Dylan didn't sleep well this night either. All he could think of was how he neglected the well being of his Horsemen. He could have prevented it, if he didn't have hold a grudge against a man for 30 years, that wasn't even guilty. He walked down to the kitchen to get some water. He wasn't the only one taking a midnight drink. Merritt sat on the couch with a glass whisky in his hand. He didn't have to look up to know it was Dylan that was joining him in the living room of the headquarters from the Eye. "Want a glass?" – "Well I wanted a glass of water but… yeah. Why not."
In silence Dylan got over it one more time. The only thing that was in his head for the past weeks. What the doctor said two weeks ago.
"I did everything I could but..." the silence felt like hours for Dylan. He was about to punch the words out of this woman but he luckily got an answer before that. "Daniel Atlas is in a coma right now. The shock from the pain numbed his senses and his body shot down." The doctor finally looked up. What Dylan earlier thought to be sadness turned out to be… anger? The doctor's eyes were almost glowing.
"How could anyone of you not notice his state! If you were seconds later… and I mean seconds! Not minutes or hours, seconds later! He would have died! Not only was he shot in his abdomen about 2 hours ago…!
Which is actually bad enough by itself because no one lasts that long with this much blood loss!" The doctor wasn't explaining anymore. It turned to more of a rebuke really. "Mr Atlas can be proud of himself to have lasted with this much blood loss. Further he has severe sleep deprivation, suffers from dehydration, and he probably hasn't eaten right for days. He has a mild concussion, which is in fact the only good thing I can tell you right now."
At this time Lula was shedding tears into Jacks chest. Jack was shaking all over trying to hold his tears in. Merritt was clenching his teeth so hard you could see his muscles form at his cheeks.
The doctor seemed to realise how harsh she was and added: "I can imagine that you guys had had a few harsh days. And I want to examine all of you to make sure you are alright. But I can't stand the fact that no one seemed to realise that Mr. Atlas was in bad shape even before getting shot."
Dylan just looked at her with a blind expression. He couldn't reply. She was right. He had been oblivious of the fact that Daniel was in that state. He saw something was wrong in the Plane but.. even than he did nothing... he had let Daniel down.
"It's not your fault, Dylan. We all didn't realise how bad his state was. We all take part in it." – "I'm am your leader, Merritt. I, from all people should have realised first. But I didn't. I was to concerned about the FBI, the show, the next instructions from the Eye…"
"Until just recently we didn't function as a team. A unit. We were only interested in ourselves. Hell, three years ago I wouldn't have cared less if Danny died! But now… now we" – "are a family" Dylan finished his sentence. "I know. Me too. At first, I used you guys. I wanted my revenge and that's it. Well with Danny it was actually kinda different from the beginning. Since I saw him on the street doing his card trick with the skyscraper. I couldn't take my eyes of him. At first, I ignored this feeling but it grew. And when I thought we were safe and I could have my Horsemen, my family… Daniel almost died." Water began to form in his eyes. Merritt knew this talk was long due and was pleased the leader finally talked to him. After two week of utmost silence and just wandering around like a ghost, it felt like a relieve to hear Dylan talk. He somehow knew what the former FBI-Agent was thinking. There was just one thing that came surprising. Knowing him for about three years, the mentalist knew a lot about Dylan. But he never once anticipated him having feelings towards the younger horsemen member of his. And he usually could detect love interests the fastest.
After a pause of silent the room began to lighten up. The sun gradually began to crawl into the room. Merritt and Dylan talked a while longer until Dylan seemed to have resolved with himself. He had to get over it. To protect them from now on and not be distracted.
Not long after the room was filled with laughter and the two older Horsemen seemed to be released of their dark thoughts, Dylans phone rang. He recognised the Number immediately. It was the doctor. His mind went blanc and with a shaking hand he took the call. "Dylan Shrike" he whispered into the phone. "Good news. Mr. Atlas woke up."
"I feel like shit. Thanks for asking doc."- "Please stop your sarcasm and you shouldn't be sitting upright right now Mr. Atlas." Every movement pained the injured showman, so he tried not to move to much. A while ago he was able to sit up and it would hurt less than laying down. "But its more comfortable like this." The doctor looked at him with one eyebrow up and said calmly "Fine, but if you have to move in any way push the button please. I'll be here in no time then. I already called Mr. Shrike. He and your other friends should be here soon." – "great, will they lecture my as well?" Daniel snorted sarcastically. He knew he shouldn't have said that because the doctor looked at him harshly now. "I told you why you're this weak right now and that because of your carelessness and your neglecting of your body's need, you almost died. Do whatever you want with this information but be aware of the fact that I wont safe a person that doesn't want to be saved." With that she left the room. He was alone with his thoughts and these annoyingly loud machines that probably kept him alive right now.
