I own nothing sourced from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
A teary eyed and sombre faced Carey Martin paced up and down the bland halls of Boston Medical Centre, both her sons had been the victims of a cowardly attack that evening, and both were currently fighting for their lives on the operating table.
Cody had suffered and collapsed lung and severe internal bleeding which had caused his heart and breathing to stop en route to hospital, his pulse had been restored but he could still not breathe on his own.
Carey's other son, Zack, was now in the second hour of massive brain surgery to stop bleeding and repair a skull broken in two locations, and it would not be the last surgery for Zack that night; he still needed to have abdominal wounds repaired.
For Carey every minute seemed like an hour, the wait was unbearable, she felt so helpless, there was nothing she could do for her boys, it was the first time in her life as a mother that she felt truly helpless, and to make matters worse, with the airport closed her ex-husband Kurt would not arrive in Boston for another 6 hours. Helping Carey get through the horrible events of the evening was her boss and friend, Marion Moesby, who himself was struggling with event, as a girl in his charge, London Tipton, a girl who was like his daughter, was missing, and, silently both Carey and Moesby presumed her to be dead.
"Carey, come in here, I've found a TV with the news on" Moesby summoned Carey into an empty lounge type room in the corridor outside the operating rooms where they had been waiting. Carey sat on a couch in the room and began to watch the TV; it was tuned to a cable news channel which was broadcasting from the blast site.
"The explosion took place a little over 3 hours ago here at a cinema in Boston, where a crowd of mostly children and youths were enjoying their summer, the fire caused by the explosion initially hampered rescue efforts, and a second explosion in the same complex further slowed those efforts, but eventually rescue crews were able to get into the complex and begin moving people out" a female reporter was on the scene.
"Sarah, has there been any reports yet on the number of dead and injured?" asked the male anchor in the studio
"nothing official as yet, but our sources are saying we have at least 100 dead, and up to 300 injured, the complex was very full as you can imagine, and so it is likely those numbers will rise" the reporter conclude.
Carey trailed off from listening at that point, not paying attention to the screen which was now showing replays of the statements from the mayor of Boston, the Governor of Massachusetts and the President, who all expressed horror and disbelief and vowed to hunt down those responsible. Carey just wanted to shut down, to not have to feel, she wished she didn't have to feel what she did, but she wanted to be strong.
"Marion, you need to find out about London, and someone needs to find out about Maddie, I think you should go to New England Medical Centre and talk to Maddie, let me know, I think I need some alone time" Carey said
Moesby agreed and began a sombre walk filled with terror at what he knew he would soon find out, without being officially told of London's death Moesby was able to at least have hope of her survival, a part of him wanted to live in ignorance, but another part of him needed to know, and since Maddie was the only one of the four who was conscious at present she was the one to ask.
Moesby eventually made it to his car and began the drive to Maddie's hospital, it was a silent drive, no radio, and Moesby did it on auto-pilot, not wanting to think or to feel.
Upon arrival at the hospital Moesby went to the reception desk and was directed to Maddie room upstairs on the 10th floor. Moesby made his way to the room, he knew that seeing Maddie alive would lift his sprits at least a little.
Maddie was lying in the bed with her large family sitting around her, she was bandaged and had some stiches on her face, but other than that she didn't seem to badly injured
"Oh Maddie, I'm so glad your alight" Moesby said
"It's great to see you" Maddie replied
"I've got 4 broken ribs and this cut on my face, but other than that I'm fine, how are Zack and Cody?" continued Maddie
The fact that Maddie hadn't bothered to mention London in her question cut through Moesby's heart, he knew if confirmed that she knew London was dead.
"They are not good I'm afraid, Cody crashed in the ambulance and needed to be revied, his lung had collapsed, and Zack has serious head injuries, both are in surgery as we speak" Moesby informed Maddie in a heavy voice
"Oh god" was Maddie's response before she broke into tears, her family moved around to comfort her.
"Guys, could I have a few minutes alone with Mr. Moesby" Maddie finally managed to get out; she knew that now was the time to tell him.
After Maddie's family had left the room Moesby took a seat right next to Maddie's bed
"I'm sorry Mr. Moesby but I have some terrible news for you, I don't know if you already know it, but I feel I need to say it, as much for myself as for you" Maddie begun
"I think I know it, but go on" was Moesby's response
"London is…is…dead…she died in my arms" Maddie got out before bursting into tears, and for the first time of the night, Moesby did the same thing, he hugged Maddie close and they cried on each others shoulders.
Moesby had the last remnants of hope in his soul destroyed, London, the girl he had loved like a daughter, the girl he had raised, was dead, at just 18, and her life had been wasted. It was the worst pain Moesby had ever felt, and not for the first time he felt bitter towards his boss, for Mr. Tipton had never been in his own daughter's life, Moesby had done all the work, and now, bore all the pain.
"Mr. Moesby" Maddie begun "before she died, London wanted me to tell you something…she said for me to tell you Thank you" Maddie concluded before busting into another round of tears. It was the saddest thing Moesby had ever been told, but it was also the best thing he had ever been told, he always knew London had appreciated him, but this final emotional line, whilst heartbreakingly sad, made him feel strangely warm inside.
Maddie and Moesby cried together for the next 15 minutes before Moesby composed himself to make the hardest phone call of his life. Moesby didn't know how he would tell Mr. Tipton that his daughter was dead, and even more, he didn't know if he could hide his bitterness and resentment during the conversation, he didn't even know if he wanted to.
Well there we go 10 chapters! this is now by far the longest single thing i've ever written, and i'm so proud of it, and it makes me so incredibly happy that people are enjoying it- i love you all! thanks so much- and tomorow i finsh exams, and get my laptop back! so there will be many more updates, and don't discount the possibility of multiple chapters per day! Woo!
Peace out