Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 82 – For The Time Will Be Soon.
Black's POV, Iraq Capital.
Pulling into the Capital, I made haste for the nearest spot to park. As I pulled in Hunter and I saw men leading body bags outside the building.
"Oh my god." Muttered Hunter as I shut my eyes for a second to think of what to say.
With time nearing it's end I said in a low tone.
"At least we didn't lose Raptor. That's all that mattered. They signed on for it."
Hunter went silent as I moved my hand over to her arm. Looking me in the eyes now I urged her.
"Don't be upset with what I have to tell you. It's important before you go in there blind."
In confusion Hunter questioned.
"What are you talking about?"
Letting out a sigh I replied.
"Before I reached you on that roof. Jagger got a shot off down here."
"So?" She replied still in loss for words.
Keeping my eyes on her; I just came out and said it.
"Wreak was hit."
Instantly her eyes widened as I finished.
"He's dead. I'm sorry."
I saw the look she now held on her face. As a fellow comrade who also lost friends in my life, I knew the best thing to do.
Slowly taking away my hand, I got the door opened and stepped out from the humvee. Hunter remained seated in shock as I opened up the back to retake a hold over all the gear. With the rifle being the last thing I grabbed, I looked back to Hunter to state.
"I'm going to take him inside. You should go get some rest. Nothing good will come from seeing him. Trust me, I know what your going through right now."
With her eyes watering, I took my chance to grab Jagger and go. The best thing for her was to be alone now.
Pulling the out cold snake out from the back of the humvee, I tossed him over my shoulder and made my way for the entrance to the capital.
Commander Mason's POV.
With Archer and Black's men in front of the desk, we tried to think about what to do now that Wreak was gone. As silence was our best answer, the door leading inside was opened.
Standing up from my seat, I widened my eyes to see Black himself marching in with a man over his shoulder and a huge sniper rifle on his back along with two duffel bags. Everyone of his men widened there eyes as Archer showed nothing but rage.
"Captain!" Shouted Leo as he got the man down on the ground to look at myself and Archer.
"I already heard about Wreak. I'm sorry I was too late."
"Who is that Black?" Asked Archer in a serious tone as he approached the snake who rested under our feet.
Ordering his men to keep silent, Black replied.
"Jagger."
"Is he the one who killed Wreak?" Asked Archer as he looked into Black's eyes.
Holding his ground Black replied with a single nod.
"Yes."
Everyone watched as Archer clutched his fists at the answer he was given. I knew what was bound to happen. Getting close to Archer, I urged him.
"Save your anger Major. Is he alive Black?"
Nodding he replied.
"Barely. But ya, he's alive. What do you want to do with him?"
Immediately Archer replied.
"I wana fucking kill him. Right now."
Shaking my head I replied in force.
"You won't do such a thing Archer. Black? Take Jagger to the holding cells. The men there will take over."
"Yes sir." Replied Black as he reached for Jagger's body.
Watching as Black tossed him back over his shoulder. I looked over to Archer who was clearly mindset on revenge. Looking to Black's men I ordered.
"Go to your posts, please."
Obeying, I watched as the three men made their way after their leader. Leaving me with Archer who muttered through his rage.
"I'm not going to let him live Mason. Not going to fucking happen."
Taking his shoulder I replied.
"That's fine. But getting some answers comes first. After that you can do as you please. Do we understand each other Major?" I asked him as he tried his best to calm down. After some violent breaths he replied.
"Fine. But after that you don't hold me back."
Nodding was my only answer. I knew Archer was going to be this way. After I get what I want he can do as he wants.
Leaving me alone in the office not soon after, I tried to refocus on the situation at hand. With Wreak dead and Raptor still unable to do anything, I'm left here with no able body to take command. I should hand it over to Archer but he's unstable.
Looking to the ceiling I had to make a decision soon. The Rebellion can't go leaderless.
Standing up after my choice was made, I took care to leave the office. This wasn't going to be easy.
Raptor's POV.
"Ughhh?" Opening my eyes once again to find myself in bed, I took the time to look around before making a move. This time I only saw two men around me. I recognized the faces as they both looked towards the door leading into the room.
With Marx not around to jab me with another shot, I slowly forced my body to move. Using what little power I had, I leaned up out of bed.
"Aghh! Fuck me...ahhhhh."
Immediately turning around Gabe shouted in surprise.
"Raptor!? Hold on!"
