Losing Reason
December was passing by fast. The snow was falling ever so much on the ground. It was ever so lovely (Don't I sound ever so much like Lila from "Hey Arnold!"?). It was the season of giving. The season of family love and togetherness. And best of all…the season of shopping! (I'm in the mall every blue moon, but you have to admit, those sales are hard to resist!)
Anyways…
Bugs and Lola had just about everything done and ready for the big day coming up. They also patched things up with Daffy and Melissa, so there's no more fire between them (phew!). Actually, today they went out as a group to the mall. They were shopping for a few things that they needed. Inside the mall they broke up into pairs. Bugs and Daffy went to check out the CDs, while Lola and Melissa were walking around.
"'Tis the season to be shopping!" sung Lola
"Muh-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!" sung Melissa
"We will shop with no one stopping!"
"Muh-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!"
"Find a sale and find another!"
"Muh-la-la Muh-la-la la la la!"
"It's a season like no other!"
"Muh-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!"
They laughed at their little song.
"Wow, this mall is huge! Where do we start?" asked Melissa
"Lets go to the top and work our way down," suggested Lola
"OK! Lets get started. It's going to take us all day to go through all of the mall!"
Bugs and Daffy were in a Sam Goody checking out the CDs (as I've said before).
"I don't know half of these new artists!" said Daffy looking at the new releases
"Me niddur, dese people got to appreciate da classics," said Bugs staring at a weird looking CD cover.
"What's your favorite kind of music?"
"Hip Hop of course!" he starts to do a little dance and sing, "Hip hop, do it 'till ya drop! Eh…something, something, something, something, duh da duh!"
"OK?" said Daffy a little disturbed, "I like Michael Jackson and Bon Jovi myself."
"Remember when we did dat Michael Jackson song, 'Bad' for dat Karaoke party? (Check chapter 6 to refresh ya memories)"
"Oh yeah!"
Then, on my cue, the song played in the background, and they danced and sang to it.
"Because I'm Bad, I'm Bad-
Come On
(Bad Bad-Really, Really Bad)
You Know I'm Bad, I'm Bad-
You Know It
(Bad Bad-Really, Really Bad)
You Know I'm Bad, I'm Bad-
Come On, You Know
(Bad Bad-Really, Really Bad)
And The Whole World Has To
Answer Right Now
Just To Tell You Once Again,
Who's Bad . . ."
"Man! I feel like I'm in a musical!" complained Daffy
"Dun dun dunnun nun nun!" played Bugs, as in the Shania Twain song.
Meanwhile…
Melissa had dragged Lola into a perfume shop that she spotted out of the corner of her eye. She was admiring the pretty bottles and trying to pronounce the French names. She would also spray the samples on herself like crazy.
"Hey Lo, look at this one 'Femme Fatale' it sounds sexy," said Melissa as she sprayed some on her wrist and sniffed it, and was repulsed by it.
"Let me try," said Lola. Melissa sprayed some on her wrist and Lola sniffed it and was also repulsed, "Yikes! That certainly is fatal!"
"Some of these perfumes are just pure alcohol. If I wanted that, I might as well pour some Bicardi all over me," said Melissa.
"That's not a bad idea…" said Lola as she was going into her own little fantasy.
"Girl, you're drooling," said Melissa, snapping Lola out of her little moment, "we need to get you out of here, and I know just the place."
Melissa grabbed Lola by the hand and led her to the place that Lola could never resist: Modells. "You know me too well!" squealed Lola as she hugged Melissa and pulled her into the store. She was excited like a teenage girl before prom night. "This is my Toys-R-Us!" said Lola as she strolled down the aisles admiring the cool new sports equipment. She saw the team jerseys and the soccer balls. She tried on the boxing gloves and shin guards. She practically fainted at the sight of the punching bags! She was so caught up in excitement that she failed to notice anyone around her, except Melissa who tried to keep up with her. If only she knew that there was someone lurking in the shadows, watching her every move. (Creepy ain't it?)
