The Chronicles of Starwind and Hawking - FINALE
Gene Starwind sighed as he quietly walked into the kitchen, and sat down at the table. He had walked longer than he had intended. What was supposed to be a ten minute stroll had turned into a 40 minute saunter. Why was he so worried? He wanted to laugh at himself. He probably had worried Jim to death.
But would Jim really understand? He had totally given away that he was hiding something, that much was for certain. Surely Jim wouldn't be angry at him for something like this. But then again, there was a possibility he would be hurt. Whether it be because he had lied to him for so many years, or because he didn't think he had been mature enough for the truth.
"Well, might as well get it over with, Starwind," he muttered as he got up from the table. "The sooner, the better." He didn't bother knocking, as he walked into Jim's room. The boy wasn't asleep, as he was still propped against the pillows, obviously waiting for his partner's return.
"You're back."
"Yeah..." Gene sat down in the chair. "I guess I'll continue now."
"Good." Jim smiled slightly as he closed his eyes. "You'd better."
"Jim, I want you to listen to this part really hard."
"I never could remember it."
"I know," muttered Gene.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It seemed Gene's harsh blow would KO the old man for sure, and just as his large fist was about to connect with his opponent's face, he grinned.
It disappeared however, as painful sensation blossomed through his fist, and up his arm. He screamed in pain as he knelt upon the ground, clutching his shoulder. Gene looked up to see Edward still standing straight, with a smile upon his face. One hand was behind his back, while the other was up in front of his face. Around his wrist was a golden band of some sort.
"What the crap?!" Gene's eyes narrowed, as he stared at the golden band.
"A shield of some sort," replied Edward, as he smirked. "I made it myself. Do you like it?" Gene scowled as he sat up.
"I thought you said no weapons!"
"I did. A shield is hardly a weapon." He lowered his hand. "Of course, if you are referring to that pain you felt," his grin became twisted, "you inflicted that upon yourself."
"Why you -"
"No need to be insulting." Edward slowly made his way towards Gene. "Besides...you're younger than I am. You should at least give me an advantage."
"Advantage my butt! That's cheating!" Gene once again got into the fighting stance. "But I'm not going to just lay down and die!" He charged at the old man again, this time, aiming for somewhere different. Rather than punching the old man, he kicked him in his shin, which knocked him right off of his feet. He landed in the dirt, making his clothes filthy.
Gene had knocked the wind out of Edward, but the old man didn't show any signs of that. He sat up, and looked up at Gene, slightly laughing.
*What's his problem?" Gene was convinced that this guy had something wrong with him...mentally. The teen didn't waste any time thinking about though, as he went for another move. He ran towards Edward, and with a devastating kick, gave him a bleeding nose.
"Enough of this!" He exclaimed, as he got up, wiping the crimson blood from his face. Gene realized he must have kicked him extremely hard, as the old man had a dazed look in his eye. "You've had your fun." He ran towards Gene with fury blazing in his eyes. "When I get through with you, the kid will suffer!"
"Screw you!" Gene threw himself at his attacker, but again was greeted with the surging pain, as electricity felt as though it were consuming is entire body. "That...bracelet..." He fell over, as electricity seemed to bounce from his body. "Geez, old man..." He had put more force into that hit than he had wanted to, knowing that the more force his attacks had, the more he would hurt himself, if Edward used the shield.
Edward laughed as he made his way to the writhing Gene. "What's wrong, kid? Am I playing to hard with you?"
Gene gasped for breath as he struggled to get up. He was sent back down, however, after he was welcomed with a boot in the face. Little clouds of dirt seemed to surround him, the impact was so great.
"Don't give up, boy!" Jayward's voice echoed across the field. "He's just an old man! Remember that!"
"Sure, sure," coughed Gene, as he realized his lip was bleeding. After he had gotten the will to get up again, sure enough, he was kicked in the face again. Gene's face was now covered with the rosy - red liquid. This old man was pressing his luck, and Gene knew it.
Edward laughed, as he went for another kick across Gene's bleeding face. However, Gene was quick enough to grab the dirty boot with both of his strong hands. "Ah! I haven't entirely worn you out!"
