SIN

Chapter 4: Waking Up

(8 a.m. at the Lincoln's Residence- in Abby's Bedroom)

Kuki was still sobbing softly into her pillow, as she remained curled in a fetal position inside her sleeping bag. At first she was bawling and screaming the house down, but after coaxing from both Abby and Lizzie she calmed down a bit. Abby had tried to phone the Beetles residence but only got the answering machine. This made everyone of them worry since Wally's parents had been calling so much earlier that Abby got tired of it and used caller I.D. so that if it were the Beetles calling again she wouldn't pick up.

"Wally," Kuki wailed and continued sobbing, "Wally," she repeated, "my poor dear Wally," she said between sobs, "who would do such a horrible thing to you?" she asked herself aloud, "Wally," she said again.

Kuki sniffled then decided to come out of her sleeping bag. She looked towards Abby's bed to see that both Abby and Lizzie asleep on it. Both their faces had some dried tear streaks on it and Kuki noticed that Abby's was face partially buried into Lizzie's big breast and that Lizzie's right hand was under Abby's white T-shirt. Kuki smiled since she realized that Abby must've put up a brave front because before she fell asleep sobbing in her sleeping bag, Abby was the only one who hadn't cried.

How Sweet of her to think of me! I know that Abby doesn't know Wally too well or like him that much. They've had their disagreements from the moment I introduced them to each other when I invited Wally to come with me for supper at the Lincoln's. Wally thought that she was smart and stuck up while Abby thought he was stupid and rude. Lizzie sort of kept out of his way and I know that she was mostly turned off from being friends with him because he disliked Abby. Lizzie and Wally had met before and were acquaintances since they both were members of the teen wrestling fan club. Wally was both a fan and a wrestler for the club while Lizzie was a fan, spokesperson, and recruiter for the club. Wally had known Lizzie was bi-sexual but he was shocked after the dinner that Abby was her steady girlfriend. Lizzie and Abby were both open with their sexuality in public but were the opposite about their relationship. People had their suspicions but only Abby's parents, Cree, Wally, and Mary Jane knew about their relationship. Mary Jane found out by accident when she caught Abby and Lizzie kissing once in the back of the movie theatre, when she asked Lizzie about it the following day Lizzie caved and Abby wouldn't talk to Lizzie for a week. I could understand Abby's anger since she had it harder with homophobes since was a lesbian and not bi-sexual like Lizzie. I don't mind homosexuality. Even though I rather only guys as my partners in romantic relationships. I'm glad Abby could think of my pain and hold back her tears for me. She's such a good friend. I don't remember exactly how we first met but I know that we'll always be friends. There's such a strong connection between us. Oh! I better call the Hoagie and tell him what happened! He'll be devastated! But I have to tell him. He is Wally's friend too after all. His best friend. (Kuki's thoughts)

Kuki got up and rubbed her eyes. She then got fresh clothes and went to take a quick shower. By the time she came out she saw Cree in Abby's room staring at the two sleeping lovebirds with a sarcastic grin. Kuki glared at Cree. She never verbally communicated much with Abby's adult older sister, but she always sensed something in Cree that she just didn't trust.

"Don't worry," Cree said and Kuki jumped, "I'm not going the harm the gay little love birds," she told Kuki, "They just better not let Mom or Dad catch them sleeping together like that," she added and walked out.

Kuki rest her hand on her chest. Her heart was beating a mile a minute and she finally let out the breath that she held in when she saw Cree with a long whoosh. She then went downstairs to phone Hoagie. But when she entered the living room, she noticed that Cree was lazing in the sofa watching a Soap Opera.

"Is there a problem?" Cree asked when she noticed Kuki staring at her.

Kuki shook her head and decided to just make the call despite Cree's presence. She cradled the phone and dialled Hoagie's number. After three rings Mrs. Gilligan answered.

"Hello," Mrs. Gilligan said.

"Hi Mrs. Gilligan it's Kuki," Kuki said softly.

"Oh my," Mrs. Gilligan said and her voice revealed worry, "I'm sorry but Hoagie isn't exactly ummm available at the moment," she stuttered.

"Does he know about Wally?" Kuki asked her throat suddenly feeling very dry.

"Oh," Mrs. Gilligan whispered, "so you know why Wally's in the hospital?" she asked and Kuki slowly nodded.