"Look at these cleats! They're awesome!" chanted Lola
"Those spiked shoes?" asked Melissa
"These are for baseball, you can tell by the spike in the front of the sole,"
"Right," said Melissa trying to sound interested
"(Gasped) Those bats! I got to get one of those new ones!" said Lola rushing to them, with Melissa close behind. Lola picked one up and examined it. Lola got a sudden chill down her spine, she turned around but no one was there.
"What's the matter?" asked Melissa
"Did you ever get the feeling you were being watched?" said Lola turning towards her. Just then a shockingly familiar hand made its way to Lola's shoulder. She quickly turned around and was shocked to see its owner.
"Andy!?" she said with a trace of fear in her voice. It was indeed Andy. His face looked tougher than the last time she saw him, his hair lost its luster, his clothes looked roughed up, but his big green eyes had such a look of evil that it scared her.
"Didja miss me doll?" he said with a crooked smile.
"I can't say that I have," said Lola putting on a brave face.
"I bet you're wondering on how I'm here. To make a long story short, I escaped," he placed his hand on her chin, but she pushed it away, "What? I thought you'd be happy to see me. Oh I see how it is! I'm sure you have a lot on your mind with the wedding and all. Its big gossip that even my prison inmates heard about it. So, to show you how neighborly I am, I'll give you my wedding present ahead of time." He attempted to punch her but she dodged it and punched him in the stomach, but he barely felt it. He grabbed her by her coat and swung her to the shelves that were full of merchandise. She shielded her head as the shelves collapsed on top of her. Andy was about to continue his attack when Melissa tried to smack him but he merely pushed her aside, knocking her to the floor. When he turned around, Lola had emerged from the rubble and came at him with a bat. She swung and hit him on the head, knocking him to the ground. Lola ran to Melissa and helped her up. When she turned to face Andy, he was already getting up!
"I always knew you were hardheaded!" said Lola
"It comes in handy," said Andy (Hey that rhymes!), "other things come in handy, too."
He then reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun. Upon seeing this Lola pushed Melissa out of the way in time for both of them to dodge the shot behind a display case. The bullet shattered some glass and caused a commotion in the store. Lola and Melissa took that opportunity to run out of the store. Andy caught sight of them leaving and gave chase. Lola and Melissa ran down the mall with Andy behind them. He took another shot, nearly missed the girls and hit a column. The gunshot caused a panic in the Mall; everyone was running for cover, while others were looking around trying to see what was happening. Bugs and Daffy noticed the crowd and also walked out of the store to see. Bugs looked over the railing and caught a glimpse of Lola and Melissa running down an escalator. He also saw Andy who had pushed his way through the crowd and attempted to shoot but missed again. Bugs immediately ran down the steps as fast as he could to save his girl, Daffy did the same.
Lola and Melissa reached the outside of the mall and ran down the steps. Lola looked back and saw Andy emerge from the doors and aim right at them. She reacted by pushing Melissa out of the way "Look out!" she yelled. Andy fired the fatal shot. Lola let out a cry of agony as she fell on to the steps and rolled down them until she landed in a drift of snow. Bugs just came from the doors and saw the most horrible sight he had ever seen. His beloved was on the ground, motionless. Flashes from his nightmare filled his head, of the limp figure on the ground, and of the evil shadow. The rage was building in his veins he saw Andy and charged at him full force. Andy was caught off guard and dropped the gun as they both went rolling down the steps. Upon reaching the bottom, Bugs began to beat him like a madman. Terrible yells and screams of anger came from his mouth, he never felt such pain!
Daffy and Melissa were in shock to see this display. Melissa got up from the steps and was on the brink of tears when she saw her friend like that. Daffy dashed down the steps to help Melissa. Melissa checked Lola's pulse, "She's still alive! But barely…she needs help!" she pulled out her cell phone and called 911.
Daffy then saw Bugs beating the crap out of Andy, who was barely conscious. He went down the steps and stopped Bugs, "Beating that jerk isn't going to help Lola." Bugs stopped his punching, because he knew he was right. He got up and looked shamefully down on the beat up Andy. He quickly turned around and went up the steps, to see Lola. He kneeled beside her and lifted her up. When he did, he looked at his glove and saw that it was bloodstained. "Please Lola, speak to me!" he said bringing her closer to his body. He could hardly feel her heart beating.