Standing up out of their seats, the two came to my aid to help me sit up. After a few more seconds of pain I said.
"Thank you."
"Are you okay?" Wondered Tap as I felt completely drugged up.
"Not really. Feels like my chest might cave in at any moment. What happened? Is everything okay?"
Both of them looked at one another. I sensed something amiss.
"Black and the others rescued you from Linnen. Vector...Vector didn't make it."
Shutting my eyes I replied.
"I'm sorry. It wasn't worth my life that he died."
"It's not your fault Raptor." Stated Gabe as I remained silent.
Keeping their focus on me Tap went on to state.
"You're in bad shape. That doctor of yours said you have a few broken ribs, a cracked jaw, two wounds in your hands and feet, and ahhhh...your ear."
With my eyes looking to my hands to see the wounds barely there, I reached up slowly for my bandaged ear. I remembered the pain of losing it. With a shake of my head I asked while moving my foot out from the covers.
"What happened to the wounds? They looked almost healed."
Nodding Gabe replied.
"The Captain gave you a shot of his venom. It's like a stimulant."
"Viper venom?" I questioned as he nodded.
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
Letting out a sigh I replied.
"Let's just say I had that stuff before in my body. Not a fun trip it puts you on when your on the brink of death."
Both Gabe and Tap continued to stare at me as I attempted to get out of bed. The second my legs got over the edge I heard the door behind me open. Looking back for a second I saw it was Black. His eyes widened and quickly he ran to my side to go under my arm.
"What the hell are you doing? You can't be moving this fast."
Hearing my bones snapping like twigs as I now stood straight with his help, I replied.
"I'm fine."
"Your fucked up. Fine is okay and all, but the way your in right now isn't good. You need to rest." Stated Black as I looked over at him with a smirk.
"Slipping me some of that shit you use isn't good ether. But I never had a choice did I?"
Black let out a sigh as I urged him.
"Don't worry. I know why you did it. I'm sure when you found me I wasn't in any condition to hike it back here. Let's just forget about it. Okay?"
Nodding after some thought, Black went on to say.
"I wanted to talk to you about that by the way. The venom I gave you, it...?!"
With the door opening again, we all looked back to see Mason standing there. He almost looked surprised to see me standing up. But with little emotion in his voice he said to the sight before him.
"Nice to know your awake Raptor."
I knew Mason for years. He would be thrilled naturally to see me standing so soon after everything I've been through. With a confused tone I replied.
"Nice to know your so concerned. What's going on out there Mason?"
Shutting the door behind him he replied.
"A lot has happened. Some good, some...bad."
His words made me go silent as Black rotated me his way. Once I was comfortable Mason went on to say.
"As you know, Black and the others managed to get you out of Pakistan before it was too late. They all deserve medals. But after they got you back here Linnen already sent someone after to retrieve you."
"Who?" I asked in concern as Black answered for him.
"A team I had the pleasure of working with during my time with G.U.N's Users division. They are the best of the best. The most highly trained killers in all of the world in one squad. Two of those members came after you. But thanks to some planning and some effort, we managed to stop them before they could get to you here."
"Are they dead?" I asked to be sure as Mason shook his head.
"We managed to bring them in alive for the most part. Archer had them moved to the holding cells for interrogation."
This all sounded like good news to me, but I knew something was wrong. Giving Mason a lost look I questioned.
"You don't sound happy one bit about any of this. What happened? Where's Archer and Wreak?"
Lowering his eyes Mason replied.
"Archer is out making sure the area around the Capital is secure. We don't know for sure yet if the two we captured are alone."
"And Wreak? Hunter?"
Mason was slow on the response. My heart began to pick up pace as I didn't get an answer to my question. Looking to Black who still held a firm grip over me, I asked again.
"Where is Wreak?"
Black had his eyes shut as I now looked to Gabe and Tap who held the other side of the room now. Nether of them dared to answer me as I looked back to Mason who had his head lowered even more then before. Now getting serious; I ordered with what little power I had in my voice.
"Tell me where he is Mason!"
With a few seconds passing after my command, I pushed off Black to limp my way to Mason directly. Moving my head so that it was forced in his way, I shouted.
"Mason!"
Carefully he looked into my eyes to reply.
"I'm so sorry Raptor. Wreak...he...he didn't make it."
