Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost Boys.
David woke with a start. The sweat poured down his face. He gripped at his saturated hair while trying to catch his baited breath. An intense pain throbbed behind his temples. The memory of his mother's death etched into his brain. He tried to tell himself it was merely a dream, but his mind taunted him with the truth. The memory was now too clear to be merely a nightmare.
His mother's young face stared wide-eyed as the blood spilled from her soft lips. The stream from her mouth met the cascade from her torso. She inhaled sharply followed quickly by a harsh cry. David clamped his hands over his ears trying to erase the memory. The harder he tried the more vivid the memory became.
"I'm sorry," he muttered.
David glanced over at the open window. He cursed the sun for shining so brightly when so many lay dead because of nature's rage. His mother would never set eyes upon a sunny beach again, a sight she was so fond of. David cursed himself for being allowed the privilege of such beauty when she was denied by the tomb that was once a hotel. She would be found among a collection of corpses and cast aside as another lifeless form. If only he were not imprisoned within the confines of the hospital bed he could help search for her. He wanted to believe that for whatever miracle that allowed him to live gave her the same blessing. He was nothing more than a spectacle, the only boy to survive the hotel's destruction. It was unfair that he should be the only to survive. It still baffled him how he was the only one to make it out alive.
That was when the realization hit him. He was not the only one to make it out alive. How was it that he was the one being fussed over when Max also survived the cave in? No one made a circus out of his triumphant return from the tomb. Or maybe they had. He had no link to the outside world other than the daily newspaper and his recent visitor.
David gripped at his aching forehead. He glared at the open window. His eyes fell upon the sun, a decision he immediately regretted. He gritted his teeth at the sharp pain pulsing through his brain. It was as though the sun sprouted ten arms, each equipped with a two-edged sword. Each blade thrust itself into his head multiple times. The rays seeped through the glass pane only to torment him.
He leaned against the pillow hoping with each breath that the nurse would return soon with an ample amount of that glorious morphine. It now made sense to him all those stories of men who broke into hospitals to rob them of their morphine supply. That substance was a divine gift that he would cherish as long as he was confined to the hospital bed. He might even beg to take some with him upon his release.
As if on cue a nurse walked in with a wide smile.
"Hey, hon, you're awake," she said in a cheery voice that grated David's nerves.
Despite his mood he gave her a fake smile hoping he could persuade her to give him the desired drug. "Yes, though I don't feel well."
She gave a sympathetic nod and left the room. David counted the tiles on the ceiling waiting for her to return with his medication. He heard the heels of her shoes echoing through the halls and stopped at the doorway. He smiled upon seeing the syringe in her hand. He waited impatiently like a child anticipating birthday cake as she cleaned a spot on his arm. He ignored the prick of the needle and exhaled as the fluid entered the bloodstream. David inhaled deeply, ordering the medicine to take effect.
His nostrils picked up a delectable scent and he suddenly felt hungry. He glanced up to see the nurse's blonde curls bobbing as she bandaged the crease in his arm. She wore a strange perfume that caused his stomach to grumble. It smelt like a mixture of honey and iron. It was not an aroma that would usually tempt his taste buds, but for right now all he could think of was gulping down that odd delicacy.
David extended his hand, his palm directly over the woman's head. He could quickly twist her neck then drink the delectable nectar from the wound.
David shook his head and blinked his eyes four times. He wondered where those thoughts came from. Though he was quick to give into anger and caused thirty broken noses, twice as many black eyes, and even a broken arm or two during his life, he was never one to be violent towards an innocent woman. David exhaled as the urge in his stomach subsided.
The nurse glanced up at him with that annoying cheerful smile. "It sounds as though you could use a bite to eat," she said while poking his stomach.
David nodded as she left. He snuggled against the pillow allowing the morphine to take its toll on his body. He wanted nothing more at the moment than to embrace that feeling of nothingness that only the drug could provide. No pain in his body or his mind. He closed his eyes letting that cloud of warmth wrap itself about him. He forgot about his mother and all the other dead bodies littering what was once the lobby of the hotel.
