-1Walking Wounded
Chapter 9
Her legs felt like fire but she pushed the agony away, her face staring unseeing ahead at the street sign. She paused, looking from left to right, confused by this town she barely knew. The rain pelted her face hard. Fat drops soaking her clothes and hair. Her feet slipped on the wet pavement, jarring her bones as they hit the concrete. She felt her ankle twist and bit back a scream.
She had to get to them.
Ignoring the pain that raced through her leg, she took a huge gulp of air, staring at the street sign. She knew she was still too far. She had to keep going.
Her gun shook in her hand, blood from her head wound dripping onto forehead, tears stinging her face. "Why? Why?"
She was weak….she knew that…but he had loved her…he had told her that…
His beautiful green eyes were empty and cold. She followed his hand holding the knife, taunting her when he held it to Matthews throat…
"You won't do anything….you love me don't you, baby?"
Her finger flexed on the trigger…mind screaming at her to do it…to shoot him…
"Baby, you're not strong enough…."
Cassie choked back a sob, nausea rising at her memories. No. She could do this. She would….
Her balance failed, sending her face first to the hard ground, hands held out at an attempt to lessen the blow. She felt her face scrape against the concrete, the aching burn spreading over her skin. Something snapped in her wrist and she screamed in agony.
"Oh god…"
Holding her hand into her chest, she rolled to her side, gritting her teeth, metallic taste filled her mouth and she swallowed hard.
There was no time to stop. The pain….blinded her…numbed her…strengthen her resolve. She had to get to them. Before it was too late. The image she thought so long swam through her mind…
"You can't do it."
Her eyes fell to Matthew's and her heart dived at the fear and pain in her brother's eyes. She had to do it.
"Let him go…"
Her hand shook, gun unsteady…she looked at Carly, lying bleeding on the floor and her anger…rage she had swallowed her entire life filled her.
"LET HIM GO!"
Her finger squeezed the trigger, the loud sound echoing her ears…
"Not again." She growled through clenched teeth.
Hauling her body off the ground, she took off at a run, biting back another scream, ignoring the grinding of her knee and the pain in her ankle. She held her hand protectively…Adrenaline blocked it all out now.
She had to get to them.
Churches were never…had never been his favorite place. He revered them as he'd been taught to do since he was child. He found them intimidating most times. On the very rare occasions he didn't feel guilty for being in a place of God when he, in own mind, was nothing more then a sinner, it was usually to celebrate something huge.
Like now.
Sonny stood at the altar, standing stiffly next to Gabriel who seemed as cool as ice. No one would have known he was getting married in just a few minutes. His own weddings had always made him lose his cool…at least privately.
He watched as his sister walked toward the front. Her smile bright but not quite reaching her eyes. He caught her back stiffen as she passed Zander. He knew something was going on there but also knew better then to ask.
Courtney waved a small hello as she positioned herself at the front.
His mind went back to his own experiences at moments like these.
His wedding with Lily had been nerve-wrecking due to the fact that he hadn't even known if he was going through with it. For years after her death he'd wished that he could have been more happy that day.
Like the days were he'd married Carly.
He shook his head, seeing his daughter begin her walk down the aisle. Brenda had kept things simple this time. Cate was the only one walking down the aisle beside Courtney.
He smiled at her little sashay, hearing the twittering of laughter from the gathered crowd. That was his girl. Showoff to the extreme. She got to the front and turned unexpectedly, bowing deeply.
The room burst out with laughter and Michael called out from where he sat with Mike.
"It's not a recital Catherine."
She ignored her brother, flipping her hair dramatically over her shoulder as she stepped to her position. There was another round of laughter before the deep bass of the organ filled the room.
Music swelled and a hush fell over the crowd, all eyes turning to the rear of the church. The doors opened slowly, revealing Brenda in her gown, and everyone muttered…seeing her long yellow dress for the first time.
Sonny shook his head…leave it to Brenda to make a statement.
He glanced to his side, catching Gabriel's eyes and for the first time since he'd met him, Sonny saw something real there. They both chuckled and turned back to watch Brenda.
