Sinking Deeper Part 4


The next month was an exercise in patience. Abe had been temporarily suspended from all missions unless absolutely necessary due to the strain visiting Crys put on his body. He hated that it had come to that, but he reasoned that without him visiting her Crys could possibly lose focus and let her mind die.

Unfortunately as the third month closed in things were taking a turn for the worst. Crys's body was slowly beginning to shut down just as she'd feared.

It was during breakfast that Hellboy approached Abe with his idea.

"Red, I can't simply pull someone from a coma."

"Why not?" Hellboy asked. "Not too long ago you'd have said you couldn't take to someone telepathically and you are."

"This is different."

"Which is my point. What's the worst that could happen if you tried?"

"Well, she could die," Abe stated plainly.

"How much longer is she going to live like she is? Just think about it, ask her."

Abe nodded and excused himself from the room, turning the idea over in his brain. It actually made sense, but it would be very dangerous. He'd have to ask Crys about it before he even considered a course of action.

"Abe what's wrong?" Crys asked as soon as Abe was able to connect with her.

"Things aren't looking good."

"It's happening isn't it? I really am dying this time."

He nodded grimly. "But Red has an idea and though it could work the chances are slim."

"What is it?"

He explained what Hellboy had suggested, adding his own insight to clarify things a bit. He wanted to make sure she understood the risk they'd be taking.

"What have we got to lose? If it doesn't work I'm most likely dead soon anyway."

Her blunt answer didn't surprise him, but it stung. He wondered if she had any idea what she'd be leaving behind if she died.

"So when can we do this?" She asked.

"Not now, I've already used a lot of energy talking to you. This isn't as tiring as it used to be, but it still takes a lot out of me. Tonight maybe, after I've rested."

There was little in the way of hope in Abe's voice and Crys picked up on it. Maybe she was foolish for getting her hopes up, but she really didn't have any other choice.

"Thank you for being such a good friend to me," she said, sitting next to Abe and placing a hand on his arm. "I know I probably don't deserve it but-"

"Crys, don't." This was not the time for last goodbyes, not now.

As was her nature, she ignored his plea. "Without you I probably would have died weeks ago. I would have just given up. I'm not the tough fighter people seem to think I am."

He might have cried if he had the capability. Instead he simply put his arm around her when she rested her head on his shoulder.

They sat in silence for a while, neither sure what to say. Finally Crys lifted her head and looked up at him.

"You should probably go," she said. "You need to rest."

That was a change from Abe's normal telling Crys the same thing. "You're probably right."

Before he could stand she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Next time I do that it will be the real me, I promise."



It was ten o'clock pm and the entire team was gathered around Crystal Carlson's bed. Abe could feel how nervous everyone was without even trying, but it in no way matched how he felt.

He sat next to the bed and gave his last instructions. "Whatever happens do not interrupt me. And your first priority is her, I'm in much better shape than she is."

When everyone agreed he rested both hands on her arm. This time instead of calling out to her she was already there waiting.

"Time to go," eh said, taking her hand in his.

She smiled but was unable to move. "I don't know if I can."

"I need you to fight. You say you aren't a fighter but you are. You can do this."

He pulled with his mind, almost losing his grip on her several times. She was trying her hardest to help but he could finally see what she meant when she had said she felt like she was drowning. The darkness threatened to swallow her whole but Abe would be damned if he'd let that happen.

From the side of the bed Meyers was the first to notice Crys twitch. It soon went from a single twitch to her entire body shaking. Liz held tight to Hellboy's shirt and they all watched and waited in anticipation.

What seemed like hours passed, but in reality it was only about ten minutes. Abe's strength was rapidly draining and he only thought he had enough left for one final tug. He'd have to do it then or risk losing her forever.

Putting every last ounce of his energy into it he pulled. His brain felt ready to explode but he pressed on, fully intending to pass out long before he'd ever give up.

Suddenly Crys stopped shaking, and the others watched as Abe was knocked backwards by an unseen force. They watched and waited, no one daring to even take a breath.

"Am I dead?" Said a frail voice, rusty from months of silence.

The entire room seemed to exhale at once.

Liz gave her friend's arm a light squeeze. "You're okay."

Hellboy looked a little dazed, finally explaining why by his utterance of: "It actually worked."

While everyone else was reacting to Crys's awakening Meyers bent down to see how Abe was doing.

With a considerable amount of difficulty Crys managed to sit up, and upon doing so she saw Abe on the floor. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh no. Please…"

"He's alive, he just passed out. He should be fine after he's gotten some rest." Meyers said, smiling at her relief.

Rest. Crys felt exhausted herself but rest was the last thing she wanted. All she'd been doing for almost three months was resting, and on top of that she was afraid that if she closed her eyes she'd slip back into darkness. "I never thought I'd see you all again," she said softly. "I thought for sure I was going to die right here in this bed. It's nice to be back."

"And it's a good thing too because I think I'm going to need a vacation after carrying Abe's share of the work," Hellboy joked.

Meyers looked up. "Well it will be a while before her strength comes back, her muscles are probably pretty weak."

Hellboy smiled. "I think we can manage for a little while longer. But when you're back, I'm taking a break."

The End