Dismal Angel 2010 - Episode 5
Chapter 3: Finding Remy
Logan and Jean were walking at a fast pace through the streets, following Remy's scent, Logan stopped finally outside a tall old brownstone building, "scent stops here," he said, "its real faint, its been a while…hours…" he looked towards Jean, who's wild hair was whipping furiously in a bitter February wind. "What now?" she asked.
"Do you sense anything?" Logan asked of her, he glanced to the drainpipe and put his hand on it curiously.
"No…" Jean sighed, "Remy's mind was never particularly easy to read even when he was nearby. I could never trace him with my powers…" she watched Logan curiously.
Logan took a hold of the drainpipe and hooked his foot on a groove, "I think he went up…" he began to climb, unnoticed by the people on the street nearby.
Jean, who had become aware that no one was taking notice of either of them used her powers to raise herself up as Logan climbed skilfully up the drainpipe. She pressed her hand against her communicator belt, "Jean to the Blackbird – we're following Remy's scent, still no sign of him."
"Keep us informed," Came Ororo's voice a moment later over the communicator.
The roof of the building was bare, Jean landed softly upon the roof, she watched Logan climb on up, he finally got to the top, he looked around, "scent stronger up here," he said, "he's travelled by roof…probably vaulting himself over the gaps using his bo-staff," he approached the edge of the building, an eight foot space separated the building from the next, "look…" he gestured down to a place on the roof where a dent was against the soft roofing material, "I was right…that mark was made by him…his staff…" Logan noted, "he's been here."
Jean watched Logan leap across the eight foot gap in a skilled manner, she followed using her powers to support herself, Logan ran from building to building, leaping from one to another, Jean kept up, finally, Logan stopped, he was crouching low to the roof.
"Jean…over here…" he commanded gruffly.
Jean landed softly upon the roof, and stepped over, "what is it?" she asked.
Logan gestured to the roof, there was a few stains upon the roof, "it's blood – and his scent is real strong…"
"He's injured…" Jean looked around concernedly.
"I'd say he fell – judgin' by this stain…this isn't a splatter…" Logan stood, "He's gotta be close by…" he raised his head to the air, closing his eyes from a moment, "he's near…c'mon…" Logan began at a run, crossing to another building, "He's somewhere here…the scent is real strong now," Logan said, he looked up as a sudden downfall of rain began to pour from the heavens, "Need to find him soon before the rain washes away the last of his scent…"
There was a hatch on the roof of the next building, they approached with caution, it was half open, Logan yanked it open fully and peered down into the building – it appeared to be a stairway corridor, going down many flights. And there, was the very man they had been trying to trace, "Jean! Here!"
Remy LeBeau was lying across a staircase heading downwards, his hair hanging over his face, his coat stained with blood.
Jean climbed into the hatch and let herself down gently using her powers. Logan leapt in, landing beside her with a loud thud. Jean rushed to Remy's limp body, and knealt beside him, turning him over slowly, "he's breathing," she said, sounding quite relieved, she pushed the coat open, "I think it's a gunshot wound…" she gingerly peeled Remy's blood-soaked shirt away from his skin, "God how he survived this long with this much blood loss is a miracle," she pressed her hand to the wound, "We need to get the others here immediately."
Jean gasped as Remy suddenly flinched, his hand grasped her wrist, and his eyes snapped open, fixated on her for many seconds, he let out a gasp, then in a voice full of pain, the words came out as his eyes filled with what seemed to be tears, then just as sudden as he'd become conscious, his head dropped back, his hand loosened around Jean's wrist and fell to the stairs. His eyes closed lightly.
Jean was breathing heavy out of panic, but she tried to remain calm, "I'll stop the bleeding as much as I can, contact the others, tell them our location…"
Hank McCoy knocked upon the door of Kitty Pryde's room, the door was open, but gentlemanly as he was, he preferred to knock before entering, he glanced inside, Kitty was sitting on her bed, she looked deep in thought. "Kitty?"
Kitty jumped, she had not expected Hank's company, she had not even realised she'd left her bedroom door open, "Hank…oh…hi," Kitty stood up quickly.
Hank stepped in, "Let me just say I'm sorry to hear about your loss," he approached slowly, taking one of her hands in both of his and gently rubbing it as if this would take away the pain of her parents deaths.
