Chapter Seventeen
Unforeseen Events
A/N: I've actually got this booger finish. Almost anyway. I'm still going over the chapters but they have been written. Exciting huh. I think so. Most chapters need some serious editing but other then that I'm good with it. Turns out you get like 10 more chapters after this one. That is if I don't change my mind about some of the upcoming chapters. This is your warning. Angst will temporarily take over. But I believe in happy endings. And you should find this ending rather suitable. And really you expect me to tell you if Syd's gonna die or not. Please. I can't ruin the story for you now can I.
I held his forehead pressed to mine as he fought against his tears.
I didn't want to let him go but he pulled away and turned his back on me.
I knew what he was thinking; how he thought he needed to be strong for me. I knew that he was busy kicking himself for letting me know how much this was hurting him. What he didn't realize however was that I would have known tears or not.
"Sorry." He muttered. I brought my hand down on his shoulder.
"Don't be." His hand reached up and grabbed mine giving it a squeeze.
Dixon walked back into the room and Vaughn turned to him, questioning.
"He's not answering." Dixon explained.
"Sloane probably has him busy." I muttered. Seven years ago he would be the last person I wanted to see. But right then all I really wanted was him to tell me it was going to be ok.
My father would fix things. He always somehow managed to save the day. I knew he wasn't perfect and that in this situation it would take more then some friendly persuasion to save us.
But I was clinging to any hope I had.
Vaughn turned to me, eyes locking, understanding. I knew he was going to leave me here with Dixon.
I knew he was going back.
"Be careful." I offered his favorite phrase. He smiled and traced a finger down my cheek.
"I'll be back in a little while and you'll be up on your feet again in no time." He pulled away and walked to the door. Turning to face me again at the door he offered another smile then left.
Fear filled me. I didn't know why but I had a sinking feeling that it wouldn't be enough. That when Vaughn did come back nothing would be the same ever again.
It was one of those moments that you always remember for some reason unknown to you. A million thoughts pass through you're mind and you don't know why but you know that something has changed.
And in the future years you're able to look back at it and say that was where it all went to hell. Even if you know that it wasn't. Even if you know that that was just the moment you realized you were screwed.
We were screwed. I didn't know how, or why. But I knew we were.
And if I had it all to do again... I probably never would have let him leave that room.
But we don't get the chance to change the past. And so he left.
"Syd..." Dixon questioned.
"Dixon would you mind leaving me alone for awhile." He nodded and followed Vaughn's earlier path.
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"Mr. Vaughn you can't go in there." One of the guards from earlier stepped in front of me. I noticed his partner was missing and wondered if he was still busy removing Syd's shoe.
"McKain and I have an appointment." I bit out and shoved him out of my way. He turned to grab me but a voice came over his radio and stopped him.
"It's alright. Let him up."
Too easy. I was missing something. Something big.
The queasy and uneasy feeling was telling me that there was something wrong. Something I didn't anticipate. And it was bugging the hell out of me trying to figure out just what that thing was.
I felt like I was purposely blinding myself to something.
And I knew I was ignoring the fact that all the optimism in the world wouldn't be enough.
McKain didn't give up that easily.
He always got what he wanted.
We were going to get hurt with this one. There was no way we wouldn't. McKain had been manipulating us from the moment he pulled Syd away from me last night.
This was just another one of his tricks.
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"Syd? Syd!" I heard his voice distantly. I tried to assure him that I was fine but I couldn't.
I'm sure the sight of me covered in a rash, burning up, and vomiting over the side of the bed did not alleviate any of his fears either.
He came toward me and I knew.
I knew now why we were screwed. I knew why even if he did get the vaccine it wouldn't matter.
"No. Stay back Dixon." He halted.
What if...
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I made it to the elevator before I felt my legs slip out from under me.
Then I couldn't feel anything else.
It made sense.
"Did I fail to mention the contagious nature of our virus?" McKain's voice echoed in the empty elevator.
Yeah, he failed to mention that. But we should have put it together on our own.
This should not have been such a surprise to me. I should have anticipated it.
But I didn't.
And now here I was helpless in McKain's hands. He could care less about me and if I were him I'd take care of me.
I'd eliminate the problem.
Funny I was coming to kill him and chances were he'd get to kill me instead.
A/N: yeah that was a short one wasn't it. Oops. Actually there is not oops about it. It was all intentional. See I think it's funny you're all worried about Syd... Chances are good you should probably be more worried for Vaughn.