Sonny still had no idea how she had talked him into being best man. Their relationship was…friendly. Not true confidantes of course. Even though he and Brenda had come to terms with what they'd had years ago, he would always feel he was betraying Carly in some form if he forgot how she had felt about his ex.
But Brenda had begged him, telling him that Gabriel had no close male friends who could make the trip and could he please be a pal and help her out. When that hadn't worked, she'd played dirty and gotten Cate to work him…so here he was.
She was moving slowly and his mind flashed back…seeing Carly coming down the stairs, the dress he'd bought her for their casino night covering her gorgeous figure…telling him she was ready to marry him…saw her walking down the aisle, her hands holding a beautiful bouquet…coming toward him in all her golden beauty…love shining in her eyes…saw as she recited for the third and final time her vows…her laugh filling his empty soul…
He shook out of his thoughts, nodding at Brenda as she smiled over at him before turning to the priest and her soon to be husband…
Port Charles welcomed and thanked her for her visit as she swerved around the sharp corner, her eyes falling immediately on the lights that shone through the rain and fog. She wiped her sleeve on the window, turning the heat on in an attempt to clear the glass. Her hands shook and she flexed them against the wheel, taking deep breaths.
Carly searched frantically for Saint Timothy's steeple, nothing catching her eyes. She started to panic, her mind drawing a blank…which direction was she supposed to head in? She banged her hand on the wheel, cursing her failing memory. Lightening flashed just enough light to make out the cross of the church in the distance. She pushed down the pedal, swerving uncontrollably for a second before regaining control of the car…
She had to find Cassie. She had to make sure Sonny and their kids were okay.
Her mind filled with old nightmares…old memories and ghosts long thought dead…
"Cassie?"
Carly crawled toward her daughter, watching as Cassie shrunk further back into the corner. Holding her hand out, Carly touched her, feeling Cassie flinch against her fingers. "It's over."
Cassie shook her head, tears streaming down her face…the gun still held firmly in her hand. "I killed him."
"Babygirl…listen to me…you had to do it." Carly grimaced against the pain in her side. He'd done a number on her. She glanced back at Sonia and Matthew, whose face was firmly hidden in Sonia's neck.
"Cassie…we have to get out of here. Someone heard those gunshots and the police is probably on their way…"
Carly choked back a cry at the empty eyes that connected with hers. She'd seen pain of that depth before…in eyes that were exactly the same and it broke her heart now as it did then.
"Sweetie…I know it hurts and you're scared but you saved us. Okay? You did what had to be done and you saved all of us." Carly grabbed Cassie's hands, feeling her fingers tighten around her hand. "Trust me now Cassie."
She pulled Cassie to her feet, keeping her face away from the motionless body on the floor as they headed to the door. She kissed Cassie's forehead. "I'm going to take care of you baby. I promise he won't hurt you again…"
She had made and broken so many promises throughout her life. She was going to make damn sure she kept this one.
Her eyes glanced down at the paper once more…she prayed that Sonny and the kids had stayed away from that wedding. If they were there and Cassie saw the paper…she would try to save them.
Carly couldn't handle losing them….any of them…not now.
"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here tonight to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony."
The loud crash of thunder sounded through the church and Father Coates paused to look out of the window.
"And I imagine every one of you truly wanted to be here. Considering the crappy--pardon my language--state of the weather."
The room laughed out loud and Father Coates smiled at the young couple's shocked faces. "Got to keep you on your toes. That's what happens in a marriage. Situations come out of nowhere. You have to be prepared to handle them together. Your love has to be strong."
Brenda watched the priest's face as he continued talking but the roar in her ears prevented her from hearing any of it. She placed a hand on her stomach, the butterflies raging now. She was doing the right thing.
She loved Gabriel.
He loved her.
It would work…no matter how hard, she would make it work.
Her thoughts turned to Jason…what could have been and wasn't. It was over…before it had even ever begun. It was better that way. What they had…there was no definition. It was too special to her.
She pushed those thoughts away, resolved to let go of her feelings for Jason and to focus on the man in front of her. The one that loved her despite everything she had done to push him away.
