CHAPTER 14
Gar thought he was going blind. He really began to believe that. Scared he was when he woke up and couldn't open both eyes. His ankle was sprained, and he had a cracked rib. Despite him thinking there had been one dude to have beaten him up, it felt like five guys had jumped him. And the desolate state Gar had been in when got jumped, he had not fought back nor expected such blows.
He had been tossed into a trash can and that is when unconsciousness took over.
Although one of his senses weren't quite right he could still hear,smell, and feel.
At first there was silence, and he begin to think that if no one came he really had been disowned and disliked to a great degree, and nothing would ever be the same. He was going to even tear up because of it. But when he heard a familiar voice; Kory singing a religious Tamaranean folk song. He smiled.
He could tell it was her, and he knew the song because she always sang the song during a religious time of the month or whatever it was for Tamaraneans. He was happy she was here.
His body ached and it felt like he had cotton in his mouth. He wanted to say some words or make a sign that he was awake but he couldn't. Wait, maybe he could raise his arm. And that was what he did.
Kory wasn't aware of the waving of his arm because she was too caught up in her singing and she didn't notice it until Gar had been about to put his arm down.
"Gar!" Kory exclaimed, she immediately wrapped her arms around Gar and petted him on the head. Wasn't that a bad idea. Her hugs were bone crushing and hurtful. Maybe it had to do with the fact that she was stronger than she looked or that she liked to squeeze extra hard when giving hugs—and most definitely to people she adored. Or overall that Gar was on recovery from being jumped, and his ribs hurt a lot.
Ignoring his scream of agony Kory started rambling. "Who did this to you Gar? Who dropped and the kicked you? Who jumped when giving you the beating of the butt?! Who did this to you?! Did you know how worried I was when I got a call from the ER?!" Tears streamed down the foreign girl's face. "If this onslaught on you was pulled back in the village of Tamaran my people would've hunt down the attacker and did the killing of them. We would call them a glumphorg trumphr winklr!"
"Kory, I think you're giving the fat cat a hernia."
Gar frowned. The person who said that, they sounded familiar. He had to think back to college and when he was a mascot for the sports teams. Nuh-uh. It couldn't be. He had recently heard on the news that this guy was retiring from the NFL. At an early age he was doing so too.
"Vic Stone?!" Gar explained. All signs of cotton mouth vanishing. "Is that you? Bro!"
He was aware Vic Stone was doing something like the funky chicken before he replied, "the one and only baby!"
-/-/
Reporter Slade Wilson marveled over photos, and the notepads he had scrawled on.
This was all a very tricky game Raven Roth was playing. Did Gar Logan know of such thing? That the author was going to stand him up and never marry him? Yet, why was there ever a rush of a wedding in the first pace? Even though it seemed they were to marry in an eloping manner. He had been there, but no one had seen him. Gar Logan had seemed nervous; the adjusting of the collar, the fidgeting of slight body movements, and the quiet shaky breaths. Couldn't he have not made himself so obvious?
Slade knew that Gar was in a relationship before this whole upheaval. Denying it, or no denying it. He was aware. Truthfully, he even knew who the girl was. Tara was it? Yeah, so the pet store worker also had a thing for writers or more importantly, authors.
Sure, the reporter did not know where Raven Roth was, because not a single person she was affiliated with knew where she was. And travel agencies and such were prone to keep their mouths shut. Despite that though, Slade remained at ease. He knew the black bird would come back sooner or later. He then sat back in his chair, pushed himself back from the desk, and thought of whom to visit on her contacts list.
-/-/-
Gar and Victor caught up on a lot of things. It would be from the things they did the minute they graduated from college to how things are for them now. Gar did not mention the unmentionables and you know what those were. Nonetheless they munched on slices of cherry pie Kory had baked. She was down in the hospital cafeteria helping out with the cooking.
"So," said Vic, "I've heard you were going to marry Raven Roth."
Gar gave his old colleague a rye grin and said, "yeah, well as you also might have heard, plans changed."
Note to reader: Gar eventually managed to open his eyes, but oh Lord. His eyes looked wicked. He'd been punched in both eyes, therefore a straight red line etched from his left temple to his right temple. It was as if he were wearing a red eye-mask.
