RUNEMASTER
Rating 》 T-M for Profanity, Adult Situations, Violence and Sexual Content
Pairing 》 Major Reid/OC & Minor Tyler/OC
Disclaimer 》 Fandoms, canons, music, references and source material are not mine, but this plot is. No monetary profit made.
Author's Note 》 For fanart, fanmixes and fanvids, go to hapadoll,wixsite,com/hapadoll (replace , with . )
4. More Dead Than Alive
Doctors are always looking for something physical to blame an ailment on even if it's more on assumption than evidence based. Upon Kemp's admission, the hospital ran every test known to man. Almost everything came back negative with no abnormal findings besides the cat scan and chest x-ray. Those results would be further discussed with patient's family.
Kemp's attending doctor, a white-haired gentleman who walks with both hands in his pockets explains her condition to her mother as best he can with the information he's gathered.
"We might have a few missing pieces and we can't be sure what triggered it exactly, but given her medical history, we believe Kemp suffered an acute asthmatic attack. And because she didn't have her inhaler at the time, it caused hypoxia, which is deprivation of oxygen to the brain. In severe cases, if the airway is constricted enough, it can result in loss of consciousness, anoxic seizure or coma."
The doctor uses a lot of uncertain words such as "might", "may" and "could". There is nothing definitive in his statements. It isn't the most reassuring thing in the world to hear, but some answers are better than none at all.
"So, you think that's what happened to my daughter?" Winona asks, her voice laced with horror at the idea. By now, she's familiar with asthma and how to manage it long-term, but she does not know how to process something to this extent. "You believe she actually had a seizure or was in a coma?" She says the word like it's the vilest of profanities.
A nurse comes in to replace the IV bag before it runs dry. Her presence pleasantly interrupts the tense moment. Though she keeps to herself and works quietly in the background so as not to disturb the conversation further.
"I know the word 'coma' sounds very scary, and it is serious, but most people do come out of them," says the doctor, addressing the question.
He hesitates only a moment before he proceeds to describe the part he didn't have a logical answer to.
"We do typically see some levels of brain damage following comas, even in the smallest forms. However, Kemp's CT scan actually showed higher than normal brain activity, which is extremely rare but obviously great news. To be honest, it's what some may consider a 'medical miracle' how exceptionally well she's doing despite not receiving medical attention as long as she did."
Kemp is awake before her eyes open, listening to the nearby voices in the normally quiet room. She stirs, gently, and wishes she could go on sleeping instead, because any attempt at moving results in greater pain, even with the smallest movements. Every part of her petite body aches as if she'd been beaten to a bloody death and cruelly resurrected to suffer eternally. Kemp is hardly aware of the soft whimper she lets out as she squirms to find comfort in the unfamiliar bed.
The feeling of being hovered over forces her weighted eyelids to part. The cool, dry air burns when it hits her eyes, making them watery. It takes a few moments for her vision to adjust through the blur. A slight panic wells in her chest when she doesn't recognize the woman standing directly over her in the unfamiliar setting. She tries to speak, to ask where she is, but her voice doesn't cooperate. The nurse places an insistent hand on her shoulder, tells her to "take it easy" when she resists and calls the doctor over.
"Try to relax, hun. Sit back, take a deep breath," he says.
His care feels more conscientious than the nurse and his touch more gentle, but the contact is still an unpleasant sensation to her skin. He hands her a styrofoam cup filled with water that has settled to lukewarm over the hours of being left out―a temperature she happens to prefer. She drinks deep, enjoying the stream of hydration against her parched throat while the older man introduces himself.
"I'm Dr. Holden, you're at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester. You had an asthmatic episode, but you're going to be just fine. Look at me for a second."
He shines a light in her eyes as if it were a tiny police helicopter spotlight searching for a perpetrator in a strip of land in a gray lake in the woods. Kemp tries hard to not blink or let her eyes cross like they want to and focuses on the routine questions he asks. Kemp Olivia Berzin. December 4, 1999. June 2017. Ipswich, Massachusetts. He seems satisfied with these answers.