"David," a kind voice called. The mentioned opened his eyes in the form of a glare at the one who interrupted his bliss. The nurse placed a tray with a ham and cheese sandwich cut diagonally and a glass of milk atop his lap. "You slept through most of the morning, so I'm afraid you missed breakfast. I had not the heart to wake you."
David nodded. "Thanks," he managed to say as he lifted himself into a sitting position. It pleased him that he could move without the pain that would have accompanied the motion.
He picked up the sandwich and bit off a corner. His saliva secreted into the dough moistening it enough for him to swallow. For some unknown reason the sandwich did not satisfy his hunger. He licked his lips then took another bite, hoping more of the food would cure his hunger. With one half of the sandwich consumed his stomach still craved more. He glanced down at the other half in disgust. He generally ate three ham sandwiches for lunch, but now that same dish repulsed his stomach. He wanted something more.
While he ate the nurse checked his wounds for any sign of improvement in addition to his vitals. She inched closer to his face to check his pulse. That same smell flittered into David's nostrils. He inhaled deeply, basking in its ecstasy. He felt a sharp pain in his canines. He emitted a muffled cry which did not go unnoticed.
"Everything alright, David?" the nurse asked.
David placed his finger beneath the aching tooth. He hissed as he felt an acute sting on his fingertip. He removed the injured digit to see a puncture. A tiny stream of blood trickled down the rest of his finger.
"Oh dear, did you bite yourself?" the nurse said grabbing a cloth to wipe up the blood. She quickly bandaged the wound. "There, all better."
David glared in response to the childish voice she used while speaking to him. He had taken more extensive pain in his life and could decapitate her before she even noticed he was there.
David's eyes widened at the surprise of his own thoughts. Despite her annoyance, this woman had done him no harm yet here he was planning her demise. She gave him her wishes for his recovery in addition to another smile before departing the room.
David wrapped his arms around himself if only to understand the origins of his thoughts. Surely what he had witnessed in the hotel lobby was not enough to cause this kind of disdain.
His eyes found themselves staring out the window again. Despite the generous dose the nurse gave him with his meal the pounding in his head continued. David placed his hand over his face in a futile attempt to shield himself from the sunrays. David growled when the agony intensified. He cursed the nurse and accused her of giving him something other than painkillers. David writhed about on the bed then tossed the sheets over his head. The shelter caused the pain to diminish. His breathing gradually slowed. He realized he jerked his leg free from the sling. He pulled the limb against his body and realized that it had completely healed. The doctors were worried that the injury was bad enough to cripple him for the rest of his life. David leaned his head against the welcoming pillow and laughed at the folly of doctors. No wonder his mother did not trust them.
His own father died in a hospital five years ago. His mother still blamed the doctors for not doing enough to save her husband's life. It was at that point that David discovered the reality of mortality. After his dad's death David found himself becoming angry at everyone. The girls he would lash out against and the men he would physically assault. He recounted being arrested at least seven times in the past four years. Several of the sentences included a few weeks or months in jail while others resulted in floggings. David always took the beatings without showing any pain, fear, or remorse. It was only the look of disappointment in his mother's eyes that humbled him. Over time even that died.
He found himself arguing with her over anything and everything. After each argument David would storm out of the house and meet up with his hooligan friends with whom he would get wasted. He returned home at odd hours in the morning to find his mother passed out with a glass of whiskey in her hand and tearstains on her cheeks. David instantly sobered and carried her sleeping form up to her room where he would earnestly apologize. They repeated that routine at least three times a week. David wondered how much longer she would take it before she tossed him out of her house. It eventually dawned on him: she needed him to ease the agony of loneliness just as much as he needed her for the same reason. Neither admitted to the truth, but could see it in each other's eyes.
Sometimes David blamed his father for dying peacefully in the hospital bed leaving his two loved ones to suffer each other. His good name was soon tarnished with the behavior of both he left behind. David only wondered if his mother's name would be redeemed with her death.
David closed his eyes and muttered a prayer that her soul would find her husband's in heaven.