"Not by a long shot," growled Gene, as he yanked on the foot, pulling Edward to the ground. The murderer grunted as he landed upon his back. Gene would have unleashed his wrath upon his enemy, but he was also on the ground, in the same manner as Edward. This was a mistake that would greatly cost him, as he felt the boot he had just grabbed smack him in the jaw.
By now, his surroundings were just a blur of orange and purple above him, and a little green and brown swirled together beneath him. However, there was one thing he could see somewhat clearly, and that was the face of a wretched, dirty old man, with a twisted smile, towering above him. He knew his eyes were no longer cooperating with him, as his surroundings began to become somewhat dim. The grass tickled his bloody fingers, and for a brief moment, he wished it would all end.
Edward's soiled boot fell upon the teen's chest. Gene screamed out in pain, as his chest felt as though it were being eaten away. How could he allow to this happen? He was Gene Starwind...owner of Starwind Enterprises. A lady's man. A dashing, brave young teen, who was too young to die.
But age didn't matter, he concluded, as he saw the glimmer of a silver blade in the old man's hands. "Would you like me to end it now?" The mocking question left his opponent's lips, but Gene did not hear them. They seemed to be carried away by the fierce wind that began to pick up a fast pace, as did Gene's breath.
"Cheap," he muttered, pain etched across his young face. A laugh sounded out from Edward, as he gripped the knife with his shielded hand.
"Does it really matter? I won, and my conscience will never bother me about that. We all have cheated in life at one point or another."
"And...the...future?" Gene struggled to get the words out.
"If only you knew my past," muttered Edward softly, as he began to raise the knife.
*Kid...Jim...maybe someday your death will be avenged...* His eyes briefly closed. *...And mine...* His breath became short, as a mighty gun shot rang out through the field. But...wasn't Edward using a knife? Gene's eyes flew open, as he felt a sharp blade graze the side of his face. He felt warm blood trickle down his cheek, when he heard the soft thud of the deadly object landing in the grass.
A tremendous pain filled him, as something heavy landed upon his already injured chest. He kept it bottled inside, however, as he realized the thing that had landed on him was a person...
...Edward Knight.
He felt the back of the no longer breathing man, and he knew he didn't have to look to see what that heated liquid, soaked into the man's shirt was. *But who?* He painfully shoved a dead Edward Knight off of his chest, and he easily rolled into the crimson colored grass. Gene gently sat up, and the sight before him made his eyes grow wide, and his bleeding mouth slightly drop open.
There, lying in the grass was an unconscious Jim Hawking, and resting in his limp hand, was the pistol the now deceased man had tossed aside just minutes ago.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You mean...I...?" Gene solemnly nodded. "...But you said...that *you* killed..."
"I know what I told you then," muttered Gene, "and it was a lie. *This* is the truth."
"But...why?" Jim couldn't help but wonder.
"Geez, Jim! You were seven years old, and you killed a man. You didn't remember it, and you expected someone to tell you? What kind of person do you think I am?" He stopped for a brief moment. "Don't answer that." He turned away from Jim. "Look, I understand if you're mad at me for not telling you all of these years that you killed Edward Knight, but I didn't know what else to do."
"I'm not mad, Aniki," sighed Jim. "He got what he had coming to him." There was a long silence before Jim began to appear slightly uncomfortable. "Um...go on..."
Gene wondered if this new knowledge would change his partner or not, once it had time to sink in. Though very mature for his age, Jim was only 10 years old, and as a result of that, he had no idea of how he would take it. Only time could tell, and he hoped that Jim would remain untainted, despite his actions of when he was younger. He pushed all of that out of his head, though, as he went on with the story...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Jim!" Gene painfully got up, and quickly made his way over to the little boy. Jayward, however, had gotten there first, and was already checking his pulse.
"He's alive, boy. Go check Edward's coat pocket for the antidote. He should have it there." Gene inwardly sighed, as it hurt so much just to move. He wondered how Jim had managed to move in the state he was in. He realized, though, that the gun really hadn't been that far from him, making it somewhat easy for him to get hold of it.
When he reached the bloody body of Edward Knight, he looked at it in disgust. It seemed Gene's death would not have to be avenged, nor would Jim's, and he certainly didn't know of anyone who would want to avenge Edward's death...as mean as it sounded. He knelt down with difficulty, as he rolled Edward over upon his back. Yes, it hurt very much, but this current victory had given the teen a sudden jolt of energy.
