the shop-
They sat in the lounge drinking tea. Henry put down his cup.
'Anyone got any ideas?'
So I've decided that there will be one more chapter. I won't be able to update tomorrow but I will definitely write more on Saturday (NZ time. I think that's Friday for you Americans :P). I will be writing another story after this one though so if you'd all like to read that when I start it that would be awesome! Thanks guys and don't forget to review :)