The uneventful night left the patient bored and restless. He read every article in the Santa Carla Times at least twice. Most of them covered more findings from the earthquake. The first time reading held his interest for any hopes that his memory was in fact a bad dream. His eyes fell upon the list of identified bodies and Clarice Stevenson was upon the two-hundred discovered in the ruins of the hotel. David let the tears fall for about ten minutes. It was only when the nurse arrived when his dinner that David wiped them away and put on a face of indifference. David nearly bit her when she tried to take away the newspaper. This nurse was nowhere near as kind as the one David was complaining about earlier. He would have gladly exchanged the grumpy one for the annoying.
David prodded the chicken and potatoes with the fork for a few minutes. His mind fell back on his mother. The morphine no longer took effect. Granted his wounds miraculously healed much to the doctors' bewilderment. David placed the food aside and stretched out his legs. He still had not convinced the hospital staff that he was well enough to take a stroll along the grounds.
He wiggled his bare toes against the edge of the blanket. He glanced over at the concealed window. In a fit of pain earlier that afternoon he demanded the nurse to shut the drapes. She followed his command then injected him with a sedative. David did not mind the shot as long as the throbbing pain in his head ceased. He was surprised they had not moved him to the psych ward yet. David feared if the thoughts of wanting to murder the staff did not subside soon that may be his ultimate destination. David laughed as he thought of the headlines: Hotel's Only Survivor Sentenced to Life in Asylum.
A knock at the door interrupted David's thoughts. He turned to see a familiar, smiling face. David sat up and beckoned for the man to enter. Max nodded at David's reply and sat down in the same chair he claimed the previous night. David stared down at the man. This time he chose to sport a navy blue suit with a matching top hat. David smirked at the thought that this man had a matching hat for each one of his outfits.
"I see you are feeling better, David," Max stated. He motioned to the vacant space that once held a leg sling. "Your leg must have healed quickly."
"Yes, the doctors are confused," David answered. "I'm not a doctor and even I know legs don't heal that fast. They wonder if I'm some kind of sorcerer or something."
Max chuckled at David's comment. "Yes, definitely or something." He cleared his throat before adjusting his back and crossing one leg over the other. "How have you adjusting?"
David usually would have laughed off that question as a typical greeting, but there was something about the way Max asked it that had him on edge. Perhaps it was the calm look in his eyes. It was almost as though Max was hiding something. David curled his legs up against his body while keeping his eyes on the eccentric man the entire time.
After a few moments of silence David realized he was probably reading too much into it. He let his gaze fall and released a sigh. "I found out my mother died in the earthquake," David revealed. "I thought I remembered it, but I was just hoping it was a false memory."
Max nodded. He sent a look of compassion David's way. That look was kind of unnerving for David as he was used to receiving blame and contempt, but utter kindness and compassion was another story. Max lowered his head as he offered his condolences. David shook it off trying to pretend the news had no affect on him.
Max scooted the chair closer to the bed. He decided against touching the youth, for it would only startle him. Max placed his hand on his own knee then said, "It's alright for you to admit your feelings, David. Anyone would be upset by a parent's death. That feeling I know too well."
David nodded while removing his eyes from Max's. Even while looking down he could still feel Max's stare on him. Usually he would stare down any form of authority with a smug look on his face, but this one had some kind of strange power over him. He felt an intense warning not to do anything to cross this man.
A sudden thought struck David. "Hold on, I remember seeing you in the hotel," David said. Max nodded as a smile curved upon his lips. David met Max's smirk with a glare. "How were you able to escape the deathtrap while everyone else died?"
Max exhaled. "I was hoping you could tell me."
David's glare hardened. He sat up straight and caught Max by the collar of his shirt. "Alright, Mr. Hartford, enough of these games!" Max replied with a smirk which only enraged David further. "The newspaper never mentions you. I saw you just moments before the hotel fell into the fault." David's grip tightened. "I read every article released since that day. The reporter said the rest of the hotel crumbled, only the lobby survived, but the falling debris caused everyone else to die. How is it that you, someone who was on the second floor hallway managed to escape while everyone else perished."
Max laughed as he cupped his hand around David's. With one quick movement he was able to break David's grip. The boy stared with his mouth agape at the man's strength. Max released David's hand and he jerked it away from Max's reaching range.