She finally notices her mother standing at the other end of the bed, quiet as a mouse. That says something to the extent of her injuries, which is a little alarming in and of itself. Winona Berzin always has an opinion on something and is never afraid to tell you straight forward exactly what she thinks. Moreso as of late.
Kemp tries to send a reassuring smile that communicates she's fine towards her mom who looks as if she's seconds away from bursting into tears again. The last time they'd spoken to each other before her disappearance ended in a screaming match and that made her feel even worse.
The doctor brings her attention back with some good news.
"We're only going to have you here for a few more hours and then we're going to try to get you home so you can sleep in your own bed tonight. How does that sound?" asks Dr. Holden with a kind smile.
As much as she hated hospital, at least she got a doctor with a wonderful bedside manner.
"Home sounds good," she nods in agreement, longing for her percale sheets and body pillows, then sheepishly admits, "I'm just scared of feeling like I felt before. I'm still hurting pretty bad."
When she woke up in the woods, drenched to the bone, she was in an enormous amount of pain. Her nerves felt like they were crawling through her skin, burning with equal amounts of excitement and terror. She'd never felt so close to death and yet so alive. Somehow she stayed conscious enough to make it home and into the car upon her father's insistence before passing out from the pain on the way to the emergency room. The doctors kept her sedated for the past twelve hours, but the last dose was wearing off and the pain is right there waiting.
"Don't worry, dear, we won't discharge you without a goodie bag. There's a 24-hour pharmacy in the lobby. Mom or dad can get that filled for you before you leave. I'll have the nurse give you another dose in your drip for right now."
"Thank you."
The doctor nods and leaves Kemp and her mother alone in the small room. The tears begin to flow, surprisingly on both sides as they finally have a moment to themselves after all the madness of the past week. It's the first time all day a genuine smile appears on her Winona's face.
It's noon on Friday and Caleb desperately needs the weekend to decompress. But there's just too much going on, too much to take care of before he can shut down his brain and body for a while or even enjoy his last meal at Spencer.
To run down the list: today's the last day for students to clear out their lockers, dorms, etc., graduation rehearsal later that afternoon, the actual ceremony the following day, and now the suspected return of Chase somehow centering around Kemp Berzin's disappearance. The latter obviously higher in priority than the former, needing to be addressed as soon as possible. His brothers were privy to the situation as they'd called one another early that morning to confirm what they had felt around 3 a.m.; a very fierce emission of power.
Although he's been proudly awaiting this day throughout his high school years with his valedictorian speech prepared well ahead of time, he momentarily considers blowing it off so he can devote his energy to something more significant, like protecting his loved ones against a psychotic warlock. He's earned his diploma. He's technically already a graduate. He doesn't need to walk across a stage in a line with hundreds of other students to be one, but a brief recollection of his mother's excitement over her only child graduating summa cum laude has him instantly withdrawing the idea.
Caleb is distracted enough by his overlapping thoughts that he doesn't notice who's stepped into the line behind him until she speaks to him directly.
"Hi Caleb."
God, even the way she says his name gets to him. His attention is on her in two seconds flat. So many emotions break through inside of him. He can actually feel a sense of relief in her presence, even in the smallest interaction. Things have been tense and uncomfortable between them for a while. Neither knew how to act around each other for months, and both did or said things that were probably not the most considerate to the other's feelings. And then weeks of painful silence had gone by. That was even worse. He'd had a lot of unrealistic expectations of her post-breakup, but now, he was just happy to be talking with her again.
The young warlock takes in the sight of his ex queueing up for her own lunch. Apple slices and brie cheese like she always started out with. He responds to her greeting with the warm smile that she originally fell in love with, while he thinks of something to say, but it is Sarah who speaks first.
"Happy to be done?"
Caleb is initially taken aback. For a moment he takes it differently than she intends it. He took it that she was referring to the demise of their relationship, which in retrospect would have been a strange topic to bring up out of the blue. Understanding dawns on him and he feels a little arrogant for expecting himself to be on the forefront of her mind.
"Happy," he agrees with a nod. "Among other things. Bittersweet, as cliche as it is, is the closest word to describe it."