After digging through the dirty pockets, he finally found a vial of blue liquid...
...and right next to it, another vial of a purple liquid.
"What's taking so long?" Called an urgent Jayward. Gene didn't answer as he studied the two vials in his hand carefully. Jayward quickly ran over to Gene, with Jim in his arms. "Well?"
"There're two," muttered an irritated Gene, as he rubbed his temples. He really needed some rest.
"Two antidotes?" Gasped Jayward.
"Either that...or one's a poison." Jayward set a barely breathing Jim next to Gene.
"We don't have much time, boy. We have to choose one...now." Gene examined both vials, as he bit his lip. An idea seemed to hit him, however, as his eyes lit up.
"I've got it." He handed the purple vial to Jayward. "This is the antidote."
"How are you so sure?" Inquired Jayward, who was looking a bit doubtful, as he grabbed the small vial.
"Just give it to him," snapped Gene weakly. Jayward scowled, but slightly nodded.
"Fine. I trust you." He opened up the small, purple vial, and held it up to Jim's lips.
"Aren't you supposed to use a needle?" Jayward shook his head in reply, as he continued feeding the liquid to the poisoned boy. "How long?"
"I'm not sure," Jayward answered seriously. "It depends if this is the right one or not." Gene glanced at Edward's body, and his still open, piercing eyes, which were now vacant of life. They had a blank stare to them
"What were his reasons?" Inquired Gene.
"Who's?" Jayward looked back at Gene, as he set the empty container upon the ground.
"Edward Knight's."
"Vengeance, I think," replied Jayward. "If not that, he had none. He was just crazy."
"If it was because of revenge, why?" Gene was suddenly very curious.
"When James Hawking was your age, he got into a terrible car accident. There was a family that had been caught in the accident. A wife, her husband, and three children. They were all killed, except for the husband, and James, who both suffered minor injuries."
"...And the husband was Edward Knight."
"Right." Jayward glanced back at his former friend's body. "He went mad without his family. I tried to get him to get some help, but he refused to. He said he would be at peace once he killed James Hawking. I never thought he would actually kill him, though. And when he did, he still wasn't at peace."
"Geez." Gene raised an eyebrow at the body. He turned away from it, however, and looked at Jim. "I think he's coming around."
Sure enough, the young boy's eyes fluttered open, as he softly moaned. "A-aniki?" This time, it was Jim's turn to get some raised eyebrows. Jim slowly sat up as he rubbed his eyes with his chubby little hands.
"Looks like it was the right one," muttered Jayward, as he helped Jim up. "Are you okay, Jim?" Jim looked up at Jayward, with his large, dark eyes.
"Yeah," he said softly. "I'm okay. Just a little dizzy." Jim's eyes slowly trailed over to the lifeless Edward Knight. "Mr. Jayward...did you...?" Jayward slowly shook his head.
"No, actually. It was-"
"Me." Gene limped over to Jim, with an impish grin. "Shot him right in the back!" Jim's eyes widened with admiration.
"Are you okay?" Jayward looked over at Gene with anger burning in his eyes, as Jim saw Gene's injured state.
"Yeah, of course, kid! Just a little scratched up." Jayward grabbed Gene by the shoulder, as he smiled sweetly and Jim. Gene grunted in pain, while glaring daggers at the older man.
"Sit down a minute, Jim, and rest, while I talk to Gene a little bit, okay?" Jim raised an eyebrow as he looked at Jayward with a quizzical expression.
"Uh...okay." He sat down in the grass, while eyeing the dead body that was hardly ten feet away from him wearily. He didn't notice his two friends were quietly arguing behind him.
"Boy, what are you doing? I figured you'd take the credit for yourself," hissed Jayward quietly, not wanting Jim to hear.
"It'll do the boy good," replied Gene coolly. "He just lost his parents. Do you really want to add to that stress by telling him he killed someone?"
"Well, no..."
"Then play along." Gene glanced back at Jim, who was still staring at the body. "Now, let's get back to the kid before he catches onto something."
"You know, boy," muttered Jayward, as he crossed his arms, "you're not as bad as I thought you were."
"Heh. I'll take that as a compliment."
"You're welcome." After a slight chuckle, the two walked over to the pale boy.
