(Gasp) Could it be? Has this story ACTUALLY been updated without months of waiting? Yes boys and girls, it's true. I have updated this story, and you didn't have to wait half a year. Thanks to all those who reviewed!

Trecebo: Yes, I did in act update, and I'm sure you're pleased that this chapter was updated so quickly. And thanks, I'm glad that Richie's emotions came across well, thanks for reviewing!

Kate Maxwell: Mutation eh? Should be interesting. Can't wait to read that. And I'm glad your enjoying the story. And yes, it'll be a long road to recovery. Thank you for reviewing!

Goddess of Twilight: I have enough trouble talking to my own voices, thank you very much, I don't need to talk to other peoples. And I don't even read the other stories, so I wouldn't know how good or bad they are, but I'm glad that you're still reading this one, it means a lot to me. So thanks for reviewing!

Genny: Is this your first time reading and/or reviewing this story? Just curious. Anyway, you'll find out soon enough. MUAHAHAHAHAHA! Stay put and find out! Thanks for reviewing!

Chapter 11-Echos

he halls were quiet as Gear made his way back to Virgil's room, holding a tray with three cups of coffee incase Sharon woke up. He wasn't sure how long it had taken him to actually fill those three cups. Well, actually, he was. He just didn't know how long he stood in front of the coffee machine. Either way, he found himself thinking about…everything. From the time he and Virgil had met, to weird middle school romances, all the way through finding out they had powers. Not in great detail, though. He just scanned his memory banks, not paying attention to anything that might keep his attention longer than a quarter of a second.

And so, within minutes, he found himself back at his best friend's room. He hesitated. In all honesty, Richie Foley wasn't sure if he could face the scene that awaited him. The last time he had been in the room, his full attention had been on Mr. Hawkins. Now? Now he didn't know what he would do. How could he not look at Virgil? Then again, how could he not look away? With the final thought of having to be there when his friend needed him, Gear opened the door and let himself in.

Inside, he found that Sharon was in fact awake. Releasing a small grin, he handed both Mr. Hawkins and Sharon their cups of coffee before grabbing his own and throwing away the paper tray. With a sigh, he looked over at Virgil, and for the first time, realized that he didn't have his mask on. Slightly unsure of himself, he looked at Mr. Hawkins, who seemed to read his mind and nod in approval for the young hero to sit next to his partner. Putting the steaming cup of coffee on a side table, Richie took off his helmet, not realizing that Mr. Hawkins and Sharon had made a silent escape, leaving the two alone.

Richie sat quietly for a few minutes before slowly taking his friend's hand in his own. "Hey Virg. Still just as lazy as usual, huh?" He smiled grimly as looked on his friend's tranquil face. Not sure exactly what to say, Richie grabbed his best friend's hand and just kept talking. "We caught him. We caught the guy who did this to you, but…But he's, um…He's crazy Virg. He'll get away with a plea of insanity. They'll probably just put him in Arkham or something." A tear went unnoticed as it trickled down Richie's face. "You better make it through this man. If anything, just to spite the damn part of that crazy man that shot you. You need to come back Virg. For Sharon, a…and your dad…And…and…me…Virg, yah gotta come back." Tears where now gushing down the young man's face, but he didn't care. He just let them keep falling. "Please." He whispered. His grief and exhaustion took over as the young hero found himself drifting off to sleep, his hand still gripping the hand of his best friend.

Looking around, Richie saw nothing but darkness. Looking around, he wondered exactly what it was that he was standing on. There was nothing there. Nothing solid to support him, yet there he was, standing in the middle of…Nothing.

"Hello!" Richie yelled into the darkness, hoping for a response. When none came he tried again. "Hello? Is anybody here?" Out of nowhere, a light seemed to appear, shining on nothing in particular. It was just there, shortly followed by a familiar voice.

"Hey, what's up Rich? Why yah hiding in the dark." Virgil stepped into the light and moved forward, advancing on his friend, lights turning on all around them. Richie was confused, but logic didn't seem to matter. Virgil was there, he would explain everything.

