Right, here is the next part of Heavy Stuff! Hope you enjoy what is to come.
-x-x-x-
Marty ran to the fire station on what would become Philpott Avenue and had called them out to the Soup Kitchens as fast as he could. He hoped beyond all things that there would be at least a duty sergeant like there had been at the police station. Thankfully, there had been ten of them who had been on duty at the time, whilst another seven appeared at the scene some time later, and had driven as fast as they could to the blazing fire and the heart of Hill Valley.
As they arrived on site, the flames were still swarming around the building. Locals, who had been woken by the commotion, had come from the surrounding area with buckets of water and blankets trying to help and tame the flames. The heat was astonishingly fierce. As the firemen stormed into the blaze, they had found two huddled figures, unconscious, lying closely together under a precariously swinging metal barrel. It was keeping them safe but the fire was slowly pushing it closer and closer towards them. As the other firemen attempted to start quelling the fire, amidst the swelling flames, another two fire fighters had pulled the two bodies from the flames and out onto the street outside. The night wind was spreading the flames faster and it was a wonder that the two people had not already been too badly burned.
Erhardt, who had been sitting on the curb opposite the inferno, held back by Carl Sagan and Marty, suddenly shot up as he saw the two lifeless figures being carried from the fire.
'NO!' He cried, as he ran over to the pair, who were now being treated by a local nurse who had been drafted in at short notice. Marty and Doc watched on, unable to bring themselves to follow the Judge. 'Emmett? What is wrong with them?' Erhardt repeated to the increasingly aggravated nurse who was just trying to do her job.
'I am trying to assess this, Mr Brown. Now please. Give me some space. Do you want this young lady and your son to live?' The last words cut through the air, like a knife cutting through butter. Erhardt stood, somewhat taken aback by the woman's fierce words and returned to his place on the curb. Doc and Marty looked at each other and then towards Erhardt. In front of them sat a broken man. Someone who sat on the edge of reason. Marty couldn't imagine what Doc was thinking. To see his own father react like this.
'And you don't remember this?' Marty whispered.
'None of this happened before. You didn't come back to 1931. You never interacted with me and therefore none of this took place. But through our meddling, we have once again disrupted the space time continuum. And now it seems that my very life is in the balance.' Doc's eyes wandered over to the nurse who, along with help from varying women from the town, was attempting to resuscitate the two young people. In the background, the fire was being successfully beaten back, but despite the roaring carnage that it was wreaking on this little corner of Hill Valley, it didn't mean anything to Marty. The fire and anger and rage brought about by it was eclipsed by the personal human struggle that was being played out on the road in front of them.
Finally, a reaction was received from Edna, who sat straight up right, coughing and spluttering. Her high pitched breaths taking in as much air as possible. She was grabbing onto the shoulders of one of the town's women and being cradled by her. Tears running down her cheeks, the memories of what had just happened were coming back to her. Shock and relief summed up Edna's feelings right now. However, whilst Edna was being lifted to her feet with the aid of some of the women, who had clamoured around the pair, and having a blanket wrapped around her, there was still no sign from Emmett. Doc remained by his father's side, whilst Marty ran over to the crowd, which was steadily increasing around Emmett. Some eyes were turned towards the boy's father out of pure pity. If he didn't wake up soon, he might never do so.
'Let me through.' Marty called as he pushed his way through the crowd and within seconds was by Emmett's side. A blanket had been wrapped around young Doc and the nurse was still trying to resuscitate the eerily quiet figure of Marty's mentor. Marty grabbed Emmett's hand in his. It was frightfully cold. Worryingly so. Marty's eyes stared back through the gap that was just starting to close in the crowd. He could see Erhardt sat on the road, with Doc by his side. His arm wrapped around his father's shoulder for comfort and protection. Marty whipped his head away from that sight; inside it was killing him. He had caused this. He should have listened to Doc's initial instructions and never come back for him. But then Doc would have died anyway, shot by Kid's goons and dumped somewhere where nobody would find him. What kind of end was that? Time travel threw up so many decisions, some of which could be right, some could be wrong…the worrying thing was that sometimes there was no right answer and time just had to run its course.
'Come on, Doc. Hold on. You can do it. Don't you dare leave me now!' Marty thought aloud. His hand clenched tightly around his days companions'. There was silence and the nurse pulled away from her attempts. Marty's enquiring eyes looked at her for an answer, but he feared that he already knew what she would say.
'I'm sorry. He's gone.' She regretfully announced so that only Marty could hear. Marty's heart sank. No. He couldn't be dead. Not now. Not like this. There was no way that Marty would believe this. He looked mournfully at the boy who had accompanied him on his final adventure and there was no way that this could be happening.
