Disclaimed: I own NOTHING!
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Seduction of Summer
Chapter 6: With wind comes change
I'm pulled down by the undertow,
I never thought I could feel so low,
and, oh, darkness, I feel like letting go.
- Sarah McLachlan, Full of Grace
A buzzing sensation shot through my right arm, and jolted me from my sleep. Half awake, I reached under the pillow my arm had been cuddling only moments before, while dreaming about Maddie dressed in a wonderful little number, and quickly checked the caller ID. It read Jack Mobile calling.
Why on earth would Jake be calling at this time of the night, I thought to myself, before unzipping the door of the tent and stepping outside quickly so I didn't wake Ric up.
Answering the phone in a hushed tone so I didn't wake Ric up, I said in an irritated voice, "Why are you calling so late Jack? Don't you know some people actually like to sleep at night?"
"There isn't time for this now Luke, something's happened. Dad and Beth have been in a car accident. Some dick head driver was speeding along the road, and got distracted by his girlfriend and hit their car. They are both in a critical condition at the hospital. I've been ringing…."
I stopped listening, my heart rate had accelerated to a million miles a minute and I was gasping for breath. I couldn't loose Dad. I just couldn't.
My thoughts were swirling around and around, but I could hear Jack's voice on the end of the phone yelling "Luke, Luke are you there?"
Getting it together, I answered into the phone "Yeah, what do you want me to do?"
"Well, its not good for you to travel at night, so go back and try to rest, and come home first thing in the morning. You have to keep calm her Luke. Worrying about Dad won't do anything to help him, and neither will you getting hurt. I'm serious, stay put until morning, and let Ric drive you home, he won't speed like you would."
I agreed to this, just to make him happy, and we said a quick goodbye. Stumbling back into the tent and lying down on my sleeping bag, I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep.
Millions of thoughts were rushing though my head a mile a minute.
Dad.
Dad in a car accident.
In a critical condition.
In hospital.
With Beth.
How on earth was I going to tell Tilly, when I couldn't even compose myself with no one else around? She would be devastated. She and Beth were completely close; being the only two Hunters left in the house after the rest of the clan had disappeared.
They often left Dad and I stumped for what they could talk about for hours on end, but I guessed there was a wide range of topics that was only there for mother/daughter bonding.
After everything that had happened this year, these summer holidays were supposed to be all time. They were supposed to be filled with fun and devoid of drama.
Instead, everything was turning out wrong. Everything was crashing down on us, and I couldn't keep my head up any more.
Fate had already filled their cruel quota for a year, why did they have to keep coming back for more and more?
Tossing and turning for many hours, thoughts like this filled my head, until I saw peaks of early sunlight coming through cracks in the tent near the ground. Deciding that laying around hoping that by some miracle, I would pass out was useless, I pushed myself up, and quickly changed into jeans and a shirt, stepping outside the tent as quietly as possible.
As I turned around the watch the sunrise, I became shocked. It appeared I wasn't the only early riser this morning.
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I turned around to see Luke coming from the boys' tent. I smiled shyly at him, before motioning for him to come and join me.
He walked over and sat down next to me, looking out to the horizon, just as I was.
"Couldn't sleep either?" I asked, as Luke shook his head at me. We watched the sun rise in a contemplative silence, until Luke broke it, speaking in a low tone.
"Dad and Beth were in a car accident last night. They are in hospital. We've got to get back as soon as possible"
I was shocked. There was nothing I could say or do to make him feel better, so instead I asked "Why didn't you wake us all last night, we could've been back by now."
"Jack didn't want us traveling at night' he replied 'He was worried about us making mistakes and rushing to get back and just getting hurt ourselves. It made sense at the time, but then I spent the rest of the night awake, with horrible visions going though my head. But now I think its about time we woke the other two up and get moving. I need to tell Tilly, will you be alright telling Ric?" he asked, concerned.
His dad is in hospital and he's still worried about me? He's some friend… that's for sure. "I'll be fine, you just go get Maddie." I said, giving him a quick hug before getting up and running to the tent. Bursting through the opening, I jumped on Ric's bed for a total of five seconds before I heard his usual grumbling.
"Shut it.' I said quickly 'Tony and Beth have been in an accident. Jack rang Luke in the middle of the night and told him. He also told him to stay put till morning, as it would be safer to drive then. So now it's morning, and we need to pack everything away and get on the road ASAP" I finished as I continued to shove stuff into my bag and began to let down the air that was in the air mattress.
To his credit, Ric didn't need to be told twice. Our bags and sleeping stuff was packed away within ten minutes, and our tent was down in another ten.
Watching Ric do this with such conviction, I saw that he was truly worried for our friends. While our situation had been different, we could both sympathise with what they were feeling, the complete and utter fear of losing a parent.