Kitty sighed, "Y'know, I thought I'd be more devastated than I am," she admitted, "but all I can think about is Remy…I feel so bad for him Hank…I kinda just abandoned him to the Police…"
"That's why I came to talk to you," Hank admitted, he squeezed her hand, "I've been on communications listening for any news – and when I heard Scott told me you would want to know," he explained, his indigo eyes finding hers, "I probably shouldn't tell you this at all – you have enough to worry about but I think its important that you know…Remy's been found."
"He has?" Kitty asked, "Where?"
"In a condemned apartment building about seven miles from where he was apprehended last night…" Hank said, "the Professor got in touch with us immediately to inform us."
Kitty felt relief surge through her, he'd been found, this was good news. However, she realised that Hank's expression had not changed from the grim and serious expression that did not look at home on his generally good natured face, "is…something wrong?"
"Remy is wounded, he was shot – and now bleeding to death – and even with the medical supplies on the jet, he may not survive journey…"
"But Jean is learning to be a Doctor! She must be able to keep him alive!" Kitty gaped, the thought that Remy might die made her system jolt, it felt as if it might almost be her own fault too.
"There is only so much that can be done on the blackbird, limited medical supplies and all, even the Professor is limited in what he can do…"
"Remy needs to go to a hospital, Hank! They need to take him to a hospital!" Kitty's voice began to get higher and higher with her anxiety.
"We did consider this," Hank assured, he looked sternly at Kitty, "but…this might draw more trouble – he's in all the newspapers, someone would be bound to see and this could cause a stir…we don't want to draw anymore attention to the man…"
"The professor is the worlds most powerful telepath, he could alter the whole medical staffs mind if he wanted to!" Kitty suggested, running her hands through her frustrated with the situation.
"What if he misses out someone? What if the police are brought in? Everyone – including Remy – is safer coming here…" Hank assured. "I assure you we'll do all we can…"
"Have you told Rogue?" Kitty asked drawing her breath, trying to calm herself down.
"Not yet," Hank stated, "Rogue and Kurt went out to get a part for Kurt's car. And even if she was here, I doubt it would be a good idea to tell her, she's been having a hard time lately."
"Not as hard a time as Remy, Hank," Kitty sighed, "Besides, Rogue deserves to know," Kitty sighed, "she's been in love with the guy since her sixteenth birthday…and even though they're not a 'thing' anymore, they still have some kind of emotional attachment no matter how much they try to deny it."
Hank nodded, "I know…" he looked at her, "but this is the reason it might not be a good idea to tell her…"
"I don't understand," Kitty folded her arms insecurely.
"Rogue has an emotional attachment to him – if we tell her, she will become stress and emotional, and if something happens, she will become extremely upset."
"She'll find out eventually anyway," Kitty sighed, "if something happens to Remy – if he dies, and GOD forbid he does – Rogue will have to find out sooner or later, that kind of thing can't be kept a secret…"
"Fine," Hank stated, "if it'll make you feel better, when she arrives back, I'll advise her of Remy's condition…"
Kitty nodded, "Alright. So when will the others return?" she asked.
"Within the next three hours," Hank replied, "I must go and prepare the hospital wing. I would advise you to get some rest, Kitty, you look as if you have not slept for days."
"I haven't," Kitty sighed, "I can't sleep, every time I try all these horrible thoughts come into my head and keep me awake."
"Well, you should try and relax – and stop worrying about Remy so much. I know he is your friend, but there is only so much worrying you can do," Hank said softly, placing a large hand upon her shoulder.
"Hank, if I don't think about Remy I'll go crazy thinking about my mom and dad…" she trailed off, her eyes becoming glassy, "I know it sounds crazy…but…it's the only thing that's keeping me sane right now."
"I'd feel better if maybe you'd take a mild sedative just to help you sleep," Hank said softly, "a tired mind can damage you in more ways that you'd expect…I could give you something that would allow you to have a dreamless sleep…?"
"No…I'd rather not," Kitty said softly, "I want to stay awake, just…in case something happens…" she looked away, she dreaded waking up to more news of a death of someone close to her, it had been bad enough with her parents, she couldn't bare it with anyone else – not even Remy.
"Alright," Hank finally gave in, "but please try and rest, and take it easy, alright?"
"Fine," Kitty sighed, and watched Hank leave the room.