"You sound like you didn't want me to live," Max stated with false sorrow.
"That's not what I said," David replied with his hands folded in his lap. "I'm just confused as to how you were able to survive the earthquake. Even if you jumped from the second floor and dodged every falling piece of crap, then why didn't the rescuers find you?"
Max placed his hand atop David's shoulder instantly silencing the boy. His touch matched the chill of the coldest winter.
"I had my ways," Max answered. He stood and straightened his jacket. "Perhaps I should let you get some rest."
"I don't need any damn rest! I want answers!" David shouted. His mind pleaded him to be cautious in Max's presence, but his heart could not take being left in the shadows any longer. "I am well rested." David realized that all earlier fatigue had vanished with nightfall. "It's strange how strong I became when it suddenly became night. My wounds have somehow healed and you were the only one who knows what happened down in that cave. Now you tell me." David released a few angry breaths then stated, "Remember you promised to fill me in on all the missing details."
Max smiled at the smirking David.
Max made his way back to the chair. "I will do so under two conditions." David nodded while listening to Max's rules. "First, if you remember anything you must stop me immediately and tell me what it is you remember." David lifted an eyebrow at Max's first condition but agreed nonetheless. "Second…" he nodded at David's kneeling position. "You might want to sit down." Before David could answer Max clarified, "Some memories might disturb you, but understand it was the only way I could save your life."
David was suddenly uncertain he wanted to know the truth. He hushed those warnings and made himself comfortable on the bed. He shook with anticipation.
"I still feel it's best for you to remember on your own," Max said. A growl from David made him laugh. He continued, "It was after your mother's death."
"You knew she died?" David barked. He hopped up from the bed and tackled Max to the floor. David reared back his fist then let it fly against Max's face. David's eyelids lined with tears. "You bastard! You knew…" were the only words he could manage before he decided to let his fists finish his words for him. David managed to get in four more hits before three doctors rushed into the room and yanked David off the gentleman.
One readied a syringe of a sedative. David struggled in the man's grasp, kicking another in the shin. The sudden movement caused the doctors to drop him.
"My good men, please," Max said stopping the brawl. "It is my fault. I provoked him." The doctors were almost in a trance-like state. They aided David to the bed then followed out in a single-file line. Max adjusted his tie and jacket. "Now that your tantrum has died, shall we continue?"
David still held a frown. "How could you have kept that information from me?" He clenched his fist. "You knew I sought to know her condition, I could've handled her death." He paused then softly added. "How can you keep this from me?"
"You will understand in due time," Max replied.
"That's not an answer!" David snarled. "That's no answer. Last night I wanted—you lied, you lying sack of—"
"Perhaps I should leave," Max said heading for the doorway, his hat in hand. "I'll return when you have calmed."
"No!" David called. He closed his eyes and let out a few deep breaths. "Maybe—maybe you were trying to protect me." David rolled his eyes at how lame that statement sounded. "Please, let me know what happened. I'm tired of being confused. I want to know."
Max smiled. "That's more like it." He placed his hand on the top of the chair, but remained standing. "After your mother died you fell back and stared. It was as though you left your body."
David listened as the memories returned.
"Oh my—" David began as a flood of memories surfaced. "They all died. I remember now. That one couple. My leg." David glanced down at the mentioned appendage.
"What happened, David?" Max asked.
David spaced out as he relived the moment.
David stared at his mother's bleeding corpse. He watched her fingers twitching. He remembered overhearing a medical student at the tavern say that even after death the bodies twitched. David only hoped that to be the truth and that she was not suffering.
The choir of screams broke him from his trance. The ground rumbled, forcing others to the ground. So much blood splattered from misplaced rocks. Others were trampled by the panicked mob. David heard a noise above his head and looked up to find a piece of the roof falling for his head. He rolled away to miss the worst of it. A fragment broke off when the tile hit the floor and smacked him in the head. David let out a cry of pain and rolled onto his side holding his injured head. He hissed while clenching his fists.