In Maddie and Luke's case, their only remaining parent. I got that familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach that I had gotten with Flynn. It hurt, know those you loved were injured and you couldn't fix it.
Although at the speed Ric was going at, we would be at that hospital within an hour and Luke and Maddie would at least know how their conditions were. Hopefully by the time we reached them at hospital they would be out of critical and well on their way to recovery.
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Cassie was staring off into space as I continued to pack the car. Knowing that, the sooner Maddie and Luke knew what was going on with their parents, the better. So I was packing everything up and quickly as possible.
But I also wanted to prove myself to Cass.
I wanted her to see that I knew they would be in pain if they didn't find out what was going on. I wanted her to know I was sorry, but I just couldn't bring myself to have that conversation with her. Instead I was letting my actions speak, which was also proving to be a good distraction from the conversation that had haunted me since yesterday.
Hearing a noise behind me, I looked up to see Luke carrying two bags towards the car. He threw them at me, before telling me quickly that he'd finish the tent up, and asked if I could go and sort out our kitchen. I nodded at him before putting the bags into the car.
Looking over at Cass once more as I walked to our kitchen, I saw she now had Maddie with her, looking like she was about to die herself. Her face had been drained of all colour, as she sat in shock, not moving, barely breathing.
The sight of Maddie looking as sick as she did got me to move faster, and I had packed the kitchen away by the time Luke came towards me carrying the tent in its pack. We did a quick double take of the site, making sure we had left nothing behind, then went to get the girls, and get on the road.
Luke collected Maddie into his arms and looked to me, his eyes saying 'I'll sit in the back and try to help her'. Nodding, I grabbed Cassie's hand, ignoring the slight flinch I felt, and brought her around to the front passenger side. Unlocking the doors, I ran around to my side and started the engine, shoving it into gear and quickly driving down the short dirt road that would lead us to the highway.
Looking in the mirror, I could see Maddie's head lying in Luke's lap, her eyes closed, breathing steadied. Luke was absentmindedly running his hands through her hair, staring out the window.
Meeting Cassie's eyes quickly, we shared a look of comfort, knowing we could also be there for our friends in their time of need, before I turned my eyes to the road, hoping to get them to the hospital as soon as I was able to.
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Luke had gently woken me this morning, and calmly told me everything. I had hugged him for dear life, before allowing him to help me up and take me out to Cassie, so he could pack everything away.
Then we were in the car, my head on his lap.
Then we were at the hospital.
I sat up from his lap and Ric pulled the car in to the parking lot. My hands were shaking in fear; my whole body was shaking in fear of what could be when I opened the door and walked inside the hospital.
Yesterday had been brilliant. Today, my Mum was fighting for her life. Someone somewhere hated Summer Bay, and wanted to destroy all that lived in it. I felt Luke gently tug on my hand pulling me out of the car, but seconds later one arm was around my shoulder, the other holding my hand firmly.
We were in this together. Smiling anxiously at him as we walked into the hospital, I felt him squeeze my hand in what should've been a reassuring way, however I knew Luke too well to know he was just as nervous as I was. We came around the corner to see Jack, Martha, Robbie, Tasha, Irene and Sally waiting for us. It was such a relief to be enveloped into a hug by Robbie, while I could see Jack doing the same to Luke.
Looking at Robbie's face, I saw all the truth I needed, as I said faintly, "They are going to be fine, aren't they?" Robbie just nodded, hugging me again.
I felt all the fear that had been in my body flow out, replaced by a calm sense of knowing that everything would be better because of this. As Robbie released me, I found my way back to Luke, as Jack began to explain the details.
"They were both critical until around three this morning. They slept till around six this morning before regaining consciousness, and were able to tell us what happened. Beth has a couple of bruises on her face and several broken ribs, and Dad has a broken leg and some scratches here and there.
The doctors were most worried about what it had done to their brains but that all seems to be fine. They are both sleeping now, so you four can sit down and rest for a while until they are awake" he finished, motioning to spare seats in the sitting room, where everyone else had been waiting.
"Did they find the driver?" I asked Jack timidly. Despite the fact that he was my potential stepbrother and brother-in-law when it came down to the bone, Jack still scared the crap out of me. On the other hand, maybe it had been the knowledge of everything that had happened in the last 24 hours had finally taken its toll.
Looking at me kindly, he replied quietly, "No, they are still looking for him. But when Dad and your Mum came to, they were able to piece together a description that's been extremely helpful. Don't worry Maddie, we'll get him." He gave me a reassuring smile before going to talk with Martha, Irene and Sally.
I looked at the other three teenagers staring around, feeling uncomfortable in the hospital, and signaled for us to move outside, where we could talk freely. I was also in need for fresh air, as I hated the smell of hospitals.