She returns a smile, though he can tell it's a little forced. They're still warming back up to each other, trying to find a new dynamic that works for them. Friendship? Maybe someday. He's hopeful that one day they can return to some kind of normalcy between them. Though if Chase really has returned, he can't have her involved with them at all. At least, not until the immediate danger has passed.
"I can imagine. I'm already freaking out about being a senior next year. We work towards that one goal for so long we forget to appreciate all the good stuff in between. And then it all hits you on your way out," says Sarah, spooning some cottage cheese onto her salad.
"That was a little depressing but insightful," laughs Caleb and he asks her, "are you going to be there tomorrow?".
"Of course," she nods fervently, like she'd be offended if he assumed otherwise. "I'm going with Kate."
He's pretty excited about it, but due to the circumstances, he hides it.
His expression alters into a grimace he hopes she didn't catch when she segues into a topic he doesn't care to discuss. Sarah broaches the subject carefully, in such a way to test the waters. Her brain tells her to leave it alone, not to open that can of worms, but she knows something's off and something is not right. She's so anxious about the possiblities, the what-ifs plaguing her thoughts, she'd rather him confirm or deny her suspicions for her own piece of mind. If Chase was back, as terrifying of a thought that is, she'd rather be prepared instead of blindsided like an ostrich with its head in the sand.
"Can you believe everything that's going on with Gabi's sister? It's all over the news. I want to send flowers or something. I mean, I don't really know either of them very well, but you all are friends with Gabi, right?"
"Friendly," he corrects mildly.
Their gang had gotten to know Gabi over the past few months, watched her react to things, learned her general views through conversation, but she was still the girlfriend of Baby Boy who was then brought into the group―not the good friend who happened to later date one of them like Kate.
Gabi was a nice enough girl and Caleb liked her fine, but in the months she and Tyler were together, he couldn't help wonder if she was a good fit for his youngest brother romantically. While it wasn't all on her alone, she just didn't bring out the best in him and vice versa. They all saw through the puppy love for what it was: infatuation. Kate recognized it as well, but being the romantic who bonded with almost every girl they brought around, rooted for them to work their kinks out. Though none of them would have gone as far as Reid had, telling her point blank, "Tyler's been meaning to break up with you".
"Flowers would be a nice gesture. I'm sure she'd like that," he adds.
"I'll drop something off after school."
Though he has eaten not so much as a single bite of his lobster roll, Caleb's stomach drops. He doesn't want the girls interacting with that Kemp girl if Chase is indeed behind her disappearance. He doesn't understand Sarah's incessant need to go out of her way for someone she barely knows, even if she is a friend's sister.
"That's really sweet of you Sarah," says Caleb, trying to validate her efforts while subtly talking her out of it. "But I'm sure their family has a lot going on right now. You should just order an arrangement and have it delivered. I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate that any less."
Sarah feels like she's being patronized and reprimands it with, "I'm not dumb, Caleb".
She knows exactly what he's doing. They may have dated only a short time, but she'd gotten to know him well enough to know his words are always chosen very carefully, especially when it involves the boy's shared "secret".
"There was something different about this storm, like it was different that night," she adds, dropping her voice an octave so that anyone in the area couldn't hear. "Maybe I'm just having irrational flashbacks, maybe this storm was a normal storm, maybe Kemp got lost in the woods, but if something else happened to her, I'm the only other person who can understand."
Fuck him, she had a point. A foolish one, but a valid point nonetheless. A huge part of him wants to argue, to tell her the truth, that she's being dumb, but he knows it won't make a difference. She's determined and isn't going to budge. A part of sweet, mild-mannered Sarah was as stubborn as a mule. It's obvious that she didn't come to ask permission. He almost asks why she bothered telling him at all, but he's glad she did, because at least he could implement a safety measure.
"Fine, but don't tell Kate or she'll want to go. Pogue will freak."
If she was going to be stubborn, she wasn't involving Kate and she wasn't going alone.
"How... the hell... did I get roped into playing chauffeur to Caleb's ex-girlfriend while she visits your ex-girlfriend's sister who we don't know? Explain to me that logic," Reid grumbles.
