Disclaimer: story by me but not the characters



Double Edged Sword

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Sydney walked into her office already tired from the day before. But before she could even think about a hot cup of coffee her caught a shadow moving in her office and she knew that Karen wasn't in yet.

Her senses were snapped into action as she expected the unexpected. She tip toed into the office and was ready to throw whoever it was out the window.

Sydney opened the door and pounced on the intruder.

"SYD!"

Sydney stopped dead in her tracks and stared opened mouthed. "Nigel? But.you-," Sydney was in shock and didn't what to do or feel.

"Oh, I'm just cleaning out the book rack. Been meaning to do that for ages just that never seemed to have the time for it," Nigel said while trying to balance the stack of books in his hands.

"Are you all right? I mean you're supposed to be in the-," Sydney walked closer and tried to control herself from just hugging him.

"There all done," Nigel, said cleaning his hands from the dust. "Well got to go Syd. Sorry that I have to leave so sudden it's just that. well. I have to go."

"Nigel, I'm not getting you. What do you mean by that?" Sydney asked confused but somehow she knew the answer.

"You know what I mean," Nigel grabbed his bag and started for the door.

A feeling of dread filled Sydney as it hit her full in the stomach. "Nigel you can't leave. I can't work without you-"

"Well I don't like it either but my time is up Syd and I can't change it."

"Nigel!" Sydney ran after him down the corridor but she couldn't see him.

Ms. Fox?

"NIGEL!" Sydney woke up with a start and saw that she was still in the hospital waiting room. She got up and instinctively looked at Nigel's room. She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw him still in bed.

"Ms. Fox?"

Sydney turned around, "Oh, sorry Doctor, I-," Sydney didn't continue, "How is he?" she asked instead.

"Still stable but his condition is deteriorating rather gradually and we can't do anything. So-," the doctor answered while looking at his charts.

"What do you mean by you can't do anything?" Sydney asked her eyes focusing on the doctor.

"We've done every single test that we could and found nothing."

"There has to be something, how can there be nothing? He's dying!" Sydney couldn't control her anger anymore.

"Ms Fox, we're are trying our best, but-."

Sydney sighed and regretted snapping at the doctor. " I'm sorry it's just that-."

"It's ok, we understand. But you must know that we're doing everything we can."

Sydney didn't say anything but just nodded. She sat down again as the doctor left and looked at her watch. 9:30 a.m. The dream flashed through her mind again and she shuddered. Her cell rang.

"Hello Syd, it's Karen. How's-."

"The same," Sydney didn't bother Karen with the details

"Anyways I know this isn't the best time but there was Mr. Lewis Pierres who called about the sword that you brought to the museum." Sydney listened but only half-heartedly. "He mentioned that he needed to see you and it was urgent. He said something about a blood curse of the sword."

Sydney snapped out of her daydream and listened carefully. It suddenly hit her and realized how stupid she was to miss the most possible answer. "Karen, I want you to call back Mr. Pierres and tell him to expect me. I might be able to save Nigel."

"But how?" Karen asked starting to sound excited as Sydney.

"I'll explain later just do what I tell you."

"Sure." Karen said and hanged up.

Sydney got up and walked past Nigel's room and looked at him. She hoped that her hunch would be right. "Don't worry Nigel you won't leave so soon."

Sydney turned away and headed towards the museum.

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Author's note: so what's the verdict? The best part's are still to come.