We walked quietly out the doors once more, knowing that we wouldn't be missed, as everyone else was in their own little worlds, just as we were. Finding a bench outside, we four sat down in a comfortable silence, going over everything in out heads.
I put my head on Luke's shoulder, and looked at Ric and Cassie, who sat side by side, weighing up the situation. I knew they hadn't been in the hospital since Flynn and that it must have been hard on them to go back there, especially with the painful argument they had had yesterday concerning the situation. But like real friends they had been there for us, every step of the way.
We could've been there for minutes or hours, I didn't know, but the next thing I heard was Kit's voice coming closer, speaking in a rushed voice.
I jumped up from my seat and ran to her, and was pulled into her arms. God it was good to have your sister come back in the time of crisis. Looking over her shoulder, I saw Kim in the background, and knew instantly he and Kit had been together during their stay in the city. I was happy for them, really and truly, as they both deserved to be happy, especially if it was with one another.
When I pulled away, I said to her, smirking, "When everything is over, I expect details" to which she replied, "Why little sis, you're just not as innocent any more are you? I can't put anything past you can I?" Here she paused slightly, before asking in a less jovial voice "How are they? Have they had any more news?"
I smiled at her, before beginning "They are okay, only a few broken bones here and there, and scratches and bruises. But they haven't caught the person that did it Kit, they are still looking for them. We got here a while back, but Jack said they were sleeping. Maybe they are up now." I finished, after I realised I had rushed all my sentences together.
Kit took my hand, saying "Shall we?" and dragged me in. I knew Luke would be behind me in seconds, followed by Cassie and Ric, but I was so thankful I wasn't facing this alone, that Kit was here with me.
Walking into the rooms was possibly the scariest thing I've ever done. Seeing your mum in a hospital bed, knowing there is nothing you can do to help her, knowing that, like this, she's the helpless one and not the other way around is really hard. Mum is the strongest person I know, after dealing with all that crap during her marriage to Dad, and then to Rhys, she stayed strong for us kids.
Now it was our turn to be strong for her. Kit was ahead of me, as she pushed the door open slightly, checking to see whether Mum was up. When the door opened fully, I mentally prepared myself as I stepped inside the room.
While only Mum was in this room, there were dozens of tubes and machines beeping around the bed, all hooked up and taking care of Mum. Her eyes were half open groggily as she smiled as Kit and I sat on either side.
"Hi" she croaked out softly. It almost broke me down. Thankfully Kit was able to compose herself, and said to Mum.
"Don't you ever do that to us again, you hear me. You almost scared us to death."
"You can say that again" A voice said from the doorframe.
Kit and I both turned around to see who the speaker was, and I couldn't hide my shock or surprise when I realised who it was.
"HENRY!" I screamed, running and jumping into his arms.
I hadn't been so happy in my entire life to see my twin brother, who had grown about 5 inches since I'd seen him last. He stood about Luke's height; his dark blonde hair had grown longer, and straighter, covering his eyes. When I finally released him from the hug, he quickly smiled at Kit before sitting down and hugging Mum softly.
"Don't give me a reason to come back to this hell hole ever again Mum", he whispered in her ear, bringing a smile to her face.
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And so it went on like this. Christmas came and went, with Tony hobbling around on one leg with crutches, and Mum walking around slowly because of her ribs. Henry was staying for the summer, along with Kit and Kim, who were officially 'back on'. Christmas was a small gathering, but New Year was bigger.
The Surf Club had a party, and we all decided welcoming a New Year with a bang would be for the best. Sally even came along, with baby Pippa, determined to begin a new year with a fresh start. Henry, by this time had made friends with Ric, and been properly introduced to Luke.
While Luke was off bonding with Ric, and Cassie was watching baby Pippa, Henry and I spent hours catching up, I told him everything about the Bay, and he told me everything about touring.
One day, sitting at the beach, watching Ric, Luke and Cass in the water, he turned to me after I had told him about our failed camping trip, and said "You're bored Maddikins. I know you're bored. We were always bored in this place. But now that I'm back, it's time to spice it right up. Leave it to me Maddikins, I'll bring amusement back into your life." He finished, smiling mischievously at me before picking me up, putting me over his shoulder and running us down into the water to join the others.
Frolicking in the water, others would see five friends mucking around, but I looked around and saw a man waiting to let loose, a couple who were only beginning to speak again, and another couple who were waiting for the right time to express everything.
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AN: Yay, Henry is back! Does anyone else miss him like I do?
So hopefully the drama will come more quickly now. I'm going back to just writing from Maddies point of view now too. I miss writing her only.
Not that Ric/Cassie/Luke aren't fun to write, Maddie is just funner.
So for a couple of chapters, the drama will be seen through the eyes of her. Read and Review, and thanks to those who have already!
Also, sorry it took so long to update. I was sick first, and had so much work... But I'm back with more drama on the way!