The Afters

ch 20

Holly Stoppable ran for dear life. She couldn't get away no matter how hard she tried. It was like a large steep mountain was in front of her, her downfall had come. The ring closed tightly around her skinny finger. The gem was starring right back at her, with Jeffery's mocking face posted inside it. And to think she felt feelings towards him, the most desirable feelings anyone would ask for. Her mind told her to run, though her heart told her to seek guidance in the person she mistook.

"Jacob."

Meanwhile

"Kim," the doctor called from outside the door, "Right this way."

With the help of Ron, Kim walked over into the examination room which smelled of bleach and sterilized equipment.

"Alright," the bald old doctor began, "So Ron what have her symptoms been?" he tried his best to sound positive.

"Well, she's forgetting a lot of things, she complained I didn't call her during the last three weeks when I did. And she forgot my name a long time ago, and that very same day she was just sitting on our bed starring at the wall. It sounds odd I know but-"

"We'll," the doctors face turned grim, "We'll have to run some test. Ron can you wait outside a little, this shouldn't take too long."

Ron looked at Kim who was still holding his hand. She gave a look that said "go ahead I'll be fine."

With that, Ron was released and headed out the door.

Jacob...

Jacob walked down the road slowly. He was the only sad face on the avenue where the theater and other shops were located. He waited for Holly to emerge from Medieval Sponges of Doom, but when he saw her laughing happily with Jeffery, he believed it was not the good thing to do. Looking ahead, he saw many happy couples, young and old, even a cute little pair of young children holding hands. The radio that played around the Avenue was playing an old song, but the words made him think deeply.

I know, we've been, friends forever

"Holly and I are the ideal best friends, we met when we were really little and know everything about eachother."

But now I think I'm feeling something totally new.

"Jealous, I mean, now I understand what it's like to lose your best friend."

And after all this time, I opened up my eyes now I see, you were always with me.

"I, I don't like her do I? No, it can't be that kind of like. She's my best friend."

Could it be, you and I never imagined.

"I never thought about it, did she?"

Could it be, suddenly, I'm falling for you?

"I can't be-"

Could I be, you were right here besides me, and I never knew. Could it be that it's true that it's you.

His eyes shot open, "It is her."

"Jacob!"

He turned around to see Holly, whose hair was in tangles and eyes were blood shot from tears run into him.

"Holly." he held her tight.

"Jacob, It's horrible!"

"What?" he thought she was thinking about the idea of them getting together, "Why?"

"He is..." he tears increased.

"Who? Holly what's going on?" He looked inside a small café that was empty. "Come on, we can talk in here."

Ron...

"Hi Mrs Dr. Possible." Ron smiled weakly at the older woman. She was in her late sixties but was still working at the hospital. Her aged beauty still was shining through, even her gray hair.

"Hello Ron, are you alright?"

"I'm a nervous wreak, I wasn't even this nervous when I saw Andy being born."

"It's probably nothing serious Ron, trust me, I'm a brain surgeon, all people start to lose their memory when they get older."

Ron looked at her sadly and shook his head, "It's not that, when I look into her eyes, I don't see her spirit anymore. I can see it all the time when I look at Holly, but it's gone from Kim."

Mrs. Possible put her hand on Ron's shoulder, "Well, I'm sure Kim is going to be just fine, and don't start believing it's your fault."

"Why would I say that?"

"I'm a mother, I think I can tell."

"Something warm, two caramel apple ciders please." Jacob ordered at the register. A minute later he handed the upset Holly a small cider with a hint of caramel and whipped cream.

"Thanks," she whipped away her tears.

"Holly, what is it, what did who do?"

"Jeffery..."

Jacob stood up, "Did he hurt you, I swear if he did I'll-"

"No!" Holly reassured, "He did not harm me. Physically.."

Jacob sat back down, "Holly if he broke up with you, you know I will.."

"No, he didn't break up with me, something a hundred times worse."

"What?"

Holly showed her left hand with the ugly platinum ring. This broke Jacob's heart.

"You're- you're getting married?" he choked.

Holly began to cry again, "Against my will!"

"What?"

"He said it's to protect me from his parents...but I see what he's up to. He's trying to get inside my life, to get closer to my mother, then me. So he can destroy us."

Jacob grabbed Holly's hand, "I'll get it off."

"Don't!" Holly retreated, "It won't come off, I've tried, it hurts." she paused, "I'm frightened Jacob. He's after me, I can't escape."