She had a point, Daniel thought to himself while starring at cold concrete above him. Even before the whole thing in Macau he had troubles sleeping. Food was just a necessity he sometimes took in. And with the planning of the show and then the pain in the ass time in Macau he just… forgot. Plus, he didn't had time. He had other troubles at the time. Macau was… Macau was a disaster. Not only because he did a mistake and brought his comrades in danger but also because he felt like his heart being crushed every time he thought about it.
"You're not our hero. You're not FBI, you're not a magician...You're nothing, really."
He could still see the shocked face Dylan had made at the Market. How could he have ever said something like this to Dylan.
He was feeling like the world's biggest asshole. He couldn't believe he had let himself be so blinded by his ego that he had told Dylan that. How he had shoved him away when he only wanted to help them.
An approaching thumping broke his thoughts. He looked to the door which swung open and a just so familiar face swarmed in. Frozen he looked at the person that was standing in the door frame and smiling sheepishly.
He wanted to say something or cry out for the doc… but he couldn't. His balms began to sweat, and his thoughts became a mess. How? How was is it possible?
"I see, my present was taken well", the criminal mastermind started to walk towards the beeping machine, which sound had rapidity taken on speed. "Annoying", he whispers while pulling out some cables. The room went awfully silent. Walter Marby sat into the chair beside his bed and just looked at Daniel. "No questions on how I am possibly here?" Daniel began shaking. Feeling a hint of relief knowing the dark magician was here, what meant his Family was safe. "Come on! Ask me!" The other demanded.
Knowing there was nothing else to be done right now he followed. "How are you..." – "here? Well that's a good question. You know...", he stood up and started dancing around the little patient room. "When you guys let Arthur, …he isn't my father anymore by the way. I did everything for him, and he still wouldn't love me as his son. So, he gets what he deserves in prison but I… I'm not made for prison. A mastermind like me should not be put in there. So, a little bargain with the Prison Chief got me out. Well, they believe I died while trying to escape. Brilliant! Right? Just like I disappears a few years ago!" his laughter filled the room. Daniel felt like he was about to puke. "You know… it's funny how easy the officials are fooled twice. But I thought I couldn't fool the Horsemen. So to prevent you from doing something stupid again, I came here to kill you all once and for all."
Daniels chest tightened when he looked through the open door. He saw a bloodbath.
There wasn't just the doctor laying on the ground. There were unfamiliar outlines and some just too familiar once. He would always recognise this egg-shaped head of his annoying illusionist and the strong back and curled dark hair from the person he had utmost respect for. But their outlines were odd because there was blood all over them and they did not move. Their body strangely laid over the ground.
His vision became blurry from the tears that began to flow. Walter bended down and pressed his closed fist unto Daniels wound. He cried out. Not knowing if it was the pain of the wound or in his heart. After snapping out of the pain, he tried fighting back. Punched Walter in the face but fell out of bed. The impact on the hard concrete let him black out for a second. Gathering his strength and thoughts he opens his eyes but froze on spot. He starred into the most beautiful hazel brown eyes. „Danny! are you ok?!" the slow distant voice panicked. Daniel somewhat came to his senses and his knuckles hurt? Looking at his hand he saw a few red spots. Probably from hitting Walter, he thought. But soon after realising there was another, greater pain in his left side. Inhaling sharply he turned his head just to see a blood puddle underneath him.
„Shit! Doctor we need you in here asap!" Even thought the pain should have made him unable to move he couldn't help himself raising a hand to the others cheek. He brushed over it just so slightly that he felt the warmth of the other person. "thought you're dead", Daniel whispered with a frown on his face. Dylan looked at him with a shocked expression.
Before being able to say something, the doctor came in with some guys in green overalls pushing Dylan aside. They lifted a groaning Daniel on top of the bed, cutting his gown and talking which Daniel couldn't understand. Dylan came to the other side of the bed and hold onto the hand which still had red marks. "Walter" the younger tried stuttering. Nothing came out of his mouth, so he held his breath for a while and tried shouting. It came out as a whisper, but they got the message. „He isn't here." Dylan assured the younger one. A piercing pain went trough his left side and he cried out while squeezing Dylans hand. The doctor mumbled something about he had to endure it for a while because they hadn't another choice. All of that went distant while Daniel once again faded into darkness.
~ End of chapter two