A woman next to him fell backwards, her neck contorted. David yelled as he stared into her dead, cold, coal-colored eyes. Her lips were slightly parted and the red stained what was once blonde. David crawled back onto to trip over the pile of fallen debris. He landed on his leg hearing a crack. David barely had a chance to scream the profanity when the ground rattled again. The pressure landed on his injured leg once more. David punched the ground then slithered over to a stalagmite to hoist himself to his feet.
David limped deeper into the cave. Several people followed his lead. A man, with his wife clinging to his arm, hurried through the obstacles. The two never saw the crevice in their path. David glanced back to find both of them slip into the earth. Only the woman's hat remained on his level. David chewed on the thumb of his glove before hurrying on. He made sure to check the ground before stepping.
David stopped along a column as the rumbling ceased. Pieces of broken debris continued to fall through the cracks in the earth. In time all sounds of life diminished. The only breath he could hear was his own. A small landslide fell by his right. David slid down to the ground and held his head in his hands. All the images pounded along with the headache. He felt a warm liquid on the side of his head. He examined his palm to see a scarlet pool in the center. David swore and attempted to pull himself to his feet. After three tries he found himself barely standing, using his left hand to stable himself against the cave walls.
It was much cooler beneath the surface than he was used to during California springtime. David limped back to where what was left of the lobby rested. He kept his hand on the wall to keep himself from falling. He nearly tripped a few times, but kept his balance. He swore as the pain grew, not caring who heard him. The only person he cared about was dead.
David clamped a hand across his mouth to keep himself from vomiting. A sea of corpses littered the lobby. The stench of blood filled the air. David backed up and gagged at the smell. He placed his hands on his knees and retched, but nothing came up. He inhaled deeply, ignoring the throbbing pain pulsing through his leg. Once David caught control of his breathing he stood up and stared at the massacre before him. He turned around while trying to keep himself from shuddering. The image of his mother refused to leave him alone. His brain would taunt him with that memory for as long as he lived.
David limped through the cave while the many images struck him again and again. In time it became pitch black. David used his arms to find his way as he had to use his only working leg to keep his balance. David miscalculated what he thought was a path only to stumble into a split-level walkway. He tripped and faceplanted. David grumbled as he wiped away the streaming blood from his nose. He knew it was karma for all the people he harmed over the past four years. He picked himself up off the ground and continued forward.
He heard dripping as he passed into a narrow tunnel. David glanced around for the origin of the sound. The lack of light mocked his search. David gave up. Over the course of ten minutes the sound began to grate his nerves. He gripped a stalactite, grumbling as he squeezed. The limestone rubbed his gloved hand. When the stress eased he let go and continued on his journey.
Another half hour passed and David stopped walking. He was thirsty. He sat down as the realization hit him: he was going to die here. Not a hero's death, not even an execution due to his first murder as many believed would be his fate. No, he was going to die among a number of earthquake fatalities. It was a comical revelation. He decided to enjoy life's cruel irony as it would be his last laugh.
"So glad you find death funny," a voice said from the shadows.
David jumped up, his leg immediately regretting the decision. David glared in the direction of the voice. At least in the previous state he would have died without any sort of pain. He did not want to go down with company of one other survivor.
"Who are you?" David asked.
"Just another like you," the voice answered with a chuckle. "One who can laugh at what life offers.'
"Death isn't funny," David said settling back down on the ground. He figured this guy was not going to be much of a threat to him. Odds are the stranger was unable to see him too. David leaned his head against the jagged cave wall. "I just find the circumstances funny. I never thought I'd die this way."
"No one can predict their deaths."
David laughed. "No, but I imagined hanging from murder, arson, larceny, or other various crimes."
The man smiled. "I don't think you're as bad as a guy as you'd have me believe."
"Believe what you want," David replied. "Truth is I'm going to die and Santa Carla is going to thank the earthquake for doing me in. Can't say I blame them. I wouldn't want me around either."
"You're not a fan of humans?" the stranger asked.
David shrugged. "I guess not." He placed his hands behind his head. If he was going to slowly die, he may as well make himself more comfortable. "Some would find this poetic justice. I mean I'm going to starve or freeze to death down here." He wiped away the flowing blood. "Maybe even bleed to death. A slow, painful death. What could be more fitting?"
