Disclaimer: Again, everything belongs to NBC, except for the people I mentioned in earlier chapters. I don't believe that there's anyone new in this story. Except for Will E. Coyote and Road Runner. They're not mine either. Those belong to Warner Brothers.
Author's Note: This chapter came out really fast. I was kind of surprised by myself. Thanks for all the great reviews. I really appreciate it. You've all been so nice, and I really hope I can keep the story interesting. Okay. I'm done.
Will E. Coyote had just gotten a new package from ACME, which was bound to blow up in his face. Sure enough, the coyote hefted a large cannon out of the box. He set the cannon up to fire at the Road Runner as he was going by. He lit the ignition, stepped back, closed his eyes, and put his fingers in his ears. Just before the cannon was to fire, Road Runner ran by, and his speed caused the cannon to flip over, invariably pointed itself directly at Will E. Coyote, who, at just that point, opened his eyes, saw what was about to happen, and raised up his little sign that simply said, "Help!".
Sam, Emily, and Charlie, lying on the floor in front of the television, all giggled as the cannon blew up in the coyote's face. Bosco, who was sitting on the Yokas' couch, couldn't understand what the comedic appeal of this show was, but it was such a great sound to hear Sam laughing. It seemed like all she had been doing lately was crying. She really needed this break. Faith had insisted that he and Sam stay with her while the incident at his apartment was investigated. Bosco had been resistant at first, but she had been very persuasive.
The first thing that Bosco had told the police about when they had arrived at the apartment was the phone call he had received. He was convinced that it was Gordon Sharp, but, when traced, the number had been from a deactivated cell phone. The bullets had come from an apartment at the building across the street, and no one had seen anyone go in or out of that residence. There was no proof that Sharp was even in New York City. There was nothing Bosco could do, except wait.
Laughter erupted again from the group on the floor, and Bosco found himself smiling at his daughter's joy. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Faith, sharing a smile at the giggles from the floor.
"Hey guys," Faith said to the kids. "What should we do today?"
"Zoo!" they all screamed at once, turning, for the first time that morning, away from the television.
The zoo was very crowded, but it was Saturday, so it was to be expected. The kids all wanted to see different things. Emily wanted to see the polar bears. Charlie was crazy about the monkeys. All Sam wanted to visit was the dolphin tank. They saw all of those animals and more, and they had never had a better time.
They were on their way to the snake house, when Sam was separated from them. She hadn't gone far, but it frightened Bosco. He spotted her a few yards away, next to a bench by the flamingos.
"Sammi!" he called to her. "Over here! Come on!" She turned to meet his eye and walked towards him. Then Bosco saw the movement out of the corner of his eye. It was a man. He was tall and skinny, and his hair was the color of dirty snow. Bosco knew him. He couldn't place his name, until he saw the man reach into his coat pocket. Realization dawned on him.
"SAM!" He screamed. She had stopped walking towards him, being distracted by a rather amusing flamingo, but was startled when her father called her name. She turned to look at him again and saw the panic in his face. "SAM!" He called again. It wouldn't do any good. She was frozen. He saw the glint from the metal of the gun as the man aimed.
Bosco ran for all it was worth, trying to somehow save his daughter. To him, it seemed like he was running so slowly. He had finally reached her when he heard that really really loud bang that Sam had referred to. In the split second that it took the bullet to reach them, Bosco threw himself on top of his daughter. At the same time, he felt the ripping pain in his side. People were shrieking and running, and he thought he heard Faith screaming his name. Oh God, his side was on fire.
He felt his body being slowly turned over and found himself looking into the terror-stricken eyes of Sam.
"Dad, no," she cried, tears once again taking their place on her smooth face. "Daddy, please don't die. I don't want you to leave me!"
"I'm not going anywhere, Sammi," he said softly, reaching his hand up to wipe some of the tears from her face. "I promise you that." Sam nodded, still not convinced. It was her mother all over again.
"Bosco!" Faith yelled, as she finally made her way to them, Emily and Charlie following closely behind with very alarmed looks on their faces. Faith kneeled down next to him and immediately put pressure on the wound in his side. "How are you feeling, Bosco?" she asked.
"I'm alright," he said, putting on a brave face for the kids. The truth was, it really, really hurt. His voice betrayed his calm face as he groaned loudly when Faith pressed harder on the wound. He could already see black starting to cloud his vision. Then, there was a head lying across his chest. Sam's tears fell down her face and plopped onto his t-shirt.
"Shhh," he whispered to her. "It's alright," he said, stroking her hair. "Where is he?" he asked, breathing hard, turning to Faith. "Did anyone get him?"
"I'm sorry Bosco," she said. "I didn't even see him. Whoever it was is gone."
"It was Sharp. It was! I saw him!" he was getting frustrated which was making the pain worse. "We have to get him. I know he's here…" Through his rapidly fading vision, he saw Kim and Bobby making their way toward him. The last thing he saw before he was out was Sam's sorrow filled eyes. Then nothing.