Chapter nineteen
Abi fell down to the floor, unable to support herself any more. Ben left the pyramid and ran to her. She was bruised and hurt.
"Is it over?" asked Lizi.
"Yes, it's over," replied Ethaniel. "Will you check on Abi please?" he requested.
Lizi moved over to check the unconscious Abi. "Call an ambulance. We have to get her to the hospital," she said after a moment.
In a minute the ambulance arrived. Lizi and Ben got in with Abi, and were rushed to the hospital. As soon as they arrived, Abi was admitted to the ER.
"The baby," said Ben.
"What did you say?" asked Lizi.
"The baby. She's pregnant," he answered.
"I'll see what I can do Ben. But I can't promise anything," she said and disappeared into the examining room.
A few minutes later Nick arrived with Mooli and Ethaniel. "He insisted on coming," said Nick referring to Ethaniel.
"How is she Ben?" asked Ethaniel.
"I don't know yet. Lizi is with her now."
They all sat together waiting. Ben was worried sick. He felt helpless. He hated feeling like that. He now finally understood what Abi was telling him early this week. He realized why she is thinking of leaving the legacy. Although she really loved what she was doing and felt committed to it, there are other innocent souls involved. He started thinking maybe she has a point after all. They can afford to do what they choose. They are both rich people.
It was almost two hours later when Lizi finally showed up.
Ben immediately jumped to his feet. "Is she ok?" he asked.
"Fortunately Ben the baby and mother are ok. Abi has a broken hand and lots of nasty bruises. But all and all she seems to be fine. I want to keep her here overnight to make sure nothing else is wrong. If all checks up tomorrow, she'll be able to go home. She is one lucky woman. Strong and brave. I still can't believe what happened tonight. But I worry about her, she seems to be taking this lightly."
"She is not taking these things lightly. She is probably trying to ease your mind Lizi," said Ethaniel.
"He's probably right," said Ben.
"Well," said Mooli, "I saw it and I still can't believe it. Do you guys do that often?"
"Not really," said Ethaniel.
"You can go in now Ben. She was asking for you when I left," said Lizi.
"Guys, I will stay here with Abi tonight. I think you better go home," said Ben.
"Come on guys. I'll buy you all some coffee," said Mooli. "I want to hear more about what you do."
Ethaniel called the house and informed the rest about Abi's condition. Then joined the rest.
Ben stepped into Abi's room. He was shocked by how she looked. She was so pale and looked so fragile. She laid there quiet, staring at the ceiling. He moved closer and took her hand in his.
Abi looked at him and smiled. "Ok, so I got knocked around a couple of times. That is no reason to look so gloomy." She said.
"Three times," he said.
"Ok, three times, between us, what's one more?" she said trying hard to sound light and amused. But she didn't fool him and she knew that.
Ben sat down next to her. "You don't have to put up a front for me honey."
"I know," she said. "I just don't want to cry anymore. I just, I'm happy this is over and I'm ok. Sort of. But most of all our baby is ok."
"Me too. I'm happy you are ok. I can't imagine my life without you. I was so afraid that last time, I really thought he killed you. God Abi. I love you so much," he said and leaned down to hold her closer to his heart.
"I love you too Ben, but you're hurting me," she said giggling.
"I'm sorry," he said pulling back, tears in his eyes.
"Don't you do this to me Benjamin Adler. If you start crying, I'll join you. And as I already said, I had enough of crying."
Her remark made Ben smile and he just sat there next to her, holding her hand. It wasn't long before she fell asleep. But he couldn't. He just sat there looking at her, never letting go of her hand.
Coffee shop
Lizi sat down next to Ethaniel, while Nick and Mooli sat opposite them.
"I'm having great trouble believing what I saw tonight," said Mooli. "When I was first told that Abi is into weird stuff like demons and ghost fighting, I thought it was a stupid joke."
"Who told you about that?" asked Nick suspicious.
"I don't remember. Well actually I don't really know. I had a message left on my answering machine that I should check her out. More like check the children. Make sure it is safe to hand them over to their mother," answered Mooli.
"That's rather strange," commented Ethaniel.
"I know. It's really strange. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I never would have believed it," said Mooli.
Nick looked as if he was gonna say something but stopped himself. He wondered how much does this Dr. Gordon know about the Legacy, if at all. He didn't want to reveal any secrets.
"So tell me about this strange line of work you chose for yourself," said Mooli to Ethaniel.
"We didn't choose anything. We are a foundation that deals in antiques. What you saw tonight was unusual even for us" lied Ethaniel. He also did not want to reveal too much.
"Come on. Don't lie to me. I know what I saw. It didn't seem like you were lost or unaware. You guys knew exactly what to do," insisted Mooli.
"I'm sorry, but I can't really tell you anything more," said Ethaniel. "Now please stop asking so many questions."
"I guess I'll just have to wait for your boss to recover and ask her," Said Dr. Gordon.
