CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Nan had found Luke tied up in the bathtub. He was shivering violently in the icy water. She looked frantic as she tried to pull him out.
I waved over a large towel and helped her.
"Luke! Luke!" Nan smoothed his hair away from his face. "Wake up!" She pat his cheeks until his eyes fluttered open and he looked dazedly at her.
"N-Nan…?" His teeth was chattering uncontrollably.
I stood back as Nan held him, trying to warm him up as best as she could. Luke sank into her embrace, while I looked around. Even the bathroom was pristine, but seeing Luke like this, it was obvious he hadn't done this to himself. "What happened?" I asked, watching Nan finally free him from the ropes that left angry red and purple marks around his wrists and ankles.
"Can you help him?" Nan looked at me with wide eyes, the worry was still all over her face.
I knelt in front of him. "Hold him. This might hurt." Might was an understatement.
I hovered my hand over his wound and tried to ignore the pained grunts that Luke was trying to suppress. When I was done, the wound was completely knitted over without even a scar. "So? What happened?" I asked, again.
He looked down. "She found out about Nan and I. She thought I was being enslaved by her… witchcraft, so mom thought this would "free" me from her."
I narrowed my eyes. What medieval era did she think she lived in? Who would do this to their own son? Or was I the naïve one to think that normal mothers loved their children unconditionally? So far, all I've seen were mothers who would sexually, verbally, and physically abuse their children.
What if I was going to grow up just like them?
The image of a small child with Kyle's likeness flashed in my mind. I could never hurt my own children. Never.
"Come live with us. She won't' be able to hurt you there," Ban offered, tightly clutching on to him.
He looked hopeful for only a moment before shaking his head. "I don't think I'll be welcomed there. That lady doesn't seem to like me much." That lady was most likely Fiona, but that was typical of her.
Hank had already made his place there and despite Fiona's obvious disdain for him, Cordelia was adamant about her decision. He somehow managed to justify his importance to their safety. Surely, we'd be able to do the same with Luke and it didn't have to be permanent. He just needed to find a place of his own, away from his mother.
"We can always ask Cordelia," I told them. "There's no harm in asking, but he can't stay here. Your mother could wind up killing you – whether on purpose or by accident.
Luke still appeared reluctant. "She's my mother. S-she wouldn't really do anything to… kill me or anything?" Despite this, he didn't seem to believe his own words.
"We'll decide later. Unless you want to tie yourself back up and go back into the bathtub, it's probably best if you went with us." At least until she calmed down enough not to off him on the spot.
Reluctantly, he got off the cold tiles and went to look for clothes.
"Pack a few sets," I shouted, pacing in the half while Nan helped him. The mother might be returning at any moment. I was worried that she was going to completely blow things out of proportion.
My thoughts continued to race as I felt that familiar anxiety creep in. "Hurry up!" Blood was rushing to my head. I couldn't' keep still even if I wanted to. I needed to go back to my safe haven. I hated it here. It gave me very bad vibes. I had to get out. Get out!
I jumped when I heard the front door open and slam back closed. "Nan! Luke! She's back! We're leaving from the window!" I hissed at them.
Unfortunately, she was headed straight up to the bathroom, which was situated right across from his room. I heard the exclamation of shock, followed by anger, and quickly made my was to the window, only to realise that there were bars caging us in. "What is this?"
"To keep burglars out," he replied, seemingly oblivious.
"Your room is the only one with these! Haven't you ever wondered?!" I shook my head in disbelief. "We have to go, now!"
"Luke, where are you?" came her voice. It was eerily calm, considering the outburst earlier. "Luke, if you don't get here right now, mother is going to be very upset with you and you know you won't like it when I'm upset."
We never had a chance to even hide before the door burst open. Her eyes were wide – psychotic, even – as a smirk spread across her face. "There you are. You have been a very bad boy. Go to the bathroom while I deal with these two."
"Mom - !"
"GO!" she shried.
He looked torn as he looked between his girlfriend and mother. Nan was clinging to his arm. Her body was tensed as if she was ready to defend him if needed. One look at her and he made his decision. "No, I love her, mom! It's not some stupid spell or anything. I really love her!"
Her composure quickly shattered. She bared her teeth at us like a feral animal. "It is all a trick. Don't you see, Luke? They're already pitting you against me – your own mother. Look!"
"We haven't done anything lady!" Nan argued. "You're the one who tied him up in a tub!"
"To get rid of your claws on my son!" she screamed back.
"You're absolutely delusional." I shook my head. "We've done nothing to him and you know it. You're just unable to accept that there is someone else in his life, now. "
"Come on, Luke. Let's go." Nan pulled him out the door, brushing by the enraged mother who quickly caught his wrist in a bruising grasp.
"You're not taking him anywhere!"
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Luke had become the rope of a vicious tug o' war and he looked as if he was about to break.
