AN: Thank you all for your reviews, awesome comments and threats to seek
Lothor on me if I did not continue. LOL You guys rock and I love ya all!
It was nice to see my faithful readers continue to encourage me and it was
awesome to see some names I haven't seen before drop a line. Thanks again!
Don't stop, I need all the encouragement that I can get to complete the
final chapters of this story as it is drawing near. As far as all of you
that have probably seen my name on a review or two, I promise to make time
to catch up on your stories as well. I have been just so swamped right
now, but I have vacation coming up so, I can catch up then. So, on with
the next chapter.
Chapter 29: Through The Mist & Into The Light
Thick foggy mist was all that he could see. He went from being cold to suddenly warm and it was a nice feeling of warmth. Hunter continued to walk through the mist in search of a way out. He was not even sure where he was, but he could have sworn he heard voices of various people here and there. Not too long ago he thought he heard Tori, but when he called out to her he got no response. Hunter was tired and for some reason he felt weak, but most of all he felt frustrated. He felt like he was stuck in this place for a while and he just wanted out. "Hello! Can anyone hear me?"
'Aw man, what am I going to do?' Hunter asked himself as he continued on.
Back at the hospital
Tori had fallen asleep with her head resting besides Hunter's. She heard the door open and woke up. Her neck was sore from this position she was in. "Hello Doctor."
"Good Evening Ms. Hanson. How are you feeling this evening?"
"Okay."
Dr. Cooper looked at the blond with concern. She had dark bags under eyes and she looked like she had lost a substantial amount of weight, probably from not eating properly. He knew that the blond was stubborn, but she needed to go home and rest even if it were for one night. "Ms. Hanson, may I make a suggestion?'
"If you are going to tell me that I need to go home, then please don't bother. I am not going anywhere until I know that he is okay."
Dr. Cooper felt bad for Tori, but he knew that she really needed some rest...real rest. "Well Tori, Hunter's vital signs are fine. I think that it won't be much longer till he wakes up, but when he does he's going to need you. If you don't go home to rest for at least one night, you'll end up in bed besides your boyfriend hooked up to a bunch of machines like him. How do you think he would feel if he were to wake up and find out that you're a patient here too? I don't think that he would be too happy. So, Ms. Hanson please consider going home tonight.
"You know, Dr. Cooper, I would, but I would feel better if one of my friends were here while I go home."
"Well, I thought you would say that. So, I took the liberty in calling a Waldo Brooks..."
"That's Dustin. Please, just call me Dustin," replied a man in a yellow tee shirt and khaki colored pants as he entered the room.
Tori stifled a laugh from the doctor's mistake in calling Dustin by his real name. "Okay, fine, I'll go home, but I am going to stop by Hunter's place to get some stuff for him. Dustin, promise me that you will call me if there are any changes in Hunter's condition."
Dustin raised his hand and saluted Tori while saying, "Yes, Ma'am!" He then gave Tori a hand up and pulled her into a warm hug. "Please get some rest Tor, you really need it."
Tori pulled her hair back into a quick and messy ponytail. Then she picked up her bag that was in the corner of the room then walked over to Hunter's bed. She brushed a lock of hair out of his face and bent down to kiss him on the lips. She then gave Hunter's hand a quick squeeze and whispered into his ear, "Hey handsome, I am going to go home just for a bit, but I will be back...I promise. Behave for Dustin, okay? I'm pretty sure you will. I love you, Hunter...more than you'll ever know. Bye." Tori then stood up and gave Dustin a quick pat on the shoulder and walked out with the doctor.
After the door closed, Dustin took a seat beside Hunter and started talking to him. "Hey dude, your stubborn girlfriend finally went home, man. I swear you two must have heads made of marble; you're both so hard headed. So... whatcha wanna talk about tonight dude? Let's flip on this darn TV and see if we can find some sports channels or something."
In the meantime at the Nurse's Station Tori and Dr. Cooper are talking. "Um, Ms. Hanson..."
"Dr. Cooper, you can call me, Tori. Ms. Hanson makes me feel old or something. It's too formal."