"Hey, kid! You sure you're okay?" Gene couldn't help but be slightly concerned, as the child seemed to have been drained of his color. Jim slowly nodded, as he looked up at Gene.
"I'm still dizzy." Jayward once again helped Jim up, as Gene began to ponder a bit of a problem.
"Kid...you said you could fix the car. You think you're up to doing it now?" Jim slowly nodded in response to Gene's question. "Jayward...do you know where the nearest lake is?"
"Uh...yeah," replied Jayward. "Just north of here. Why?"
"We've got a body to get rid off."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Prodigy child," muttered Gene, as he watched his little friend do his magic on the classic car. If only he possessed such mechanic skills, maybe he would do a better business. It certainly would be an interesting asset. A muttered "thanks" came from the hood, followed by the clanking of many tools assisting the young boy.
"A true mechanic," commented Jayward, who sitting in the diver's seat, ready to start the car.
"Try it now!" Called Jim, as he wiped a trickle of sweat from his cheek. Soon, the night was filled with the wondrous sound of an engine. The child sighed with exhaustion, as he sank to the ground.
"Kid, you okay?" Gene winced, as he walked over to the kneeling Jim, and placed a hand on his shoulder. His injuries didn't seem to be feeling better. Jim looked up at the teen, and what Gene saw almost made his heart sink. His dark eyes were filled with the anxiety he had seen almost a day before. And they seemed so empty, and lacking of life.
...A lot like the time he had lost his father.
Jim nodded, as his eyes trailed away from Gene's. "Yeah, I just need to go to bed." But where would he sleep? That question, Jim decided, would not be asked until the proper moment.
"Hey! Let's get going, boy!" Called Jayward to Gene. "We haven't got all night!" Gene glared through the windshield, after he shut the hood.
"Will you keep it down?" He hissed, as Jim got up from the ground.
"Fine, boy." Jim climbed in the front seat, as Gene picked up a large garbage bag, with something rather heavy in it, from the ground, and tossed it into the back seat.
"Do I have to sit in the back?" Grumbled Gene as he glanced at Jayward.
"I didn't think you would be one to be afraid of a harmless body, boy," said Jayward, softly.
"It's not that, it's just that-" Gene stopped speaking, as he climbed into the back seat, still a good distance away from the bag. "Oh, forget it. Let's go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hey, Jayward. You're going to wrong way!" Gene growled, as he glanced at the black garbage bag wearily.
"No, boy," replied Jayward, as he continued to drive into the city limits. "I'm not."
"Where are you going?" Jim inquired, as he stared at the bright lights of the city.
"Home...Gene's home."
"What?!" Gene painfully leaned forward, as he glared at Jayward. "What about the body?"
"I'll take care of it."
"But - "
"Listen, boy," snapped Jayward. "I'm doing you a favor. You're injured. You need to get that taken care of. Besides that, I'm Edward's friend. At least give me the right to dispose of his body." The older man's eyes narrowed, as they remained on the road. "But...you wouldn't understand, would you?"
"No, I guess not," replied Gene harshly, as he leaned back. "And you're taking the kid?"
"I'll leave that up to him." Jim bit his lip, as he looked at Jayward. He couldn't help but wonder what he was up to.
"Hm." Gene folded his arms, as he closed his eyes. "Whatever."
For the rest of the ride there, no one said a word, with the exception of Gene muttering something to himself. Just as Gene appeared to be falling asleep, the car came to an abrupt stop. "Get out, boy. We're here." Gene's eyes shot up, as he jerked his already throbbing shoulders. He grunted in reply, as he opened the door, and stepped out onto the cool, damp side walk. "And, boy?" Gene barely even looked at Jayward.
"Yeah?"
"Take care of yourself." Gene was speechless, as he finally looked at Jayward.
"Uh...yeah, sure."
"And...Gene?" Jayward briefly paused. "To put it bluntly, I'm leaving Jim with you."
"What?!" Gene's eyes grew wide, as two pairs of eyes stared at Jayward.
"It's not easy for me, either, but I can't take care of Jim."
"Well, neither can I!" Shot back Gene.
"Jim is a smart boy. He could help you in your business."
