Laura's Revenge
Part 4:
"Date, Disappearance, and Dark Secrets"
After discovering that Laura Moran was really Gloria Raydor-Bradley, the long lost daughter of John Bradley and Sharon Raydor, John and Sharon remembered everything, including giving her up due to two reasons: One, Jack Raydor didn't want a child that was illegitimate and not his own, and Two, John was divorced from Karen and living with his father, who despite always liking Sharon the best, didn't approve of John having an illegimate child with his then former girlfriend after a post-divorce drunken one night stand. They had always regretted giving her up, despite knowing it was for the best. However, they had long forgotten about her until she returned in their lives and everything was revealed by Freddie Smirnov, Det. Paige, and Gloria's own birth certificate. Freddie Smirnov also revealed more and more about Lyman, who his targets were, and most importantly, that he and Philip Stroh were indeed connected. Despite all of this, John and Sharon still planned on their platonic date and were getting ready for it. How will this date go?
The time was Eight O'Clock and John had managed to get himself ready for the platonic date he and Sharon planned on. He was nervous due to the fact that it was his first non-romantic date and it was with his first love and former girlfriend who was captain of the major crimes division. For some reason, this made him feel young all over, again. He loved this feeling. Soon enough, there was a knock at his door. He opened it and got a big smile on his face when he saw Sharon standing there under the moonlight, just like she did back in 1964.
"You look beautiful, Sharon." John told her.
"You look just as handsome now as you were then." Sharon looked him up and down.
John looked really sexy to her, even more now as he did back then. To her, if time went by, it touched him very very delicately. It made him look hotter with age. She was really hitting the hots for him, despite knowing that this was going to be a platonic dinner date. Something about him just resurrected her attractions for him after all these years.
Inside Sharon's mind
Oh, just look at him: Muscles and all. He is still the handsome man he was way back when. I just want to kiss him.
*I then shook my head*
Wait a minute, Sharon! Wait a minute! He's married and you're a mother! It wouldn't be right to make such a sudden move.
You don't know how he'd react! I mean you're lucky to be at his house and on his porch, so, just leave it at that.
Yes, leave your attractions at the door and in the past.
*I look deeper into his eyes*
I can't fight this feeling any longer. I just can't, but, I have to, because, it wouldn't be right to act on my emotions.
I mean I am starting to like Andy a little bit, but, he'll never win my heart over. My heart has always been for John David Bradley.
*I realize that I like two men, but, my mind wants Andy and my heart truly wants John*
Oh, I'm battling my heart and my mind at the same time. If my gut were to be involved, I think I would be sick.
*I suddenly heard my name being called, but, I keep staring at him and feel a smile form on my face*
Outside of Sharon's mind
"Sharon. Sharon! Sharon!" John waved his hand in front of Sharon's face.
"Yes?" Sharon immediately snapped out of her trance.
"Won't you come in." John signaled for her to come in.
Sharon nodded her head and walked in. John shut the door, took her coat, and hung it for her.
"You know, Sharon, I honestly started to think you wouldn't show up or that our date was a good idea, but, I'm glad you're here." John sat down on his couch, motioned for her to sit down, and patted a spot next to him.
"I'm glad to be here, too, David and to be honest, I haven't felt this way in a long time." Sharon sat down and could almost feel her heart beginning to beat out of her chest.
"What way?" John rested his head on his hand.
"Nothing. Uh, is it a little stuffy in here?" Sharon was really nervous and quickly got up from the couch.
"Sharon, are you OK?" John was confused by the way she was behaving.
"Yes, I'm fine. You're the one with...whatever it is. Yeah!" Sharon quickly turned away from him.
"Sharon, may I ask you something?" John stood up, got behind her, and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Sure." Sharon turned around and looked up at him.
"Are you still into me?" John firmly asked, before sitting back down on the couch, "And don't lie."
"Well, you want the truth, John, yes, I am still into you. I still have a tiny bit of feelings left for you. I-I-I-I never ever stopped thinking about you all these years." Sharon's eyes glazed over.
"Well, Sharon, I hate to tell you this, but, you kind of did stop thinking about me when you: A) quit writing to me, B) married Jack Raydor, and C) found out you were pregnant and forced to give Gloria up. I know this won't sound too grown up, but, I am still really hurt by that." John sounded very stern and even had a stern look in his eye.
"To be fair, John, you weren't there for the birth of our daughter and...when I saw Jack I couldn't resist at that time." Sharon told him.
"I never knew you were ever pregnant until after I found out today, this many years later, that you were pregnant and had a kid. I didn't know the kid was ours or that we even had one and apparently, you thought she was Jack's, but, he knew that she wasn't his and obviously didn't want an illegitimate child that wasn't his. Had I known about her, I would've taken her, but, like I said, my dad already didn't approve of having illegitimate children and if he had ever found out at the time that I did have one, he would've either forced me to give her up or kicked the baby and me to the curb. So, obviously, I was unaware of the fact that I had fathered a kid with you, but, the one thing that I don't really understand is that just, because, you saw and met Jack Raydor and technically, you were still in a relationship with me at the same time, you cheated on me with him and the letters just stopped. Then, I found out that you had married him and thus, ended our relationship. I was confused, devastated, and couldn't believe it, although, I had found Elaina. That is the part that still hurts me to this day, Sharon." John snapped.
"David, I never ever meant to hurt you. You were the last person I ever wanted to hurt. It's haunted me from back then to this day. You honestly don't think I ever think about it? Well, I have, all my life until after I saw you today for the first time in a long time. To be honest, after seeing you, I got a warm and fuzzy feeling, because, I knew that the one man, who I truly loved, came back into my life, almost by accident. You have no idea how happy I still am to see you. I mean we lost connection after our drunken one night stand and I had always wondered whatever happened to you. I've always thought about you. So, I understand that you're still hurt and that'll never truly go away, but, all I ask is your forgiveness." Sharon sounded as if she were pleading or trying to plead.