He grumbles at everything to be grumbled at: Sarah taking too long to choose a damn bouquet, the tight parking at the florists', the car to the left that's angled into their stall, the half hour drive both ways plus traffic, the need to stop for gas along the way, the fact that Caleb's still ordering him around.
Tyler shrugs while explaining, "Caleb and Pogue have rehearsal for tomorrow and we don't."
School was officially out for the summer and there were by far better ways for Reid to spend his free time than babysitting Sarah. She was their friend and he liked her, but this was a major inconvenience. He knew they'd have to look into this thing with Kemp at some point after what he'd woken up to that morning, and he wanted Chase dead for what he'd done to Pogue last time, but having Sarah with them wasn't part of the plan. It was a hindrance. They had an extra person to protect besides themselves if shit hit the fan.
Reid scoffs at the unimaginably backwards concept, "they're not even dating anymore and he's still a pussy whipped bitch for her. It's sad."
Tyler's always uncomfortable talking about people behind their back, even if they are remarks Reid would have no problem reiterating to Caleb's face.
"I don't think this has anything to do with their relationship." Tyler plays devil's advocate for his friend who's not there to speak on his own behalf. "It's just a safety precaution."
"Yeah, I get that. But if I were him I wouldn't ask nicely. There wouldn't be a discussion. Here is what would happen, I would tell her she's not going to go, period."
"Girls don't like being told what to do," Tyler states simply, drumming the backs of his fingers on the passenger side window.
Reid doesn't like being told what to do either, yet here they are asking how high the second Caleb says jump. As excited as he was for summer to begin, the real fun would come towards the end when Caleb would be off to become a Harvard yuppie, out of his hair for a semester. He and Tyler would be free to do as they please like the kids whose strict parents were finally out of town.
"They also like pushing our limits." Reid shares his understanding of the opposite sex. "They'll say they want to do something they know we're opposed to just to get a rise out of us. And Caleb's weak response is to give in. I wouldn't indulge that shit for a second."
"You're so caring and sweet, I can't understand why you don't have a girlfriend. Any girl would be lucky to have you."
Reid laughs, totally unbothered by the insult. "Tell that to Cassandra Blakely who more than willingly gave me a handjob under the table in French. Said she wanted to do something daring before graduation. Talk about going out with a bang."
"Classy," snorts Tyler, but he doesn't add anything.
Even though he's thinking of a good retort, it doesn't matter. Everyone knows Reid is very much his own person with his own type and his own dating style who's going to do what he wants. Tyler wouldn't try to force his own viewpoints on him, even if he didn't agree with the kinky, casual sex thing Reid liked so much. They were friends not because of shared principles, they were friends because they didn't have to hide from each other, they could share and trust, and would take a bullet for one another without hesitation. Nothing could drive a wedge between them, not even their vast differences.
"Anyway," says Tyler, changing the subject. "With or without Sarah, we have to find out if Kemp saw Chase and what he wants with her, because he was using when she disappeared and he was using when she reappeared."
Reid's response drips with sarcasm. "Oh yeah, that'll be real subtle. 'Hey Gabi's sister, did you happen to be abducted by a psycho warlock who's obsessed with your sister's ex and his friends, who also happen to be witches? Except we're the nice kind. We won't kill you like he will.'"
"I wouldn't use those words exactly. Again, tact. Don't go in guns blazing, ready to interrogate her. At least I have an excuse to be there, to support Gabi. When she and I talked last night I told her I wanted to be friends, so this is a friendly gesture."
The back door on Reid's side opens before he can respond, but he wasn't going to anyway. He's preoccupied with syncing his phone up with Tyler's Hummer and setting his playlist for the drive. Sarah hops in with a very cheerful looking arrangement of pink roses, pink lilies and pink carnations with a pink ribbon tied into a bow around the acrylic vase. She proudly shows her creation off to the boys, asking them what they think, how they like it. The boys respond simultaneously, overlapping the other with a very polite Tyler-like response and a very sarcastic Reid-like response.
"Yeah, it looks good."
"Outstanding! Everybody buckled in? Great, let's roll."