The handsome doctor flashed his beautiful smile. He stood six feet and three inches tall. He had dark features, like that of an Italian, but Tori had learned over time that he was also part Scottish. He had brown hair and immense brown eyes that you could get lost in. Dr. Cooper placed Hunter's chart under his arm and placed a comforting hand on Tori's shoulder and replied, "Okay Tori, please don't worry about Hunter. One night's rest will do both you and him some good, trust me. I or Waldo...I mean Dustin will give you a call if there are any changes, alright?"
"Yes, Dr. Cooper and thanks for everything." Tori then walked towards the elevator and left the hospital.
Hunter was getting tired and he felt like he was walking in circles when he finally saw something at the end of the winding path. He let out a loud sigh and approached the light that he saw, "Finally a way out. I wonder what's over there?" Hunter then raced in the direction towards the light. As he was about to run to the entranceway that presented three doors he heard someone call out to him...
"Hunter, stop!"
Hunter stopped dead in his tracks, but he was afraid to turn in the direction of where the voice was coming from.
"Hunter, don't be afraid. It's me...Blake. Look at me, bro. I'm right here. You are not seeing things."
Hunter's heart was racing and his breathing became a little ragged as he slowly turned around. He stopped breathing for a second when saw who was standing before him. "Whoa Blake, is that really you?"
"Yep, in the flesh, bro." The two then did their handshake and gave each other a quick hug. "It's been awhile huh, Hunter?"
Hunter ran a hand through his hair and replied, "Tell me about it. What is this place and why can't I go through there?"
"Hunter...um...I don't know how to explain this..." Blake started as he scratched the back of his neck nervously.
"Bro, be up front with me, I'm not dead am I? Is that why I can see you?' Hunter was now becoming nervous and began pacing around the area.
Blake let out a small chuckle and grabbed Hunter by the shoulder and looked at him square in the eyes, "No, you are not dead, but you aren't exactly alive per se either."
Hunter's shoulders then slumped and he asked his brother, "If I am not dead, then what the heck is going on? You better tell me now, Blake Bradley or I will have to beat it out of you."
Blake let Hunter out of his release and threw his hands up in resignation. "No, need for violence. Geez, I've been gone for how long and this is how you welcome me?" Blake said as he heard Hunter let out a low growl. "Alright, I'll give you the low down. It's not going to be all that easy to take in so you better sit."
"Nah Blake, that's okay. I'll stand, just hurry up already." Hunter finished as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Well, you've been in an accident and slipped in to an a coma." Blake paused to make sure Hunter was registering this and then continued on. It's been about a week now and you still have not woken up from it. You have sustained major trauma to your head, but we already knew that...okay, bad joke. So, Tori's been by your side day and night. The rest of the group has been to the hospital to see you too. They refuse to give up on you. So, now you are here...the space between the living and the dead. Now, you need to make a decision. You can continue to walk down that path and towards the light you will find three doors..."
"Dude, three doors? What's behind the three doors? Which one do I choose?"
"Whoa bro, slow down. First of all, down that path are three doors. One will lead you up there and you will be with me. One door will lead you down below to the underworld and the other door will bring you back to the world of the living. The only thing is...I can't tell you which door to chose."
Hunter was now completely frustrated and started pacing frantically in front of the spoken path. "What do you mean, you can't tell me which door to go through? You're my brother for crying out loud! If you can't tell me then what are you doing here? Are you here to watch me pick the wrong door and bid me farewell? I am so confused right now. All I know is, is that I want to wake up and see Tori. I don't care if she doesn't want to be with me or whatever. I will be content with being a live and without her if I have to, I just need to see her. I made a promise to you and to her that I would never leave her alone and I plan to live to see that one through. Bro, I love you, man, but you gave Tori your blessing to be with me and I am not throwing that opportunity away. I know that deep down in my heart that girl and I belong together. We have been through enough and I want to end all these turns and twists of fate. I just want to be with her and no one and nothing is going to stop me. We are connected more than anyone can understand. No offense Blake, but you and I both know that her and I are meant to be together or you would not be here having this conversation with me. So Blake, are you going to help me or not?" Hunter stopped his pacing and stared down at his younger brother.
