Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 283 - Lost as to whom I am.
Raptor's POV, Two weeks later.
For once in my life I felt like I was doing something right. I've never been happier and I would gladly say to myself that for once I feel like a proper parent. Ghost and I were improving as the days passed and that was only made possible because I listened to Alicia. I let things go. It was however the hardest thing to do. Since I heard about the contract getting voided, G.U.N took it's time planning out the next course of action for the middle east and to my surprise what I thought would happen didn't. Instead Hecan Moore had a new contract signed and their plan was to continue the work Shadow had set in place. Of course they added some things on top of it, but from all I've been hearing from Archer and Hannon, it was mostly all good.
Starting with the formation of an actual military of our own. G.U.N wanted no part in running our land like they once did. So instead they reached out and asked old rebellion vets like myself to lead the offensive. Archer and Hannon were both working nonstop at making things better. As for leadership, it was a surprise but Hecan asked a few people to fill in the gap. Thus far no one wanted the position and I understood why. It was a massive task to undertake. No one wanted to be in Shadow's old shoes, even though I had considered it at a time. Thankfully I was more focused on my kids than the future of my home. All I cared about was them and making sure they had the support to move on. Alcia was for once proud of my action and thank god for it too, because I was running out of ideas for how to make progress.
Sitting out front of my house on the doorstep, I looked out at the sun. Midnight and Ghost were both getting ready to go out with me here soon. I promised to take them to the park. Alicia would be coming to, but as for her she was next door talking to Jenny. The two of them were so happy when they got together and I wasn't about to get between that.
As I sat here I heard my phone ring off. Once I had taken it out of my pocket I saw it was a text message from Archer. I opened it up to read.
"We need to talk. Are you home?"
Texting back I replied.
"Yeah for a few more minutes. Why?"
In time he sent back.
"Well hold up because I'm on my way over. It's important. Trust me. Nothing bad."
"Okay." I replied as I put down my phone and looked back up to see Alicia on her way over. Once she reached me she asked.
"You okay?"
Smiling, I replied.
"I'm okay."
Gently sitting down next to me, Alicia wrapped an arm around me to whisper.
"You're doing the right thing. I want you to know that."
It was at that moment that my eyes locked onto an incoming G.U.N humvee. In its wake were two other trucks. In confusion I watched as they came to a stop just before my house. What I saw next was Archer leaving the lead truck. Almost instantly he smiled and shouted.
"Major!"
Alicia was just as confused as me, but together we remained seated. Archer was on his way over but that's when I noticed a familiar face just getting out of the middle truck. I was instantly brought to my feet as Hecan Moore himself appeared and began a slow walk to my doorstep. Archer reached me first to say.
"Sorry for just rolling up like this. How are you Alicia? How's the kids?"
"Their good Archer. I'm good too. How are you?"
"Better now that we're here. Raptor? You remember Hecan Moore?"
Alicia was immediately struck by the name as the president of G.U.N had reached us. Offering my hand to him I replied.
"Of course I remember. Nice to see you again sir."
"Likewise Voltz." Hecan's voice was very calm and collected as we shook hands. Once we were done Archer told me directly.
"He would like to have a word with you if that's alright."
"Of course. What's this all about?"
With the fox staring me right in the eyes he replied.
"It's safe to assume you know about the current state of Iraq and the two other major cities in the middle east. So I'll just come out with it so we don't waste any time. The rebellion is no more. We're in the process of selecting and forming a proper government and military. A legit one and so far things are going quite well, but there is one problem and one I hope you can help me solve."
Unsure of what he meant I said back.
"What's the issue?"
Hecan looked back to Archer and at that moment Archer replied.
"Issue is this military needs a leader and we've spent the last few days talking things over. There are only a select few candidates who are fit for the task and the ones we asked all declined, including myself."
Widening my eyes I questioned.
"And you think I'd fit the bill since everyone else said no? Archer, I'm retired. I don't do those kinds of things anymore. I'm sorry but I'm focused on my family and to be honest I don't think I'm fit for that position. I've felt this way ever since I declined Shadow's offer to lead the Pakistan rebellion all those years ago."
"Raptor you're all we got left here." Archer told me as Hecan jumped in to say.
"We're not forcing you to take this mantle Voltz. We're just here to put the offer on the table. But I do agree with your friend here. I've seen your file and there just isn't anyone left to compete with."
"Why can't one of your men take control?" I asked him as he calmly replied.
"I want to avoid that if I can. Mainly because we all know what happened when G.U.N was in charge. I'd feel better knowing this part of the world was runned by someone who actually knew what they were doing. You care for your homeland. There is no questioning that. However if you decline and we can't find someone else, I'd have no choice but to install someone and currently that's a crapshoot. Pardon my language."
