Chapter 3 Dead sons and alive Moms
Moaning she opened her eyes. Her head ached. She tried to sit up but fell back when dizziness overcame her. She rolled to the side and took a few deep breath, trying to push back the nausea which were about to come up.
Slowly she began to get control over her thoughts which whirled around in her head. Where was she? She couldn't remember anything. It was too dark to see anything so she hadn't a clue where she was.
She sat up and rubbed her face thoughtfully and suddenly it all came back to her. The memory about the last night flooded back into her mind. Her eyes widend when she remembered the men, Rick and.. Alex. She gasped when she saw Alex in front of her inner eye. How he was running through that hallway and then how he fell down. A deep intensive pain crept into her heart and almost broke it into pieces.
"No", she whispered. "No". He was dead, her beloved son was dead. Her vision became blurry and she curled up into a small ball. And then she wept, the sobs shook her body and she began to tremble uncontrolable. The grief of losing her only child paralyzed her, choked her. And all the questions of where or why she was didn't matter to her anymore. She wished she would die right now.
She couldn't remember how long she stayed like this but slowly the pain and grief turned into pure hate. She'd never felt such an intensive hate like this. She wanted to kill these men who had dared to take her son away from her. She cried out in rage, ready to rip everyone into pieces who would dare to come near her.
She jumped up. She knew Rick would love to help her with that. He probably was figuring out right now how he could hurt them badly, how he could make them suffer the pain he and her felt at them moment. All she had to do was to find a way to get out. She walked up to what felt like a wall and suddenly she grabbed a thick cloth which obviously belonged to the curtains. Angry she ripped them apart.
The bright light caused her to close her eyes. But when they became used to the sunlight she could open them again. And then she stiffend. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. That was not possible. She looked around and made sure she wasn't mistaken. She really was in a office, in her own office in her british museum.
She gasped. She couldn't believe someone could be that stupid to bring her here. It was the place where she spent most of her time every day. And it was about 2 miles away from her home. While she was wondering something caught her eye. She turned around to see the phone on her desk.
She raised her eyebrow in confusion. "Well, okay it is still in the room but it can't work", she told herself. No kidnapper would be that idiotic would he? There was just one way to find out. She walked up to it slowly and took the reciever in her hand. And when she heard the dialling tone she almost cried out in relief.
Meanwhile at her home:
Rick's head stucked deep in a closet and Jonathan stood beside him, his hands in his pockets. He glaced over his shoulder.
"O'Connell! Take that gun.. No, not that.. I want the other one.... Aha right. Yeah and now.. take these two... no the big ones.. are you blind or what... more guns, we need more guns.. come on hurry up", he yelled.
Rick whirled around, which was hard because of the many weapons in his arms and stared at his brother-in-law. "Jonathan! I have a bright idea. It seems to me like you know exactly which guns we need", he said and pressed the guns to his friends chest.
"So, I think it's the best if you carry the guns to the car and I'll get Alex", he ended, grinnend and walked off leaving a gasping Jonathan.
He stared after him. "Hey Rick! Wait.. I .. Oh bloddy hell! Come back and help me! O'Connell! Help"! He yelled and the guns dropped to the floor. But Rick was already gone. And even if he did hear him it didn't bother him that John was in trouble. He always was. "Oh dear", he muttered and began to pick them up again. "Why me"?
Rick walked in the living-room where Alex was watching TV. He stared at the screen but didn't see anything at all. His mind was too messed up right now. His father sat down beside him and laid his arm around his shoulder.
"Hey kiddo. Are you alright"? He asked worried when he noticed his pale face.
Alex nodded. "I'm fine", he lied and hoped his Dad wouldn't notice the trades of dried tears on his cheek. He hated being weak, especially in front of his father who always seemed to be brave and strong. He'd never seen his father cry before, well once when his mother had died but that didn't counted.
But his hope was in vain. Rick was a lovely and protectively father and he knew his son too well for believing him. "Alex! I know you're scared but I promised you I'll get her back, didn't I? And I'm always fullfilling my promises, don't I?"
Alex looked up and he saw a flicker of pain in his fathers eyes 'cause he hadn't trusted him. "I'm sorry Dad I didn't mean it like that. I know you do, I really believe you", he answered quickly not wanting to hurt him.
He believed him. He really did. But there was soemthing else that was bothering him badly but he was to scared to speak about it with him.
