It's here! The third chapter! I think I put this chapter up in record time, at least for this one; one week. That's good, right?
Well anyway, thank you to those who reviewed; and to those who answered my question about the character names, I really appreciate it!
Now on with the story!
Chapter 3
Dr. Jakes leads the small crowd to the third floor to room three-fifty. He stops in front of the door and turns to the guests.
"Now, I'm glad to say that Richie's condition is getting better; but by only a little." Dr. Jakes says. "It's not enough to bring a smile to my face, but it's better than nothing."
Everyone nods.
"I was wondering if any of you can try to get Richie to eat something." Dr. Jakes says. "Everyone here tried everything and we can't get Richie to eat. We're not to the condition of feeding tubes yet."
"We'll be more than happy to try." Sharon says speaking for everyone.
Everyone nods again in agreement.
Dr. Jakes smiles and opens the door; he peaks in and signals for everyone to follow him in.
When they enter, they see Richie on the bed; he's looking out the window at the city lights, he's not aware of the presents of the guests.
"I'll leave you be." Dr. Maxwell says as he heads to the door. "Good luck…" With that, he leaves the room.
Hotstreak tries to make his way to Richie; but he's rudely pushed out of the way by Virgil. Virgil makes his way to Richie's side, Hotstreak is glaring at him; Mr. H is shaking his head.
Richie finally senses the presents of others in the room and turns his head to the others; the first person he sees is Virgil, a smile comes to his lips.
Virgil can't help but smile himself; he's glad that Richie is still able to smile after what he has been through.
"Hey Richie…" Virgil says as he sits down on a chair beside Richie's bed.
Richie doesn't say anything, he just looks at Virgil.
"Oh Richie, I'm so sorry that I wasn't there…" Virgil says as he puts his head in his hands.
Richie keeps looking at Virgil, then he reaches over and brushes Virgil's hair in an attempt to comfort him. Virgil looks at Richie, a tear comes to his eye; he's here trying to comfort Richie and Richie is comforting him.
While Mr. H looks at this, he stands next to Hotstreak.
"Francis, go over and say hi to Richie." Mr. H whispers. "I bet he's waiting for you."
"I don't know Mr. H…" Hotstreak whispers. "I mean, what if he's more intent on seeing Virgil than me."
"There is only one way to find out." Mr. H whispers; he gives Hotstreak a little shove and he's on his way.
Sharon walks up next to her father.
"You really believe that Francis isn't the one who did this to Richie." Sharon says.
"No, I don't believe he did it." Mr. H says. "And I know that you don't believe he did it either."
Sharon sighs.
"No… I don't." Sharon says. "But it's going to be awhile before Virgil will ever believe that Francis didn't hurt Richie."
Mr. H nods in agreement with his daughter.
The moment Hotstreak gets close enough to Richie to at least say hi, Virgil glares at him; he doesn't notice Richie's smile.
"H-Hotstreak…" Richie stutters as he smiles.
Hotstreak stands next to Virgil and looks down at Richie.
"Hey Rich…" Hotstreak says. "You're feeling better now?"
Richie nods.
Hotstreak pulls up another chair that's near Richie's bed and sits down on it beside Virgil.
"Richie, you don't have to say it now; but who hurt you?" Hotstreak asks.
"I don't know…" Richie whispers.
Mr. H makes his way to the three, trying to hear about anything that can help out with this mystery.
"I-I can't re-remember anything…" Richie whispers as he begins to cry.
"Don't worry about it Richie…" Hotstreak says. "It's okay…" He holds onto Richie's hand.
Richie brushes his tears away and looks at Hotstreak.
Virgil gets up and goes over to the other side of the room to the others.
"So, do you still think Hotstreak did it?" Darrel asks.
Virgil gives his lover a glare and playfully punches him.
"I have to admit, I don't think he did it." Virgil says as he looks at the two.
"Well, all we have to do now is keep Richie away from his parents and find out who did this to him." Sharon says. "But there is already another problem; when Richie's parents find out, what are we going to do?"
"I'll deal with that." Mr. H says.
Mr. H is worried about this too; Richie's parents are nothing about abusive bastards. Richie ever since he was little has been abused by both his mother and father (Rich's parents will be OOC in this story). Richie's father is raciest; he thinks that because he's pure blooded American that he's one of God's supreme children; he beats Richie constantly to the point of Richie not being able to walk for a few days.
Then there is Richie's mother, she's a loudmouthed twit. She doesn't physically abuse Richie, she verbally abuses Richie. Sometimes because of that abuse, Richie refuses to speak. All of this from both parents and the rape will really take a told on the poor boy.
Mr. H swears that he will keep those two away from Richie; no one deserves what Richie is getting.