It would have been a long couple of hours without the distraction. Kemp is grateful for the company while she waits to be discharged. She suggested her family go home and come back after they freshened up and got themselves something to eat. Her parents were reluctant to leave her, but she insisted she was in the safest place possible in the event of another attack and she'd be fine with her friends.
They're killing time listening to music and playing cards up in the room, using spare coins as chips. The room is alive with banter and horseplay.
"Don't play like an asshole," says Bordy, placing his bet.
"I don't play like an asshole," Aaron corrects his friend and raises. "I only play fair. As in kicking everybody else's ass."
Aaron was a confident guy, always so sure of himself. Outwardly at least. Kemp liked to give him a hard time about it, challenge him. It was in her nature to be that way. Perhaps it was the reason their friendship worked―they balanced each other. But it was all in fun on her end because she knew him to have a decent side despite his douchey tendencies.
"Pretty strong words coming from a guy with only two wins under his belt." Kemp jokes like she's one of the guys and raises as well. Kira snickers while filing out a snag in her nail.
"Stronger words from a girl who hasn't won any," came Aaron's retort as he stretches his arms behind his head, waiting for Ryan to make a decision.
"Don't you worry about it." She bluffs with her best attempt at a shit-eating grin as if she's got a good hand but Aaron sees right through it.
Ryan takes a look at his two hole cards a few times, along with the flop and decides to call. It's back to Bordy's turn who instantly folds himself out of the round, then to Aaron again.
"Stop looking at my cards!" Aaron shouts at Kira who keeps inching closer. His hand automatically comes up to wave her off. "I know you're trying to tell Kemp what I got. Don't be a trick."
Aaron and Kira had been friends since elementary when the other kids tried to bully Kira during her ugly-duckling stage and he'd been there ever since from wild parties, starting fights and late-night carousing. He was there when she'd had her heart broken for the first time. Over the years, their relationship developed into a "friends with benefits" situation that had surprisingly remained uncomplicated.
When Kira and Kemp shared a dorm room sophomore year, he hadn't expected the two to take such a liking to each other given Kira's difficulty making female friends. It didn't immediately start on a good note, but it quickly blossomed. They had too much fun ganging up on him sometimes, and it could be pretty annoying, but in most cases it was warranted.
"If you didn't wave them around so much it wouldn't be so easy," Kira shrugs. "Your own fault for not hiding your cards better."
"I don't need her to help me cheat," says Kemp. "Your poker face is for shit."
"Maybe that's just what I want you guys to think." Aaron smirks and he raises again. Kemp raises right back, pretending she isn't a total novice to poker.
Ryan drops his cards like they just spontaneously combusted into a ball of fire and burnt him, muttering, "2-7 offsuit" while everybody else snickers.
Aaron howls with laughter over Ryan's terrible hand, exclaiming, "why didn't you fold a long time ago, you moron?!".
Ryan shakes his head and sits back, watching the game play out between Aaron and Kemp. Aaron has a royal flush. He's knows it's more than enough to beat Kemp's hand, because despite the trash talk, she can't keep her own poker face to save her life. The competitive streak in him wants to claim the winnings, even if it's just for bragging rights. Instead, he throws down his cards without turning them up, announcing that he too folds.
"How do you expect to win against us at pool if you can't even beat a girl at poker?" Reid announces his presence. No hello. No how are you? No greeting at all. No manners.
The light-hearted mood immediately changes as Aaron's eyes darken and his more primal side emerges.
"The hell are you doing here?" Aaron demands, sounding rude and accusatory.
Sarah takes it upon herself to break up the tension before the dark atmosphere has an effect on her as well. She knows the hateful glare from Aaron and Kira is mostly directed towards Reid anyway, so she crosses the distance between them towards Kemp's bedside.
"We came to bring you these flowers and to say we hope you feel better soon. I think we have a few classes together, but we've never been properly introduced. I'm Sarah."
Kemp knows who Sarah is. The blonde girl's named popped up in the local paper last fall when she was abducted by a fellow student. What she doesn't know is why she's in her hospital room. Moreover, why she's there with the younger half of The Sons. To say she's in shock would be an understatement. Their friends couldn't stand each other and they weren't even friends themselves. Her sister ran with their group for a few months while dating the Simms kid, but she and Gabi always went in different directions socially.