I can't explain the way my mind and my heart snapped. If you asked the direction it tore I wouldn't be able to tell you. All I can say was that my eyes widened wider then they ever had before. The last time I experience an emotion like this was when Shadow died. But this? It was like a living hell all over again for my state of mind. In denial I replied.
"Your lying. Your fucking lying Mason. You fucking son of a bitch. You think this is funny?"
Black slowly came behind me to grab my shoulder. I was shaking it was that bad. This couldn't be true. It had to be a lie. Mason kept silent as I began to wonder.
"Please tell me your joking Mason. For the love of god please!" I begged as he shut his eyes.
Looking to Black now with tears rolling down my face, I asked.
"Where?"
Mason instantly replied.
"Medical bay. Room 4."
Without another word I moved passed Mason and to the door. Each step I took was painful, but I couldn't stand here without seeing it for myself. With Black keeping close he urged.
"Let me help you Raptor."
"No!" I shouted in defiance as I moved out of the room and into the hall.
With only my combat cargos covering me, I forced my own way forward. Hunter was just entering her room and with wide and wet eyes she spotted me. With the short glance I had I saw she had a bloody nose and a bruise on her right cheek. And for some reason she covered herself with a blanket. I didn't stop to ask though as she shouted.
"Raptor?!"
Ignoring her, I made my way to the stairs. Black kept himself closer now as I heard my legs snap with each step downwards. The men and women around the Capital all stared at me as I soon reached the bottom to head right into the medical bay. Seeing room 4 down the hall, I picked up my speed and bashed into the door to find Marx over a bed. Caught off guard, he turned to face the door.
"Raptor? What are you doing out of bed? How are you even awake? You shouldn't be...!?"
During his rant I had more then enough time to run at him and grab him by the collar of his shirt. Marx now panicked as I ordered.
"Stand down!"
With him firmly obeying me, I looked to my left at the bed to widen my eyes.
"Wreak?" I mumbled as I saw him laying in the bed motionless.
"Raptor I...?" Marx tried to explain, but in anger I pushed him into Black who stood close behind. Marx held his mouth closed as I now focused on one of the few people I considered a brother. He laid there with a blood splattered face and even colder skin as I went to touch him.
With tears dropping onto the bedsheets, I questioned.
"How did this happen? How did you of all people end up like this?"
With Mason and a few others now by the door watching, I looked to Black who replied in a soft tone.
"The G.U.N soldier I brought in pulled the trigger on your friend. I'm sorry. I wasn't fast enough to stop it from happening."
My hands shook as I looked to Marx to question in rage.
"You couldn't do a fucking THING!?"
With his eyes watering and his body reacting in self defense, he replied.
"I tried! I really did Raptor! Look at him! I couldn't do anything!"
"You fucking...!" Stopping in my tracks, I rushed Black and took a grip over his M9 that rested in his holster. In an instant Black panicked and grabbed me by the arm to shout.
"Commander!"
Pushing Marx into the nearby wall, I tried to point the gun his way. Black struggled to restrain me as I slowly began to feel only regret and everlasting sadness entering my body. With his body now blocking Marx's, I gently fell onto my knees, releasing the gun into his hand. Taking it away and placing it back in his holster, Black got down to look me in the eyes as I cried.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! This is all my fucking fault!"
Marx was shaking at the sight of me as I clearly scared him half to death. Black on the other hand replied.
"Stop! You didn't do this to him Commander. Look at me!" He ordered me as I slowly looked up.
With his hands on my shoulders he said in faith.
"None of this is your doing. Wreak died doing what he planned to do. Protect you. That's all he ever cared about. Can't you see that?" He asked me as I looked to Marx who also continued to cry in sadness.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault Raptor." Replied Marx as I was being told the same thing over and over again.
"Stand up Commander." Ordered Black as he helped me up from my slump.
"Now isn't the time to be doing this. You need to rest. Grieving over him won't bring him back now."
Looking back to Wreak, I turned to face him. Approaching the bedside, I leaned in to mutter.
"I'll end this war Wreak. I promised you that. It will happen. I will save this country. I promise you. So long as I'm alive you won't have died in vein. I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry Wreak. I'm sorry this happened. But I want you to know I love you. You were like a brother to me. I won't ever forget it. I wont ever forget you. I swear to god. I swear!"
Black gently reached for my hand and in a careful manner he urged.
"Come on Raptor. He knows."
