Chapter 16 - Sometimes it's so dark and you don't know where you're at

Keely lay in the hospital bed, and stared up at the ceiling. It had only been hours before that she had been threatened with death, and then had her arm cut in half.

The police had turned up as soon as they were called. They kept apologising, over and over again, about leaving two idiots to protect them. Or help them get killed. Whichever way you looked at it.

The man, apparently nicknamed 'Sting' had been taken away, just as he was coming round. He had vowed to get his money's worth, but the police said he was facing life. Keely was glad. He had killed her father, and hurt her. He deserved to rot in jail.

She had been taken to hospital, even though she insisted that she was fine. It hurt, obviously, but she didn't want to go to hospital. Part of her felt like curling up and crying herself to sleep. But it was Phil that convinced her to go.

Nothing had been said about their 'declarations', but both kept thinking about it. Wondering whether each other meant it, or if they had just said it to make the other feel better.

Mandy Teslow had gone with the police to make a statement, and Phil had gone with her. Keely would be asked for one when she got better.

Better.

What was better? When her arm had healed? Or when her head had stopped buzzing with thoughts about what could have happened? She could have been stabbed in the heart. If she hadn't crawled those precious few inches away, the knife would have hit her in the heart. And she wouldn't be here now.

She sighed. Why was life always so difficult to those who wanted it to be easy?

Mandy hadn't questioned Phil about the Wizrd yet, but she was sure it was going to happen.

The police wondered how the three of them had managed to knock a man like Sting unconscious, but Keely had just made something up, like a vase was thrown at him.

Phil hadn't said anything to her since he had made sure she was okay. That's when she had come to the conclusion that he was probably just humouring her when he told her that he loved her.

Her mind took her back to only four days ago, when she had longed for her life to change. Be careful what you wish for. The saying had never really applied to her before now. She had never dreamed that her life could change so drastically. Four days ago, she was bored, but she could have lived. Now she was broken, and hurting and sad. But she didn't know why.

She was still alive. Her dad, who would have died anyway, was dead. She had put her dad's killer in jail. Surely, if anything she should be feeling proud, not hollow.

"Proud not hollow…" Keely muttered.

"Hey, good line for a song," a voice came from the doorway of the ward she was in.

She smiled. "Hey Phil. Thank God you're here, because I was so bored!"

"Well, I can't stick around too long. I have to go to school to tell them that neither of us will be in today. The police offered to take care of it, but I insisted. They've got enough on their plates," Phil said, taking a seat on the hard plastic chairs they set out for visitors.

Keely rolled her eyes. "Be sure to tell Mr. Hackett I'm crying because I'm missing algebra."

"Will do," Phil smirked. "Whether or not he'll believe it, is a completely different story."

Keely smiled.

"So, how are you Keels?"

She shrugged. "You mean apart from tired, hurting and afraid that psycho is going to come and finish the job at any minute?"

"I guess that was obvious," Phil sighed.

Keely nodded.

"So, as I proceed to try to get you back to normal, I'm going to ask. Heard from Via?" Phil said, aware that if the answer was yes, he would have to sit and listen to 'girl talk' for the next ten minutes.

"No. She probably hasn't heard yet. Unless you rung her," Keely said, wondering how Via would react when she found out.

Phil shook his head. "There was no time to."

"Well, if you see her at school, tell her I'm fine. They say I should be out of here in about two hours. Apparently they want to see if I have concussion. I told them I didn't bang my head, but they seem adamant. But whatever," Keely shrugged.

Phil stood up, but hesitated for a second, wondering if he should bring it up. Deciding against it, he smiled. "See you later then Keely. I'll come by your house in two hours, yeah?"

Keely nodded. "Cool. You should probably tell your Mom and Dad that you're alright too."

"Probably," Phil agreed, and then left the room.

Keely stared at the door he had just walked out of for about two minutes. Then her eyes turned back to the ceiling.

It was going to be a long two hours.

---

Phil walked back into H.G. Wells school just before the bell rung. He stopped by his locker, and took out a few items, and then turned to go to Mr. Hackett's office.

"Phil!" He heard Via call, and he stopped.

Via caught up, with Owen not far behind. "Where's Keely? I stopped by her house, but it was swarming with police. She's okay, right?"

"Yeah. She's fine," Phil said, walking slowly.

Owen sniffed the air. "Yo, Phil? Aren't they yesterday's clothes?"

"Yes, but seeing as we've been fighting a man with a sharp kitchen knife in his hand, who wanted to kill off me, and then Keely, I think I should be let off," Phil said, and then excused himself. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and tell Mr. Hackett about Keely's injury, and how neither of us will be attending school today."

Via's jaw had dropped. "Phil? You can't just tell us all that and then walk away!"

But Phil had already opened the door to Mr. Hackett's room.

"Ah, Mr. Diffy. And what can I do for you?" Mr. Hackett raised his eyebrow, and stared at Phil.

Phil slid the signed note from the police officers over the table. "I have to give you this. Me and Keely are officially excused from today's lessons."

Mr. Hackett read the note, and frowned. "What exactly happened?"

"Mr. Hackett, you don't want to know," Phil said, smiled, and then walked back out into the hallway.

Deciding he had to pick some things up from the Broadcast Lab, he ran over, and opened the door, forgetting that the morning news was scheduled to start.

"Phil!" The AV club captain hissed. "Where's Keely?"

Phil shook his head. "She's away today."

"Read the news for her!" The captain said, and pushed Phil into the path of the camera.

Phil looked confused, but then sat down. "Hi. I'm Phil Diffy, and Keely's away today. She's in hospital. Um…there was an incident at her house last night. But she's fine. And actually, I only came by to pick some things up, so if you'll excuse me…"

He got up, but the AV captain shook his head. Phil rolled his eyes, and sat back down again. "Okay, whatever. Car wash is on Friday, which is in two days. Movie night which is next week is a chick-flick thing. And lunch is something disgusting. That's me, done."

He got up again, and pressed stop on the camera. "Great news people! Now we can all go!"

The room cleared, and he picked up the stuff he needed.

Just as he was walking out the door, he noticed a piece of paper on the ground.

"I hate people who just chuck their things on the ground," Phil groaned, and leant down to pick it up. He looked at it, and smiled, widely. She hadn't just made it up. She had meant it.

He stuffed the paper in his pocket, and left the lab, still grinning.

I was surprised at how many of you wanted a first draft. For those of you that have it, I did not intend to kill Keely off. She would have been seriously injured, yes, but I'm not that evil.

I wonder if I've forgotten any loose ends…there's still like, four more chapters left (I just need to write them), but I think most of the ends should be tied up round about now. Via and Owen, I am coming to. The piece of paper, check. The killer, check. Getting Phil and Keely together, almost check.

Okay. I think I'm okay. Cool. Well then, next chapter up soon!