"No, Sharon, I can't just suddenly forgive all the years of hurt that I felt. I simply can't and I can't forgive the fact that you never told me about Gloria. I'm sorry, but, I can't. I mean, I was happy to see you today, too, but, that doesn't just erase the hurt that I feel." John shrugged.
"David, you don't understand. It wasn't easy having to choose between you and Jack. I loved you both, but, my mother didn't approve of our relationship, especially, since you were of Italian descent, you were in the military and gone all the time, and at the time were dating, our relationship was frowned upon, so, she, apparently believing that she was looking out for my best interest, forced me to end it with you. I didn't want to, but, I had to listen to my mother as I didn't want to have to not hear the end of it. That still eats at me to this day." Sharon tried her best to explain.
"Oh, Sharon, that's just an excuse and you know it! You were an adult by then and you didn't "have to" listen to your mother! You were of an an age where you didn't have to, but, you still did, just like the mommy's girl you were! You pulled a "Ross Geller" move on me, but, not, because, you saw and met Jack Raydor and lusted for him, but, because, your mommy told you to, yeah right! Don't make me laugh!" John said in a very snarky way, before, standing up and folding his arms.
Shocked by his sudden snarky and Jekyll and Hyde-like attitude, Sharon opened her mouth as if she was going to say something, but, instead, she slapped him across the face. However, she regretted it, soon afterward, as he still had his head turned and eyes shut.
"John, I'm...so sorry. I didn't mean to hit you. Believe me, I didn't." Sharon had the "What have I done?" look on her face, as she put her hands on her mouth, for a brief moment.
John still stood with his eyes shut and head turned. He was just as shocked as she was, only his face hurt.
"David, I...I blacked out and saw red. I wouldn't normally do that, but, your attitude changed from nice to snarky and you went from being Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde." Sharon tried to explain why she did it and put her hand on the cheek she slapped, "Oh my God! I'm just as crazy as my mother was!".
John turned his attention back to her, opened his eyes, and stared at her.
"David, I know I hurt you and that'll never go away, but, please, see it in your heart to forgive me and this too shall pass." Sharon begged, as she still had her hand on his face and started to rub it.
"Sharon, there's no need to apologize for slapping me." John told her.
"But, I-" Sharon was cut off.
"No, Sharon, I deserved it. I was very disrespectful to you and my behavior was very uncalled for. Here, I have you as my guest and then, I get disrespectful and Jekyll and Hyde on you. Totally not cool on my part, so, I thank you for slapping sense into me." John regretted his Jekyll and Hyde-like behavior and attitude.
"David, you can't be OK with the fact that I hit you. I mean I hit you and that was rude on my part. I mean you invite me to your house and we are supposed to have a platonic date, yet, I hit you. Not too good on my part." Sharon continued to rub his face.
"Ah, I'm lucky I got off with a slap from you. I mean my dad always taught me to be respectful and if he saw that I was rude, well, let's just say that I wouldn't get a slap to my face and instead, I would be unable to sit down." John raised his eyebrows for a brief moment.
"Oh, yeah, I get the hint, because, I remember you once told me that your dad was big on corporal punishment. Did he ever use it on Jim and Jenny or just on you?" Sharon started to laugh, while remembering that John had once told her that.
"He used corporal punishment on them, but, not to the degree that he used it on me, which was probably, because, I was the oldest." John sat back down on the couch.
"That makes my back end hurt just thinking about it. Well, if I may ask, why did we suddenly get into an argument? Here, we were supposed to be having a good time. What happened?" Sharon also sat back down next to John.
"I don't honestly know, except that we brought up things from the past, but, we resolved it, even though-" John paused.
"Even though, what?" Sharon asked.
"Even though, my behavior was bad." John looked at his feet for a brief moment.
"It's OK, David. We just said a few heated things at each other, but, the slate is wiped clean." Sharon reassured him.
"That's true and-" John paused, as he suddenly felt the beam of moonlight shine on him.
"You OK?" Sharon asked.
"Uh...uh...uh...uh...maybe you would like to go home." John got up, looked out his window, and saw that the moon was full.
"David, is there something deeply bothering you?" Sharon walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Sharon, I mean it when I say that it would be a better if we continued this tomorrow night." John's eyes turned a green-ish color.
"Look, I'm not mad at your behavior anymore, David. We already cleared it up." Sharon rubbed his shoulder.
"Sharon, it'll be safer, if we continue this tomorrow night." John's teeth started turning into fangs.
"OK, David, if you say so. Don't know how it'll be safer, but, if you say so, then, I'll go and we'll pick this up tomorrow." Sharon, very confused by what he was saying, grabbed her coat and headed out the door.
As the door shut, she walked off the porch and went to her car, but, stopped and stared at the ground in disbelief and confusion to John's sudden move to end their platonic date and reschedule it for tomorrow night. However, unbeknownst to her, it was for the better, as John's clothes started ripping and suddenly, he sprouted claws on his hands and feet and hair all over his body. Pretty soon, as Sharon was long gone, John, now in his BiPed werewolf form, escaped through a window and let out a howl.
Hours later
Olivia was just getting back from her date with Nick. She found that the door was locked and started knocking on it. There was no answer, so, she grabbed her key, opened the door, and went inside.
"Dad, I'm home." Olivia called out.
No answer.
"Dad, come on, I'm on time." Olivia said.
Still no answer.
