Disclaimer: I don't own Early Edition or any of its Characters, cause if I
did the show would still be running. I'm just an obsessed fan with lots,
and lots of time on her hands.
An Accident of Trust
Written By: Felicity Poole
Fall of a Hero
Gary's eyes scanned once more across the bold black print of the papers headline Man injured in car accident, Driver witnessed fleeing scene it read. Looking at his watch he groaned the article had appeared only a half hour before giving him little time to keep the incident from occurring. Gazing out of the backseat window of his hired cab he almost couldn't believe the traffic as he scanned both the length and width of the backup or what he more affectionately called Chicago gridlock.
"Hey, could you speed it up here it's an emergency" He urged impatiently
The taxi driver snorted gruffly a smirk twitching at the statement made by his passenger. "Half of Chicago climbs in back there all sayin' to hurry because of an emergency of some sort. Last time I fell for that one I ended up with a $300 dollar ticket and for what? Turns out the broad was trying to make it to a sell at Dillard's, so don't go 911'n me kid"
"You don't understand. Someone could get hurt" Gary spouted.
Turning sharply the salty haired man glared at his passenger taking just a few moments to remove the half smoked cigar nub from his mouth and blow the remaining smoke into the younger mans face "Are you threatin' me?!"
"No!...n.no of coarse not that's not what I meant you see.Well, I.If I don't get to South Jefferson before 2:00. I.my friend I mean could be in trouble." Though Gary's stammering ended his gaze was still transfixed on the blue depths before him, he surprised to see the flames within them fade into glowing embers.
"Why didn't ya say that in the first place" Hoffman laughed. Turning away from Gary he put the taxi in drive and pulled off the main road and into a nearby alley. "Hey, where are you going? Jefferson's the other way!"
"The long way maybe" Hoffman huffed "I've been drivin' this cab 32 years. I think I'd know a shortcut or two by now don't you?"
Gary clamped his mouth shut as he leaned back into the worn upholstery. Steeling another glance at his watch he sighed in frustration. "1:49" he murmured. The headline stood out to him unchanged and his stress grew. How was he supposed to fix this situation? The paper not only gave him little time to succeed, but ceased to list any names by which he could go by. His only clues were the two cars that were involved in the collision.
Time seemed to grow still as the S. Jefferson street sign came into view. Gary froze as the loud deafening shrill of brakes locking on the asphalt reached his ears. He looked on in horror as the article in the paper began to unravel itself before him all the while being powerless to stop it. The two vehicles came closer all passengers bracing themselves for the inevitable impact.
Confusion filled Hobson as he could not understand how the events in progress could possibly happen. In what seemed like an eternity but truthfully was just a few seconds the sound of metal buckling and glass braking blasted out into the midday air, as the two vehicles merged together becoming one.
Gary let out a cry as he felt himself lift off the bench in a catapulting motion over the front seats, it happened so fast everything was blurred. His breath was violently torn from his chest upon the impact into the windshield. The glass shattered out immediately under the weight and violent force in which Hobson had been throne into it. Nothing was holding the Youngman in the twisted remains and his body rolled out onto the hood only stopping when the pavement caught him with a bone cracking thud. Then there was nothing, for the intense pain had ceased to exist. Consciousness had left him leaving Hobson alone, drifting in a world of vast darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marion Crumb sat motionless for a moment. One hand still clutched tightly to his chest as his body shook from the adrenaline rushing full force through his veins. He hadn't seen it coming the Taxi had run the red light and caught the off duty detective off guard. Swallowing his nerves he brushed a hand across his face, wiping off a portion of the fast accumulating perspiration. Seeing blood on his fingertips he groaned knowing very well by the feeling in his head that the steering wheel had found its' mark. He was truly thankful though that he would walk away from this with no serious injury. Gathering his focus he fumbled a second or two with the seatbelt trying to get his trembling fingers to obey his commands and unhook the mechanism. Once freed, the older man opened his door cautiously stepping out onto unsure legs, yet determined to see if there was anyone in need of help in the other vehicle. He had only taken a few steps forward when an icy hand reached out clutching his heart. He scanned the broken windshield of the yellow taxi, blood clinging to small shards which still dangled loosely from the brace. Crimson streaked across the misshapen hood told a tale he wished wasn't true. He was hesitant to round the front of his car, not knowing what chaos lay on the other side, but his feet still seemed to move forward even though his mind had not ordered them to. Placing his hand over his mouth he choked at the sight of the mangled figure at his feet. He was barely aware of the screaming bystanders and distant sirens blaring above all the turmoil. Kneeling down he let his hand come to rest upon the torn black leather jacket that seemed oddly familiar in a way though he didn't know how. He told himself the dark haired man was dead. No one could have survived such an abusive assault to their body, but still like he was trained he slipped his fingers onto the tender part of the man's neck. He was surprised beyond words when he felt a slight pulse, it was weak, but it was there. How long it would remain was a question he could not answer. He fought the urge to turn the body over, but he knew better than anyone that he could cause more injury to the man if he shifted him improperly. His deep thoughts were interrupted by a swirl of papers flying around him in the breeze, and he grumbled swatting them away. Catching one in his hands he crumbled it taking no heed in the date being tomorrows, and then he quickly tossed it to the side riding him of its annoyance.