Rick didn't realize that his son was worried about something different at the moment and so he just patted on Alex back and smiled. "Okay Alex! Get your jacket and we're gone". Alex jumped up and ran to the stairs but then he stopped and turned around.
He feared to say this, was scared that his father wouldn't appreciate it. But he had to get it out, to tell him that he knew what he'd done. "I'm sorry Dad". He said quietly. His father looked at him confused, not getting it. "Why?"
"I'm sorry Mom's gone. If I could turn back time I would", he replied and looked down. He felt so ashamed. And he felt so damn guitly because all of it was his fault and he hoped his father wouldn't hate him for it.
Rick stood up, realizing what his son was talking about. "Alex? It's not.. it's not your fault, ya know that right"? He asked and walked up to him.
"But it's my fault Dad. If.. if I wouldn't have left my room nothing of that would have happen! And Mom would still be here, she would be fine"; he yelled and tears filled his eyes.
Rick knelt down and wrapped his arms around his son. It shocked him that Alex thought something like that. He mentally kicked himself for not realizing that his son was having a bad time because of feeling guilty. "Hey! Alex! Look at me", he said and grabbed him by the shoulders forcing him to look in his eyes.
"What did your mother and I taught you? Never ever..", he started and Alex looked up. ".. feel guilty if something happens to your parents", Alex finished and a faint smile appeared on his lips. He could remember that, but until now it hadn't occurred to him that maybe it wasn't his fault at all.
"Don't you dare to forget that Alex. No matter what happens to me or your Mom. You musn't feel guitly for it because none of this is your fault. I mean your still a kid, aren't you? You can't be responsible for your stupid irresponsible parents, okay?" He said and pulled a strain of hair out of his face.
This was something Evelyn and him had told him when they first went on one of their adventures with Alex. Evy wanted him to know because when her parents had died she had felt guilty about it for the rest of her life. She didn't want him to feel like that.
'Alex is way to grown up for his age, too smart' Rick thought. But that was Evy's fault because she had thaught him to be responsible. Maybe she had told him it that early cause she had feared he would become like his father. Unreasonable and irresponsible. He already was so much like him. Undaunted, indestructible, brave, strong and stubborn.
Alex nodded. "Okay!" Rick smiled and got up again. "Fine! Are you alright now? No bad feelings? Fear or distrust or anything"? His son shook his head and grinnend. He was very glad that he wasn't guilty that his Mom was missing. "But I'm still allowed to worry about Mom, aren't I"? He asked and they laughed.
"Of course. Okay, and now get your jacket. Jonathan is waiting by the car", he said and gave him a little push.
Alex smiled and jumped up the stairs then he whirled around. "Dad"? He wanted to tell him and he needed to. Rick looked up from his bag. "Yeah"?
"I love you", he said and then he quickly disappeared around the corner. Rick smiled. "I love you too son", he quietly whispered. He knew Alex knew that but he would rather like to tell him this face to face. Because he understood that it meant much to Alex to be loved of his father who he admired so much.
Suddenly the phone rang and pulled him out of his thoughts. He stiffend, couldn't move. Maybe it was them, maybe they called him to demand ransom. Alex head apperead over the banister. His face was flushed and his eyes wide open.
"Dad"? He asked and pulled him out of his thoughts. Rick looked at him and realized that he feared the same. "Dad, pick up. Please pick up", he whispered and stared at him.
Rick nodded and took the receiver in his trembling hand. He slowly brought it to his ear and cleared his troath. He didn't want them to know how much Evy's loss touched him and how scared he was.
"Hello"? He asked and his voice was shaking. Alex held his breath and waited for his Dad to speak more.
"Rick? Rick is that you"? He heard and his eyes widend. The receiver almost dropped out of his hand cause he knew that voice just too well.
"Evelyn"? He cried out not daring to believe it. Upstairs Alex stared at him in pure shock and then began to storm downstairs.
"Rick, I'm at the british museum. Do you hear me?" She said and hoped he would understand her.
He nodded quickly but realized she couldn't see. "Oh thank God Evy! How are you? Are you okay? God baby, I was scared to death"; he yelled through the phone and smiled brigthly.
"I'm fine Rick. Whoever is was that took me, they're real idiots. I've never seen such bad kidnappers. They aren't guarding me and they let me alone in a room with a working phone. It's ridicules. But enough of that. Come and get me out and then we'll have to kick some asses don't you think"? She asked and all of sudden she sounded really hateful and angry.
