DISCLAIMER: THE ONLY TIME THEY ARE MINE IS WHEN I'M DREAMING...

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NOTES:

* So, this story was meant to be coming to an end soon - however, when I came to review my notes for the upcoming chapters, I realised that somethings needed explaining in greater detail - So, yeah - This story will now be continuing for a lot longer than originally planned!

* Thank you to everyone who's recently reviewed this story. Really appreciate all the feedback.

* Also, a big shout out to Bow Echo :) Thank you for the reviews, kind words and PM's they brighten up my day!

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Chapter 31: Evil Intentions.

Silence had descended upon all the family after Virgil had revealed to them the extent of the Hood's revenge. Jeff now sat with his head in his hands, John stood staring out of the window, Scott gripped onto Virgil's hand while they both stared blankly into nothingness, while their grandma held Alan and Gordon safely in her arms.

Time continued to pass by until eventually, Jeff raised his head. "Virg." Jeff said softly. "What the Hood told you he did... What he's made you see." Jeff paused and breathed out. "When you were caught in the avalanche with your mom, you suffered a concussion, and thankfully didn't remember much of that day." Jeff paused again. "I guess what I'm trying to say is… Maybe the Hood's changed things, making you see something that isn't real."

"It feels real!" Virgil sighed.

"What happens in these dreams, can you try and talk us through them?" John hesitantly asked.

"It always starts with all of us together on the slopes, we are all trying to teach Gordon and Alan how to ski but they are more interested in throwing snowballs at each other... It's then I notice the Hood watching us all… And then… The… The avalanche starts… The… The snow it… It starts to fall and." Virgil's voice trailed off.

"It's okay, just take your time." Scott whispered, gripping harder onto Virgil's hand.

Virgil sniffed and then looked towards his dad. "You and mom both noticed the avalanche… You had grabbed Alan and Gordon and managed to get them to safety. Myself, John, Scott and mom were running when I… I fell… Scott and mother both stopped... She told Scott to keep running, she picked me up and then ran but… But we didn't get out of the way and we got hit by the snow." Virgil paused, took a deep breath in and then continued. "Then someone found us, they pulled me out and I was passed over to a medic. You all looked so relieved… But then they found mom… And…And."

Jeff ushered Scott out of his seat and took Virgil's hands, "It's okay."

"Is that what happened?" Alan asked, being too young to remember.

Jeff nodded, tears now running down his face.

"I'm sorry dad!" Virgil sobbed.

Jeff looked at Virgil. "What for?"

"If I hadn't fell then…"

Jeff cut Virgil off. "Listen to me Virgil, this was not your fault! You were only 7 years old. I've never blamed you, no one has! I have always believed that what happened that day was a tragic accident… But now… Well, now we know that the Hood was the one who was solely responsible for all of it! Please never, ever blame yourself… Please promise me Virgil."

"I promise!" Virgil nodded, tears falling down his face.

… …

Meanwhile:

The Hood surveyed the computer screens which were transmitting images from the hospital. He smiled to himself when he saw the woman who was helping his plan come to fruition, make her way inside Virgil's room.

… …

"Oh, hello," Ruth said, as Nurse Andrews and Doctor Emily Sanderson entered Virgil's room.

"Hello," They both replied.

"Do you need us all to move?" Jeff asked.

"No, not this time," Doctor Sanderson responded pleasantly.

"We're just here to check his medication and to do some blood work," Nurse Andrews added with a smile.

The family watched as the nurse took some more blood from Virgil, while Doctor Sanderson checked Virgil's current pain level and then administered some more medication.

"Okay, this is a slightly higher dosage. So, you will definitely find yourself drifting off to sleep." Doctor Sanderson remarked when she had finished.

Virgil sighed and nodded as he felt the medication ooze through his system.

"When will he be able to come home?" Jeff asked, watching his son drift into a deep sleep.

"I'm afraid I can't give you an exact date, but it will be a while before we can even consider letting him go home," Doctor Sanderson affirmed.

Jeff sighed at this news.

"Will he need some more scans on his back?" Gordon questioned.

"We have him booked in for some more scans tomorrow," Nurse Andrews confirmed.

"If you have any further questions I'm happy to stay and answer them," Doctor Sanderson added.

"No, we will be okay for now." Jeff said, "and thank you!"