Pulling back the collar of the young mans jacket he carefully moved it away from his face. Though his back was to him Crumb felt a deep sense of familiarity towards the stranger, and that worried him. Wiping some of the blood away from around the lacerations on the man's face some of the features became more visible. Sense the taxi did not allow him to move in front of the prone figure Crumb leaned forward attempting to get a better view of the scared features. He stopped in mid decent his breath lay still in his throat all of which were caused when the strangers hand weakly grasped his own. He could see the fluttering of eyelashes despite the shadows cast from the hovering vehicles, and he commanded himself to speak. "You just stay where you are, If you can hear me don't try to move."
A set of unfocused, incoherent mud green eyes opened partly. Gary turned his head slightly towards the voice whose words were heard to him only as incomprehensible babble. Seeing only faded features of the older man above him he tried to speak but no words came forth, nor did his lips move. Closing his eyes he tried to fight back the insurmountable pain that had a hold on his entire body. It was a battle soon won for unconsciousness summoned him again into its awaiting arms.
Crumb had sat unmoving when the stranger's murky depths had slightly turned and locked eyes with him for that fleeting moment. It was at that very instance the older cop knew who lay crumpled in front of him.
"Hobson?" he breathed in revelation
He never noticed the ambulance arrive, not at least till several hands had gripped his shoulders. "Are you alright? Where are you hurt?" The voices asked from behind him. Looking down at the blood covering his hands and suit he shook his head pushing their hands away "It's not mine, it's not my blood." he murmured ."It's. it's Hobson's"
Several men helped him rise to his feet and began leading him away from the scene. He glanced back though watching as the paramedics lifted Gary onto the back of an awaiting ambulance.
He had always considered the bartender as strange or better yet a thorn in his side. Constantly the man ended up in predicaments he couldn't explain except with his classic line of: "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Even though he had been in a lot of trouble Crumb admired the kid's bravery and willingness to save and help others. Stepping up onto the ambulance platform he agreed to go with the paramedics to receive stitches for the laceration on his brow, but just before the back doors closed he caught sight of flashing lights as they sped past the siren above them shouting out its' existence, and though he had never considered himself a praying man he offered one up to the man upstairs.
Continued...
An Accident of Trust
Written By: Felicity Poole
Fall of a Hero
Gary's eyes scanned once more across the bold black print of the papers headline Man injured in car accident, Driver witnessed fleeing scene it read. Looking at his watch he groaned the article had appeared only a half hour before giving him little time to keep the incident from occurring. Gazing out of the backseat window of his hired cab he almost couldn't believe the traffic as he scanned both the length and width of the backup or what he more affectionately called Chicago gridlock.
"Hey, could you speed it up here it's an emergency" He urged impatiently
The taxi driver snorted gruffly a smirk twitching at the statement made by his passenger. "Half of Chicago climbs in back there all sayin' to hurry because of an emergency of some sort. Last time I fell for that one I ended up with a $300 dollar ticket and for what? Turns out the broad was trying to make it to a sell at Dillard's, so don't go 911'n me kid"
"You don't understand. Someone could get hurt" Gary spouted.
Turning sharply the salty haired man glared at his passenger taking just a few moments to remove the half smoked cigar nub from his mouth and blow the remaining smoke into the younger mans face "Are you threatin' me?!"
"No!...n.no of coarse not that's not what I meant you see.Well, I.If I don't get to South Jefferson before 2:00. I.my friend I mean could be in trouble." Though Gary's stammering ended his gaze was still transfixed on the blue depths before him, he surprised to see the flames within them fade into glowing embers.
"Why didn't ya say that in the first place" Hoffman laughed. Turning away from Gary he put the taxi in drive and pulled off the main road and into a nearby alley. "Hey, where are you going? Jefferson's the other way!"
"The long way maybe" Hoffman huffed "I've been drivin' this cab 32 years. I think I'd know a shortcut or two by now don't you?"
Gary clamped his mouth shut as he leaned back into the worn upholstery. Steeling another glance at his watch he sighed in frustration. "1:49" he murmured. The headline stood out to him unchanged and his stress grew. How was he supposed to fix this situation? The paper not only gave him little time to succeed, but ceased to list any names by which he could go by. His only clues were the two cars that were involved in the collision.
Time seemed to grow still as the S. Jefferson street sign came into view. Gary froze as the loud deafening shrill of brakes locking on the asphalt reached his ears. He looked on in horror as the article in the paper began to unravel itself before him all the while being powerless to stop it. The two vehicles came closer all passengers bracing themselves for the inevitable impact.