"Hunter...I..."
AN: What's going to happen next? Do you think that Blake is going to help his brother out even though he know he's not suppose to? Stay tuned and you will soon find out.
Chapter 29: Through The Mist & Into The Light
Thick foggy mist was all that he could see. He went from being cold to suddenly warm and it was a nice feeling of warmth. Hunter continued to walk through the mist in search of a way out. He was not even sure where he was, but he could have sworn he heard voices of various people here and there. Not too long ago he thought he heard Tori, but when he called out to her he got no response. Hunter was tired and for some reason he felt weak, but most of all he felt frustrated. He felt like he was stuck in this place for a while and he just wanted out. "Hello! Can anyone hear me?"
'Aw man, what am I going to do?' Hunter asked himself as he continued on.
Back at the hospital
Tori had fallen asleep with her head resting besides Hunter's. She heard the door open and woke up. Her neck was sore from this position she was in. "Hello Doctor."
"Good Evening Ms. Hanson. How are you feeling this evening?"
"Okay."
Dr. Cooper looked at the blond with concern. She had dark bags under eyes and she looked like she had lost a substantial amount of weight, probably from not eating properly. He knew that the blond was stubborn, but she needed to go home and rest even if it were for one night. "Ms. Hanson, may I make a suggestion?'
"If you are going to tell me that I need to go home, then please don't bother. I am not going anywhere until I know that he is okay."
Dr. Cooper felt bad for Tori, but he knew that she really needed some rest...real rest. "Well Tori, Hunter's vital signs are fine. I think that it won't be much longer till he wakes up, but when he does he's going to need you. If you don't go home to rest for at least one night, you'll end up in bed besides your boyfriend hooked up to a bunch of machines like him. How do you think he would feel if he were to wake up and find out that you're a patient here too? I don't think that he would be too happy. So, Ms. Hanson please consider going home tonight.
"You know, Dr. Cooper, I would, but I would feel better if one of my friends were here while I go home."
"Well, I thought you would say that. So, I took the liberty in calling a Waldo Brooks..."
"That's Dustin. Please, just call me Dustin," replied a man in a yellow tee shirt and khaki colored pants as he entered the room.
Tori stifled a laugh from the doctor's mistake in calling Dustin by his real name. "Okay, fine, I'll go home, but I am going to stop by Hunter's place to get some stuff for him. Dustin, promise me that you will call me if there are any changes in Hunter's condition."
Dustin raised his hand and saluted Tori while saying, "Yes, Ma'am!" He then gave Tori a hand up and pulled her into a warm hug. "Please get some rest Tor, you really need it."
Tori pulled her hair back into a quick and messy ponytail. Then she picked up her bag that was in the corner of the room then walked over to Hunter's bed. She brushed a lock of hair out of his face and bent down to kiss him on the lips. She then gave Hunter's hand a quick squeeze and whispered into his ear, "Hey handsome, I am going to go home just for a bit, but I will be back...I promise. Behave for Dustin, okay? I'm pretty sure you will. I love you, Hunter...more than you'll ever know. Bye." Tori then stood up and gave Dustin a quick pat on the shoulder and walked out with the doctor.
After the door closed, Dustin took a seat beside Hunter and started talking to him. "Hey dude, your stubborn girlfriend finally went home, man. I swear you two must have heads made of marble; you're both so hard headed. So... whatcha wanna talk about tonight dude? Let's flip on this darn TV and see if we can find some sports channels or something."
In the meantime at the Nurse's Station Tori and Dr. Cooper are talking. "Um, Ms. Hanson..."
"Dr. Cooper, you can call me, Tori. Ms. Hanson makes me feel old or something. It's too formal."
The handsome doctor flashed his beautiful smile. He stood six feet and three inches tall. He had dark features, like that of an Italian, but Tori had learned over time that he was also part Scottish. He had brown hair and immense brown eyes that you could get lost in. Dr. Cooper placed Hunter's chart under his arm and placed a comforting hand on Tori's shoulder and replied, "Okay Tori, please don't worry about Hunter. One night's rest will do both you and him some good, trust me. I or Waldo...I mean Dustin will give you a call if there are any changes, alright?"
