Once again, I have caused people to cry at me in reviews…poor John :(
I want you all to know that I have done nothing all day but write this chapter…which explains why my mother is yelling at me…something about dishes…oops
Please read and review :)
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Jeff paced the corridor of the hospital impatiently, his hands buried in his hair. "What the hell is taking so long!?" he grunted, spinning around to stare at his sons.
Scott and Virgil were busy comforting their younger brothers, who were staring into space. Alan was fiddling with one of his toy cars, whilst Gordon had his head resting on Virgil's shoulder with his school bag clutched close to his chest.
Scott shook his head, "The Doctors said that he would be alright Dad! The police are in there, taking his statement at the moment, you just have to remain calm!"
Jeff squeezed his eyes shut He could still remember the moment when he got that dreaded call.
…Flashback…
Jeff rubbed his eyes as the pile of paperwork seemed to grow in size, "It's time for a holiday. Some time with the boys might be good for me." he groaned. Suddenly the phone on his desk began to ring shrilly.
He picked it up, expecting it to be one of his business associates, "Hello, this is Mr Tracy. How can I help you?"
"Hello Mr Tracy, this is the North Kansas City Hospital. Your son, John Tracy, was just admitted to A and E."
Jeff shot up out of his seat, gesturing through the door glass at his receptionist to come in, "What happened?!"
"I'm afraid I don't have the main details, but two boys called the ambulance from the local high school. Would you be able to come in?"
Jeff's receptionist entered the room and Jeff mouthed 'Call Gordon and Alan's school. I'll pick them up in 10 minutes'. He then turned his attention back to the phone. "Yes, yes! Of course I'll be right there…how is he?"
"I'm sorry Sir, but I don't have the rest of the information that you need." They then hung up, leaving Jeff in the middle of his office. He shook his head, grabbed his stuff and headed out of the office.
Almost half an hour later, Jeff and his other two sons found themselves in the hospital. Scott and Virgil soon joined them and Scott informed his Dad about what happened, Jeff's face growing paler with each word.
Once Scott had finished, he began to stare at the ground, "There was blood on the floor…more than I ever want to see coming out of John."
Jeff felt his knees collapse from under him and he fell into a nearby chair, where he remained until the Doctor joined the small group. "Tracy?" he asked. Jeff nodded, and the Doctor continued.
"Well you'll be pleased to know that your son will be completely fine. Only a minor concussion, despite the amount of blood…head wounds tend to bleed more. He also had two cracked ribs which we wrapped up. This, combined with the level of bruising, leads me to believe that your son would benefit with talking with the police…my assistant is already on the phone with them and they should be here quite soon, unless you have any problems? This had gone way beyond bullying Mr Tracy…this is assault."
Jeff nodded weakly, "Agreed…how is he-"
"Mentally?"
"Yes…so?"
"I'm slightly concerned if I have to be honest. It could be that he's traumatised by the attack…but I sense that there's something more going on. However, I'm not a psychiatrist…"
Jeff nodded just as a couple of uniformed officers turned around the corner, and were led into the room where John was staying, with the Doctor advising that Jeff remained where he was.
…..End Flashback….
"Mr Tracy?" Jeff and his sons span around to stare at one of the officers, "Your son isn't telling us anything about his attackers…says that he can't remember. We were wondering if you would be able to talk to him and if he is more willing to talk to us, then give us a call. I assume that if John gives us some names, you'll be pressing charges?"
Jeff nodded, "Definitely. Is it okay if we see him?"
The officers and the Doctor glanced at each other before nodding, "But only for a little while…I don't want to stress him out too much."
Jeff and the boys nodded before heading into the room. Sitting upright in the bed was John who had a bandage on his head that was covering up almost seventeen stitches and his chest was wrapped up tightly. He was staring at the wall to his left, not even stirring when his family entered the room.
Jeff crept closer to the bed and sat down on the edge, much like what he had done earlier in the day. "Johnny…are you okay?" John nodded, still refusing to speak.
Jeff sighed, "Why didn't you tell me Johnny. I could have done something before it came to this!"
John shook his head, "You were so happy..." he whispered "…You said that you were proud of me for finally fitting in…for making friends. I didn't want to disappoint you…"
Jeff gently placed his arm around John and pulled him closer, "I'm sorry that you thought that. John, you can tell me anything! Yeah, there are times when I may be upset at you…but you will always be my son, no matter what!"
John was still for a moment before twisting around to stare at his family. Jeff growled slightly at the black eye on his son's face. John tensed before sighing, "I deserved it…"
Scott then stepped forward, "What, no it wasn't John! Whoever did this to you, and I think I know who…they deserve whatever they get. You did nothing wrong!"
John shook his head, wincing as pain shot through his skull, "No…he was right. It's my fault Mom died…if I hadn't have dragged her out there that day, she would still be here! A concussion and a couple of broken bones wasn't enough!"
Virgil shook his head, "You say that like that was all you got! Maybe you don't remember but I do… A concussion, broken right arm and left leg, lacerations and severe hypothermia, all before slipping into a coma. You didn't deserve that, and you don't deserve this! Mom's death wasn't your fault, it was a freak accident!"
Jeff nodded in agreement, "Exactly! Listen to us John…" he gently encouraged his son to look at him, "…what happened to your Mother…not your fault! It has never been and never will be your fault!"
John squeezed his eyes shut and buried his face in his Dad's chest, arms wrapping around Jeff as his shoulder's began to shake. Jeff slowly returned the hug, his own eyes closing as he felt his shirt get slightly damp due to John's tears. "Sssh, sssh, sssh. It's okay Johnny, it's okay."
His brothers soon joined the pair and they all huddled together on the small hospital bed.
"Ian Cook and Mark Parkes…I don't know the name of the other two…" whispered Johnny into his Dad's chest.
"Probably Thomas Lizton and George Spader…they're never far away from those two" Scott muttered.
Jeff nodded, pulling out his cell. "I'm calling the police. Those boys won't get away with this…"