Victor patted the blond on the shoulder and nodded understandingly. "I've also heard that you abused Raven. But I don't believe it. I don't think you would hurt a fly unless— hey, who caused you to be a patient here?" The buff man raised his eyebrow.
Gar frowned embarrassedly. "What did Kory tell you?"
"She said the doctor told her you were jumped. But by who?"
Beast Boy felt like something was running up his spine when he thought back to being jumped. His hood from his jacket was snatched by the hand when he'd been out walking, he was yanked back, and his sorbet fell onto his face when he hit the floor. That is all he seemed to remember at the moment.
He didn't have the opportunity to tell Vic that though, he was interrupted by a phone ring.
When Gar walked over to answer the phone on the night stand he heard Vic say "I'm going to go down to the caf and see if they're still servin' some chocolate cake," and he heard the door open and close.
No caller ID on the phone, the reason being it was an experienced phone, Gar guessed the person who was calling was either Mr Jones, Steve, Roy... But it was neither people. "Garfield, this is Toni."
That piqued his interest. Toni wouldn't be calling unless there was news about Raven. There had to be news about Raven. There just had to be. "I think Raven is somewhere," Toni said, "Near South America–No, Thailand. Damnit! I dunno. But all I know is a paparazzi dude let me in on things ironically and I received a photograph. It cost me 100 bucks...anyway! You know where your girl is! Go get her!"
Gar laughed. "Seriously? You think I'll know where she is by some lame photograph? Why can't you go and find her?"
"Because I have many more things on my plate. I would be down there–wherever she is..." She paused. "But I have a lot things to DO! Raven's Ravers are running rampant online and I have to keep telling them and reassuring them on their forums and on Raven Roth Official that she won't stop writing, Isaiah might have to take those anger issue classes again 'cuz some dude called him out of his name, and my dad is coming to see if I'm still in college, studying things in the science field! Ya know Gar, things are rough all over! Just bring the dark bird back! 'Kay? Oh, and uh, get well soon but leave the hospital quick. Besides, a receptionist or nurse should bring you up a photo."
Toni then hung up.
Gar got up from the chair and sat on the bed. After five minutes of waiting, a forty something looking nurse entered his room with a peachy keen smile, holding a manila envelope. "How are you feelin' darlin'?" She handed him the envelope. "Someone here sent you a letter or something."
He smiled, nodding meekly. "Yeah, uh, I'm feeling fine, but um where are my clothes?"
He looked at the hospital night gown he was clad in and (so his butt wouldn't be exposed) he wore some of those scrub-like sweats that surgeons and nurses donned. Yet, he still felt uncomfortable. Gar had set his regular clothes on the chair next to the window, but they were now gone.
The nurse gave him a look like he should have known. "Heavens, are you thinkin' about leaving? Escaping?"
Before he could reply to the question the nurse walked out the room and came back with clothes that didn't at all look familiar. "Okay, I relatively know that these aren't exactly your clothes, but eh, a couple detectives needed to use them to find finger prints and stuff 'cause you were jumped and they didn't have a clue who assaulted you, they still need to take you into questioning if you care to know."
The nurse wore bright bubble gum lipstick and a lot of eyeliner. Her hair was a platinum blonde. Tara's hair was not platinum blonde, Gar cared to think, it was natural, it resembled the sunshine.
Therefore inspecting his face deliberately, the nurse touched the stitches on his forehead and came to notice his livid swollen eyes. She smiled when she saw his eyes, and how handsome he was. "Ah, you're such a cutie! Those blue eyes make me think you're Paul Newman
He shrugged, but then he thought of Raven. "Hey, have you ever seen someone with dark blue eyes?" he asked the nurse.
She stepped back and cocked her head to the side, thinking. "No, not really. My eyes are dark green, my dads eyes are bright blue, my mothers eyes are light green, five of my brothers hazel... No, I've never seen someone who has dark blue eyes. Why do you ask?"
Gar smiled. "This lady I know has dark blue eyes. You would think they would look really off on a person. But really, they only make a person look mysteriously... Fascinating, I guess."
The nurse raised her eyebrow and smirked at him. She smacked her bubble gum. "Is she your girl or somethin'?"
"No, she's my, my part-time job."
"No strings attached?" She put her hand on her hip, "I reeeally did not see you as that type of guy."