"Okay Evy, we'll come and get you but I think it's better if I'll call the police. I don't want to endanger you any more. And think of Alex, I have to take him with me and I really don't want him in some shooting. Not after what happened", he said and tried to convince her that today wasn't the right time to take revenge.
He almost could her her gasp. "What? What.. did you say? Alex... Alex is dead Rick.. I saw him die.. I saw how they shoot him...why are you saying such things? I don't get this.. I mean as soon as I'll get out of here I will kill them for killing my son.. don't you want to kill them too? Don't you want to hurt them ... as they hurt us"? She stuttered and the tears rolled down her cheek. What the hell was Rick speaking about? If he was joking she wasn't finding it any funny.
He took a deep breath and Alex who had heard his mother crying stepped closer. "Evy darling, Evy listen to me. Alex isn't dead, you hear me? Alex is okay, he's fine. The bullet didn't hit him, it hit the wall okay? You don't have to cry honey. Our boy is completely fne. But he's worried about you", he said and tried to calm her down with that.
"He's fine? Alex is okay"? Alex grabbed the phone almost crying himself. "Mom? Mom it's me. Are you okay"?
"Oh.. oh god Alex! Alex sweetie are you okay? Oh my God.. I thought.. I thought you would be dead.. I saw you falling down.. and I'm so sorry .. I .. that's too much", she cried, almost freaking out. That was too much for her. First losing her child than getting it back all of sudden was terrible and wonderful at the same time.
She couldn't stop the tears flooding down her cheeks. He was alive. Her son was okay. "Mom! Dad, John and I will come to get you out okay?" Rick smiled gladly and took the reciever out of his sons shaking hands again.
"I have to hang up Honey. But I'll see you in a few minutes alright"? "O.. okay..bring Alex.. you'll bring Alex with you okay? I have to see him Rick. As long as I don't see him I don't believe it", she answered and started to get control over herself again.
Rick smiled and remembered the first time he talked with her. "Yeah I know. You believe in what you can see and what you can touch but in nothing else, right? But I really thought our little adventures with Mister Mummy would have kind of healed you from that", he said and laughed slightly.
"Don't think so Honey. I don't think so", she repeated and for the first time since, what seemed like ages to her, she could smile again.
A/N: Okay I hope you liked it! Please, please review.. otherwise I'll start begging! *g*
Moaning she opened her eyes. Her head ached. She tried to sit up but fell back when dizziness overcame her. She rolled to the side and took a few deep breath, trying to push back the nausea which were about to come up.
Slowly she began to get control over her thoughts which whirled around in her head. Where was she? She couldn't remember anything. It was too dark to see anything so she hadn't a clue where she was.
She sat up and rubbed her face thoughtfully and suddenly it all came back to her. The memory about the last night flooded back into her mind. Her eyes widend when she remembered the men, Rick and.. Alex. She gasped when she saw Alex in front of her inner eye. How he was running through that hallway and then how he fell down. A deep intensive pain crept into her heart and almost broke it into pieces.
"No", she whispered. "No". He was dead, her beloved son was dead. Her vision became blurry and she curled up into a small ball. And then she wept, the sobs shook her body and she began to tremble uncontrolable. The grief of losing her only child paralyzed her, choked her. And all the questions of where or why she was didn't matter to her anymore. She wished she would die right now.
She couldn't remember how long she stayed like this but slowly the pain and grief turned into pure hate. She'd never felt such an intensive hate like this. She wanted to kill these men who had dared to take her son away from her. She cried out in rage, ready to rip everyone into pieces who would dare to come near her.
She jumped up. She knew Rick would love to help her with that. He probably was figuring out right now how he could hurt them badly, how he could make them suffer the pain he and her felt at them moment. All she had to do was to find a way to get out. She walked up to what felt like a wall and suddenly she grabbed a thick cloth which obviously belonged to the curtains. Angry she ripped them apart.
The bright light caused her to close her eyes. But when they became used to the sunlight she could open them again. And then she stiffend. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. That was not possible. She looked around and made sure she wasn't mistaken. She really was in a office, in her own office in her british museum.
She gasped. She couldn't believe someone could be that stupid to bring her here. It was the place where she spent most of her time every day. And it was about 2 miles away from her home. While she was wondering something caught her eye. She turned around to see the phone on her desk.
She raised her eyebrow in confusion. "Well, okay it is still in the room but it can't work", she told herself. No kidnapper would be that idiotic would he? There was just one way to find out. She walked up to it slowly and took the reciever in her hand. And when she heard the dialling tone she almost cried out in relief.