The police and ambulance arrived. Andy was taken in an ambulance, for he was badly beaten. Lola was placed in a stretcher and carried into a separate ambulance. Bugs was about to go in the ambulance with her but the cop stopped him.
"Sir, we have some questions to ask you," said the cop
"Please let me go wit 'er," pleaded Bugs
"We need to know what went down here,"
"Please officer," said Daffy, "let my friend go with her. I saw everything, I'll answer your questions."
"Fine then," said the officer.
"Tanks Daff," said Bugs
"Anytime. Go, she needs you," said Daffy
Bugs got into the ambulance and it zoomed away. Daffy and Melissa stayed behind to answer the police's questions. By then a crowd had gathered and were wondering what all the shooting was about.
In the ambulance, Bugs was holding on to Lola's hand tightly. He was staring at her the whole trip. His eyes never left her face that was deathly pale. Her chest moved slightly when she breathed and Bugs thought he could feel her heart beating faintly. Its as though his premonition was coming true, in fact… it was.
They arrived at the hospital and Lola was taken to the emergency room. Bugs was not admitted beyond that point. He could only wait outside. He was becoming anxious when no news had arrived. He decided to call Lola's parents; that was one of the most difficult calls he ever had to make.
"Hello?" answered Gladys
"Gladys?" asked Bugs
"Yes, what's the matter dear? You sound worried,"
"Sometin terrible has happened… to Lola."
"What! What happened? Is she alright?"
"She…she was shot," said Bugs not knowing quite how to break it to her.
"WHAT! By who?"
"Andy,"
"ANDY! Oh my goodness! Is she all right? Please tell me she's OK!"
"I wish I could. I'm at da hospital right now but da doctor hasn't even come out of da E.R. yet," said Bugs trying to be brave for Gladys, but his voice was cracking.
"No! Not my baby! This can't be happening! This is all a bad dream!" cried Gladys
"I know what you mean," he sighed.
When Gladys caught her voice after crying hysterically, she managed to ask, "Which hospital are you at?"
"Da Los Angeles General Hospital,"
"We'll be right there,"
"Tanks,"
"Bye,"
"Bye,"
Bugs put his hand over his eyes for tears had been swelling. He just had a vision of his dream again. He saw that evil shadow attack him and heard Lola's screams. He then felt a hand on his shoulder that nearly made him jump out of his skin. It was Daffy.
"Bugs, everything is going to be alright," said Daffy
"I hope so," said Bugs, "I hope so."
After a half hour, Gladys and Larry had arrived into the waiting room. Bugs could see that she was crying. He also saw Larry's usually strong face had a look of worry. When Gladys saw Bugs, she immediately came to him and gave him a hug.
"Are you OK Bugs?" she asked concernedly.
"I'm OK," he answered.
"Please tell us what happened,"
"We were at da mall today, doin' some holiday shopping. Daffy and I were at da music store while Melissa and Lola were wandering about. Next ting I know I hear a commotion outside, so we go out to see what was goin' on. I saw Andy shooting at da girls. Dey were running out of da mall, Daffy and I chased after dem. When I got outside I saw Lola on da ground and Andy with da gun. I lost my mind and attacked dat no good…ugh!" He punched the wall and clenched his fist at the thought, and then he continued, "We both crashed at da bottom and I started to punch da living daylights outta him. If it weren't for Daffy, I probably woulda killed him," related Bugs
"It's a good thing that he stopped you. If you would have killed that bastard, you would be in jail for murder right now,"
added Larry.
"Melissa, you were with Lola when it happened right, can you tell me what happened?" asked Gladys
"Well, Lola and I were at the Modells when that jerk snuck up on us. He threatened us so Lola fought back, but he tossed her to the shelves. I tried to stop him but he just pushed me aside. Then Lola came back at him with a bat and struck him on the head but the big thug just shrugged it off. Then he pulls out the gun on us. We ran as he started to shoot at us. We ran out the mall and that's when he caught up with us. Then he…oh no!" cried Melissa
"What is it Melissa?" asked Daffy.