Confusion filled Hobson as he could not understand how the events in progress could possibly happen. In what seemed like an eternity but truthfully was just a few seconds the sound of metal buckling and glass braking blasted out into the midday air, as the two vehicles merged together becoming one.
Gary let out a cry as he felt himself lift off the bench in a catapulting motion over the front seats, it happened so fast everything was blurred. His breath was violently torn from his chest upon the impact into the windshield. The glass shattered out immediately under the weight and violent force in which Hobson had been throne into it. Nothing was holding the Youngman in the twisted remains and his body rolled out onto the hood only stopping when the pavement caught him with a bone cracking thud. Then there was nothing, for the intense pain had ceased to exist. Consciousness had left him leaving Hobson alone, drifting in a world of vast darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marion Crumb sat motionless for a moment. One hand still clutched tightly to his chest as his body shook from the adrenaline rushing full force through his veins. He hadn't seen it coming the Taxi had run the red light and caught the off duty detective off guard. Swallowing his nerves he brushed a hand across his face, wiping off a portion of the fast accumulating perspiration. Seeing blood on his fingertips he groaned knowing very well by the feeling in his head that the steering wheel had found its' mark. He was truly thankful though that he would walk away from this with no serious injury. Gathering his focus he fumbled a second or two with the seatbelt trying to get his trembling fingers to obey his commands and unhook the mechanism. Once freed, the older man opened his door cautiously stepping out onto unsure legs, yet determined to see if there was anyone in need of help in the other vehicle. He had only taken a few steps forward when an icy hand reached out clutching his heart. He scanned the broken windshield of the yellow taxi, blood clinging to small shards which still dangled loosely from the brace. Crimson streaked across the misshapen hood told a tale he wished wasn't true. He was hesitant to round the front of his car, not knowing what chaos lay on the other side, but his feet still seemed to move forward even though his mind had not ordered them to. Placing his hand over his mouth he choked at the sight of the mangled figure at his feet. He was barely aware of the screaming bystanders and distant sirens blaring above all the turmoil. Kneeling down he let his hand come to rest upon the torn black leather jacket that seemed oddly familiar in a way though he didn't know how. He told himself the dark haired man was dead. No one could have survived such an abusive assault to their body, but still like he was trained he slipped his fingers onto the tender part of the man's neck. He was surprised beyond words when he felt a slight pulse, it was weak, but it was there. How long it would remain was a question he could not answer. He fought the urge to turn the body over, but he knew better than anyone that he could cause more injury to the man if he shifted him improperly. His deep thoughts were interrupted by a swirl of papers flying around him in the breeze, and he grumbled swatting them away. Catching one in his hands he crumbled it taking no heed in the date being tomorrows, and then he quickly tossed it to the side riding him of its annoyance.
Pulling back the collar of the young mans jacket he carefully moved it away from his face. Though his back was to him Crumb felt a deep sense of familiarity towards the stranger, and that worried him. Wiping some of the blood away from around the lacerations on the man's face some of the features became more visible. Sense the taxi did not allow him to move in front of the prone figure Crumb leaned forward attempting to get a better view of the scared features. He stopped in mid decent his breath lay still in his throat all of which were caused when the strangers hand weakly grasped his own. He could see the fluttering of eyelashes despite the shadows cast from the hovering vehicles, and he commanded himself to speak. "You just stay where you are, If you can hear me don't try to move."
A set of unfocused, incoherent mud green eyes opened partly. Gary turned his head slightly towards the voice whose words were heard to him only as incomprehensible babble. Seeing only faded features of the older man above him he tried to speak but no words came forth, nor did his lips move. Closing his eyes he tried to fight back the insurmountable pain that had a hold on his entire body. It was a battle soon won for unconsciousness summoned him again into its awaiting arms.
Crumb had sat unmoving when the stranger's murky depths had slightly turned and locked eyes with him for that fleeting moment. It was at that very instance the older cop knew who lay crumpled in front of him.
"Hobson?" he breathed in revelation
He never noticed the ambulance arrive, not at least till several hands had gripped his shoulders. "Are you alright? Where are you hurt?" The voices asked from behind him. Looking down at the blood covering his hands and suit he shook his head pushing their hands away "It's not mine, it's not my blood." he murmured ."It's. it's Hobson's"
Several men helped him rise to his feet and began leading him away from the scene. He glanced back though watching as the paramedics lifted Gary onto the back of an awaiting ambulance.
He had always considered the bartender as strange or better yet a thorn in his side. Constantly the man ended up in predicaments he couldn't explain except with his classic line of: "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Even though he had been in a lot of trouble Crumb admired the kid's bravery and willingness to save and help others. Stepping up onto the ambulance platform he agreed to go with the paramedics to receive stitches for the laceration on his brow, but just before the back doors closed he caught sight of flashing lights as they sped past the siren above them shouting out its' existence, and though he had never considered himself a praying man he offered one up to the man upstairs.
Continued...