"That's enough!" I waved my hand the they both flew to opposite walls. "Luke can do whatever he likes. He's an adult." As I kept them both pinned, I allowed him to choose his own course.
He looked at the two before grabbing his bag and walked away.
I sighed, letting the two women go. "He's decided. If you don't let him go, he'll never come back. Let him know you trust him to make his own decisions."
She was slumped against the walls with her head in her hands. I gave her one last look before taking Nan with me and followed Luke to the staircase where he was waiting for us with sad eyes.
"Bye, mom." His quiet voice carried down the dark corridor.
Nan took his other hand and the two descended down the steps.
Suddenly, I felt the air around me shift and I nearly tumbled over by the sheer force. Shocked, I was unable to stop the vase from making contact with the back of his head.
As he crumpled and rolled down the rest of the steps, he took Nan with him.
I watched in horror when he remained motionless no matter how hard Nan cried and called to him. Blood was already seeping into the once-perfect carpet.
"I told you… He's. Not. LEAVING!" His mother loomed over behind me, but her eyes were fixated on the broken couple and the base of the staircase.
She flew backwards into a storage closet with a surprised shriek. I pushed a decorative end table against the door and cursed myself for not doing this sooner. I could've prevented all of this from happening.
"Is he alright?" I lightly brushed his hair back to look at the wound.
"Please, help him. Please," Nan sobbed. "He can't die!"
"I – I'll try." I had never tried healing something so severe. The only time was with Cordelia's eyes and look at how that turned out… It also wasn't a life and death situation.
"Lily…"
"Okay. Just… let me concentrate." I shakily held my hand over the wound and focused on the spot that was still pouring blood. The only blessing was that he was already unconscious and wouldn't be feeling the excruciating pain that would be sure to follow. I wouldn't be able to ensure his safety if he squirmed around and my magic hit an uninjured spot. My powers were far too volatile.
Eventually, the blood stopped flowing, but he remained motionless. "I don't know what else to do, Nan," I told her in despair. "He probably has internal bleeding or some other form of brain damage. We have to bring him to the hospital."
She looked at me with teary eyes before nodding.
…
I waited in the sterilised lobby with Nan who had fallen completely silent after answering a slew of questions from the nurse. I wondered if she had complete control of her mind reading powers or if all the voices were bother her here. It couldn't possibly be pleasant in the hospital. There was so much death and sadness.
"For Luke Ramsey?"
Nan sprung up, looking anxiously at the doctor.
"Are you his wife?" The doctor looked her up and down before scrunching up his nose in a way that made me glare at him. How dare this stranger judge her?
"No, but – "
"Are any of his family members here?"
"I – "
"His father is dead and his mother is… unwell," I told him. The irritation was evident in my voice, but I couldn't tell if he even noticed.
All he did was absentmindedly nod back and looked down at his charts. Eventually, he decided that we were allowed to see him. He led us into a spacious room with several empty beds. In the middle was a dreary sight. His motionless form was hooked up to half a dozen machines that were keeping him alive.
Nan immediately ran over to him, sobbing as she gently stroked his face. "Luke… I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, again. I – " Suddenly, she stopped and seemed to be staring across from her. "Luke…"
The doctor shot her one last look, shook his head, and left. Good riddance…
I took a step towards Nan and frowned, wondering if she was possibly seeing his… spirit? Was that how she had spoken with Kyle? How powerful was she? At first, I thought she could only read minds; now, it seemed that she could also see ghosts – or was that only just people who were not quite dead, yet?
Spotting a chair, I sat down and waited. I wanted to be there for her, but I also didn't want to interrupt her moment. Seeing them converse in such an otherworldly manner, I wondered if she would be okay with it if he remained comatose. The brain was such a fickle thing. I've heard how difficult it was to fix it because there was so much more we didn't understand.
"I love you, Luke."
How could something so good be so easily taken away?
I recalled seeing him coming out of the bus, again. What if… What if we killed Luke and brought him back? Would that fix him? Would it be ethically wrong? This new world was so different. I couldn't make out what was right and what was wrong, anymore.
Eventually, Nan finished her conversation and she looked much better. "I'll talk to you more, tomorrow, Luke!" She even managed to grin as she waved at the unseen presence.
I hoped that someone was really there and she hadn't finally lost it from all the trauma.
"I'm sorry, Nan," I whispered, but she smiled back at me.
"It's okay! You did your best. Besides, he'll get better. I know he will." I didn't know how she did it, but her optimism was gladly welcomed.
As promised, Nan returned every day to visit him. It seemed that his spirit couldn't travel far from the physical body, but neither of them minded. I went with them as often as I could, but I knew she didn't need me, now.
I peeked out my window when I heard the door to the neighbours' house slam shut. This was the first time since the incident that I had heard anything. At first, I thought it was because she was still trapped in the closet and almost – almost - felt bad for what I had done, but when I saw her wandering aimlessly in the halls the following night, the guilt completely vanished.