All Kemp can think to say is a simple "thank you" and reciprocate the introduction with a smile on her face.
"Yeah, of course."
Sarah adjusts the bouquet on the bedside table so it sits at its best angle. All the perfectly erect flowers facing out. She's taking in Kemp's weathered appearance and finds similarities between their situations with sympathy. She raises a few too many concerned questions right away and says the whole "if you ever need to talk" thing. Tyler clears his throat, hoping it'll remind Sarah to dial it back a little.
"Do you guys need to be invited in like vampires? You don't need to stand in the doorway," Kemp says to Reid and Tyler who still hadn't moved, slightly annoyed by their presence but trying to be polite. She wasn't loving the attitude they brought with them.
Reid scoffs, "no, we're definitely not vampires," and receives a discreet nudge from his brother.
"You can come in," Aaron says to Sarah then addresses the guys she came with. "You two, don't let the door hit you on your way out."
"No can do, Abbott." Reid just walks in inspecting the room as if he's looking for something to steal and posts up against the counter with the sink. He pushes the water pitcher in, away from the edge. "We came to escort this lovely lady here today, not drop her off at daycare."
As much as Reid didn't want to be there, especially after he saw Aaron and his posse, there was no way they were leaving Sarah unattended. He and Tyler felt horrible for what happened the last time. It was surprising Caleb even entrusted her with them again, but nothing like that would happen again on their watch.
Another top priority for their visit was to find out what they could about Chase's return: if Kemp had a direct encounter with him, if she remembered seeing anyone strange at all. Then Aaron fucking Abbott of all people just had to be there, with Kira of course. He knew they were friends of hers, but he was highly annoyed that their paths had to cross there. How were they supposed to poke around with a hostile audience watching their every move? Maybe if he fucked with them enough they'd leave.
Before Aaron can respond, Kira's up, out of her seat. One down. That was easier than Reid expected. His mere presence chased her off like he was going to give her ebola. She hated him that much.
"It's starting to get really crowded in here and I don't like it," she sneers. "I'm going to the cafeteria. You want anything?"
The question is clearly meant for Kemp, but Reid speaks just to hear the sound of his own voice and to be a smartass.
"Coffee. You know how I take it."
Now she's ready to strangle him and it shows between her eyebrows.
Aaron intercedes, "how 'bout we take this outside?", rising to meet face to face with Reid.
Aaron turns into such a ugly person around The Sons, especially the loud-mouthed blond one that seemingly lived to push people's buttons. The loud mouth speaks again.
"I'm just too damn lazy to walk that far so I guess we'll have to do it here."
Ryan encourages Aaron to teach Reid some respect while Bordy and Tyler try to talk their friends down, both saying how it's not worth it. Kira's already stormed out of the room. Sarah speaks on Kemp's behalf from a girl's perspective, saying what she's thinking.
How can they possibly think it's a good idea to bring this kind of negativity around her right now? How insensitive, mindless, disrespectful can these idiots be?
"Can somebody do something please, before all hell breaks loose?" Sarah swallows, suddenly feeling responsible for bringing the tornado with her. She may not like Aaron, his boys and Kira either, but at least she knew how to act right for a few minutes.
Irritation is growing, patience is thinning. Very soon, tempers will be flaring, fists flying and blows exchanging. The boys are close to combustion. The scene is frighteningly similar to their last encounter. And just then, the pitcher topples over, releasing a waterfall across the counter and floor, soaking both boys from waist to foot.
Everyone else is distracted by the commotion except for the two youngest Sons. Aaron's yelling about his wet crotch while Reid and Tyler watch Kemp's eyes turn back to green.
Author's Note: I want to address the fact that I made the timeline present-day, rather than 2006 when The Covenant came out. I'd love feedback on that because I was torn. If it was off-putting, I have no problem revising it. Other than that, I had so much fun writing this chapter! I hope you're as stoked as I am for the next. Thank you readers, those who favorited(sp?), followed and bjq and AliH1 for reviewing!