Meanwhile at her home:
Rick's head stucked deep in a closet and Jonathan stood beside him, his hands in his pockets. He glaced over his shoulder.
"O'Connell! Take that gun.. No, not that.. I want the other one.... Aha right. Yeah and now.. take these two... no the big ones.. are you blind or what... more guns, we need more guns.. come on hurry up", he yelled.
Rick whirled around, which was hard because of the many weapons in his arms and stared at his brother-in-law. "Jonathan! I have a bright idea. It seems to me like you know exactly which guns we need", he said and pressed the guns to his friends chest.
"So, I think it's the best if you carry the guns to the car and I'll get Alex", he ended, grinnend and walked off leaving a gasping Jonathan.
He stared after him. "Hey Rick! Wait.. I .. Oh bloddy hell! Come back and help me! O'Connell! Help"! He yelled and the guns dropped to the floor. But Rick was already gone. And even if he did hear him it didn't bother him that John was in trouble. He always was. "Oh dear", he muttered and began to pick them up again. "Why me"?
Rick walked in the living-room where Alex was watching TV. He stared at the screen but didn't see anything at all. His mind was too messed up right now. His father sat down beside him and laid his arm around his shoulder.
"Hey kiddo. Are you alright"? He asked worried when he noticed his pale face.
Alex nodded. "I'm fine", he lied and hoped his Dad wouldn't notice the trades of dried tears on his cheek. He hated being weak, especially in front of his father who always seemed to be brave and strong. He'd never seen his father cry before, well once when his mother had died but that didn't counted.
But his hope was in vain. Rick was a lovely and protectively father and he knew his son too well for believing him. "Alex! I know you're scared but I promised you I'll get her back, didn't I? And I'm always fullfilling my promises, don't I?"
Alex looked up and he saw a flicker of pain in his fathers eyes 'cause he hadn't trusted him. "I'm sorry Dad I didn't mean it like that. I know you do, I really believe you", he answered quickly not wanting to hurt him.
He believed him. He really did. But there was soemthing else that was bothering him badly but he was to scared to speak about it with him.
Rick didn't realize that his son was worried about something different at the moment and so he just patted on Alex back and smiled. "Okay Alex! Get your jacket and we're gone". Alex jumped up and ran to the stairs but then he stopped and turned around.
He feared to say this, was scared that his father wouldn't appreciate it. But he had to get it out, to tell him that he knew what he'd done. "I'm sorry Dad". He said quietly. His father looked at him confused, not getting it. "Why?"
"I'm sorry Mom's gone. If I could turn back time I would", he replied and looked down. He felt so ashamed. And he felt so damn guitly because all of it was his fault and he hoped his father wouldn't hate him for it.
Rick stood up, realizing what his son was talking about. "Alex? It's not.. it's not your fault, ya know that right"? He asked and walked up to him.
"But it's my fault Dad. If.. if I wouldn't have left my room nothing of that would have happen! And Mom would still be here, she would be fine"; he yelled and tears filled his eyes.
Rick knelt down and wrapped his arms around his son. It shocked him that Alex thought something like that. He mentally kicked himself for not realizing that his son was having a bad time because of feeling guilty. "Hey! Alex! Look at me", he said and grabbed him by the shoulders forcing him to look in his eyes.
"What did your mother and I taught you? Never ever..", he started and Alex looked up. ".. feel guilty if something happens to your parents", Alex finished and a faint smile appeared on his lips. He could remember that, but until now it hadn't occurred to him that maybe it wasn't his fault at all.
"Don't you dare to forget that Alex. No matter what happens to me or your Mom. You musn't feel guitly for it because none of this is your fault. I mean your still a kid, aren't you? You can't be responsible for your stupid irresponsible parents, okay?" He said and pulled a strain of hair out of his face.
This was something Evelyn and him had told him when they first went on one of their adventures with Alex. Evy wanted him to know because when her parents had died she had felt guilty about it for the rest of her life. She didn't want him to feel like that.
'Alex is way to grown up for his age, too smart' Rick thought. But that was Evy's fault because she had thaught him to be responsible. Maybe she had told him it that early cause she had feared he would become like his father. Unreasonable and irresponsible. He already was so much like him. Undaunted, indestructible, brave, strong and stubborn.