… …

The Hood laughed as he watched the two women leave the room. "This is going better than expected. They all trust her completely!"

… …

A Few Hours Later:

They had all continued to sit in silence, all of them carefully watching over Virgil, who was still in a deep sleep. Jeff lent forwards and stroked his hand through Virgil's hair when he noticed that his son was beginning to have another nightmare.

Scott sighed at Virgil's obvious discomfort. "Dad, what are we going to do about these dreams?"

Jeff shrugged. "I honestly don't know. Maybe… Maybe Kyrano can help in some way."

"I hope so!" Scott replied.

Another half an hour passed by in silence, eventually Ruth checked her watch, stood and placed her hand on Jeff's shoulder. "It's getting late son. After what we've all heard today, I believe we all need our rest."

"I don't want him to be on his own!" Jeff replied instantly.

"I was not going to suggest leaving him," His mother answered, "but we should all take shifts again through the night."

"I'm not leaving him, not tonight!" Jeff responded. "I'll stay here. The rest of you should go back to the hotel and get some rest!"

Ruth nodded, knowing that sometimes there was no talking sense into her son. She kissed him lightly on his head and then faced her grandsons. "Come on then you lot, back to the hotel, for food, showers and sleep!"

They all gave their dad a quick hug and then followed their grandma out the door. "Grandma." Scott said. "I'm going to stop here tonight."

Ruth sighed. "Scott, you really need your rest. Virgil will be okay with your dad watching him."

"Yes, I know, It's just… I want to keep an eye on dad as well!" Scott countered.

Ruth smiled at her oldest grandson and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Fine, just try and get some sleep, even if it's only for a little while… Oh, and make sure your dad gets some rest as well!" Ruth turned to face her other three grandchildren. "Come on then you lot."

Scott smiled to himself as he watched them all leave, he then made his way back into the room and sat in the chair next to his dad. "Hey."

Jeff looked at Scott. "I thought you had gone?"

"I figured you both would miss me too much, so I decided to stay!"

Jeff let out a sad smile and then gazed back to Virgil. "Apart of me was always glad he never remembered what happened that day… He was spared those memories."

Scott nodded sadly. "And now because of the Hood he remembers everything!"

"What that man has done to your brother… What he's put him through." Jeff wiped a tear away. "And what he did to your mother… My beautiful Lucille." Jeff breathed in and out desperately trying to calm himself down. "Let's just say, it's a good job he's locked away in jail because otherwise I dread to think what I would do!"

… …

Meanwhile:

The Hood smirked when the woman sat down on the chair in front of him. She returned the smile and then passed the Hood some hospital uniforms and ID badges. "Two of the ID badges are for those two." She pointed to the two men who were watching the live security feeds. "Tomorrow afternoon at 2pm, Virgil is scheduled to have some more scans. If they disguise themselves with the porter's uniforms, then they can arrive at Virgil's room at 1pm, under the pretence that his scans have been moved forwards. They will then bring him to a side room which is currently out of use, which is where you will be waiting."

"This all sounds good," the Hood remarked, "can you show me where this room is?"

"Of course," She replied. They both stood and went over to the computer. She leant forwards and placed her finger on the screen. "Here's the side room." She then pointed to a door near to the room. "This is an emergency exit. So, you will be able to leave quickly when you've finished with him. I would suggest leaving him in here, it will be ages before anyone discovers him and by then it will be too late to do anything to help him. If anyone does happen to find him sooner, with the ID and the janitors uniform I've provided for you, no one will notice you, and you will be able to quietly slip away!" She pointed to another spot on the screen. "You will need to come into the hospital via this access door. The code for the door is: 22720."

"Good." The Hood responded. "Excellent work. Will you be at the hospital tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'm on duty tomorrow." She answered.

"Well, I would like you to stay nearby," The Hood requested, "if something does go wrong, which I honestly believe it won't, I want you to react the way you would for any normal emergency. The more natural you appear, the less chance you will have of coming under suspicion, and it will be good to have you remain on the inside to report back to me what is happening."

"No problem at all," She said.

"Good. Then I'll see you tomorrow." The Hood watched as she left, he then turned to the computer screen and focussed on the live images coming from Virgil's hospital room. "Virgil Tracy," he said with a disdainful laugh, "tomorrow, your time is up!"