Believing that her dad was asleep, she checked her phone for any texts from Nick and so far, there wasn't anything. She found this odd, because, he always texted her whenever he got home from their dates, but, seeing that it was late and she didn't want to worry anyone, Olivia retired to bed, hoping that she would receive a text from Nick the next morning and that she would get to tell her dad that she was on time.
The next morning came really fast and out in a forest-like area, John woke up in a daze. As he saw blood all over his hands and clothes, he soon realized what had happened and knew that he would have to somehow explain it to Sharon. He felt really bad for sending Sharon off that fast last night, but, he knew it was for her own protection. He got up, dusted himself off, and headed back home.
Once he got home, he knocked on his door. Olivia ignored it at first, assuming that her dad was going to get the door, unaware of the fact that it was her dad at the door. Knowing this, John grabbed a few rocks, walked over to where Olivia's bedroom window was, and threw each rock at the window. Awakened by this, Olivia got up from her bed, went to the window, looked out, and saw her dad.
"Olivia, could you unlock the door?" John called up to her.
Olivia went downstairs, opened the door, and stared at him in both confusion and concern. John, who was shivering, walked in, and sat down on the couch as Olivia shut the door.
"Dad, you OK?" Olivia sat down next to him, "How did you get out there?".
"I...must've walked in my sleep." John clearly lied as he knew that he became a werewolf and possibly attacked last night, but, he didn't want Olivia to know.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I got home on time last night." Olivia changed the subject.
"That's...That's good." John was still in a daze.
"Dad, you sure you're alright?" Olivia had concern in her voice and even put her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm good, Olivia." John nodded, before standing up and heading to his bedroom.
Once he got upstairs to his bedroom, he grabbed his black t-shirt and black pants and put them on. Then, he grabbed his phone and texted Sharon, telling her how sorry he was for abruptly ending their platonic date and that he would explain everything once he met up with her later. He texted Elaina, asking about her well being and the well being of Mandy and Sara. Meanwhile, Olivia checked her phone and there was no response from Nick. She went up to her dad's bedroom and knocked on the door, despite knowing that it was open.
"Yes, Olivia?" John turned his attention to her.
"Dad, I'm worried." Olivia walked in and sat on the bed next to her father.
"Olivia, I said I was fine." John brushed off her seeming concern about him.
"No dad, I'm worried about Nick." Olivia had a concerned and sad look in her eyes.
"What's happened to him?" John had concern starting to fill his eyes.
"Before we parted ways last night, I told him to text me when he got home and usually he does, but, last night and this morning, he hasn't." Olivia's eyes glazed over.
"Maybe his phone went dead or he lost it." John tried to reassure her, but, to no avail.
"Dad, he would usually text me by now, because, he always has his phone on him. I'm really worried." Olivia felt her heart jump into her throat.
"OK, that is strange that he hasn't touched base with you at all." John was really starting to worry, "Let's go down to the Police Station and file a missing persons report."
Meanwhile in an alley
A woman was walking down an alley, minding her own business until she discovered what appeared to be a dead body. Panicked, she pulled out her phone and dialed 9-1-1.
"9-1-1, what's your emergency?" the dispatcher said.
"Get the Major Crimes division down here." the woman was clearly terrified, "Th-There's been a murder!"
"The Major Crimes team will be on their way." the dispatcher told her.
The woman turned around and discovered on the brick wall, in neon green paint, the name "Olivia" written really big.
As the Major Crimes team was arriving to the alley, John and Olivia were stopped in their tracks when they saw Provenza and company. Curious, John got out of the car and walked right up to Flynn.
"Hey, Lt. Flynn." John called out.
"Bradley get back, there's been a murder." Andy stopped John from entering the alley.
"Who is it?" John asked.
"We don't know, yet. Once, we get the body to our medical examiner, we will find out." Andy told him.
"OK. I'll meet you there." John said, before getting back into his car.
"Dad, what's going on?" Olivia asked.
"There's been a homicide." John said as he drove them straight to the police department.
Once they had arrived, John and Olivia got out of the car, got their visitor's passes, and headed straight to the medical examination room. As soon as they gloved and gowned up, John was met up by Sharon.
"David, what are y-" Sharon was cut off.
"Look, Sharon, about last night, I am sorry I rushed you out like that. You know I would never do that." John took her aside.
"I'm the one who should be sorry, because, I may have said something that offended you." Sharon gloved and gowned up as well.
"You didn't say or do anything offensive. I rushed you out, because, I was looking out for your safety." John tried to explain.
"My safety? We weren't in any danger." Sharon was completely thrown off by his "reason".
"Yes, you were, Sharon. Well, you would've been, if I hadn't rushed you out, before the full moon rose." John told her, as he tied her gown for her.
"John, what exactly are you talking about? I wasn't in danger." Sharon still couldn't grasp what John was hinting at.
"Look, I'll tell you, later." John gave up trying to make her get the hint.
"Tell me what?" Sharon got a weird look on her face.
"The fact that you were in d-" John was cut off.
"Hey, Little Red Riding Hood and Big Bad Wolf, if you both are done flirting, maybe we could identify this victim and solve this jigsaw puzzle of a crime." Dr. Morales said, in a snarky way, before clearing his throat and walking back into the examination room.
Sharon and John looked at each other, shook their heads, and rolled their eyes, before walking into the examination room. They were horrified to see what had happened to the victim. The victim has been stabbed multiple times and was beaten to death with a blunt instrument, but, not before fighting for his life.
"Can anyone I.D. the body?" Dr. Morales asked.
"I can." John raised his hand.
"Who is it, Mr. Bradley?" Andy asked.
John got closer, took one look at the body, and got a sad look on his face.
