Sorry this chapter has taken so long, (and the length) I've had too much coursework and concerts, so I haven't had time lately. The next part SHOULD be up relatively quickly, but that's what I thought about this chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter eight.

Half an hour later…

Bob burst in the waiting room, looking very flustered.

"How is he?"

"He's very badly wounded, and he's on the critical list. We're waiting for the doctor to tell us weather he's out of surgery yet, and for any update on his condition from the doctor any minute now." Mandy replied. Bob nodded at Baz, who was sitting down staring into his coffee, and mouthed

'Who's he?'

"Oh dear, I haven't introduced you two yet have I?" It was Mandy's turn to look flustered. "Baz, this is Bob, my husband. Baz a friend of the boys family." The pair shook hands, Baz looked dazed as if he was in shock. "The boys name is Lucas, by the way."

"Lucas? That's a nice name." Bob spoke up. "Baz, how did Lucas get to be with that guy in the first place?"

"That monster is his father, and it's all my fault he's in this position now. If only… If only…" Baz looked as if he was going to cry again, but he restrained himself.

"His father? They don't look anything like each other. You look more like Lucas, than that…" Bob barely managed to restrain himself.

Mandy looked more closely at Baz now, and suddenly cried out

"That's who you remind me of! Lucas! How come you two look so alike?"

Baz was saved to answering by the entrance of the doctor.

"Doctor, how is he? Did he make it through surgery? What happened?" Baz asked, jumping up from his chair.

"He made it through surgery, but he is still seriously ill. Also he keeps having nightmares, and so we have brought him away from the other patients on the ward so he doesn't disturb their sleep. Does he have any other relatives we can contact? We only found your name and number as a contact in his wallet." The doctor asked.

Baz shook his head,

"Except from his father, there is no one else."

"Ok, you can see him if you want," The doctor said to the shocked Baz, before turning towards Bob and Mandy. "And I'll update you if there is any change in his condition…"

Baz followed the doctor down the endless maze of similar looking, white corridors, until they finally reached their destination.  The white-coated doctor opened the door to Lucas's hospital room and let Baz enter.

"I'll leave you two alone now," As he softly closed the door and left the pair alone in the room. As Baz looked around the room, he couldn't believe how many machines Lucas, his Lucas was attached to. There were literally hundreds of machines, connecting to different parts of the painfully small boys body. Baz numbly walked over to where Lucas was lying and sat down in the chair next to the bed and sat watching the sleeping boy, like a lion looking over his cub. Baz suddenly felt something trickle down the side of his face and in a flash, realised he was crying. Unable to hold back the tears, Baz put his head down and cried himself into a deep and dreamless slumber.

****

"No… Don't hurt… I'm sorry… Daddy stop! NO! NO! NO! MUMMY! Help me!" Baz was suddenly awoken by Lucas's petrified screams and, shaking the sleep from his brain, Baz acted fast.

"Lucas! Lucas, can you hear me? Lucas! Come on, kid, wake up!" Pinning the kid down, Baz was able to wake Lucas up from his nightmare. "Hey, it's ok. You're fine now, I've got ya'."

Lucas was shaking violently and uncontrollably, as Baz whispered words of comfort to reassure the shaken boy. Lucas's sobs eventually subsided into gentle hiccups.

"What was that about? You certainly know how to wake someone up, that's for sure." Baz murmured.

"I… I… d…don't wanna…t…t…talk 'bout it," Lucas stammered, his voice still shaking.

"That's ok, but we're going to talk about it later, understand?" Baz said sternly, as he held Lucas tightly in his arms and gently rocked him, comfortingly. Lucas mutely nodded. "How are you feeling?"

"OK, I guess." Lucas mumbled into Baz's chest. Lucas suddenly looked Baz in the face and asked, "Did you know who it was who…um…well, you know…"

Baz closed his eyes before saying,

"Beat you? Yes, I think I do."

Lucas looked down again and sleepily mumbled,

"Oh, OK."

Baz continued rocking Lucas until his breathing became long and deep, signifying he was asleep.

"I'm sorry pal, I'm so, so sorry." Baz couldn't hold back any more and let loose the tears and emotions he couldn't display earlier.

TBC…

Until next time… Hahaha!