"Ahem, yes," Kuki responded after she remembered that Mrs. Gilligan wouldn't notice her nod from over the phone, "tell Hoagie that I hope he'll be alright," she said.

"I'll tell him honey," Mrs. Gilligan said sweetly, "Hoagie is also upset because he and Wally had an argument last night which caused Wally to storm off by himself," she told Kuki, "Hoagie feels responsible," she explained to a shocked Kuki.

"Tell Hoagie not to blame himself," Kuki said to Mrs. Gilligan, "it was no one's fault."

"Except for the monster who did it," Mrs. Gilligan added, "imagine, raping a little boy and leaving him more than half dead in an alley!" she screamed with anger.

"Half dead!" Kuki shrieked and didn't notice Cree jump in the sofa and started to listen more intensely to the conversation, "how is he Mrs. Gilligan?" she asked urgently.

"But I thought you…" Mrs. Gilligan started to say but stopped, "he's alive," she stated, "but he as a lot of broken and crushed bones among other severe injuries," she continued, "when Mrs. Beetles called and told me earlier this morning I felt my heart stop," she said, "the man who did this will burn in hell, I swear," she said in a cracked angry voice and Kuki gulped at the revelation she was hoping not to hear confirmed.

"I agree Mrs. Gilligan," Kuki said in a tight voice, "anyway I have to go," she said softly, "tell Hoagie I called," she stated, "Goodbye Mrs. Gilligan," she added.

"Will do Kuki," Mrs. Gilligan responded, "Goodbye," she said and Kuki hung up.

Kuki looked in Cree's direction to see Cree looking at her Soap Opera as if she never left it for a second. Kuki didn't need to be a genius to know that Cree must've listened in on purpose at some point.

"Who's that?" Kuki asked pointing at an average built blonde haired man in a business suit who was currently pushing back a petite Chinese woman and shouting angrily at her on the TV screen.

"Oh that's Travis Gerald Redwood III and he's pushing back that woman Kago Hui because he's just discovered that their marriage was based on a lie," Cree explained, "see, Kago had found out the location of Travis's true love three years before she and Travis married," she continued, "but Kago told his true love, the beautiful Mexican girl Terra Pablo that Travis had died at war and caused Terra to run off to Iraq and marry a powerful man there," she said excitedly, "Travis's sister Geraldine Faluna Redwood never liked Kago and found Terra six months before in the richest part of Iraq," she said, "when she found out that Terra was deceived and by who, she sent a letter immediately to Travis explaining everything with recent pictures of Terra and her one year old son that she's had with her husband from Iraq," she told Kuki. "now Travis is confronting Kago and as you can see he's pissed," she said with a firm nod, "and the Soap called 'Truth or Deception'," she added and turned her attention back to the Soap Opera.

Kuki sighed and sat down at the edge of the sofa. She wasn't sure what to do. But since she wouldn't be able to see Wally for a while she decided to just see where the Soap Opera was going. Besides, the lady reminded her of her favourite Chinese Super Model Umi Star who also happened to love Rainbow Monkeys, Hugs and Boys.

I hope Wally will be all right. Hit him again Kago! Darn that Terra bitch for coming back into your life and poisoning Travis's mind despite the fact that you just told him Terra was the one who caused your mother's car accident and left her a vegetable! (Kuki's thoughts)

(Noon at the hospital)

"Mr. and Mrs. Beetles," Dr. Lincoln said formally when he entered the waiting room in which the grieving parents were still waiting, "please follow me," he instructed and they did so.

Soon they came to the ICU and Dr. Lincoln kept walking until he stopped at a door and entered. The Beetles solemnly followed.

"Wally!" Mrs. Beetles cried and ran to the hospital bed, which held a heavily bandaged and cast Wally who was hooked to several machines. His severely bruised face, fingers, tufts of his blonde hair and toes were only parts of his body that were visible. Casts, bandages and the hospital gown that he wore covered everything else. Wally continued to lie motionless as his mother fussed over him and started to shower his bruised face with kisses.

"What is his condition now Doctor?" Mr. Beetles asked softly as he looked at his feet.

"He's stable but still bordering critical," Dr. Lincoln told him, "Mr. Beetles," he said and rested his hand on Wally's father shoulder, "we know each other beyond this office," he said and Mr. Beetles looked up at him tentatively, "he'll be okay," he reassured Mr. Beetles, "but he needs both you and your mother's support," he said, "he wont have a chance to even start recovery without it," he added seriously.