"Well?" Sharon asked, not noticing the saddened look in John's eye.
"It's Nick." John shut his eyes and bowed his head.
"Nick, who?" Provenza asked.
"Nick Morrisey, Olivia's boyfriend." John took a few deep breaths, before lifting his head, "God, this is going to crush her."
"Oh." Provenza and Flynn nodded their heads, understanding how devastated Olivia was going to be.
"I'll go out and tell her." John walked out of the examination room.
"Dad, who is it?" Olivia asked.
"Olivia, sit down." John had a sad mournful look in his eyes.
"Dad, what's the matter?" Olivia was anticipating the answer.
"Remember, when you told me that Nick didn't answer his phone and you were worried?" John put his hand on her shoulder.
"Yes? Why do you-" Olivia paused, as she suddenly realized what her dad was saying, but, couldn't bring herself to believe it, "No! No! It can't be true, dad. It just can't be true."
"Olivia, it is true, unfortunately." John was rubbing her shoulder.
"No! No!" Olivia was shaking her head, but, suddenly and without a doubt, she found herself crying uncontrollably, as the news and realization sank in.
John wrapped her up in a comforting hug, allowing her to cry her eyes out in his chest. It really shattered his heart seeing her like this. As he continued comforting her, Sharon walked out of the examination room and went over to where they were standing.
"Olivia, I am so very sorry this happened to you." Sharon offered her condolences.
"There's no doubt in my mind that Lyman did this." John continued hugging Olivia.
"There's something else you may want to know." Sharon pulled her phone out of her pocket and showed him the picture of the graffiti that Buzz captured on his phone camera and had sent to her.
"Graffiti?" John asked.
"Not just graffiti. It's Neon Green spray paint on a brick wall. Someone wrote Olivia's name in that big print." Sharon zoomed in on the picture.
"Oh my God!" John put his hand over his mouth.
"No doubt that one of Lyman's associates did this." Sharon put her phone back into her pocket.
"See? What did Freddie and I tell you?" Gloria walked in.
"Looks like the work of Phillip Stroh, because, he usually writes the names of his victims on stuff, then again, maybe it isn't, but, at this point, who knows." Sharon was clearly horrified and suddenly got her phone back out of her pocket in order to text Rusty to see if he was safe.
"Dad, who is she?" Olivia lifted her face out of her father's chest and pointed at Gloria.
"Olivia, meet your long lost half-sister, Gloria. Gloria, this is your long lost half-sister, Olivia." John introduced the two girls.
"Very nice to meet another who shares my blood." Gloria shook Olivia's hand.
"Right back at you. Dad, how come you never told me, Mandy, or Sara about her?" Olivia shook Gloria's hand, before turning back to her dad.
"I never knew about her until the other day. She is the product of Capt. Raydor and myself." John said in a matter of fact tone.
"How come I knew you were going to say that?" Olivia wasn't at all surprised.
"I don't know. You said it, not me." John replied.
"I had a feeling you and Capt. Raydor were a thing at one time. My hunch was right and you both got busy and had my sister." Olivia put her arm around Gloria.
"I'm not your full bl-" Gloria was cut off.
"Gloria, you're my sister no matter what. I'm glad I have another sibling. We're blood, no matter what." Olivia told her.
"Thank you, Olivia. That really means a lot." Gloria smiled at her, before turning back to her parents, "One of Lyman's little cronies murdered poor Nick and now, they're after Olivia. My fear is that one by one, we will be whacked. Hopefully, we get them, before they get us. It is a kill or be killed situation."
"Yupp, and I am joining you guys." Olivia nodded her head.
"You're what?" Sharon turned her attention to Olivia.
"Yeah, because, nobody murders the love of my life and gets away with it." Olivia sounded serious.
"Olivia, this is dangerous and risky. Plus, you're a target! Please, think about it!" Sharon pleaded.
"Risky, Shmisky! I've got my dad right here, so, I'll be protected." Olivia fired back.
"Sharon, we appreciate your concern, but, we'll be fine." John tried to reassure her.
Gloria and Olivia walked off in order to discuss details about their revenge spree and aspects of their childhood, while John stayed behind.
"John, what was it you were going to tell me about the full moon rising?" Sharon changed the subject.
"Look, Sharon, I'll tell you about it, later." John clearly didn't want to talk about it.
"John, you could tell me now, just to get it out of your system." Sharon reassured him.
"No, I can't just come out and say it. The main thing is, I saved your life last night." John tried to drop the subject.
"Saved me from what, John?" Sharon still wouldn't let up.
"Look, I said I'll talk about it later, so, I'll talk about it later!" John let out an annoyed sigh.
Suddenly, gunshots rang out and everyone ducked down, in case the shooter or shooters were inside the building. As more and more gunshots rang out, John grabbed his gun out of his pocket.
"Stay here." John told Sharon, before, getting up and running outside, gun drawn.
"Mr. Bradley, come back!" Julio yelled.
"Come back, Bradley!" Provenza and Flynn called out, but, to no avail.
"You're gonna get killed!" Tao shouted.
Outside
John had his gun drawn and was ready for anyone to make a sudden appearance. However, he had hoped that nobody was using silver bullets as he knew that for him, it would be instant death. No pun intended. Anyways, as he was about to cock his gun, he saw Olivia, Gloria, and Freddie all shooting their guns off.
"You guys, what's going on? Why are you shooting and who are you shooting?" John ran right up to them.
"Those now dead bodies." Gloria pointed out the obvious.
"Did they shoot with silver bullets?" John asked.
"The hell if I know." Gloria shrugged.
"I don't think so, but, I know for a fact that they were Lyman's men." Freddie chimed in.
