DISCLAIMER: I KEEP WISHING THEY WERE MINE.
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Chapter 48: Dreams.
Virgil opened his eyes and surveyed the barren land before him. Nothing made sense. He could have sworn that he had been at the hospital. However, instead of being safe and sound with his family, he had woken to find himself completely alone, with only the noise from the swirling wind and the thick fog that surrounded him to keep him company. Suddenly Virgil could hear the distorted laughter of two people, frantically he looked around searching for the voices, until his eyes rested on both Emily Sanderson and the Hood. "Oh God," he muttered, attempting to pull himself to his feet.
"Going somewhere?" The Hood snorted, his eyes changing to a penetrating orange.
Virgil's legs buckled, causing him to stumble forwards and fall flat on his stomach. Now unable to move he desperately yelled for help.
"You can shout all you like, no one can hear you," Emily sneered, her eyes beginning to grow into an emerald green.
"This isn't real," Virgil whispered.
"Oh, it's definitely real!" Emily spat venomously.
Virgil squeezed his eyes tightly shut hoping that this would make them both disappear.
The Hood released a disdainful laugh. "Oh, that's not going to work!"
Virgil shook his head defiantly. None of this made sense. He had been with Scott and John. They wouldn't abandon him here. "Would they? No, I'm not alone!"
Both the Hood and Emily looked at each other and then back at Virgil, before releasing more heinous laughter.
"Well, I'm very happy to say that you are alone," Emily scoffed, "so, this time no one is coming to help you!"
"But Don't worry we won't leave you," the Hood added.
Virgil felt his heart pulsating faster and faster, as the Hood and Sanderson leered over him, their hands reaching out menacingly towards his throat…
… …
"Virgil, wake up!"
Virgil's eyes shot open, instantly resting on the woman sitting next to him. "Penny?"
"Yes, it's me," she soothed, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Hood, Sanderson… They were…" Virgil's voice trailed off.
Penelope wrapped Virgil's hand in hers. "It's okay, they are both locked away, remember?"
"It was just a dream," Virgil questioned.
"Yes, you're safe now!" She reassured him.
"And I'm not alone?" He asked.
"Of course not," she answered, hating to see him in such a state, "why would you think that?"
"The dream, I was alone and…" Virgil paused and glanced around the room. "Where's Scott and John?"
"I sent them back to the hotel around an hour ago. I wanted to make sure they could join the rest of your family for dinner. Parker went with them, to make sure they all eat before returning," Penny explained, "they did say that you asked them to stay, do you want me to call them and get them to come back?"
"No, that's okay," Virgil answered, exhaling slowly to calm himself down, "sorry if I scared you."
"You have nothing to be sorry for!"
Virgil squeezed Penny's hand. "I'm glad it's just me a you?"
"Oh, and why's that?" She enquired with a smile.
"I heard what you did to Sanderson and I wanted to thank you."
"Virgil, you don't need to thank me for anything. You've been there for me far too many times to recall, and she definitely deserved a lot worse than what I did to her!"
"Well, I'm going to say it again, thank you," Virgil lifted her hand and gently kissed it.
"So, apart from the obvious nightmares, how are you feeling?" She enquired.
"A bit brighter after waking up to such a pretty face!"
"Virgil Tracy, you are such a charmer!"
"I try!"
Penelope shook her head and then pushed some hair out of Virgil's eyes. "I've really missed you."
"I've missed you too." Virgil replied.
"When you are out of this hospital and feeling strong enough you really should come and visit me. A holiday away from everything. A chance for you to escape the smothering that we both know will drive you crazy!"
"Your definitely right about the smothering," Virgil laughed, "and I would love to come and visit you."
"Good!" Penelope responded, leaning in closer and kissing him on his cheek.
Virgil raised his eyebrows. "A kiss on the cheek, is that all I get?"
Penelope released a light laugh, placed her hand on his face, leaned in and kissed him softly on his lips. "Is that better?"
Virgil grinned. "Much!"
Just then a short knock came at the door. Penelope and Virgil glanced across the room and smiled at the young nurse, Hannah, as she entered the room. "Sorry to disturb you."
"It's okay," they both chimed.
"Virgil, how are you feeling?" She questioned, while checking all the equipment.
"I'm okay, thank you. Feeling a bit hungry though."
Hannah picked up Virgil's notes. "Well, I can see from your notes that you weren't consuming much during the bouts of sickness. However, if you are feeling a bit better, then I can arrange something."
Virgil nodded. "Yes please."
Hannah finished checking his obs, then leaving the room she stopped and leaned back in. "Oh, looks the herd are on their way."
Both Penelope and Virgil laughed at the 'herd' comment and awaited the incoming.
Alan was the first to bustle his way inside the room, followed by Gordon, John and Scott. All of them coming to an instant stop when they saw the cheerful face of their brother.
"Hey Virg, you're awake!" Gordon beamed.
"And you're smiling… Penny, what on earth did you say to him?" Alan questioned.
"Nothing much," Penelope answered, standing up, "I just have my ways!"
"Well whatever it was, it's certainly helped," John stated.
"I bet I can guess!" Scott chuckled, earning him a glare from Virgil, as he dropped into the now vacated chair. "How have you been?"
"I'm okay," Virgil replied, "where's dad and grandma?"
"We're here," Ruth responded, hurrying over to Virgil and giving him a kiss on the forehead.
Jeff walked in the room chatting happily away to Parker.
"Hey dad."
"Virgil!" Jeff shooed Scott out of his chair so he could pour some water for his son. "Any nightmares?"
"The ones the Hood gave me have definitely stopped, "Virgil confirmed, "and I don't remember dreaming."
"Virgil!" Penny warned.
"Okay, I may have had a dream," Virgil admitted, "but it really wasn't that bad."
"Not too bad," Penelope frowned, "Virgil, you were screaming!"
Jeff frowned. "You promised you would talk to us!"
"I didn't want to worry you," Virgil replied.
"Stop worrying about us," Jeff scolded, "now, can you tell us was this nightmare all about?"
Virgil gazed at all of them staring at him and shook his head.
Sensing Virgil was struggling Scott turned to all the others in the room. "Hey everyone, why don't we go, and all grab some coffees from the canteen. Virg, you'll be alright with just dad, right?"
Virgil nodded, while Jeff mouthed, "thank you," as they all silently left the room. Once they were alone, Jeff sat himself on the side of Virgil's bed and placed his arm carefully around him. After a short silence, Virgil started to speak. "I was alone with just the Hood and Sanderson, their eyes were glowing, and I couldn't move and they…"
"It's okay Virgil," Jeff said supportively, "take a deep breath in and then a deep breath out." Once Virgil had followed his father's commands, Jeff continued. "Now, when you feel ready keep talking, okay?
Virgil nodded, took a few more calming breaths, before continuing to speak. "They told me that I was alone, and no one was coming for me."
"Virgil, you're never alone!" Jeff stated.
"I know, it's just... When I was missing I knew you would all somehow find me but there was always a small voice in the back of my head… It kept telling me that you had all abandoned me, you were never coming to get me and that I was going to die there alone."
"Virgil, no matter where you are, if you need any one of us then we'll always come for you!"
"Thank you," Virgil sniffed.
"You don't need to thank me for anything."
Virgil leaned his head on his father's chest. "I love you dad!"
"I love you too!" Jeff replied, allowing his son to silently weep.