He shook his head and smiled. "Do you have cable? Read the tabloids? Watch classic scary films, or anything along the lines of that?"
"You're ridiculous, but no. I don't have cable. Can't afford it. Tabloids are a waste. And I listen to Spanish soap operas on the radio." She laughed embarrassedly and pointed to the bathroom. "Enough with the small talk. I have a feeling you wanna dash, and I'm gonna letch ya high tail it out of here. Once ya git out the bathroom, I'll report that you've escaped the facilities. Got it?" Even though she knew there was no need to report, since he may have only had a couple days left in the hospital.
Gar's eyes widened. He didn't know what to say at first, but with her just pointing towards the bathroom waiting for a response from him, he found himself saying, "won't I be wanted?"
The nurse had him stand up with the clothing-that-did-not-belong-to-him and she steered him to the cubicle-like bathroom. "Worry about that part later. Let me know when you've changed."
...
It worked. He was out of the hospital in no time, and he would be able to go and get Raven to come back home. First things first, he would need to go to a travel agency and ask someone there if they could tell from the picture where the hotel/resort place (in the picture) is located. He took a taxi to the travel agency building.
Some of the agents guessed Jamaica. Other's guessed Japan. There was no definite answer. Not even from Toni. Eventually, there came great fortune. A dude named Bart Allen, who looked to be only fourteen who'd been in a waiting room in the travel agency took a fixed glance at the photo after Gar finished arguing with a lady employee, who had shrugged as an answer to his question.
"Here, let me see it," the kid said, holding out his hand when he came up to Gar. With not even a glance (it seemed like) he said,"London, England."
Gar was incredulous. Toni should have known. But she's lived in New Z, not London. What was the difference? "How do you know?" he asked the kid.
"Name's Bart Allen." He then shrugged. "I've been many places. Even under a bus. This old guy I know who thinks he knows everything says he's fought more wars than I have, and that I shouldn't act so squared-eyed cocky. But hell to him."
Gar patted Bart on the shoulder. "People misunderstand so easily, know who you are."
Now he had to get a passport, pack a travel bag, and get a last minute flight to London, England.
-/-/
In a hotel room with black and white-squared print flooring and black furniture, a young woman, it appears to be, is resting on the couch with a cool rag on her forehead with a wine glass in her right hand.
Raven was—let's say in drunk despair—or, drowning her sorrows. By no means was she a functioning alcoholic, but it's not as if she could function.
It was drink a glass of wine, then sleep.
Drink a glass of champagne, then sleep. In between the routine she would use the restroom, and then write down book ideas on a napkin.
She listened to one of the Mal Duncan: Duets vinyl records that made her sane. At her desk she sat and wrote. Sometimes she would look out the window from the desk—where she sat and watched boats sail on the lake across from the hotel.
Music came from her portable record player and she found the lyrics to the song soothing:
Today I was feeling quite mousy blue...
And today I'm still not quite happy 'cause the scene is still blue...
Someone come into the scene and show me how to smile again...
I need a real nice stranger to be a real nice man..
She hummed while writing sometimes, and then she would change the record and play more jazz-melancholic songs. Today she decided to wear a three layered jacket dress with a halter top. It was a purple color. The shoes Raven wore were surprisingly converse and she somehow made it work. But was the author worried about making a fashion statement? No, she felt the need to wear a dress because she did not want to feel trashy, or like an alcoholic.
Three and a half days had passed since the wedding and during those days she felt to send Gar a letter or call him, but she never did. She figured he could work out things on his own and it was no big deal.
Therefore, after drowning in her sorrows with the thoughts of: her Malc and that ironic sheDevil Angel together, there came a knock at her door. Raven stood up, walked over to the door and trying to hold a composed stance, she then opened the door. Her eyes widened. His face! His eyes! His posture! It was horrendous. Gar was clad in some blue jeans, a white t-shirt that read in green mangy lettering "Beast Boy," a hipster hat, and green lizard skinned cowboy boots. He looked like he was back in Woodstock. Slung over his shoulder was a royal purple duffle bag.
He tried smiling, he couldn't. "Hi."
Raven collapsed into him. Appalled at the sight of Gar.
...