"You leave Abi out of this," said Nick suddenly. "If you know what's good for you, you will leave this issue alone."
Mooli sensed the young man's anger. He felt he should fear this young man, and he did not want to take the risk of finding out just how dangerous Nick is. "Fine," he said. But in his heart he knew he would not stop until he finds out the truth.
Nick and Ethaniel looked at each other. They both knew this man would not stop questioning. They have to worn the others especially Abi to be aware of his tries.
They kept on drinking their coffee in silence, when suddenly they saw Mooli's face frowning. He looked as if he was in pain.
"Dr. Gordon, are you ok?" asked Lizi.
"I just have a bad migraine that's all. I think I should go and lie down for a while. Excuse me," he said and left the coffee shop heading to his office. I hate it when this happens he thought to himself. He didn't know what was happening to him. He has seen many specialists but there didn't seem to be any physical reason for these headaches. And farther more, he could not explain the images he saw when he got those headaches. All he knew was that it frightened him. He thought he was going crazy. He felt that if he'll continue to have these fits he will definitely lose his balance. Damn it. I'm a psychiatrist. I know I'm not imagining things. But how the hell else can I explain what is happening to me? he thought. I don't know how much longer I can take it. I must talk to Abi. I have the strangest feeling she will understand. God help me if I know why, but she is the only one who can help me. He entered his office took a few aspirins and lay down on the sofa. How the hell did I figure out she can help me? he thought. I don't know, but I just know she can. As soon as she gets better I'm gonna have to talk to her about this.
Ethaniel and Nick sat with Lizi for a while longer.
"I think you guys should follow Ben's advice and head home. You two look tired," she said.
"I really don't want to leave," said Ethaniel.
"How about if I promise to call you? I mean if anything changes? Right now she is sleeping peacefully, and Ben is with her. She is a lucky young woman. Tough and strong. She is going to be all right. I promise," said Lizi.
"Ethaniel, I think Lizi is right. Besides you need to rest as well. Spending the night here will not help your recovery," said Nick.
"No. It most certainly will not. Now as your doctor I order you to go home and get some rest. As I already said earlier. If she'll be ok by morning there is no reason to keep her here. And if so I'll let you know."
"Lizi," hesitated Ethaniel.
"Yes," she said smiling.
"Nick will you excuse us for a minute?" he asked.
"Sure," said Nick smiling and went outsidethe coffee shop to wait for Ethaniel.
"What is it Ethaniel?" she asked a little worried.
"Nothing much. I just wanted to ask you, well, after all this is done, I mean after Abi comes home, and as soon as I can walk by myself, would you mind going out with me? You know a dinner, maybe a movie or something?" he asked.
Lizi smiled. She was hoping he would ask her out. She really liked him. "Sure," she said. "I'd love to."
"Good," said Ethaniel. "I'll call you soon."
"I'd be happy to hear from you," she said.
"I think I better go now. I think Nick is getting a little impatient," he said as he looked at the young man pacing outside the coffee shop.
"Ok, I'll walk you guys to the car," said Lizi and wheeled Ethaniel out of the place. When they got to the car and Ethaniel was seated she leaned down through the open window and kissed him on the cheek gently. Then feeling a little embarrassed about it, she left in a hurry back into the hospital.
Nick and Ethaniel drove back to the legacy house; "Do you think she'll be ok?" asked Ethaniel suddenly.
"You mean Abi? Yes I think she'll be fine. I don't think Lizi would lie to you. She's nice," answered Nick.
"Yes, I suppose so," said Ethaniel and kept quiet for the rest of the drive. When they got to the house Nick helped him out of the car; they said their goodnights and disappeared, each to his own room.
Later that night
Ben was awoken up by a strange noise. He got up and looked at his wife. She seemed to be having trouble breathing.
"Abi, honey, are you ok? Do you need a dr.?" he asked.
She looked at him. She seemed so tired. "I'm sorry Ben," she said.
"Sorry about what honey?"
"Sorry to leave you," she said and closed her eyes. A second later Ben heard the shocking sound the monitor checking her heart beat made. It went flat and started its long buzz. He was shocked and couldn't move.
Within a few seconds Lizi was in with some other nurses and doctors. "Get him out of here," she said.
Two nurses pushed Ben and forced him out of the room. He was num. He couldn't move or say a word. He just stood there waiting, staring at Abi's door.
A few minutes later Lizi came out. She looked at him for a minute then said, "I'm sorry Ben. We did everything we could. I'm really sorry, but she's gone. Abi is dead."
Ben looked at her as if he didn't understand what she was saying. "No," he said. "She can't be dead."
Lizi put her arm around him and said, "I'm sorry Ben."
"No," he screamed. "No. You go back in there and bring her back."
"I can't Ben," said Lizi.
"No, nnnnooooooooooo," he screamed and fell down to his knees onto the floor crying miserably.
