Abe was back in the hospital room, something that surprised absolutely no one. Hellboy had distracted him with breakfast and then handed him off to John Meyers who was having some difficulty with his paperwork. Abe knew what they were doing and he appreciated it, but it didn't mean he wouldn't go right back when they were finished. This was different though, this time he was going in with a distinct purpose. He was going to find out why he'd heard her voice, even if it killed him.
He took his seat and placed his hand on a pale arm. There were no images, no memories this time however. This time he searched. He let his mind reach out and do what he hated doing uninvited. As where most people's minds were a jumble of thoughts, her's was simply darkness. He was beginning to feel rather foolish when he heard her again.
"Abe, is that you?"
He was too surprised to respond.
"Please don't leave this time, it's so lonely here." The voice was a little more empty and pleading than he'd ever heard it before, but it was definitely Crys.
"Crys? Yes it's me, I'm here."
"I know." He could almost detect a smile in her voice. "You've been here the whole time, showing me things I'd forgotten."
"So it worked then, you were responding."
"Yes, it worked. I was losing myself you know… it's easy to do here."
"But where is here? Is this your mind? Why is it so dark?"
It was unusual for Abe to ask so many questions, but since he was already seemingly in the mind of Crys's body, he wasn't able to probe her consciousness at all. It scared and confused him in equal proportions.
"I think so, but it isn't always dark. Sometimes I see things, the images you send me. I try and remember them on my own but they get all muddled. I think my body is dying Abe, and it's taking my mind with it."
"No, you aren't dying. You don't seem to be getting any better, but you aren't getting worse either," Abe insisted.
"You're relying on the knowledge of machines. Electronic readings, reports, files, printouts, they all mean nothing to me here."
"But they mean something to the doctors. You're being taken good care of."
"Maybe. I guess we'll find out before too long won't we? I don't think it will be much longer, I can feel bits of my consciousness fading."
"That's only because you aren't using it," Abe reasoned, not sure if this was the truth or not.
"Maybe," Crys repeated. "But now you can talk to me, and how could I die with such a lovely conversationalist on my side?"
Abe couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm tired," Crys said, seriousness once again invading her tone. "Please come talk to me again, I'm afraid this darkness is going to drive me mad."
"Of course I will. You said it yourself, I've been here the whole time. Why would I leave now?"
"Thank you."
And it ended. Abe was jolted back to the world of hospital beds and a dozen buzzing and beeping machines. He was also exhausted, even to the point that he had a hard time getting up.
Still, he managed to stumble out into the hall, and leaning on the wall for support he started off towards his quarters. Halfway there he was spotted by Liz, who ran to his aide.
"Abe, what's wrong?"
He tried to speak but failed. Whatever happened in that hospital room had drained almost all of his energy and made him wish he'd worn his respirator. He didn't normally wear it unless he was on a mission, but he was afraid he'd have to start.
With Liz's help Abe managed to get into his room and the tank he slept in. While he rested for a few minutes, Liz glanced at his many bookshelves and found an old photo album to look through.
"I talked to her," Abe finally said.
"You what?"
"I talked to her. I spoke and she spoke back."
"She's awake?"
"No. We didn't speak like that. It was like I was inside her mind."
Liz tried to process the information. "You mean you talked to her telepathically?"
"I don't know. I don't think so, neither of us can do that. But I am able to look into other people's minds."
"And right now that's all she's got."
"Exactly. I think that might be why we were able to talk. But it exhausted me, as you saw."
"Well I'm not surprised. You hardly sleep, you hardly eat… you look like hell."
"Thanks."
"You know what I mean. We're all worried about you and now you might be able to see why. Besides, now you have no choice but to sleep and eat."
"I have to talk to her again. She thinks she's dying. I tried to tell her otherwise but she's right, there's only so much the doctors can do to keep track of her consciousness. She could wake up to be a totally different person and have no idea who she is."
Liz nodded. "Then you should rest. I'm going to go talk to HB about this, see what he thinks. I'll bring you something to eat in a little bit and you better be in here when I get back."
Abe would have replied was he not already asleep.
End part 2.
A/N: I'll be honest, the idea of movie-verse Abe asking so many questions does bother me, but I suppose even a super intelligent psychic can get befuddled at times. Other than that I think I'm pleased overall with this so far.