My eyes redirected to my wife. Alicia was quick to give her input to our guests.
"My husband is retired. You know that Archer. We have a family now and we want that to be our focus."
Archer nodded as I looked back to ask Hecan.
"What would the job entail?"
Alicia quickly shouted.
"No! You're not taking that position Raptor!"
"I'm just asking!" I shouted back as Hecan calmly reassured my wife.
"No one is forcing him to ma'am. I want that to be understood. He has every right to say no if he wants. But I would like to at least answer his questions."
Alicia was getting a little heated that was sure. Yet I reached out to grab her hand and just hold it into my own. Once I had her I urged Hecan.
"Go on."
"We just need someone who can function as a reliable military advisor and as it's commander and chief. Someone who knows the men and women who currently fight and at the same time, can act and provide the knowledge needed to newer generations. This person would be fully in control of how the formation of it occurs and would lead in terms of future development. It's also no secret that the people of the middle east look up to you Voltz, so having you in this position would ease a lot of tension others are having when it comes to how G.U.N plans to play this out."
"It sounds like I'd be the president." I told him as Archer quickly stated.
"It's basically what would happen Raptor. You'd have everyone looking up to you and thanks to the new treaty Hecan is putting together, you'd be the one making most of the detailed calls. You'd have help and plenty of people to talk to, so you wouldn't truly be alone in this. But please think about it at least. This is a chance of a lifetime and I know you have your family, but in the end this would benefit them and all of our future generations. You'd be putting things back right and that's always been what this was about for the Rebellion. We can mold our home and we can make sure this gets done right. No more guessing. No one to get in our way. Think about it." He urged me as Alicia quickly jumped in to pull me back and shout.
"He's thought about it! And the answer is….?!"
"Yes." Our small group had completely changed when that word left my mouth. Alicia was in complete shock as was Archer and Hecan. Alicia however was at a loss for words as Hecan questioned.
"What?"
Forcing my hand out of my wife's, I replied.
"I said yes. I'll do it. I just….?" It was at that moment I felt everything change. Everything around me went white and it felt like a truck had hit me going fifty miles an hour. My head began to thump like crazy and then everything went black. My memory went completely south. I couldn't even remember what I was just doing a second ago. I never in all my life…...I…...I don't know…...something isn't right.
Zeta's POV.
It was getting late and I was getting exhausted with each passing minute. I had very little energy, but it didn't really matter. The capital was so peaceful nowadays I didn't need to worry about anything other than Raptor.
Yet I was so tired from all the worrying and even now I wished I had a way to stay awake. No form of venom would help and even if I wanted to be bad about it I couldn't. I had no coke left to cheat the system. A drink would put me to rest and…..?
For a second I saw a flicker of movement in my peripheral vision. In about a second all those thoughts about sleep left my mind when I looked to see Raptor's eyes open and his right arm a few inches off the bed. He was just looking at his hand. I never felt my body struggle form words this bad before. Almost unsure of what I was seeing, I got up really slow and continued to watch as he was still just looking at his hand.
"Raptor?" I whispered.
He didn't even react. He was so focused on his hand. I kept my mouth shut until I saw his hand drop back to the bed. Then his focus just shifted to what was in front of him. With a tear coming to my left eye I said his name again.
"Raptor?"
About as gentle as I could, I reached out and touched his left shoulder. Almost unaware, Raptor didn't even notice when it happened. I questioned if I really was crazy for thinking this was real. But then he looked to his side. Our eyes locked and I knew what he was seeing. I was crying to myself. I was so happy for this moment, but at the same time scared. What I saw was a different story. He looked at me as if he was completely lost and confused by who I was. He just held a straight face and confirmed it for me by asking in a super relaxed voice.
"Who are you?"
I kept my hand on him, but I was now the one who was confused.
My attention ran away from the world around me when he asked that question. I didn't even notice when Marx entered the room. I just heard his feet stop as he questioned.
"Raptor?"
Raptor's head turned to look at the cat. I released my grip on his shoulder as he was slow to respond.
"Where am I?"
Marx immediately looked to me and all I could do was offer him an utterly confused look back. Now in front of the bed did Marx reply.
"The Iraq capital building."
Raptor proceeded to look down at his lap. Molly was there. Slow to say anything to him as the look he gave her was the exact same he gave me. I think Molly knew something was wrong the second he questioned.
"Why am I here? Who's dog is this?"
"Do you know who I am?" Marx asked him very slowly.