Raven ringed for tea and called for it to be brought up pronto. Even though she didn't want to, she could not take her eyes off Gar. He went on explaining what happened after her unexplained exit from the chapel. He had been irrationally accused as a wife beater, Richard roughed him up, he was demoted as manager from his job, and jumped by someone unknown.
"Jumped? How so?" Were the thoughts that came about in Raven's mind. That would explain the purplish hue around his eyes, and some of the stitches. He didn't look ugly, he still looked sort of handsome.
And you know, Raven felt sorry, but that was not what her exterior and reaction said. In a emotionless voice she said, "I am appalled and miffed at such news." She sat down next to him on the couch (not too close to him) and did not look at Him anymore, even though he continued to stare at her.
Don't cry, Raven thought, he could have been more wise in the situation.
No, Raven, a voice said her mind, you should've told him what you were planning to do. You should apologise to him. You brought him into your mess!
...
Raven didn't look Gar in the eye. That was good for him, really. He became bold and thoughtful; thinking of what he needed to do for her. Tears then fell before her eyes, and he knew she'd tried so hard to keep them from falling, and that was okay.
Positively.
Today I was feeling quite mousy blue...
And today I'm still not quite happy 'cause the scene is still blue...
He knew she felt sorry, like it was herself she need to blame for his hard luck. She could only stay strong and emotionless for so long. To make her feel better and moving closer to her, he kissed her on the cheek, temple, chin, both eyebrows, around her eyes, and nose. He even kissed both of the sharp cheekbones that stuck out from her fair complexion. He never kissed her lips though. That was one thing he would not do.
Someone come into the scene and show me how to smile again...
I need a real nice stranger to be a real nice man..
Yet, I don't think that would've been needed because her face grew warm and became red like cherries on white icing cake. She didn't move away from him at first after he'd done that, she could only turn herself away from him and I am assuming she was telling herself in her mind to ignore the feelings that jumped at her like those birds that jumped off cliffs, and to not look at Gar. She was uncomfortable and embarrassed. But eventually she did get up from the sofa and locked herself in the suite's bathroom.
Gar didn't feel like crap, did he? Simply for being compassionate.
-/-/-
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I can't really say much about this chapter... And if you noticed I didn't explain why Vic was there at the hospital, but later I will. Also, the ending leaves you kind of thinking, ar there starting to be growing feelings between the two?
YoungBlood23: THANK YOU! I hope to continue and stay dedicated to this story. I would say I am half way done, and thank you for reviewing. Really.
Left-to-die: your review took a lot of emotions outta me, but it was never anger or frustration. First was I surprised at such a complex and wide review, and then was I grateful and happy that you took the time to tell me your thoughts about last chapter, and so on. Really, I would not make Gar have all that hate and bad luck—thus far—without him doing something about it. Like blowing up, or really being assertive about a lot of things. Jus' you wait and see what surprise Gar will come out with! I won't tell you when, but you will see. Thinkin', how angry you seemed, it looks like I got the right reaction(jus' to let you a know, a friend of mine was really pissed at how I made Gar react towards everything). Um, I work to not make a story or chapter hard to read, and excuse me for my misuse or overuse of double negatives... Still trying to figure out my writing style, and I still have to work on my grammar. No, and please do, overcome your stage fright. You're probably a better actor than you think, and being dramatic is a likeable trait if you know how to use it, trust me. Anyway, thanks for your review. Things will get better. :)
JasonVUK: I realise from Reed's story 'Sunglasses at Night', and from my story, we tend to make Raven unlikeable. Wow, her and I will have to work on that. But trust me, Raven is going to help Gar.
Camry72: I LOATHE TMZ. But how can I, when they have a great disposition for this story?! Haha! La dee DA! Anyway, thanks for reviewing. It made me grin in pride! :)
RavenSerendipity: That is part of Gar's personality. He will take the blame for someone in order for them to be happy and not harmed. He's gotsa to do that 'cause he feels like that is his way of being a superhero. I reviewed your story, and I feel good about that. Thanks again, for reviewing.
Guest: I know you reviewed. And I think I accidentally deleted your review, my bad. But thanks for reviewing, and last chapter was really heavy, and all the heaviness will gradually go away. :)
Thanks again, to all who faved, followed, and reviewed.