'No, Doc. No. Please' Marty muttered. A tear ran down his cheek. This hurt more than words. He looked through the tiny gaps in the crowd and could see Doc's head bowed slightly. He knew what had happened. But what would happen to him now…?
Then just as the nurse was about to pack away her things and lift the blanket over Emmett's face, an exhalation of breath came from his still form. Then, he too spluttered, coughed and choked back to life and within seconds was sat bolt upright, as if an electric charge had been passed through his system. There was a raucous applause as the small crowd cheered Emmett and the nurse. The fire fighters who were rushing in and out of the blaze stopped for a moment to revel in the feeling that nobody had died this evening. Death was always the worst part of their job to deal with and here tonight, that spectre had been beaten.
At the cheer of the crowd, Erhardt had leapt from his place like a jack in a box and ran to Emmett's side. Doc too raised himself from the floor, and more slowly made his way to the cheering crowd, some of whom were returning to help the fire fighters who had nearly put the flames out entirely. A sudden light relief took hold of Doc's heart. He could believe it now. All was going to be alright. At last…
As the boy was pulled to his feet, like Edna had been, Erhardt forced his way through the crowd and embraced his son. From what Marty could see, Emmett's face displayed a mixture of confusion and utter happiness. A most horrific ordeal had been overcome and now he was alive and able to live with the consequences of his actions.
-x-x-x-
And now, twenty minutes later, Emmett sat on the curb, his blue cardigan singed and his green bow tie hanging loosely around his neck. His head was cupped in his hands and he was staring dejectedly down at the asphalt. More blankets had been wrapped around him as people had discovered his fortune. But any happiness that he may have been harbouring was hiding deep inside of him. Like Edna, his memories were returning and the ghastly images of the last few hours were replaying in his mind. If there was one thing that Emmett had gleaned from this day's experiences, it was to never take anything for granted. Not even your own life. He now knew, that when fire burns, it devours. The wall of barrels and boxes had been eaten up by the flames, leaving nothing but ash and cinders. The inferno had only been stopped progressing on to the police station by the large brick wall that separated the two yards. It had been a very close call for all involved and the reality of it all was sinking in and Emmett didn't know if he was ready for reality quite yet.
His father was sat talking to the Chief of the Police with Carl Sagan and Danny Parker in the cover of the bandstand against the gloomy night. No doubt retelling the tale like an heroic odyssey. Like the truth was some form of malleable metal, ready to be twisted into whatever shape was necessary to shine a good light over the situation. Emmett just wanted the truth to be simple and honest and to tell the real story of what happened over the last few hours, just like anybody should. Edna was being treated by a local ambulance that had just arrived on the scene, at least she was safe.
As soon as this thought hit his mind, another questionable truth walked over to him and sat by his side. Emmett wrapped the blankets tighter around his shoulders and braced himself against the night air and the approaching conversation between this unbelievable person.
'I thought you didn't like the woman.' Marty joked after some time of silence. Inside he was exhausted, but he had to be there for Emmett's sake.
'Who? Edna? I…I don't. Doesn't mean she should have...b…b…burnt.' Emmett replied, staring into the centre of the road. Unwilling to look at Marty for the moment.
'Yeah, I s'pose.' There was silence. 'I'm sorry, Emmett. I truly am.' What else could he say?
'I shouldn't have listened to you. It's as much my fault as yours, Marty.'
'If you want t….you called me Marty?' No hint of surprise crossed the boy from 1985's voice. He was slightly taken aback by the name, but he should have expected it. Emmett was no ordinary person. He was going to be Doc. No….he was Doc. There he was. Doctor Emmett Lanthrop Brown sat right in front of him, ready to tackle the world.
'I heard Mr Sagan call you that in the firing line. I suspected that you were lying to me ever since you said your name was Michael Corleone. You seemed to question it….almost as if you blurted it out like a name recalled from memory. People don't do that with their real name. There's normally more conviction than a mere memory.' Emmett's sincerity pierced Marty's protective bubble. He couldn't hide behind the name anymore. There was a moment of silence where neither man wished to speak. 'And I also doubt the true identity of Mr Sagan. You kept calling him 'Doc'. Is that his real name? Just 'Doc'? Ha. He's a peculiar man.' Emmett's view leapt to Doc who was gesticulating wildly in the bandstand. So much so that Erhardt, who was doing the same thing when he spoke, had to move out of the bandstand for there to be enough room. Emmett chuckled slightly, before doubting even that. 'I don't know what it is about him, but I feel like I know him, and yet…he can seem so distant. I'd hate to be like that…' Another silence. 'Because if that's the kind of life you lead, I don't understand you. Yes, sure, it seems exciting and fun on the top, but how do you know when to stop? Because, Marty, even though I've only just met you, that kind of life should not continue until something goes so terribly wrong that you cannot undo it. How close have you come to destroying something you care for? How many lies have you had to tell?' Emmett's eyes were glistening with untold emotion. The young man couldn't even explain to himself why he was saying what he was, but all he knew was that for once in his life they were his own words. Not dictated by a higher authority.