A grin appeared on Richie's face as he replied. "Looking for you."

"Well you came to the right place." Virgil's grin seemed to widen. The two boys exchanged high fives and slight pats on each others backs.

"Where are we, exactly?" At this, Virgil's smile faltered slightly before they heard a loud, crazy-like laugh eco around them. Virgil and Richie stared in shock, looking for any possible source of the laughter. Suddenly, Virgil's face fell in fear as he backed away slightly. "What's going on Virg? Tell me!"

"The have a gun Gear." Virgil whispered in horror, unsure of what to do.

"What?" Richie was confused. Who had a gun? What was Virgil talking about?

"That's right, and you're not going anywhere." Before them, a masked gunman appeared, a psychotic gleam in his eyes.

Courage seemed to overtake Virgil as he stepped forward. "You're not hurting anybody else!"

"Oh yeah, and who's gonna stop me?" Richie stared between the two, finding he couldn't move to support his friend's actions.

"I am!" And everything went haywire. That horrible gunshot echoed in Richie's ears. He watched in slow motion as the bullet made it's way out of the gun and toward his friend. Unable to move, he tried to worn Virgil. Tried to yell at him to move. But no-matter how much he yelled, Virgil didn't move. Everything was quiet except Richie's sobbed out yells.

And before he knew what happened, he heard Virgil yell in pain as he fell to the ground, and suddenly, they were back at the bank. Static's body lay writhing in pain, Gear running at top speed to get to him. He lifted Static's head off the ground, trying to get him to say something.

"Virgil! Virgil! Come on man, stay with me!" Panic filled Gear's eyes, watching Static's head turn to face him.

"You took to long." Static breathed out. "It's your fault I'm here." Anger lased Static's voice, his eye's blazing with rage.

"No…No…" Richie gasped, staring back at his friend's angry face. "I tried. You know I did…I…"

"You weren't fast enough." Virgil whispered before his head lolled to the side, now unconscious. Darkness replaced the bank again, a lone light shining on the two heroes, the only sound was the young blonds sobbing. Then a loud shrill sound filled his ears. One long constant beep.

Looking down in horror at his friend, Richie tried to wake him. "Virgil. Virgil wake up! VIRGIL!"……..

"Virgil. No…Wake up…" The young teen muttered in his sleep. "Please…please…" He suddenly awoke with an anxious hand on his shoulder.

"Gear, wake up, we have to let the doctor's work." Mr. Hawkin's voice was lased with worry. Looking around, he saw a team of doctors and nurses swarmed around Static's body, the shrill sound of a flat line hanging in the air.

One of the doctors turned to face them. "Please, leave the room, we need to work." Richie remained seated in shock. He just kept staring at his friend's unmoving face, hoping he would suddenly wake up and laugh. Just laugh. He didn't care what he laughed at, he it his glasses or the sweater he was always wearing. It didn't matter what he laughed at, he just wanted him to laugh. He just wanted to smile.

Those thoughts were put aside as a nurse escorted him and the two remaining Hawkins out of the room, leaving the team of surgeons free of distraction. Gear kept staring through the window that had been kept closed while they had been inside, which had now been opened. Sharon broke down, crying on her father's shoulder. Mr. Hawkins tried his best to comfort his daughter, but he too had tears flowing how his face. But Gear didn't notice, he just stood staring into that room, where his friend lay. "You weren't fast enough." The words echoed in his head….

Sooo, what did you think? I hope you liked it! I know, I know, evil twist right? Well, before you all starting heating up you torches, let me just tell you its all part of the fic, so please don't be angry with me. Anyway, I was wondering if you guys wanted to have Jason play some sort of role in the fic. I'm not sure. I could probably work him in, but I just want to make sure you will all enjoy it. So please tell me in your reviews what you all thought of this chapter, and whether or not to put Jason in. I'll take the majority. Thanks for reading!