Alex nodded. "Okay!" Rick smiled and got up again. "Fine! Are you alright now? No bad feelings? Fear or distrust or anything"? His son shook his head and grinnend. He was very glad that he wasn't guilty that his Mom was missing. "But I'm still allowed to worry about Mom, aren't I"? He asked and they laughed.
"Of course. Okay, and now get your jacket. Jonathan is waiting by the car", he said and gave him a little push.
Alex smiled and jumped up the stairs then he whirled around. "Dad"? He wanted to tell him and he needed to. Rick looked up from his bag. "Yeah"?
"I love you", he said and then he quickly disappeared around the corner. Rick smiled. "I love you too son", he quietly whispered. He knew Alex knew that but he would rather like to tell him this face to face. Because he understood that it meant much to Alex to be loved of his father who he admired so much.
Suddenly the phone rang and pulled him out of his thoughts. He stiffend, couldn't move. Maybe it was them, maybe they called him to demand ransom. Alex head apperead over the banister. His face was flushed and his eyes wide open.
"Dad"? He asked and pulled him out of his thoughts. Rick looked at him and realized that he feared the same. "Dad, pick up. Please pick up", he whispered and stared at him.
Rick nodded and took the receiver in his trembling hand. He slowly brought it to his ear and cleared his troath. He didn't want them to know how much Evy's loss touched him and how scared he was.
"Hello"? He asked and his voice was shaking. Alex held his breath and waited for his Dad to speak more.
"Rick? Rick is that you"? He heard and his eyes widend. The receiver almost dropped out of his hand cause he knew that voice just too well.
"Evelyn"? He cried out not daring to believe it. Upstairs Alex stared at him in pure shock and then began to storm downstairs.
"Rick, I'm at the british museum. Do you hear me?" She said and hoped he would understand her.
He nodded quickly but realized she couldn't see. "Oh thank God Evy! How are you? Are you okay? God baby, I was scared to death"; he yelled through the phone and smiled brigthly.
"I'm fine Rick. Whoever is was that took me, they're real idiots. I've never seen such bad kidnappers. They aren't guarding me and they let me alone in a room with a working phone. It's ridicules. But enough of that. Come and get me out and then we'll have to kick some asses don't you think"? She asked and all of sudden she sounded really hateful and angry.
"Okay Evy, we'll come and get you but I think it's better if I'll call the police. I don't want to endanger you any more. And think of Alex, I have to take him with me and I really don't want him in some shooting. Not after what happened", he said and tried to convince her that today wasn't the right time to take revenge.
He almost could her her gasp. "What? What.. did you say? Alex... Alex is dead Rick.. I saw him die.. I saw how they shoot him...why are you saying such things? I don't get this.. I mean as soon as I'll get out of here I will kill them for killing my son.. don't you want to kill them too? Don't you want to hurt them ... as they hurt us"? She stuttered and the tears rolled down her cheek. What the hell was Rick speaking about? If he was joking she wasn't finding it any funny.
He took a deep breath and Alex who had heard his mother crying stepped closer. "Evy darling, Evy listen to me. Alex isn't dead, you hear me? Alex is okay, he's fine. The bullet didn't hit him, it hit the wall okay? You don't have to cry honey. Our boy is completely fne. But he's worried about you", he said and tried to calm her down with that.
"He's fine? Alex is okay"? Alex grabbed the phone almost crying himself. "Mom? Mom it's me. Are you okay"?
"Oh.. oh god Alex! Alex sweetie are you okay? Oh my God.. I thought.. I thought you would be dead.. I saw you falling down.. and I'm so sorry .. I .. that's too much", she cried, almost freaking out. That was too much for her. First losing her child than getting it back all of sudden was terrible and wonderful at the same time.
She couldn't stop the tears flooding down her cheeks. He was alive. Her son was okay. "Mom! Dad, John and I will come to get you out okay?" Rick smiled gladly and took the reciever out of his sons shaking hands again.
"I have to hang up Honey. But I'll see you in a few minutes alright"? "O.. okay..bring Alex.. you'll bring Alex with you okay? I have to see him Rick. As long as I don't see him I don't believe it", she answered and started to get control over herself again.
Rick smiled and remembered the first time he talked with her. "Yeah I know. You believe in what you can see and what you can touch but in nothing else, right? But I really thought our little adventures with Mister Mummy would have kind of healed you from that", he said and laughed slightly.
"Don't think so Honey. I don't think so", she repeated and for the first time since, what seemed like ages to her, she could smile again.
A/N: Okay I hope you liked it! Please, please review.. otherwise I'll start begging! *g*