"No!" Meanwhile, in the midst of the arguing, Jim as in his seat, eyeing Jayward with a look of horror. These people were talking about him as though he wasn't even there, and he honestly didn't appreciate it. Why didn't he have some say in the matter? He had just lost his parents, and now these people were going to decide his fate?! It wasn't fair! Either way, it was looking grim. While Jayward was a good friend to Jim, he honestly didn't look like someone who would be good at raising a child. And Gene? Hah! He didn't even look like he could take care of himself.
Though the logical answer would be Jayward, Jim knew it wasn't the right one...not for him, or for Jayward. And as the logic was not present with the choice of Gene Starwind, something was pulling the seven year old to him. Whether it be because of his cool, tough, exterior, or the fact he looked like James Hawking, or what some called intuition, Jim would never know. He *did* know that he should speak up quickly, however, before his chances were gone. Unfortunately, he never did, as he felt a hand grab him, and shove him out of an already open car window.
"Jayward...!" Jim's voice cried out, as he landed painfully on the concrete. The next thing he knew, his lungs were burning from the smell of car exhaust, and the night was once again silent.
"AGH! JAYWARD! YOU-" Gene Starwind kicked some rubble in frustration. Jim just sat and watched, as the older boy ran his hand through his hair. He wondered if he would just leave him on the streets, or except the unfair responsibility of taking him in. The child's body stiffened, as he felt Gene's eyes burning through him. "Well, kid. It looks like it's just you and me."
"Yeah, Aniki, I mea-"
"No, I guess you can call me that. It's better than you screwing up on my name all the time. I'd better just get used to hearing 'Aniki'." Jim raised an eyebrow at Gene. "In other words, you're staying with me."
"But you said-"
"I know what I said," muttered Gene, "but no one deserves to live on the streets, or with that friend of yours. He ditched you pretty fast." Gene walked over to where Jim was sitting, and helped him off the ground, wincing the whole time. "Ugh, I need sleep...and food."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gene sighed, as he counted the cracks in the ceiling, one by one, just as he had done the night before. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with Jim. Jayward had been somewhat of a help, and he was actually starting to like him a little, but now, all of what little respect had risen for him had vanished. He lost count for the fifth time, as he closed his eyes in pain. When they finally opened, his head turned to what had caused the pain. Jim Hawking's little head rested upon Gene's broad, yet bruised shoulder. Gene hadn't realized how cramped the couch could become until just recently.
He shivered slightly, as he realized his shirt was damp. After looking at where the child's head lay more carefully, he realized that Jim had been...crying. His shirt was soaked in the child's tears, that had been shed in his sleep.
"Aniki..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gene Starwind snapped back into reality, as his eyes darted around the room. How long had he been rambling on? He just wasn't sure. Realizing he was holding someone in his arms, he looked down to find a 10 year old sleeping Jim, his peaceful face still drained of color. "What the...?" He glanced at the clock, to find that it was already 9:00 PM. Jim had the right to be sleeping.
After setting the ailing, yet still sleeping child back onto his bed, and covering him up in the sheets, he brushed his hand across his forehead, while noticing the fever had gone down a bit. "Sleep tight, partner." He quietly exited the room, and shut the door.
After grabbing his coat, he left the building where Starwind and Hawking Enterprises lay, and entered the cool, crisp air of the night. He often went for walks alone on nights such as this, some lasting for 5 minutes, others an hour. It depended on what his mood was.
As he walked, he didn't notice a figure that was leaning heavily against the wall of an old building. Though his face was covered in scars gained in fights, no old friend would be able to forget those gray eyes, and blond hair. Gene could have sworn he heard the man mutter, "Nice to see you again...boy", but when he turned to look at the familiar person, he was already gone.
Shivering, Gene shoved his hands into his pocket. He noticed, with slight surprise, that his shirt was somewhat damp. After dismissing it as sweat, he decided he probably needed to bathe. However, his eyebrow raised, when he realized it was not sweat that had dampened his shirt, for he had already been bathed; bathed in Jim's tears.
END
~*~
Author's notes: I'd like to thank Courtney, a friend of mine, and Melfina, one of our very own authors on FF.net, for putting up with me, encouraging me, and helping me. Thanks, ladies! Also, I'd like to thank those who read this story, and to those who reviewed it. If it weren't for you guys, this story wouldn't be here.