His eyes met hers and he winked, giving her a quick flash of a grin before turning to look at Father Coates. She followed suit…feeling something new open in her heart for her husband…something special…
Gabriel kept his gaze focused on the holy dude…man, refusing to meet Brenda's eyes again. He'd felt that tug inside…the same one that always came before he showed up. The fool was in love with her…not realizing she was all about her stone-faced roommate.
He clenched his fist…biting back rage and hate…he always fell for the impossible ones. The ones that used him…and when things got out of hand it was Gabriel's job to fix it. To make it go away so that they could finish what they had started.
"If there's anyone here who knows of any reason these two should not be joined in Holy Matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
No one seemed to breathe. Everyone waited for the inevitable. The other shoe to drop as it seemed to happen every time before.
Nothing moved. No surprise voices. No shocking guests.
Brenda glanced at Sonny who smiled encouragingly at her and she breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"May I have the rings please?"
Brenda turned to Courtney who smiled as she held out the small gold ring. She stiffened, sensing Zander's eyes on her from across the room. She gripped her bouquet tightly, forcing her eyes to stare straight at the couple that were now exchanging rings.
There was a hushed muttering and she glanced over at Dara and Ric. He was handing her his handkerchief while hugging her to his side, kissing her temple as he did. Courtney wasn't fond of Ric but he was different now. Ever since…
She pushed the thought away, attempting to bring her attention back to the ceremony. Her eyes passed over Dillon and wondered why he looked so pale…afraid.
Dillon caught her staring and smiled, turning to look over at the pew across the way. His eyes caught sight of someone he'd never seen before. Her dark hair was pushed out of her face…which was drawn into a frown.
She felt his glance and stared at him for a moment before turning away. His eyes moved over to her companion, Elizabeth Webber, and he nodded when she met his eyes. She sent him a small smile before turning her gaze back to the front of the church.
Elizabeth ignored everything around her, eyes fixed on the back of Trevor Lansing head. If something happened tonight, she was going to make damn sure she kept tabs on him.
Dillon watched Elizabeth face harden before looking away. The ceremony continued while he ran in his mind what he was going to tell Sonny when confronted him. How exactly did he tell him? Dillon fingered the locket again. Maybe all he had to do was show him….
"Repeat after me…I, Brenda Barrett, take you, Gabriel Black to be my lawfully wedded husband…"
There was another crash of lighting and sudden darkness descended on the church…
Carly screeched her car to a halt at the gates of Saint Timothy's, pushing her door open, and without pausing she ran to the gate, starting up the dark walkway. Lights seemed to be out on the street and she could barely see in front of her. She paused, halfway up the path…
What was she going to do? How was she going to explain?
There was movement to her right and she turned to see a shadow move quickly toward the back of the church. It seemed to be carrying something…heavy. Fear burst in the pit of her stomach…this was wrong.
Carly pushed her soaked her hair out of her eyes, wiping her face with her hand…not much difference since she was completely drenched. She watched with keen eyes as the stranger entered the church.
Not allowing any time for rationalization, she followed…
Candles had been lit quickly by the two altar boys. The room was filled with a dull glow, creating eerie shadows in the corners and all around.
The wedding party continued, not allowing the sudden change affect the special moment.
"Let us continue." Father Coates said cheerfully.
The shadow crept along the wall silently. From his vantage point on the balcony, he could make out his target perfectly. The shadow moved quickly, positioning his weapon carefully. He knelt to look through his scope.
He had the target in his sights…all he needed was the perfect moment.
He waited for his cover.
Carly watched the shadow…now clearly a man…a hitman… kneel, taking his gun from his side and placing it on the back of one of the pews. He was focusing on the altar. She looked around her…moving silently toward him…
Cassie stumbled, her hands falling into the muddy grass on the lawn, her breath coming in short, ragged bursts. Her heart wanted to erupt from her chest, tears gathering in her eyes, as she propelled her body up and forward.
Her eyes focused on the church looming over her…
Memories
concern
Like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
She took a step forward, her body begging for rest…her lungs on fire and she doubled over, pain ricocheting through her…
She couldn't…she was going…
She fell to her knees…
You
all assume
I'm safer in my room
Unless I try to start again
Rapid flashes…memories ran across her mind…her mother's laughter…Mattie's giggle when he was tickled…Sonny surprisingly warm smile…Michael's somber, sad face…Cate's loving grin…
Crawling, she focused on standing and pushed up, moving toward the steps of the church…
Almost there…
I
don't want to be the one
Who battles always choose
Cuz inside I
realize
That I'm the one confused
"I do."