'More than I can count, Emmett. And yes, I have lied to you today. My only excuse is that it was to keep you and the people of Hill Valley safe. Now you can believe that if you want, but I came here on a mission and I had to fulfil it no matter what. But I should have trusted you more than I did. And for that I'm sorry.' Marty admitted. What he really wanted to say was the truth and he knew that Emmett wanted that too. However, Marty knew that the truth could still hurt and cause massive problems in the space time continuum…or whatever it was Doc normally said.
Suddenly, Marty felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see Doc's glowing eyes staring back at him under the shadows of the night. Emmett too looked up at the man, wrapping his blanket tighter around his shoulders as the cold wind began to bite.
'Time to go.' Doc stated whimsically. Marty pushed himself up from the floor and went to stand by Doc. 'Said your goodbyes?' Marty knew that he couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Emmett. He'd put the guy through so much. He owed him at least a goodbye, even if he wasn't ready for the truth quite yet. Emmett, whose eyes had not left the curious pair in front of him, watched as Marty approached him. Unsure whether to stand and rise to his friend's level or whether to stay sitting. Hold on a minute…friend?
'Emmett. I'm going now. Heading out of town for a while.' Marty could feel Doc's eyes staring into the back of his head, waiting.
'You're leaving? Now? But there are so many questions you need to answer.' Emmett's eyes were pleading, but not grovelling. Marty could understand why Emmett had so many questions. But as is often the case, Marty wouldn't be able to answer them to Emmett's detailed expectation, and as is the curse of all time travellers, there wouldn't be enough time to answer them all anyway...
'I'm sorry, Emmett. Trains leaving soon. Time to say goodbye.' Marty lied.
'Well, can you answer me this…' Emmett asked, resolutely leaping from the curb to stand by Marty's side. 'Will I see you again?' Marty's face tried to hide his blatant smile, but again, here was another thing that young Emmett would have to wait for. Marty's head turned to Doc, who just nodded in approval.
'I can guarantee it.' Marty replied, somewhat cornily. Emmett smiled and as an awkward moment faded away, he hugged Marty.
'Thank you.' Emmett whispered, sounding genuinely thankful for everything. The impact somebody could have on a life was unbelievable and it was through time travel that Marty had been able to experience it. Nevertheless, he had to consider Emmett's earlier words. That his kind of life should not continue until something goes so terribly wrong that one cannot undo it. How long would it be before he reached his crisis point?
As Emmett pulled away from the hug, a gleam of sheer relief could be seen across his cold face before his eyes returned to the floor, almost out of embarrassment. He'd never hugged anybody in public before. Not even his mother. Maybe this was something new that the day had brought on. An openness that young Emmett wanted to embrace whole-heartedly. Who knew when another change like this would come around? It was almost as uncertain as lightning…
As Marty waved goodbye to Emmett and began to walk along the street, he suddenly remembered something. This way he could give Emmett the truth.
'Oh Emmett, I have something for you. But you have to promise to follow the instructions on the piece of paper, okay?' Emmett nodded as Marty delved into one of his many suit pockets and thrust a slither of neatly folded, slightly crumpled paper into the young boys hands. In small, swerving hand writing, the words:
Do not open until 1985
Emmett looked confused as he read these words, but knew that he had to fulfil his promise to his friend. He nodded again and placed the slip of paper in the pocket of his pullover. His hands wandered for a moment as he considered handing over a gift too. After a few seconds, he pulled the loosened bow tie from around his neck and threw it to Marty, who caught it easily and held it high in the air.
'Just to remember me by, in case our paths don't cross again, eh?' Emmett joked, his eyes full of hope that it would never come to that. Marty acknowledged the gift and pushed it into one of his many pockets. He walked back to Doc, who had stood and watched the exchange.
'You sure about that?' Doc questioned.
'Positive.' Replied Marty, a smile plastered across his face.
As the two men walked away from the smouldering scene of the Sisters of Mercy Soup Kitchen, they looked at what they had done. They had caused this carnage, but at the same time, history had been written. And that was the job of a time traveller when the circumstances called for it. Doc and Marty reached the corner, which would lead them back to where Marty had left the DeLorean, and turned back to take one last look. Doc gazed at the whole picture. The smoking remains, the commotion, the crowd. Whilst Marty's eyes were focussed on Emmett, who had wandered over to the ambulance at the end of the lane. Now, by its side sat Emmett and Edna. Holding hands. Marty smirked and rounded the corner which led back to the future.
-x-x-x-
Thank you for reading. Hope you're enjoying it. Last part next! Thank you again! Xxx
