Well, here we are...another instalment involving guilt, psychotic behaviour and a surprise ending – to the chapter...not the story!
Special thanks to DreamsofPurpleRoses for sparking part of the idea for this chapter in her last review.
Chapter 14: Breakdown
For the first time in months, Gwen felt like she was on cloud 9. It's been so long since the last time she's been on a date that she almost forgot how to have fun.
Gwen began to hum to herself as she teleported back to Charmcaster's place, feeling giddy after the walk by the beach that followed dinner at a café. As she stepped foot into the house, something felt...off. She didn't know what it was but the atmosphere was malevolent.
"Ben?" She called out, hoping that her cousin would reply. Then she decided to call out to the others. But hearing nothing, Gwen had a dreadful feeling. Finally finding her way to the living room, the sight stopped her cold. Kevin and Cooper were left unconscious. She checked their pulses, thankful that they were still alive, but hurt slightly. Not seeing Ben and Charmcaster had her still worried though.
After hearing a groan, Gwen moved towards the remains ofthe grunts, carefully lifting the piles of rock with her powers until she found the silver-haired sorceress. Sensing something off about Charmcaster's aura, Gwen made a snap decision; Charmcaster needed medical attention – now!
Trying to cool her nerves as much as possible, knowing that Ben might be in danger, Gwen needed to care for her injured teammates, especially her best friend.
Jason had a sinister smile as he watched the unconscious Ben rest in his – their – new home. The sleeping brunet looked so innocent sleeping on the silk sheets covering the king-sized bed in the master bedroom. It may have been brash to sell his previous home, but he thought it was well worth it to keep Bellwood at a distance as he planned his future with Ben.
"Time to wake up, Kitten." The older teen cooed, trying to rouse the sleeping brunet. When Ben did not respond, Jason sighed and moved to the far end of the room where a silk dress-shirt and matching wide-leg pants were draped on a mannequin. "I can't wait to see you in this on our wedding day." The evil teen sighed as his fingers lightly traced the intricate silver embroidery on the shirt's collar. "Although I think you'd look stunning in a wedding gown, but I doubt you'd be pleased about it." He moved back to Ben's sleeping form, taking a seat at the edge of the bed. "Hmph." Jason smirked. "At least I now know you're a deep sleeper." Resting a hand on Ben's pale cheek, Jason lowered his head to rest a possessive short loving kiss against the soft full lips of his obsession. "Once you're awake, Ben, and you finally agree to marry me...that pathetic life in Bellwood – and that loser Kevin – will be ancient history."
"Could you kids stop pacing?" Max growled in frustration, watching Gwen, Kevin, and Cooper pace the waiting room in the local hospital. The three teens were on edge; with Ben missing (who knows what Jason was trying with him now) and Charmcaster's condition being uncertain, the young heroes didn't know what to do with themselves. Soon enough, Gwen began to break, sobbing uncontrollably. Max moved from his seat to console his granddaughter. "It's going to be okay, Pumpkin..." He whispered. "Charmcaster will be okay and we'll find Ben."
"No! It's not going to be okay!" She screamed. "If I didn't go out, Jason wouldn't have been able to kidnap Ben and Charmcaster wouldn't be here hurt!" Her body shook as guilt plagued her mind for not being available to help her cousin and friends when they needed her.
"Gwen, stop blaming yourself." Kevin grabbed Gwen's shoulder to get her attention.
"Ben told you to have fun tonight." Cooper added.
"So you're blaming this on Ben?" came Gwen's livid reply. Her tearful eyes glowed magenta with anger.
"NO!" The boys yelled. Their next choice of words had to be tactful. It was bad enough that Gwen blamed herself for recent events; they didn't need her to completely lose her mind either.
"I believe that what the boys are trying to say," Max interjected on their behalf, "is that no one could predict this happening." Kevin and Cooper nodded in agreement, seeing that Max was succeeding in calming Gwen. "Right now, we just need to make sure that Charmcaster is alright before searching for Ben; he is a fighter and could hold his own with his new powers until we can find him."
Just as Gwen was calming down, a doctor finally joined them in the waiting room. "Are any of you next of kin?"
Everyone paled. "I'm her boyfriend." Cooper responded, dreading the worst to come. "Her only living relative isn't on speaking terms with her."
The doctor focused his attention on Cooper. "Well, if your friend," he pointed at Gwen, "didn't arrive when she did, this would have been bad news." The teens released a breath that they didn't realise they all held, relieved that the silver-haired sorceress was okay. "For a moment, there was a bit of touch-and-go, but luckily someone wasn't ready to give up."
"Can we see her, doctor?" Max asked the question that Cooper, Gwen and Kevin couldn't express as yet.
"I would suggest one person at a time, starting with you, young man." The doctor addressed Cooper again. "In this girl's current condition and your being her boyfriend, she would much appreciate it."
"I suppose after a near-death experience, Cooper would be the logical choice of first visitor." Gwen wiped her eyes, half-relieved that some of her worry and guilt was alleviated.
"What do you mean by current condition?" Cooper asked, having a nagging feeling about Charmcaster's health.
"Your girlfriend survived a violent assault." The doctor stated calmly. "She is a lucky girl. Her injuries are minor but it's natural for you to be concerned." He smiled at Cooper. "It wouldn't be too unusual for a soon-to-be father to worry."
Max, Kevin and Gwen looked at Cooper, shocked. Their shocked expressions paled in comparison to Cooper's. He stood there, ready to faint. 'Charmcaster is pregnant?'
I think I'll end it here...
Yep, Charmcaster's pregnant with Cooper's kid. The next chapter will focus on the discovery of this bundle of joy. And there will be more psycho Jason in the mix too.
There should be at least another 2 or 3 (if you're lucky, maybe 4) chapters left to this fic. I'm trying to plan the storyline right to end it properly (avoiding clichés). It depends on my mood.
Special thanks to all who reviewed and marked this little story on their favourite lists. Merci beaucoup!