"What God has brought together…let no man tore asunder."
Carly shut out the sound of Father Coates voice, her eyes intent on just one thing…the gun. She glanced around…finding an old fire extinguisher that had been left on the floor. She grabbed it quickly. Anyone at the altar was in danger. Her eyes scanned across the front of the church…stopping short at Sonny. Heart dropped to the floor and she almost lost her balance.
No.
He wasn't going to get hurt.
She would stop this. Now.
Shoving her fear aside, she progressed soundlessly forward, stepping as close as she could behind the hitman without him sensing her. He raised his gun, bringing it into place to shoot…
I
don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I
don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
Cassie attempted to run…her attention centered on the huge oak door…she was so close…only a few feet…
She was almost there.
Her feet stepped onto the landing and her hand rested on the handle…
I
don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So I'm
breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
Father Coates smiled as he declared. "By the power vested in me…"
Carly leaned forward bringing the extinguisher over her head…
"I now pronounce you…."
The man turned quickly catching Carly off-guard. He held her at bay, his gun now pointed in her direction.
"What do we have here?"
His whisper sent chilling shivers down her spine.
"…man and…"
The door flung open, bringing with it the harsh wind and rain, candles blowing out in the chaos that followed. Cassie leaned against the door, her hand held up. She screamed in the near darkness. "No! Stop!" Her dark brown eyes locked with his green ones. His mouth formed her name as he stared at her face.
Cassie's eyes blurred…emotions she wanted to forget rushing at her…she said his name for the first time since she'd killed him…
"Gabriel."
Shaking his head…he started toward her and stopped as someone stood…stepping out of the pew to stare at her…
Cassie heart stopped…for that moment…her mouth dry and unable to find her voice, she croaked another name…
"Trevor…"
Cultured
my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
The commotion gave Carly the upper hand she needed. Heaving the extinguisher with all her might, she caught him in the face. His gun clattered to the floor and they both dove to recover it . Carly kicked at his legs, relishing his scream of pain.
She crawled toward the weapon, her hands grasping and losing their grip. She felt his fingers grasp onto her legs and yelped in frustration as he pulled her back toward him.
Her hand gripped onto the gun, fumbling as she brought it around toward her mark, accidentally pulling the trigger, the shot echoing in the hollow church…
I
hurt much more
Than anytime before
I have no options left again
The room screamed at the gunfire, all eyes following the sound up…watching two shadows struggle above..
Another shot rang out…
Sonny's eyes flicked back and forth between the struggle happening above and the problem that had burst through the door. It took him a moment to recognize the girl in front of him and when he did, his eyes turned to Trevor. He seemed to be staring back at Cassie with the same hatred she was displaying for him.
Cassie moved forward, eyes focused on the man who'd ruined her life…who'd tried to kill her family…the man who'd broken her completely…
Years of grief…of rage and pain and fear consumed her…she hated the bastard.
Sonny nodded at Max and his body ground gave a quick, curt response. He moved closer to Cassie and when he reached her side, he touched her hand softly.
"Miss?"
Cassie kept her eyes on Trevor, lighting up with a sudden plan…
Sonny saw it…understood it almost immediately and his mouth opened in warning…
She grabbed inside Max's jacket and before he could blink, her hand held his gun. Smiling bitterly, she spat at Trevor, "What do you think? Think I can do it?"
He smirked at her.
That smile that haunted her nightmare…tears fell steadily now…heaving sobs beginning to emit from inside her…hollow cries…
"I can do it now."
She shook her head, clamping down on her pain…
No one would be safe until he was dead. It would be worth it…her own death to stop him…to rid the world of his evil…so vile and destructive…
She could save them. Her family. Their friends…this whole damn town that was being swallowed by his sickness…
She could do it. She would.
Hands steady, she aimed, fingers twitching on the trigger…
I
don't want to be the one
Who battles always choose
Cuz inside
I realize
That I'm the one confused
Carly kicked out, catching his face with her heel and stood, aiming the gun at him as she did.
