The Jerusalem adventure
By Babyloly
Chapter eight
Nick moved closer to Abi's bed. "Are you sure that's what you need to be doing?" he asked. "You're not in a very good shape. Dr. Weis wanted to keep you here for at least two weeks, but it's only been one."
"Nick please, I'm sure. We don't really have time to waste. Joshua will be heard, and soon." She picked up the phone again and dialed Ben's cell no.
"Hi Ben" She said.
"Abi, hi, you're awake. It is so wonderful to hear your voice," said Ben.
"Thank you Ben. It's nice to be heard" she replied.
"Ben, can you do me a favor?" she asked.
"Anything Abi."
"Could you pass by my house and get me some fresh clothes? I'm leaving the hospital soon. And Ben, Please don't tell anybody. Just go to my room get me something to wear and come here as fast as you can."
"Sure Abi. I'll see you in a while" he replied.
Nick looked at her surprised. "Why not tell Derek that you're leaving the hospital?"
"And get a lecture? No thanks this is the last thing I need. Besides we have to make a stop someplace and Ben knows where and why. I'll explain it all to Derek later."
He sat back in his chair and stared at her, trying to figure out what it is she's hiding. After a few minutes she couldn't take his staring any more.
"What Nick?" she asked.
Nick didn't say a word, just kept staring at her. This was starting to annoy her but then Ben came in.
"That was fast," she said.
"Well I was already at your house when you called so…" He put aside the small bag he was carrying, came close to her and leaned down to give her a hug. She laid her head on his chest and rapped her arms around him. They stayed that way for a moment.
Nick felt strange. He didn't understand why the sight of Ben holding her so close was making him so restless.
"I'm so happy your ok Abi. You had us all really worried for a while."
She got up and got off the bed. Ben handed her over the bag of clothes he brought. "Here you go sweetie, go in the bathroom and get dressed. You think you can do that alone, or should I call a nurse?"
"You are really a good friend Ben. Thank you so much for everything. And don't worry, I'll be fine, I can manage."
Dr. Weis came in with her release papers. "I'm really not keen on the idea of releasing you," he said. "You shouldn't be up and about. You need plenty more rest. But since you insist I don't have any other choice."
"Good" she said.
She went into the bathroom to get dressed. She found out it was a little harder then she thought. She let out a sigh of frustration, which made Nick knock on the door asking worried "Abi, are you ok? Do you need any help?"
"I'm ok Nick, I'll be out in a minute."
She finished getting dressed and came out to meet the two young men waiting for her.
"Ok then, let's get you home now," said Ben.
"Actually Ben, its not home I want to go."
"So where are we going?" he asked.
"Would you mind taking me to Hanna and Joseph?"
He looked at her curious. "Are you sure about that?" he asked.
"Yes. It must be done. They all will be safer in the house. At least as long as josh is still out there."
Nick, didn't like to be kept in the dark, he was feeling annoyed at the two of them. He found himself wishing he were her confidant. He couldn't understand why he is getting these feelings. After all she has only just met him. It is obvious she will turn to someone closer. Someone she knows and cares about. Someone she trusts.
The three of them started walking over to Ben's car, when Abi suddenly felt a sharp pain goes through her body and she got a little dizzy. She reached out her hands and grabbed Nick who was closer to her.
Nick held her gently. "You ok Abi?" he asked.
She looked up at him smiling in gratitude.
"I'm ok Nick. Just got a little dizzy from all this lying down I guess."
He smiled back at her and then simply picked her up in his arms and carried her to Ben's car. He placed her in the back seat and sat beside her. "So where are we going anyway, and who are Hanna and Joseph?" he asked.
She looked over at Ben in the mirror and smiled, then she looked at nick and simply said, "My grandparents."
"Oh, are you sure you need to visit them right now. It's not safe" remarked Nick puzzled.
She smiled and said, "It's very important I see them now Nick."
They've been driving for over an hour, left the city and got into a narrow private lane, which seemed to lead nowhere. They drove for a little while longer until they reached a small cottage. A private out of sight place.
Ben stopped the car. He looked back at Abi and Nick then he asked "Abi, are you really sure about this?"
"I have no choice in the matter Ben. I must do this."
The three of them got out of the car and walked over to the house. Nick was going for his gun. Abi turned to him and said "Please Nick, put the gun away. No danger will come to us here."
Reluctant he did.
The door to the house suddenly opened and an elderly woman ran towards Abi and embraced her in a tight hug, tears rolling down her chicks.
"Granny Hanna, I'm so happy to see you," said Abi.
"Hello my dear. Oh your grandpa is gonna be so happy to see you're ok. We were worried about you. We haven't heard from you in nearly two weeks."
"I know granny. I'm sorry about that. It's just that I had a little accident."