"You positive?" John wanted to make sure that they were Lyman's men.
"100,000,000%, because, they shot at us and we decided that two or more could play this game." Freddie nodded his head.
"OK, well, good thing you got them, before, they got any of you." John breathed a sigh of relief.
"It would've been better with live grenades." Olivia chimed in.
"Agreed." Gloria nodded her head.
"Mr. Bradley, are you guys alright?" Andy ran towards them.
"Yes, we're fine. They got a few of Lyman's men after they were nearly shot and killed by those scumbags." John turned his attention to Andy.
"There's still many more out there, especially the one who killed Nick Morrisey." Andy reminded John.
"Well, we'll get them. One by one." John had a serious tone to his voice.
"You can bet that." Gloria said, before, going on her way, in order to start hunting down more of Lyman's men.
Freddie nodded his head, loaded his gun, and followed her. Olivia was about to do the same, only to be stopped by John, who grabbed her arm.
"Dad?" Olivia was thrown off guard when her dad grabbed her arm.
"Olivia, you're the next target and I am going to protect you with all I got." John sternly told her.
"Dad, I'll be fine, really." Olivia tried to brush off her dad's concerns.
"Olivia, please, just stick by my side." John begged.
"Fine." Olivia sighed.
Without another word, John and Olivia went on their way in order to see if they too could hunt down any of Lyman's men and possibly Lyman. John, because, he was tired of being stalked by the guy and tired of the guy stalking his daughter. Olivia, because, Nick was the love of her life and she wasn't going to let him die in vain. John also knew that Lyman had connections with his previous adversary, Razor. He knew that killing Razor had gotten him into this life or death situation, but, he survived Razor and his men, he survived Desert Storm, he survived Vietnam, and he survived the werewolf attack, so, to him, this was nothing, but, at the same time, he was bound and determined to protect those around him from Lyman, Stroh, Lyman's men, and most importantly from himself, as he knew that with his Lycanthrophy resurfacing, he knew that he too was a danger to those around him. Anyways, just as they were crossing the street, a car came down speeding really fast. Olivia saw this and pushed her dad out of the way.
"Olivia, what the-OLIVIA!" John turned around and saw Olivia get hit by the car and knocked into a store window.
The car stopped for a few moments, before, getting ready to speed off. John turned his attention to the car and out of instinct, grabbed his gun. The car quickly sped off as John was firing shots at it, hoping to flatten the tires, but, it got away.
"Olivia." John put his gun back into his peacoat pocket and ran over to where Olivia was laying.
"John, what happened? I heard shots." Sharon was running to where John and Olivia were.
"Oh, Olivia, my little girl! Speak to me. Please." John held his daughter in his arms.
"D-Dad...Ohhh!" Olivia was bruised, bleeding, and barely conscious.
"Baby, you're going to be alright. Just hang in there. Please." John pleaded, as the tears streamed down his face.
"Olivia! Oh my lord! What happened?" Sharon was horrified.
"She was hit by a car, Sharon." John held Olivia close to him and kissed her head, "Call an ambulance. Get the police. Get help."
"I'll call 9-1-1." Sharon got her phone out and went over to a stop sign.
"Dad...I-I'm pretty busted up." Olivia gasped.
"It's going to be alright, honey. Just look at me." John begged.
"Ohhhh." Olivia's eyes slowly started to close.
"Don't you close those eyes. Don't you dare close those eyes." John told her, but, it was too late, because, Olivia's eyes fluttered shut and John was now wracked with guilt, "You can't."
Soon enough, the blaring sound of a siren could be heard, as an ambulance was rushing to where they were. Just as the ambulance arrived, Sharon helped John up, as two paramedics were in the process of taking Olivia's vitals and getting her onto the gurney. A third paramedic took John aside in order to get the details on what had happened. As Olivia was taken to the hospital, John immediately got into his car and texted Elaina everything that had happened, so far, in a nutshell, even telling her that he would explain it all to her once she got to the hospital.
Upon arriving to the hospital, John was met up by his wife, whom he picked up into a hug. It was obvious that they each were relieved to see that the other was safe and unharmed. Their hug lasted a while until they saw Olivia being wheeled into the E.R. and followed. Once they got into the hospital and signed a few papers, Olivia was quickly wheeled to the I.C.U., which was on the second floor. A Doctor by the name of, Dr. Marlowe, came out and talked with John and Elaina.
"So, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, we are going to have to have a very lengthy conversation, so, please follow me." Dr. Marlowe led them to a private room and shut the door.
"What is it, Doctor?" Elaina could tell that the Doctor seemed too troubled to even say anything.
"Doc, how's our daughter going to be?" John wanted an answer and fast.
"Well, there's a 50/50 chance that she will make it and a 50/50 chance she won't." Dr. Marlowe started.
"Oh my God." Elaina put her hands over her mouth, in horror.
"Why? What's happened other than my daughter being hit by a car?" John looked a cross between furious and like he was about to cry, again.
"I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, but, your daughter has slipped into a coma due to her injuries. All we can do is hope and pray, because, time will only tell us if she will or won't wake up. After that, the odds will then be between if she is ever the same or if she will have permanent brain damage." Dr. Marlowe sounded real solemn and even put a comforting hand on John's shoulder, "I'm so sorry. Truly I am."