Her eyes drifted down for a moment and her breath caught. Cassie was mere seconds from pulling the trigger. She couldn't let her do it.
She couldn't let him win and take Cassie away from them…away from Sonny.
Not when they were so close…
She flicked gaze between her emeny and her daughter. Just as Cassie's hand tightened, Carly screamed out her name.
All eyes focused on the balcony, including her daughter's…and Trevor's…
Their eyes met and she saw the fear that flared in his….
I
don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I
don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
Cassie heard Carly's voice call to her and she turned…barely making out two figures at the top of the balcony…one was her mother…
Her hand dropped to her side…the gun clattering to the floor and she started toward the stairs…
Carly was in trouble. She had to help.
Suddenly arms were pinning her from behind and she swerved around to see Max shake his head. "No way. You'll get killed."
"Let me go."
"The Boss' orders, kid."
She meet Sonny's eyes and stopped struggling…they seemed to register concern…confusion…and pain. He recognized her voice. Or at least thought he had.
Cassie's eyes scanned the room…seeing the frightened faces…scared children and family…Brenda was crying…staring at her husband as he continued to watch Cassie in shock.
Cassie refused to meet them. His green eyes would be her undoing. Her eye's stopped on a brunette she had seen before. Somewhere… Her face seemed calm, her eyes held onto the scene above…hand slowly digging into her purse…
There was a scream from the crowd and Cassie shifted her gaze up. She choked back a cry of her own as she watched her mother fight against the other figure for control of the gun…
I
don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm
breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
Carly pulled at his hand, prying the gun from his grip with all her strength. He hit her face with his hand and she lost her breath from the pain. It was enough to loosen her grip and he pushed her to the floor, turning to point the gun at his target….
I'll
paint it on the walls
Cuz I'm the one that falls
Sonny dove the moment he realized the gun was aimed at him and barely missed the bullet that zoomed by his head. Everyone in the room screamed, hiding behind pews and tables, protecting the kids…
He looked for Michael and found him blocking Cate from seeing any of what was happening.
Sonny could see that it was a man and woman struggling, sharp eyes kept focused on the woman...
She had screamed earlier…and his heart had skipped a beat at the sound of her voice.
He knew her.
And that meant he had to help her.
Another bullet flew past his ear and he moved toward the wall, inching his way to the stairs. Lightening flashed, and he glanced up in time to see both figures fly over the edge of the balcony…
I'll
never fight again
and this is how it ends
Carly fought the unconsciousness that wanted to take her. He was going to kill Sonny. She couldn't let that happened. She rose to her feet, hearing the second bullet and before she could think, she jumped at him, pushing them both over the edge….
I
don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But
now I have some clarity
to show you what I mean
Cassie screamed as the bodies tumbled to the floor. It was too dark to make out who was still breathing. She moved forward…kicking at Max who was forcing her to the floor…
The doors opened once more and Cassie heard and felt the spray of bullets over her head. She and Max looked behind … seeing three men entering the church, guns blazing. She caught sight of Michael and Cate, running toward her. She ran to them, grabbing their hands and shoving both behind her…and as she turned, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach….
Bodies fell over pews…blood…red and thick covering the floor…cries of pain and fright pitching into the darkness…
Smoke bellowed in the room…fire raging from one side of the room…
The bullets stopped as they had began…suddenly…with no warning…the silence choking….
No one moved for what seemed an eternity and Sonny frantically scanned around him.
His kids….he needed to find them…
His eyes fell to the two motionless bodies on the floor and he crawled closer…
One of them was moving.
It was the woman…face covered by her hair and debris…
She slowly rose up…hands on the floor…
Sonny inched closer…not wanting to scare her.
"Hey. Hey. Are you alright?"
His hand was stretched out to touch the top of her head…when his voice reached her and…she jerked her head up…her face mere inches from his…and in that instant, another bolt of lighting flashed across the sky, bathing the room in light and his eyes met hers…
" Carly…?"
I
don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm
breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
Breaking the habit
tonight
Lyrics: Breaking the Habit -- Linkin Park