"Yes, Dr. Cooper and thanks for everything." Tori then walked towards the elevator and left the hospital.
Hunter was getting tired and he felt like he was walking in circles when he finally saw something at the end of the winding path. He let out a loud sigh and approached the light that he saw, "Finally a way out. I wonder what's over there?" Hunter then raced in the direction towards the light. As he was about to run to the entranceway that presented three doors he heard someone call out to him...
"Hunter, stop!"
Hunter stopped dead in his tracks, but he was afraid to turn in the direction of where the voice was coming from.
"Hunter, don't be afraid. It's me...Blake. Look at me, bro. I'm right here. You are not seeing things."
Hunter's heart was racing and his breathing became a little ragged as he slowly turned around. He stopped breathing for a second when saw who was standing before him. "Whoa Blake, is that really you?"
"Yep, in the flesh, bro." The two then did their handshake and gave each other a quick hug. "It's been awhile huh, Hunter?"
Hunter ran a hand through his hair and replied, "Tell me about it. What is this place and why can't I go through there?"
"Hunter...um...I don't know how to explain this..." Blake started as he scratched the back of his neck nervously.
"Bro, be up front with me, I'm not dead am I? Is that why I can see you?' Hunter was now becoming nervous and began pacing around the area.
Blake let out a small chuckle and grabbed Hunter by the shoulder and looked at him square in the eyes, "No, you are not dead, but you aren't exactly alive per se either."
Hunter's shoulders then slumped and he asked his brother, "If I am not dead, then what the heck is going on? You better tell me now, Blake Bradley or I will have to beat it out of you."
Blake let Hunter out of his release and threw his hands up in resignation. "No, need for violence. Geez, I've been gone for how long and this is how you welcome me?" Blake said as he heard Hunter let out a low growl. "Alright, I'll give you the low down. It's not going to be all that easy to take in so you better sit."
"Nah Blake, that's okay. I'll stand, just hurry up already." Hunter finished as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Well, you've been in an accident and slipped in to an a coma." Blake paused to make sure Hunter was registering this and then continued on. It's been about a week now and you still have not woken up from it. You have sustained major trauma to your head, but we already knew that...okay, bad joke. So, Tori's been by your side day and night. The rest of the group has been to the hospital to see you too. They refuse to give up on you. So, now you are here...the space between the living and the dead. Now, you need to make a decision. You can continue to walk down that path and towards the light you will find three doors..."
"Dude, three doors? What's behind the three doors? Which one do I choose?"
"Whoa bro, slow down. First of all, down that path are three doors. One will lead you up there and you will be with me. One door will lead you down below to the underworld and the other door will bring you back to the world of the living. The only thing is...I can't tell you which door to chose."
Hunter was now completely frustrated and started pacing frantically in front of the spoken path. "What do you mean, you can't tell me which door to go through? You're my brother for crying out loud! If you can't tell me then what are you doing here? Are you here to watch me pick the wrong door and bid me farewell? I am so confused right now. All I know is, is that I want to wake up and see Tori. I don't care if she doesn't want to be with me or whatever. I will be content with being a live and without her if I have to, I just need to see her. I made a promise to you and to her that I would never leave her alone and I plan to live to see that one through. Bro, I love you, man, but you gave Tori your blessing to be with me and I am not throwing that opportunity away. I know that deep down in my heart that girl and I belong together. We have been through enough and I want to end all these turns and twists of fate. I just want to be with her and no one and nothing is going to stop me. We are connected more than anyone can understand. No offense Blake, but you and I both know that her and I are meant to be together or you would not be here having this conversation with me. So Blake, are you going to help me or not?" Hunter stopped his pacing and stared down at his younger brother.
"Hunter...I..."
AN: What's going to happen next? Do you think that Blake is going to help his brother out even though he know he's not suppose to? Stay tuned and you will soon find out.