Renegade Runaways :: Chapter Five
At Salem University Hospital, John Doe was admitted directly to the ICU in a private wing of the hospital. He appeared confidentially in the hospital data system to decrease the chances of being seen by the wrong people. Kayla wrapped his face with gauze, in an attempt to hide his true identity while staff from radiology took X-Rays and a CT of his head and abdomen.
Steve, Hope, and Aiden, were all dressed as surgeons to mask their own identities as they wandered through the hospital towards the ICU. Kayla spotted them in the hallway, headed towards the elevators.
"Doctors?" Kayla called from the nurses station.
Hope and Steve slowly turned towards Kayla. Aiden continued to stare at the wall.
Kayla approached them with a chart, "I was wondering if you could give me a follow up consult on my new patient, John Doe? He is in room 3006."
Steve took the chart, and pretended to scan it, "Lead the way Dr. Brady."
Kayla nodded and walked into the open elevator. Hope, Steve, and Aiden followed. Once the doors closed, Hope pulled her mask down, "How is he?"
"Hope Brady, you put that mask back on. Right now." Steve ordered.
"Dammit, Steve," Hope whined, but obeyed, "Kay, how is Bo?"
"I feel a lot better now that he's here. He has 4 broken ribs and a concussion." Kayla replied. She sounded professional.
"Well that wouldn't be the first, and it probably won't be his last concussion." Hope almost laughed at her hard headed husband, "What about infection?"
"We opened the wound, flushed it out, and properly closed it. It will heal quicker, but there will probably be a scar due to the trauma to the tissue. We didn't find any internal bleeding, which is what I was most concerned about. I was afraid when he was stabbed the knife might have punctured a vital organ. He's lucky. He does have signs of infection. The tissue around the wound has a discharge, and he has a fever. We've got him on an IV antibiotic and some pain medication. He's dehydrated. Weak. I'm relieved to be honest with all of you. It could've been much worse."
The four of them rode the elevator in silence the rest of the way to the third floor. The reality of the situation washed over them, catapulting each of them into their own solemn worlds. When the elevator doors opened, Kayla led the way to Bo's room.
They all flooded into the room in a single file line. Hope went straight for Bo's hospital bed, gently grasping his hand.
"What's the plan?" Kayla asked as soon as the door was shut, "We need a plan. Now. He can't stay here too long. People will ask questions. The cops will get involved. Luckily tonight most of the people we know personally that work here are at the gala…. It's the weekend…. But Monday, I'm really worried about."
"I'll have him out of here by Monday." Steve agreed.
"And take him where?" Hope questioned.
"I don't know, anywhere." Steve shrugged, "Out of Salem."
"Absolutely not," Hope argued.
"Hope, you don't understand how dangerous it is for us to be here." Steve sighed, "It's dangerous for us AND to you and Kayla."
"I'm coming with you." Hope replied firmly.
"Me too." Kayla nodded, "He needs a doctor."
"What about Ciara?" Aiden asked.
Hope knew Aiden was right. She was silent as she thought about the dilemma.
"Why can't we hide out in a safe house?" Kayla asked, "Why are you guys running?"
"And who are you running from?" Hope wondered, "If everyone is in so much danger, we have a right to know."
"Bo was being held captive…" Steve sighed, "A group from the Peruvian Mafia was after him because of his work for Caroline's cure. They wanted the information about the injection so they could sell it and make millions. The ISA sent me and Shane to rescue him because we knew he was abducted from a mission that had nothing to do with the work he was doing for Victor. That group knows everything about us and everything that makes us vulnerable. They're good. They know what they're doing. He didn't leave you Hope. He was trying to protect you… He was trying to keep his family safe. "
Hope stared silently at Steve, listening intently, trying not to focus on the swarm of emotions that threatened to jump out at her.
"Basically," Steve continued, "If we go to the cops, they are going to start offing our families like tomorrow's chicken fried dinner."
"I still don't understand why you have to hide out." Kayla argued, "It's safe here. How can the ISA and the SPD not stop this organization."
"It's a South American Mafia Sweetness," Steve mumbled, "They're dangerous. Their connections go deep. None of us want to bring them to Salem."
"Who is us?" Hope asked.
"John's involved too." Steve said quietly, "Marlena doesn't know. The less any of you knew the better."
"It's a little late for that." Hope sighed with frustration, "Steve, we're all in this together now. We have to stop this so all of us can get back to our lives. This isn't fair. It's ridiculous. I'm a cop for crying out loud. I can handle it."
"Look," Steve shrugged, "All I know is that after Bo went MIA and quit responding to my phone calls and text messages, I went lookin' for him. After searching on my own for awhile, I contacted Shane. He got the ISA involved. The more we found out, the more worried we became. We drew John into the plan to keep an eye on home base and research from afar. I found Bo at a prison in Peru. I busted him out, and that's why we look like this. You two want to end up in the shape we're in? No way in hell."
Hope looked at Kayla and then at her unconscious husband. She stewed silently for a minute before locking eyes with Aiden who stood quietly in the corner.
"Hope…." Steve shook his head, "Stop…. I know what you're doing. You can stop those wheels that are turning in your head right this second. It's not happening."
"I believe that this group of men are only a match for the ISA. I'll give you that." Hope said evenly, "But I will not let you take my husband on the run with the two of you looking the way you do. You'll never survive."
"She's right." Kayla agreed.
Steve sighed in frustration, "Bo's going to kick my ass."
"He won't be doing that any time soon." Kayla mumbled.
"You'll never win…" Aiden finally interjected, "Hope always gets what she wants."
"Who asked you to speak?" Steve roared, "I've known Hope a hell of a lot longer than you have."
"How about we stop arguing and make a plan?" Hope ordered.
"Fine." Steve agreed, "Starting with what the hell we do with frat boy."
Hope shrugged uncomfortably. Kayla bit her lip.
"He knows we've been here." Steve sighed, "Do you trust him?"
Hope nodded. Aiden smiled with relief.
"Well, I don't." Steve shook his head, "If we leave him here he could tell someone. If we take him he's extra baggage."
"He won't tell anyone." Hope argued.
"Look. We'll drag him along until I feel enough time has passed and then we'll kick him to the curb. If their men are hot on our trail, we don't need them sniffing around Salem while there's a nark in the nest."
"My son," Aiden worried out loud.
"We'll figure something out." Hope reassured.
"I'm calling John," Steve decided, "Let's get this show on the road."