Raptor was still out of it. You could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice as he struggled to think. Marx during which got right in between us. He moved a hand back to grab my right and without another word we waited till Raptor had formed an answer, which came out in a way it made you think he doubted even himself.
"I think…..Marx? Marx is that you?"
Smiling Marx replied happily.
"Yeah that's me."
"Why are you here? I haven't seen you for years. Not since I retired. Wait…..?"
Both Marx and I lost our small smiles and instantly began to question what he was talking about. Marx held my hand softly as Raptor attempted to finish his sentence, with a question that made both of us stand on end.
"Where's Alicia?"
I felt Marx squeeze my hand tighter as I watched the doctor lose his own tongue. Raptor looked back to him and with his voice growing worried Raptor asked him desperately.
"Where is she? She was just here and Archer was…...I don't know what's going on. Marx…...where's my family? What happened to me?"
Marx very slowly stood back. Almost on top of me as he struggled to answer all that. What was wrong? Why was he so confused? Why doesn't he remember me or Molly even?
Raptor was clearly more exhausted than anything else. Even with his heart into asking that question he barely was able to keep himself into the moment. His face lowered and that's when Marx jumped in to gently place both hands over his shoulder.
"It's okay Raptor. Everything is okay. Relax…..?"
Raptor was shutting his eyes and drifting into unconsciousness. Marx nodded his head as he very gently laid his friend down on the pillow. Once Raptor was asleep again did he look back at me with a look of almost fear. He then pulled me out of the room where he proceeded to ask me next in a clear panic.
"When did he wake up? Was it just then?"
I nodded and with a slight panic of my own I asked him back.
"What's wrong with him Marx? He didn't remember me or Molly? And Alicia…..? What the fuck is going on with him?"
My sister could be seen coming down the hall. Marx took it upon himself to freeze up as she instantly saw my face to question.
"What's wrong?"
She came right to my side and with her attention focused on me she quickly realized I wasn't about to be the one to speak next. I wanted my answer and her attention shifted right back to the cat who replied to her concerns.
"Raptor just came through."
Pepper's ears jumped and eyes widened. Almost happy she questioned.
"What? Really? He's awake? When?"
"Just now." He replied as I began to growl. Pepper immediately knew something was wrong and looked to Marx for the reason why. All he could do was tell her calmly.
"He passed out shortly after. But…...he's not all there."
"What do you mean not all there?"
"I mean he has no memory of your sister, Molly, or even past events. He asked where his family was Pepper. Do you understand what that means?"
Pepper's attitude was quickly changed when she heard him say all that. Marx kept on talking however stating to us both.
"It is very common that people who come out of comas like this don't remember anything. Typically though it's just a side effect and his memory should come back to him once his mind has had time to heal now that he's back in reality."
"But?" I urged him to answer the place I already knew he would be going.
Looking me right in the eyes he replied.
"But sometimes the damage can be severe. Even….irreversible."
I felt like my heart dropped. Marx knew what that would mean in my mind and gave me this very worried and yet sad look. My sister however was all business and asked him directly.
"Unless we do what? Come on. There has to be things we can do to help his mind get back on track."
Nodding Marx replied.
"Right now all we can do is let him rest. Now Zeta I need you to listen to me. I can not have you near him right now. Not till I get his memory somewhere where he can remember you. When he wakes up he's going to have questions. He's going to be panicking and having too many things around at once can overload him. I don't want that and regardless of your feelings right now, we can't afford that. Please….do you understand what I'm saying to you? This goes for Molly. For you to Pepper. I can't risk fucking this up until I know just how bad the damage is. For all I know he doesn't even remember the war. I need to gauge this with no room for errors. Do you understand me?"
I understood but just like Pepper I wanted to help. He's my problem, but I know Marx is right. With the cat taking my silence as his answer that I understood, he slowly nodded and begged both me and my sister.
"Go find something to do for now. When I know what's going on I will come to you for help. I promise."
I wanted to say so much, but Pepper said it for me as I felt her hands tug me away gently.
"Don't fuck this up. Or….?"
"Or what? You'll beat me up again?"
I now had to tug Pepper back as she growled and Marx went on to tell her bluntly.
"I'm not going to fuck this up. I swear to you. Now go. Inform the others. I'm sure they will want to know what's going on."
"I got you." I replied as both Pepper and I backed away from the room and the cat who was starting to prove something to me with how he stood up to my sister. Once I had her away and started off back down the hallway, I urged her.
"It's okay. He's okay. We just need to have faith."
I felt her claws dig into my side as I held her by my side as if she was the only person left to bring me comfort in such a confusing time.
mT Shadow.