The mother looked completely unhinged as she stomped out, speaking to nothing and went straight for her car.
Should I warn Nan? She was at the hospital. What if the mother was going there?
I called her cell phone. It rang and rang, but no one picked up. I quickly tried against after leaving her a semi-frantic voice message. Still nothing.
"Lily, are you trying to reach Nan?" Zoe had walked in with the pink cell phone in her hand. It was still ringing from my third attempt. "She forgot it in the kitchen."
I paled. "I'll be right back. I have to find Nan." I threw on my coat and raced out the door, spotting Kyle playing cards with Fiona. Kyle gave me a gleeful wave when he noticed me fly by, but I refused to stop for a delusion. Nope, that was not happening.
"Wait! What's going on? I heard Nan's boyfriend was in the hospital, but she didn't seem that upset. Why are we hurrying there, now?"
"Zoe." I stopped and looked at her. "I need you to drive me there. It'll take too long for the bus. Please. I just have a really bad feeling about it."
Seeing my panicked expression, she nodded and we sped down the streets. It didn't take us long to arrive at the hospital, but I knew that she must've gotten here first.
I went straight up to his shared room with Zoe in tow. When I opened the door, I expected bloodshed, or at least a shouting match. Instead, I saw two crying women. Not just crying, but crying together.
"See! Nothing's wrong!" Zoe exclaimed.
"I… You're right…" I continued to look at the middle-aged woman in wonder. This wasn't who I saw exit the house. This grieving mother wasn't the same woman who looked ready for murder. What was she playing at?
"See you, Joan!" Nan waved and received the same gesture back.
Joan?!
The mother nodded back with a watery smile.
As Nan walked by, she hooked her arms with Zoe and I.
"What was that?" I hissed, completely taken unaware with the new turn of events.
Joan and I have finally come to an understanding," Nan chirped.
I shook my head. "She was the one who did that to him. How could you even contemplate the notion that whatever she's doing is actually for his own good?" To say I was skeptical of Joan's intentions was an understatement. "Nan, I don't trust her. I think she's planning something."
"Don't be silly, Lily," she laughed. "They only have each other. She thought she was doing the right thing, but she knows what she's done wrong, now. She said that it'll never happen, again. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?"
Assuming that was only the second time she's done something like that…
I bit my lips. "And had she ever told you what happened to Luke's father?" Had Luke been a child out of wedlock or had the man died early in his son's childhood?
Nan shrugged, but I saw the uncertainty slowly return to her eyes. "I'll ask, next time."
"I just want you to be careful."
She knew. Of course, she knew, but I was still worried for her.
Whenever she visited Luke for the next few days, I went with her, again. She spent her time happily conversing with him. Only once did Joan come in while we were there. Nan spoke with her as if they were best friends and the mother would politely reply back.
I still didn't trust her, but I felt better that Nan was not by herself and defenseless. As powerful as Nan was, her powers were neither defensive nor offensive. All she had was her mind and her words. Those wouldn't help if someone came at her with a knife.
"I have to go, now." Joan suddenly stood up and hurried away without another word.
"She's so weird," Nan said.
Indeed…
It was unnerving how her eyes were dark as coal and never changed even when she laughed.
It was unnerving how she tended to stare at her son, completely lost in thought as if she was scheming something.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Sorry this came a day later than I intended! I had my birthday get together with friends and family and just never managed to get it up on time! The ironic thing is that today (February 7th) is actually my birthday and it's the only moment I have to post this!
I'm currently still contemplating what I should do with both Luke and Nan. They both died in the canon story and of course, I can change it, but should I? On one hand, I've already saved Hank and I don't want to make a habit of just keeping everyone alive. On the other hand, I don't want to copy everything from canon.
Anyway! Thank you ThatOneGirlwiththeM, sailorsadness, Applejax XD, and guests (anonymouscsifan, Guest) for reviewing!
ThatOneGirlwiththeM: I'm glad you weren't expecting what happened with Hank! I like having some originality here and there. I do want Madi to be more proactive as well, but I also worried that she'll do too much and everything with be Mary Sue. Meep! I'm actually feeling much better, now! Just a little cough here and there.
anonymouscifan: It's Valentine's Day in a week! Perfect opportunity for some fluff, yeah? I really hope you feel better, soon! It took me two months to recover from whatever virus this was (Got better and then got a LOT worse after). Hopefully it's not the same strain because that was brutal!
Guest: Thank you so, so much! I hope you liked this chapter as well!
sailorsadness: Sorry, periods between words with no space is apparently not allowed… Thank you! I hope you liked this chapter!
Applejax XD: I really want to do something with Hank, but I haven't decided what, yet! Thank you for reviewing!
Thank you as well to everyone who has favourited and followed this story. Next chapter may or may not land on Valentine's Day. Teehee!
Edit: Sorry! I accidentally uploaded twelve again, initially. All fixed now, I hope! Thank you charityf1915 and WickedlyMinx for informing me!