John, due to shock, horror, and fury, started crying, again, this time more uncontrollably than before. Not wanting to see her husband like this, Elaina wrapped her arms around him, in order to comfort him. Dr. Marlowe grabbed two blue rolls of paper towels, put them on the desk in front of John and Elaina, and left the room, in order to give them time to get their emotions out. As John kept crying, he could almost feel his blood boiling and the anger welling up inside of him, just ready to take retribution on Lyman and his men. His modus operandi (Method of Operation) was that if someone messed with him, he didn't honestly care, but, if they messed with his family, well...all hell would break loose. In other words, the perpetrator or perpetrators would be sorry. After he was done letting out the tears and soaking Elaina's shirt in the process, John now knew what he had to do and he wasn't going to stop, but, before, he could do anything, he decided that it was time to tell Elaina everything that had happened, so far.
"Elaina, there's something, well, a lot of things I have been in need of telling you." John grabbed a piece of the blue paper towels and wiped the tears away from his eyes.
"What is it, John?" Elaina kept rubbing his arm.
"Well, you may or may not like some of it and the other part of it, you might get me committed into a mental facility." John clearly anticipated telling Elaina.
"Now, John, you know me better than that. You know I will always believe you." Elaina turned his head toward her with her finger and planted a kiss on his lips, "I love you, babe."
"Well, let's just start with the fact that I was walking down an alley and spotted a young lady, named Laura Moran, who had been knocked unconscious and possibly hurt. After discovering that her family was murdered by the same guy who stalked us, we went back to the Major Crimes division where I ran into my old flame, Sharon O'Dwyer, now, Captain Sharon Raydor." John started off.
"I remember you mentioned Sharon to me, once or twice. I remember her just like I remember Karen, Jane, and Wendy." Elaina didn't sound too surprised or impressed.
"Well, after meeting a young Russian man by the name of Freddie Smirnov, who knew why Lyman has been targeting us and about how Lyman killed his father and plus, a few other shocking details." John swallowed hard.
"What shocking details?" Elaina asked.
"Well, I found out that the Laura Moran girl is really my long lost daughter, Gloria Raydor-Bradley. I also found out that Sharon is her mother." John took a few deep breaths and cleared his throat, "Look, babe, I had a drunken one night stand with her after my divorce from Karen and she had cheated on her then partner Jack Raydor, whom she had cheated on me with. Suddenly, I never heard from Sharon and she married Jack. I never knew of a child until just the other day which is many many years and decades later. Look, I hope you still want to be with me."
"John, as shocking as that is, I am glad that you found Gloria. However, why didn't Sharon ever tell you?" Elaina was confused.
"She assumed Gloria was Jack's kid until Jack got a paternity test on her and found out she wasn't his and she was mine. After that, Sharon gave Gloria up to the Moran family who re-named her Laura Moran, although,on her birth certificate, her name is Gloria Raydor-Bradley and it lists Sharon as her mother and me as her father. Jack must've gotten it changed from his name and put mine down. Anyways, I never knew of Gloria until the other day and I am happy I finally have another addition to the family. I mean Jane and Wendy were my stepdaughter and step-granddaughter and I loved them like my own, but, now, I have a long lost daughter that I am trying to make up for lost times and confusion. I hope you understand." John looked a little sad.
"John, I would love to meet Gloria when the time is right and as mind boggling as all of that is, I am glad that you guys have managed to settle it or are still trying to put the pieces together. Anyways, totally off subject, where's Olivia's boyfriend?" Elaina noticed Nick wasn't there, totally unaware of the reason.
"Well, I hate to be the one to tell of bad news." John scratched the back of his head.
"No, you don't." Elaina gave him a weird look.
"That's true, well, Nick has been murdered." John had a solemn look on his face.
Elaina's eyes got big and she pointed at John, either thinking he did it or hoping he didn't do it.
"Surely, you don't think I did it." John was flabbergasted that she would even think such a thing.
"I hope not." Elaina told him.
"Oh, come on, Elaina, you know me way better than that. I would never do anything, so, stupid. Sure, I was a vigilante once and I will be again, for Olivia's sake. Lyman's men killed Nick and their next target was Olivia, who is now fighting for her life." John sighed and stood up, "I've got to get him."
"John, who is this Lyman guy? I thought you were creeped out by Charlie Morrow, our neighbor." Elaina stood up as well.
"Elaina, Charlie Morrow is Vic Lyman. He used that as an alias just to throw people off his trail. He is a notorious drug kingpin who has already killed people who either double crossed him, got in his way, or witnessed him committing a crime. His M.O. is to not leave anybody around, especially those who may squeak on him to authorities. He is a very dangerous man and had ties to Razor. Remember when I told you about Razor?" John looked off to the side for a brief moment.
"Yes, I remember that all charges in the U.K. were dropped after they deemed it a justifiable homicide. I remember that you still have flashbacks of Razor's face. Anyways, so, this Lyman guy killed the Moran family like you said, sent his men to kill Nick, and now, his men hit Olivia with their car and sped off?" Elaina tried to piece the whole thing together.
"Yes and not only that, but, he killed Freddie's father after he squealed to authorities upon being convinced by Freddie. Freddie witnessed Lyman dumping his dad's body into a dumpster and knowing that Freddie was the one who made his dad double cross him, Lyman has been after him for a long time. Besides Freddie, Lyman is after Gloria, Sharon, Rusty, and me. Sharon, because, she put him behind bars quite a few times. Rusty, because, he witnessed both Phillip Stroh and Lyman dump bodies, separate times of course. Gloria, because, he is not aware that she is my daughter and he believes that she is the sole survivor of the slain Moran family. Me, because, he has been stalking Olivia and tormenting me, plus, he wants to take retribution out on me for killing his buddy, Razor. You see these criminals work together and if you take out one of them, they'll come for you, which is why I want to go for them, before, they come for you, me, Mandy, Sara, Jim, Jenny, dad, Sharon, her team, Rusty, Freddie, and Gloria." John took a few deep breaths and a sip of water.