With my hand softly feeling his face goodbye, I submitted to Black and turned to head away with him. Mason and the others moved aside as I was now guided back upstairs and to my room. Once we were there Black shut the door and locked it. With my head and all my emotions in my hands, I grabbed my nearby lamp and tossed it at the wall. Black stood by and watched as I screamed.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Hunter's POV.
After getting myself some clothes and a little motivation. I managed to step back into the hall to hear.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Instantly looking to Raptor's room, I heard a loud bang and slowly began to make my way to his door.
"Raptor?" I whispered in confusion as I heard more bangs and what sounded like glass breaking from inside his room.
Pinning my ear to the door I heard another voice shout.
Black's POV.
"Commander!"
Raptor had lost it. After a lamp, a few picture frames, and even his nightstand, I began to step in when I saw him go for his nearby TV. But completely ignoring me, Raptor sent it to the wall with all his power. Not to my surprise he fell over in pain not to long after. Tears continued to roll down his eyes as I took my chance to get close to him.
Taking him once again by his shoulder, I said softly into his ear.
"Stop. It isn't worth it."
"He was my fucking brother!"
"Hurting yourself isn't the answer!" I shouted now as he looked over into my eyes to question.
"Than what is!? Huh?! What is the answer?! You stand there and tell me how to handle losing one of the only people I had left to care about in this fucked up world!"
"You keep looking ahead! You can't let his death get in the way of what you promised him!"
"I don't plan on letting that get in my way Black! I plan on killing the son of a bitch who took his life! Then I plan on marching my way over to Pakistan and spiking Linnen's head on a fucking pipe!"
"Not in your condition your not. Even with the venom I gave you, you still need to rest."
"You can't stop me." Stated Raptor in a serious tone as I turned my head to the side to reply.
"I beg to differ. And I don't wana hurt you. There are still things I need to know about my sister and I have a feeling you know I'm not like every other soldier around here. I don't praise you like a god. I see you for who you are Raptor. That's why I respect you. You think I'm still here just for Amy?"
Looking into my eyes now with silence across his face, I went on to answer my own question.
"I'm here cause I wana support this. This...war you have with the world. And cause I think of you as a friend I will do anything to make sure you don't get yourself killed. The Middle East needs you Raptor."
"It needed Wreak too." Stated Raptor as I nodded once to reply.
"And it still has him. Every person who believes in this cause as much as he did will always be with us. You need to see that for yourself. He may be gone in body and mind but he is with you in spirit. It may sound dumb, but I lost men and I lost friends just like you have in my life. Take Vector for example. He died to not only save you but to protect me. You think I had a choice in what he did? No, I didn't. He did what he did because he believed that was his chance to make his mark. His difference. And because of his sacrifice he did just that."
Raptor gently lowered his head as I went on to say.
"You can feel sad all you want about Wreak dying. But somewhere in that head of yours you know the truth I just told you. He died doing what he knew was right. The longer you avoid that reality? The longer you suffer inside. Spend some time and think about that. Your a god damn leader and a god damn figure of hope to this whole country. Yes Wreak wasn't the first and he won't be the last. The sooner you understand the sooner you can get back on your feet and continue to do what you do best."
Now looking into my eyes I finished with a bold ending.
"Lead us to victory. Lead us to hope. Lead us...to freedom."
Raptor with wet eyes now looked lost in my words. I knew it wouldn't kick in right away. I knew I would have to give him time. Knowing this I urged him.
"Get some rest. Think what I said over. I know you want revenge, and you'll get it. But now isn't the time to lose yourself in it. We need you. I need you. You understand me?"
It took a few moments but Raptor began to nod. Soon he muttered through his cracked voice.
"Yes. I understand."
"I'm locking your room for the night. I'll have Gabe and Tap outside guarding the entrance. Come tomorrow morning, if you want, I'll explain everything that happened while you were asleep. Till then though I got to go figure some stuff out on my own for a bit. Despite the peace right now I gotta go see Archer. Like you right now; he's being mislead by his anger of losing Wreak. Someone has to make sure he doesn't do anything rash."
"Be careful." Urged Raptor as he now focused deeply into my eyes.
Nodding I replied.
"I will. Get to bed now. I'll see you in the morning."
Slowly pulling himself into the bed with what little energy he had left, I waited till he was laying down to leave. Once he was however, I made my way out the door to shut it behind me. Once locked, I turned to see Hunter no more then a few feet away with a look on her face that made me question the thoughts on her mind. Staring at one another, I knew something was bond to be said.
mT Shadow.