"Oh" said her grandmother. "Are you ok now?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
They went into the house. Abi saw her grandfather sitting on his favorite couch. He immediately got up from his chair and came over to embrace her.
She freed herself from her grandpa's embrace and introduced Nick. "Nick, These are my grandparents. Hanna, and Joseph. Guys this is Nick Boyle, he works with my father Derek."
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Boyle," said her grandparents. "We heard a lot about you."
"How's that?" he asked.
"Well Abi has no secrets from us. She shared all of Derek's letters and emails with us, so we heard quite a lot about you."
Abi seemed a little anxious. "Where are they?" she asked.
"Where are who? What is going on here Abi?" asked Nick.
"They're in their room dear." Said her grandmother.
Abi held Nick's arm and pulled him so he'd follow her. They went into a big room that looked like a nursery, where two beds were standing next to each other. In each bed laid a sleeping baby.
"Nick," she said softly, "These are my children. The little girl is Sarah and the boy Is Noah."
Nick was stunned. "I understand," he said. "So they are what Josh is after?"
"Yes" she said. "From what he said, he wants them so I can't have them. He thinks having them will ensure his control of the family's funds. Which is why we need to get them out of here. I'm afraid he'll find out where they are. The legacy house is our best resort for now."
She looked at her two children and suddenly begun to tremble, and fell down on her knees.
Nick saw tears filling up her eyes. He couldn't stand to see a woman cry so he kneeled next to her and pulled her closer to him and caressed her head softly. "Don't cry Abi," he said. "You know we will all be here for you. Derek, the rest and me. We will not let anything happen to you or the children."
"It's not that. I can't believe these beautiful babies came from such a monster. I was so blind about him. How will I ever be able to tell them the truth?"
"Love will do that to you Abi. It's not your fault," said Nick still holding her close. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
Abi reflected on the things he said. He said we? I wonder what he means by that? She thought.
She suddenly felt they were no longer alone and broke the embrace.
"I'm sorry," said Ben. I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Don't be silly. You did not," she said.
"I just got a call from work I need to go. Will you be ok here? You want me to come pick you up later?" he asked.
"No Ben, thanks. You've done enough. I'll get them organized and we'll take grandpa's new car back to the city."
"Ok then. I'll meet you at the house later," he said then left.
Abi left Nick in the nursery to go and get her grandparents all packed.
Nick wanted to follow her but he then heard one of the children cries. He looked back and saw littleSarah sit in bed crying. He wasn't sure if he should do that but he picked her up and tried to calm her down. Noah, who heard his twin, woke up and started crying as well. Nick had no choice but to pick him up as well.
"Ok" he said. "Let's go find your mom."
One child on each of his arms he went looking for Abi. "Abi? Where are you?" suddenly he felt something strange. He didn't know what it was but he felt something was wrong.
"Abi? Hanna? Joseph?" where the hell did everybody go?
He went back to the nursery, put the children in one bed and locked the door behind him, pulling his gun out. "Abi? Where are you?"
He went into the living room. Josh and Gordon where there. Josh was holding a knife to Hanna's throat.
"Hello Mr. Boyle. Please drop your gun," said Joshua.
Nick had no choice but to throw his gun on the floor. "How the hell did you find us?" he asked.
"I planted a bug in Ben's car" said Josh. "Now won't you sit down Mr. Boyle or else I'll be forced to kill someone. And where the hell is Abi?" He asked.
"I don't know," said Nick.
"Damn. Gordon go find her. Now," commanded Josh.
Abi walked in. "No need to look for me" she said.
None of them noticed that her hands were held behind her back. Joshua released his hold on Hanna and moved towards Abi. She looked at him a strange smile on her face.
"You're smiling. So does that mean you have decided it's not in your best interest to go against me? I'm glad you came to your senses Abi."
"Yes Joshua. You are the father of my children; you have every right to want to see them. I will not stand in your way anymore," she said softly.
He moved closer to her. "Then its time for you to die" he said.
He moved faster towards her with his knife held up. Abi didn't even think. She pulled the golden Dagger that was hidden behind her back and pushed it forward. There was a silence. Nick wasn't sure if maybe she wasn't hurt but then Joshua fell down at her feet. He was dead.
Abi looked down then saw his spirit leave his body. He laughed at her and said, "You've done it now. You will pay for this. I'll be back. This in not the end."
Suddenly the air in the room got really cold. Two black clouds appeared. Two hands came out of each cloud and pulled josh's spirit in.
"Ok guys," she said. "We have to get out of here now. He is coming back. And this time he'll be much stronger."
"What do you mean Abi?" asked Nick.
"I mean I did exactly what he wanted," she said. "I released him from his mortal body. I only just realized this was what he wanted. I shouldn't have killed him. Let's take the children and get out of here."