"Good lord, John! How do you manage to piss everyone off?" Elaina was flabbergasted.
"Wrong place at the wrong time, I guess and I might be a victim of soicumstance (circumstance), but, in all seriousness, it is a kill or be killed situation, so, I best be getting on my way for some bloodshed." John went to walk off, but, was stopped when Elaina grabbed his arm, "What?".
"John, don't do it." Elaina shook her head.
"Why? Give me a reason why I shouldn't." John crossed his arms.
"Because you don't know what he is capable of and what he may try to or even do to you." Elaina gave him a look.
"Elaina, I have to. I have no other choice. I vowed to protect my family and those near to me by any means necessary and getting revenge is necessary, so, if you don't mind, I best be going." John took his arm out of her grip.
"John, please, you must listen to reason." Elaina sounded as if she was begging.
"Time for talk is over, now, is the time for action!" John gave her a very stern look.
"But-" Elaina was immediately cut off.
"Elaina, if it was me, you'd be doing the same thing and don't say you wouldn't, because, I know you too well." John pointed out.
"I know, but, John, I don't want you doing it for two reasons." Elaina put her hand on his arm.
"Why? You don't have confidence in me?" John clearly looked peeved.
"No." Elaina shook her head.
"You don't believe in me or what? You don't-" John was cut off.
"I don't want to lose you!" Elaina looked up into his eyes, as her eyes began to glaze over, "I don't want you to get killed. I'm not strong enough to handle that, John. I'm not."
"Babe, you have nothing to worry about. I mean I made it through Vietnam and Desert Storm. I survived Razor and his men. I survived the wolf attack. Remember that?" John tried to reassure her.
"Yes, I do, but, John, I don't want you to get killed. That's all I am worried about and plus, what are you really proving by going after these guys?!" Elaina was beginning to make a point or at least, she was trying to.
"That nobody messes with my family and gets away with it." John quipped with sass.
"John, you're not proving anything. Olivia wouldn't want you to do this." Elaina told him.
"Yes, she would, because, she was about to take retribution on whoever killed Nick. It runs in the blood, baby. You can't stop it." John tilted his head to the side.
"John, she got that from you, but, in all seriousness, what are you proving? Nothing. If you go after them, the only thing you are proving is that you are just as bad as or even worse than they are. You won't be any different from them if you go on a revenge spree. You and I both know that." Elaina tried her best to reason with her husband.
"Elaina, I made a vow to go after them. I made a promise and vow to Freddie, Nick, Gloria, and Olivia just like I made those vows to Wendy and Jane." John looked her dead in the eye.
"Yes, but, you also made a vow to Sara, Mandy, your father, Jim, Jenny, Sharon at one time, Karen at one time, me, and most importantly to yourself. If you take retribution, you won't be any different and plus, your life is at stake. Is it really worth getting killed? Is it? Do you think it would be fair for Olivia to go on without a father? Think about it, John." Elaina pointed out the obvious.
"Elaina, I survived it once, I'll survive it again. Look, why don't you join me?" John suggested.
"No. Look, John, I love you, but, if you want to go out there and risk getting killed, that's your prerogative, but, I am staying here with Olivia." Elaina stood her ground.
"Fine. If that's the way you feel, then so be it. Just be careful." John gave her a long kiss, before, heading out of the hospital, in order to confront the perpetrators, one by one.
However, before he could leave, he was met up by Sharon. He told her everything and she couldn't help, but, give him a hug, feeling sorry for him. He then told her of his plans on seeking retribution and to no surprise, she took on the same approach as Elaina just did. This quickly resulted in a short-lived argument once Freddie and Gloria arrived to the scene and asked what had happened and why they were at a hospital.
"Olivia got ran over by Lyman's men." John clearly couldn't stomach what he had just said.
"Oh my God." Gloria was shocked, yet, not shocked at the same time.
"Looks like Lyman's men are moving quicker than I thought. Now, we really must get to him, before, he gets to us." Freddie looked around.
"Is she OK? Can I go in and see her, dad?" Gloria asked.
"No, she's in a coma and there's a 50/50 chance she'll make it and a 50/50 chance, she'll-" John paused as his voice was beginning to break.
"Oh...my...God!" Sharon's eyes got big when she saw a name spray painted on the left side of the hospital building.
"What?" John asked.
"Come with me and look." Sharon took John to the side of the building.
"What do you-Oh...motherfu-" John paused when he saw Freddie's name spray painted in Neon Pink on the side of the building with a line under it.
"Watch the tongue, John. There's younger ears over there." Sharon nudged him in the side with her elbow.
"Sorry, but, I couldn't help it. Now, we must really stick together." John said, before going back to where Gloria and Freddie were.
"What is it, dad?" Gloria was curious.
"What did you and Capt. Raydor find over there?" Freddie asked.
"Freddie, someone spray painted your name in Neon Pink and put a line under it." John firmly told him.
"Oh shit." Freddie looked down to the asphalt for a brief moment, before, looking back up into the older man's eyes, "Well, that's not too surprising, considering that Lyman has tried to whack me off before and never quite pulled it off."
"That's, because, he didn't have crafty men to help him. Look, we must stick closely together and not go out of each other's sights." John said in a very strict tone of voice, "I'm dead serious."
"We do have our own houses that we live in." Gloria pointed out.
"OK, that's when we can go out of each other's sights, but, let's make a pact right now that whenever one or all of us leaves each other's sights that we call and let everyone else know that we got home safely." John laid out the plan and stuck his hand out for a handshake, "Agree?"