Hotstreak gently strokes Richie's hand and slowly Richie's crying ceases; then, his stomach growls. Richie blushes as Hotstreak laughs.
"You're hungry?" Hotstreak asks.
Richie nods.
"But I d-don't want t-to eat…" Richie whispers.
"Why?" Hotstreak asks.
"I can't eat so much…" Richie whispers. "Anytime I eat I feel like throwing up."
"Well, at least try to eat a few bites." Hotstreak says. "A few bites of food won't make you throw up."
Richie thinks for a moment before nodding.
"Alright, just a little bit." Richie whispers.
Hotstreak smiles at Richie and turns to the others.
"Can one of you get someone to bring in some food?" Hotstreak asks.
"I'll get some food for him." Darrel says; he turns to the door and walks out.
Sharon looks at Richie, then turns to her father again.
"Daddy, why is Richie whispering everything he says?" Sharon asks.
"The trauma from what happened hasn't fully lifted." Mr. H says. "Let's just be happy that he's talking now."
Sharon nods and turns to her brother.
"You owe Francis one big apology." Sharon says. "He's not the one who did this to Richie, but he will be the one who helps him out the most."
Virgil scoffs and turns away from his sister. Sharon smiles, she knows she's right.
A moment later, Darrel comes back into the room with a tray of food in hand; he walks over to Hotstreak and hands him the tray.
"Hey Richie…" Darrel says.
"Hi…" Richie whispers.
"You're willing to eat now?" Darrel asks.
Richie nods.
When Hotstreak lifts the lid off the food and the smell comes to Richie's nose; his stomach growls louder than before. Everyone stares at Richie and Richie turns the other way blushing furiously.
"C'mon Richie, eat some of this; you know you want it." Hotstreak says as he settles the tray onto Richie's lap.
Richie takes the fork from the side of the tray and begins to nibble on the food.
Hotstreak rolls his eyes, then glares at Richie.
Richie sees the glare and eats the food immediately; bite after bite until only half of it remains on the plate.
"I don't want to eat anymore." Richie says as he shoves the tray away from him.
Hotstreak, satisfied by the amount Richie has eaten picks up the tray; Sharon takes the tray from Hotstreak and goes out to give it to one of the pick up crews.
Dr. Jakes comes in a moment later.
"I see that you have eaten well tonight Richie." Dr. Jakes says. "If you keep this up, you'll be out sooner than planned."
Richie doesn't speak, he only nods.
Dr. Jakes checks over Richie; Hotstreak heads over to the others.
"Hotstreak, I'm…I'm…" Virgil tries to say what he's about to say, but he just can't let it out.
"Apology accepted…" Hotstreak says.
Virgil nods and gives a small smirk.
"Visiting hours will be over in about fifteen minutes." Mr. H says looking at his watch. "We'll have to get going in a short while."
Just then, Sharon walks in and walks over to Richie.
"Hey Richie, how are you doing?" Sharon asks.
Richie smiles at Sharon.
"I'm doing fine…" Richie whispers.
Sharon smiles, she moves closer to Richie; bends down and places a kiss on his forehead.
"Eat more, you hear?" She says. "You need to build up your strength…"
Richie nods.
"I'll leave you with Francis now; have a good night's rest." She says, she places another kiss on Richie's forehead and walks back to the others.
Just then, a nurse comes in.
"I'm sorry to say this…" The nurse says. "But visiting hours are drawing to a close now."
"Alright, just give us a minute to say bye to Richie…" Mr. Hawkins says.
The nurse nods and heads out; leaving everyone with Richie.
Everyone comes over and says bye to Richie; one by one, the leave, leaving Hotstreak with Richie.
"Goodnight Richie, I'll be back soon." Hotstreak says as he gets up.
Richie looks up at him with a smile on his face, but tears in his eyes that refuse to fall.
Hotstreak sees this and bends down to Richie; he draws closer to Richie's face until Richie can feel his breath on his face. Gently, Hotstreak kisses Richie's eyes, kissing the tears away; then places on small kiss at his lips. Both of them feel a small spark of something when that happened.
Hotstreak pulls away and looks into Richie's eyes.
"Goodnight Rich…" Hotstreak says; he places a kiss on Richie's forehead and turns to leave.
"Goodnight Francis…" Richie says; a slight blush coloring his cheeks.
Hotstreak opens the door; but before stepping out, he turns to Richie and winks; then he heads out.
Richie sits on his bed, looking at the door as it closes. He slowly lies down and looks up at the ceiling; enjoying the tingling that still remains on his lips from the kiss. Soon, sleep captures him; he dreams of his knight in flames.
To be continued…
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Happy Easter everyone!