Okay," Mr. Beetles said and nodded to help reassure himself then walked up to Wally and held his son's hand, "Wally," he whispered, "Sport?" he asked and squeezed his hand.

"D…D…D..Dad?" Wally asked in an extremely hoarse whisper as his eyes fluttered as they struggled to open.

"My sweet baby!" Mrs. Beetles cried and hugged him as best as she could and kissed his face, "I saw your eyes flutter earlier but you didn't make a sound," she said.

"I...I...I…I'm s…s…s…so…sor…sor…sorr…sorry," Wally stuttered.

"There's nothing that you have to be sorry about," Mr. Beetles said firmly, "it's the guy who did this who should be sorry," he spat, "and he WILL be," he added in a snarl.

"I…I…I…I fi…fig…fig…fight h…h…h...hi…him o...o...o...of...of...off," Wally stuttered as his voice cracked and his eyes fluttered in their struggle to open even faster.

"It's okay son," Mr. Beetles said trying to keep his own voice from cracking, "we know that you wouldn't let this happen to you if you could," he told Wally.

"We love you Wally," Mrs. Beetles said kindly as she ran her hand through the tufts of blonde hair that stuck out through the bandages on his head, "no matter what Wally, We will ALWAYS love you," she said firmly then kissed him on the cheek.

"I…I…I…I l…l…l…lo…lo...lov…love y…y…you t…t...to...to…too," Wally said and tears started to stream down his face despite his eyes being unable to open.

"Shhh," Mrs. Beetles whispered and ran a hand lovingly along his face, "it's okay," she told him.

"May I speak to you outside?" Dr. Lincoln asked Mr. Beetles who nodded and they exited the room.

"Wally is suffering from a lot of damage Mr. Beetles," Dr. Lincoln informed him, "the anal damage alone is horrendous," he said and Mr. Beetles gulped, "the tranquilizers, sedatives and other medications are the only things that are keeping from feeling a lot of pain right now and as you saw earlier he's so weak that he can't open his eyes," he pointed out, "do you have ANY idea of ANYONE who'd be capable of this or want to do such a thing to your son?" he asked.

"Of course NOT!" Mr. Beetles flared, "no WAY would I know someone capable of doing that to ANYONE!" he shouted his face red with anger as he now breathed heavily.

"Now calm down Mr. Beetles," Dr. Lincoln said carefully, "I know this has to be a stressing and upsetting time for you," he continued, "I have two girls of my own," he said, "but nothing can compare to when such a horrible thing happens to a parents ONLY child."

Mr. Beetles soon calmed down then nodded.

"Will he able to live a normal life?" Mr. Beetles asked as his voice started to crack.

"Physically yes," Dr. Lincoln responded, "mentally and emotionally all depends on how HE views himself Mr. Beetles," he stated, "we have to work on building back up his self esteem, confidence and pride," he said, "too many times I've seen kids like Wally recover physically but mentally and emotionally they're totally shattered beyond true repair," he told Mr. Beetles who now looked very worried, "I'm not going to lie to you," he said shaking his head, "Wally's personality alone is going to make his recovery pretty hard," he said with a nod.

"Personality?" Mr. Beetles asked in confusion.

"Your son sees himself as a fighter, tough guy, youthful fighting expert," Dr. Lincoln explained, "for him to not only be beaten up but also raped," he said, "that's a real tough blow to his ego not to mention all the emotional and mental damage it's likely to cause if he doesn't recover," he added.

"But you said he would be okay," Mr. Beetles reminded him.

"I mean as in he's not going to be paralysed, blind or slip off into a depressive coma," Dr. Lincoln explained, "there's still a lot of other things that can happen and that's why he needs the support of his parents and friends."

"He has my support," Mr. Beetles declared proudly.

"I know," Dr. Lincoln said with a smile, "I know," he repeated softly.

Done.

Death's Soulmate: Here's the update! If anyone's curious, the whole Soap Opera part was purposely done for unrealistic humour. Tell me what you thought of Abby and Lizzie's relationship (I wonder how many fics paired them together?), Kuki and Cree's behaviour and the news of Wally's condition at the hospital in your reviews. Thanks!