"It's all my fault! Lola was shot for trying to save me!" cried Melissa. Daffy tried to comfort her by cradling her in his arms and telling her, "No it wasn't your fault. You never meant for this to happen."
"It wasn't your fault Melissa. If I woulda gotten dere sooner, I coulda stopped dis from happenin'," said Bugs
"Now don't you start to blame yourself!" said Larry sternly, "the only person who should get the blame is that bastard Andy. Mark my words he will be punished!" He put his hand on Bugs' shoulder and changed his tone to a more fatherly one and said to him, "You love Lola too much to let anything happen to her on purpose, son, remember that."
The doctor emerged from the emergency room and approached them.
"Bugs?" asked the doctor
"Yes. Please tell me she's gonna be OK, doc," said Bugs
"Lola is going to be just fine. She lost a lot of blood and was knocked unconscious by that fall she took. The bullet hit her side but fortunately it didn't damage her heart."
"Thank goodness," said Gladys
"Can we see her?" asked Bugs
"You can, but only for a short time, she needs to rest," answered the doctor.
"Tanks,"
The doctor led them to the recovery room. They went inside and found Lola on the bed with bandages around her side and a few gadgets attached to her wrist. Once the group had come in, Lola opened her eyes and turned her head towards them. The sight of them bought a smile to her tired face.
"Lola…"started Bugs
"Hey, are you OK Bugs?" said Lola in a weak voice
"I'm fine, you?"
"Tired, but I'll live," she said with a little chuckle, but regretted it cause it hurt her side.
"Baby, you sure you're alright?" asked Gladys
"I'll be OK mom," she said
"Hey kid. You took quite a hit there. How do you feel?" asked Larry
"Like I was run over by a truck," she said with a smile. She turned her attention to Melissa asked, "Melissa, are you alright?"
"I'm perfectly fine, thanks to you," said Melissa trying very hard not to cry.
"What are friends for?"
Larry noticed Bugs' uneasiness then said, "Alright everyone, these two need some time alone." They said their goodbyes and were pushed out by Larry. He closed the door behind him, leaving Bugs and Lola alone.
"Oh Lola! I'm so sorry!" broke down Bugs who couldn't hold back his tears, "I shoulda been there! I shoulda stopped him! I…!" He cried on her bed sheets.
"Oh Bugs!" she hushed him, "I'm know you would have stopped him. But sometimes life throws things at you that you just can't handle. Please don't…"
"But I saw it coming!" he said between sobs
"What do you mean?"
"My dream! I saw it coming!"
"Oh Bugs…please don't cry. You never wished for this to happen. Just because you knew something was going to happen doesn't mean you wanted it to happen," she said feeling a tear run down her cheek.
"It's just dat I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you," he said as he got up and embraced her tightly. As if he
feared losing her forever if he let go. Lola also began to cry and hug him back with the little strength she had left.
"Bugs, you shouldn't blame yourself. Please don't blame yourself. You didn't do this to me," she looked into his eyes, "It hurts me to see you in so much pain. I love you too much."
"I love you more than life itself," he said kissing her tenderly on the lips.
Curious ears were listening at the door. Once they couldn't hear them anymore, Daffy, Melissa, and Gladys had cracked the door a little to peek inside. They saw Bugs asleep and protectively hugging Lola who was also asleep. They didn't have the heart to wake them, so they just left them alone, also because Larry had pulled the nosey people in and closed the door.
Bugs stayed with Lola for as long as he could every single day at the hospital. In time Lola recovered and was able to leave the hospital. Bugs' love for her had grown so much stronger. He was more affectionate with her, but sometimes a little too overprotective. Lola in turn loved him more and more everyday, however she wasn't to thrilled with Bugs' overprotective nature. Eventually she got him to chill and Bugs was back to his old self again.
The wedding day was coming very soon. They were both greatly anticipating their big day.
(JC the Wabbit: Aren't we all?)