Gloria and Freddie nodded their heads and shook his hand. Sharon joined in and shook his hand as well. After agreeing with John's plan, Freddie and Gloria walked off and headed to their homes, leaving Sharon and John behind. As John got into his car, Sharon asked him what it was that made him rush her out of his house and why he thought she was in danger. John still insisted that he should tell her some other time and that it wasn't as easy to come out about it, considering that she may or may not believe him.
"John, you may as well come out about it now than later. Whatever it is, you know I would believe you." Sharon put her hand on his shoulder in order to reassure him.
"Sharon, if I told you, well, you might think I am going all Edgar Allan Poe on you and plus, you'd never really look at me the same. Also, it isn't easy to just come out and say it." John continued to look troubled, "You'd think I was crazy."
"John, I will always look at you the same and even love you the same. I will always believe you and believe in you. I know we aren't spouses and all, but, I still care about you and you just have to believe and know that I do. Now, just tell me, because, no matter what it is or how horrible or far-fetched it may sound, I will believe you." Sharon continued trying to reassure John, "You know that you are going to have to tell your wife."
"OK, well, Sharon, have you ever heard of "The Wolf Man"?" John asked.
"Is that the one with David Naughton?" Sharon asked.
"No, that was "An American Werewolf In London". No, the old one." John tried to give off a hint.
"Oh, the one with Oliver Reed?" Sharon guessed.
"Nope, that was "The Curse of the Werewolf". Keep guessing." John told her.
"Oh, the one with Henry Hull?" Sharon was running out of guesses.
"No, that was "Werewolf of London". That was done, before, the one I am trying to get you to guess." John raised an eyebrow.
"I'm out of ideas, David, just tell me." Sharon crossed her arms.
"Bela Lugosi bites Lon Chaney Jr and he turns him into a werewolf." John started.
"So?" Sharon chuckled.
"No, listen. Claude Rains is Lon Chaney's dad and he ends up killing him in the end." John wanted to see if Sharon was catching on.
"Why are you telling me this, David? What does that movie have to do with the reason you rushed me out last night and keep insisting that I was in danger of the full moon?" Sharon couldn't wrap her mind around it.
"Have you ever heard of the old legend: 'Even a man who is pure at heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the moon is full and bright.'?" John recited the legend from the 1943 film "Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man" .
"David, you can't be a werewolf. You just can't." Sharon couldn't find herself to believe that the man she once and still loved could possibly be a monster capable of brutality.
"Sharon, look at the scars on me." John lifts his shirt to show her his decades old scars, before showing her the ones on his arms and the one on the right side of his forehead.
"Oh my God! When did this happen to you?" Sharon was clearly horrified by the scars she saw.
"This happened before I went to Vietnam. I was out with a friend of mine when suddenly, we were lost in the woods. Rumors spread that there was a werewolf-like creature in a certain part of the woods. I didn't think much of it. Anyways, as we desperately tried to get out and ultimately lost each other, I was attacked and left for dead, but, not before I took my silver wolf cane and struck it, before finally shooting it with a silver bullet. I went on to search for my friend and found his mutilated body. Afterward, I was put in the hospital and surprisingly, the curse hit me for a while until I was sent to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, it was dormant for some odd reason. Upon returning home, it resurfaced itself for a while, only, to become and stay dormant for a very long time until just recently." John shuddered at the mere thought of it.
"Why didn't you ever tell me you were in the hospital and that you were the victim?" Sharon was confused.
"I didn't want to scare and worry you." John looked up at her.
"John, you should seriously break that habit, because, you know that I would've been there for you and given you tender, love, and care." Sharon leaned on his car door.
"I know, but, I hate to make a big deal about myself." John raised his eyebrows.
"Still, you should break the "I don't want to make a big deal of myself" habit, because, what if one day something serious happens and you need help? Have you ever thought of that?" Sharon waited for an answer.
"Sometimes I have." John reluctantly replied.
"I sure hope so, because, you do need to break that habit." Sharon sounded like a stern mother.
"I know, I know, but, I also don't want to put anyone in danger and with my lycanthropy resurfacing, I am a danger to everyone." John gave what seemed to be a warning.
"John, there's a way you could control it, believe me and believe in yourself." Sharon tried to reassure him.
"No, Sharon, it is uncontrollable. It comes and goes dormant, only to return and do the same thing, over and over again." John shut his door and put the key in the ignition.
"David, you'll find a way. I am sure of it." Sharon told him.
"Thanks, Sharon. See ya, later. Well, maybe not later, considering that tonight will bring about another full moon. Right now, I'm going on my spree." John started up his car.
"OK, David. Although I do not approve, I understand, so, please, be careful." Sharon nodded.
With that, John drove off, in order to do what he had already said and promised. He was hopeful that he would find a few of Lyman's men. Normally, he wouldn't care about safety, but, since, his lycanthropy had resurfaced, he didn't want to put innocent lives at risk, even though, he, unknowingly, already was. As soon as he drove up to a restaurant, he went in and looked around for anyone suspicious. Luckily, his lycanthropy made his senses 20 times stronger, because, he sensed trouble and bad guys in the restaurant, almost immediately. He went back out to his car, grabbed his gun, put it in his peacoat pocket, and went back inside the bar. Suddenly, one of the many suspicious looking men came up to him and went to punch him, only for John to block the punch and toss the guy like a rag doll. Two other guys came running toward John, knives wielded, only for John to shoot them dead in their tracks, causing everyone else to run out of the restaurant, screaming, of course. As soon as he looked back up, another guy was seen running out of the back door. Eager to find and interrogate him, John chased him on foot. The chase continued for a long time until the two men were playing hide and seek, in a way, trying to see who could catch who first.
Who will end up catching the other? Will John finally interrogate one of Lyman's many henchmen? Find out!
To Be Continued...