"You have a point," David's new friend replied.
"Yes, all too fitting," David said closing his eyes. "Who knows, I might not make it through the night."
After a few minutes of silence David wondered if the other man passed. He smirked despite the fact that he found the conversation amusing. He would have to remember him were he to live. Another humorous thought.
At long last the other man spoke, "Do you want to die?"
David's eyes flew open. "Excuse me?" Just as the man was about to repeat his question David interrupted. "I heard you clearly, I only thought you were dead."
"Me, no, I never die," he stated.
David felt a chill from the way that man phrased his sentence. He shook it off as the temperature of the air.
There was another moment of silence before the stranger spoke up again. "Tell me, if you were given the chance to never die, right now, would you take it?"
David laughed. "Is this one of those silly hypothetical question games?" David recounted too many times he played those with his drunken acquaintances at the bar. He felt he did not feel enough affection for them to call them friends. David smirked. "No offense, but I don't envision myself dying playing that game." He shifted. "If you don't mind, I'd like to die in peace."
"No offense taken," the other man stated. "I only meant that you are strong and protective over the few you care about." He paused then said, "It be a shame to lose you."
David put his hands in front of him. "Alright, who are you? How do you know this about me?"
The other man chuckled. David felt a sense of familiarity in that laugh. "I told you, I'm another like you. We're kindred spirits."
David glared. "Fine, I'll play your game. If given the chance to live forever I would, just to put smug bastards like you in your place."
"A good enough reason, but I feel that you won't hate me for long," the other man stated. He reached to his side then offered a flask to David. "Here, have a drink."
David smiled. "That's more like it." He gripped the device. He hoped the vessel contained some alcohol, but water alone would quench his thirst. "I take back what I said about you." David felt the man smile. "Here's to living forever," David said before twisting off the top.
"Yes, more than you know," the shielded figure stated.
David nodded then gulped down the liquid. It was the strangest wine he ever tasted. It was sweet, but had a bitter aftertaste, almost metallic. He licked his lips then downed the rest of it.
"Sorry, I seem to have drank it all," David stated.
The other man held out a hand. "Not a problem, it was meant for you."
David smiled. "You're a good man."
"Yes, well it was the only way to save your life," the other said. With those words he stood leaving a baffled David in the dark.
"Hey! Where are you going!" David called as he watched the outline of that man disappear into the shadows. He called after him for nearly an hour. After that David grew drowsy. He closed his eyes, grateful that the man gave him a drink before vanishing. "If it could save my life," David muttered as he fell into slumber, unaware of the eyes watching him.
David blinked. He stared Max in the face. "It was you in the cave," David said. "You were the one who gave me that drink."
"I watched over you until the rescuers found you," Max answered.
David suddenly felt bad for his assault on the man earlier. "You didn't have to, you know," David said finally looking Max in the eyes.
"It's my job," Max said placing a hand on David's shoulder. For some reason that gesture offered the shaken boy an ample amount of comfort.
David looked up. "Wait, why didn't they see you when they came for me?" David attempted to get out of bed. A stern glare from Max and he returned to the bed. "And what did you give me to drink? And why did you say it would save my life? Is it because I wouldn't dehydrate."
Max knelt down beside David. He knew he was in range if the boy decided to give him a good punch to the nose, but was more than aware he could take it. "You would not have made it through the night. Trust me, it was the only way."
That left more unanswered questions for David. Before they could be answered a nurse appeared in the doorway announcing that visiting hours were over. Max nodded then said a farewell to David.
David felt an overwhelming urge to strangle that nurse. She left the room with the same scent that entranced him earlier. David watched Max follow her out of the room. For some reason David felt that Max knew what that smell was, but it was another question that he could have answered the next night. That is if Max returned. Now that he knew what happened in the cave, there may be little reason for his savior to come for another visit.
David exhaled sharply and glared down at the bed that housed him. He made it certain that he would leave the hospital at dawn.
There you have it, chapter three. I hope you enjoyed!