"I'll find a way, we'll find a way, I know we can Holly. We're smart, we can,"

Pause

CRASH

The roof of the café came crashing down. A large machine with long legs and a hovering control pad stood right in front of Holly and Jacob, in the control's, was Jeffery.

"I've come for my bride." he smirked.

"Get behind me!" Jacob demanded as he pushed Holly behind him. "I'll never let you get Holly,"

"And what can you do about it?" Jeffery laughed. "You're not strong! You're just a so-called pretty face. Couldn't even fight out of a bag!"

Holly stepped forth, "Shut up! He saved my life!"

"Oh what is he a life guard?"

"No! He's my best friend!"

"WELL I'M YOUR BOYFRIEND!"

"I NEVER SAID THAT!"

"FACE IT HOLLY ANN! YOU DITCHED HIM FOR ME!"

"No," Jacob moved in front of her, "If anyone deserves to be punished it's me. Because I was foolish enough to believe that. BUT LEAVE HER OUT OF IT! You don't deserve her."

"And I suppose you do?" Jeffery laughed once more.

"I-" Jacob blushed while scratching his hair. Holly looked at Jacob, then Jeffery. Suddenly everything was clear.

Holly took his hand, "YES HE DOES!"

"WHAT!"

"What?"

Suddenly, Holly did something, something she thought she would never find the courage to do. She kissed Jacob, right on his lips. Jacob held her in his arms, so differently then he ever did. Holly felt the ring become heavier on her finger. She had to let go of this sweet feeling to ease the pain on her finger. She felt her body become limp as she landed on the floor, feeling dead.

"Holly, Holly wake up." Jacob shook her body softly. She did not respond. Rage began to flow through his veins, feeling newly wielded strength, he climbed up to the platform to find Jeff, already ready.

"By her will or not, she will be mine." his eyes turned a dark color which seemed to represent an almost red color.

"I don't think so." and thus Jacob began to fight, for Holly's right to love.

Ron...

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"Wade?" Ron reached into his pocket, "Wade I can't do a mission now, get Holly.."

"Ron that's the problem!" An older more muscular Wade appeared (similar to his ASIT look)

"What! Wade, where's Holly?" Ron shook the communicator.

"INCOMING, EMERGENCY!" the hospital doors flung open, and in came several doctors, along with Jacob running besides a stretcher.

"Holly!" Ron switched the communicator off.

"Mr. Stoppable." Kim's doctor appeared.

"Doctor, my daughter, I have to-"

"Ron, I need to speak to you, and your wife." The doctor took off his large glasses and whipped them on his blouse.

"Holly-"

"This hopefully, won't take long."

Sadly, Ron walked behind the doctor who led him back into the examination room where Kim was sitting in a hospital robe humming while twirling her hair. She smiled at Ron who sat down besides her, but the doctor sighed as he sat down in a small gray chair.

"There really is no positive way to put this I'm afraid. But Kim has been showing signs of one of the most horrible diseases in the world."

Holly and Jacob...

A little while later...

"Jacob?" Holly moaned.

Jacob flung himself next to Holly. "Holly." he sighed.

"Why am I in the hospital?"

"You, you got hurt." he rubbed her hand, "But your better now."

"Where's Jeffery?"

Jacob smiled, "He nor his family will be bothering you for some time." he touched her hand, "But look, the rings off."

"How?" she coughed.

Jake blushed, "I fought with Jeff, there was a control there. But it wasn't the ring that hurt you."

"Huh?"

Jacob held up the ring which was on a chain. "The gem, is a rare but lethal gem. It contains a poisonous substance that can kill if it gets into the bloodstream. The ring got tighter on you because it was sinking into your skin, getting into the blood. He was trying to kill you."

"Love hurts."

"Not in all cases." Jacob smiled, but then remembered, "Holly, back in the café, did you, well, did you really want to, I mean.."

"Yes." Holly blurted out. "It was meaningful."

Jacob jumped, "REALLY!" his face turned pink, "I, I mean, well, you know I've kinda, you know I-"

"I understand." Holly held his hand.

"COOL! So are we?"

"Yes."

"YES!" Jacob flung his arms around her.

"Daddy." Holly let go to find a crying Ron standing in the doorway. "Daddy, daddy what's wrong?"

Ron sniffed sadly as he looked at the younger version of Kim, he tried to get the words out but he could only get out one,

"Alzheimer's"