A lot going on in this chapter. Yeah.
I own nothing except the plot line and a few OCs. The Almighty Larson owns the rest.
"Ed is waiting for us with the chief and some squad cars," Sanders informed Baker as he hung up his mobile phone. She nodded and pressed the gas pedal further to the floor. Angel and Mimi were quiet in the backseat. It had been a little over three hours since Angel had contacted Collins. The drag queen was still holding Baker's phone, contemplating whether or not she should try calling again. Mimi was holding her other hand, occasionally giving it a small squeeze. Fifteen minutes passed before they saw the flashing lights of the four squad cars that were waiting for them. Ed, who was speaking to the chief, Arthur, and the other bohemians were standing in the middle of the road. Angel and Mimi lept out of the car and ran to their friends.
"Angel talked to Collins," Mimi told them.
"Is he okay?" Maureen asked.
"He said he is, but I don't know how much longer that will be true," Angel replied. Baker and Sanders walked to Ed.
"Chief Michaels, this is Detective Baker and Detective Sanders," Ed introduced them. Both detectives shook the chief's hand. The bohemians and Arthur watched. "I was explaining the hostage situation we have."
"Of all the hostage situations I've seen, this is the first time I've known a woman to be the captor instead of the captive," Chief Michaels said.
"It happens," Sanders commented.
"I'm going to assume she has a weapon."
"She does. A gun."
"She may have more than a gun though," Baker added. "Tom Collins' girlfriend talked to him for a short while and, according to him, Mrs. Gibson has a bag. He doesn't know what's inside of it."
"And she's got two hostages?"
"That's correct," Ed said. "Her nephew, Connor, and his philosophy professor, Tom Collins." Chief Michaels looked to the seven civilians.
"Which one of you is the girlfriend?" he asked. Angel stepped forward. "Did your boyfriend say anything about this woman being dangerous?"
"He said she was deranged," Angel replied. Chief Michaels nodded and looked to Arthur and the rest of the bohemians.
"Who are all of you?"
"Arthur Gibson, Mrs. Gibson's husband and Connor's uncle, and friends of Tom Collins," Baker explained.
"You brought them with you?"
"They insisted on coming."
"And they're relentless," Ed added.
"So, what's the plan?" Sanders asked.
"I say we try to bring her out as peacefully as possible. Being cornered by the police isn't exactly the most relaxing thing on the planet and we don't know how she'll react."
"And if that doesn't work?" Chief Michaels asked.
"I don't even want to think about that."
"You're not the only one," Baker stated.
"I'll call for a couple cars to take you all to the station," Chief Michaels told the bohemians and Arthur. "You can wait there until this thing is over."
"Like hell we will!" Maureen shouted, stepping toward the chief. Joanne pulled her back. "If we wanted to sit in a police station and wait for someone to tell us whether or not Collins and Connor are alive, we would have just stayed in New York!"
"Maureen, calm down," Joanne told her girlfriend.
"You can't go up there," the chief said. "It could be dangerous and-"
"We know that, but we need to be with you," Mimi interrupted. "They're going to ask about us the second you get them out of there. Let us stay." Chief Michaels looked at the seven pairs of hopeful eyes.
"Please, Connor is my nephew," Arthur said.
"And we're Collins' family," Angel added. "Let us be here for them." The chief looked to Ed, Baker, and Sanders for help.
"I told you, they're relentless," Ed told him. Chief Michaels sighed heavily.
"Fine, but you have to stay where you're told to, got it?" he said. Six of the bohemians nodded, but Arthur and Angel couldn't make that promise. "All right, let's head up there. Everybody, back in your cars."
Collins sat on the floor next to the bedside table, his crutches on the floor too far away for him to reach. His right side was throbbing with pain, as was his head, and he couldn't move his broken leg even a little. While he watched Anna hurt Connor in the living room, he had wished she was harming him instead of his student. After she had caught him talking to Angel, he got his wish. He had no idea what had happened or was happening to Connor as he was being beaten with one of his crutches, but he didn't like that it was quiet all of a sudden. Reaching to his right, he tried his best to grab at least one crutch to get himself to his feet. The sharp pain that shot through his body caused him to pull his arm back.
"Professor!" Connor exclaimed. He threw his phone, which was in his hand, onto the bed before rushing to Collins and kneeling in front of him. The boy had changed clothes again. He was wearing all white now, his hair had been combed, and there was a sweet aroma coming off of him. "She hurt you . . ."
"She used the crutches," Collins said softly. Connor tried to help the professor up, causing him to cry out in pain. It was when Connor released him that Collins noticed his hands were free. "She untied you? I get why she didn't tie me back up, I can't even stand up without an aide, but why did she untie you?"
"She knows I won't go anywhere as long as you're here."
"You changed . . . and you smell like . . . like honey."
"It's honey-scented soap. She made me take a bath and then put these clothes on."
"Why?"
"She said I have to be pure." Connor stared at Collins. Knowing that Anna had caused his professor so much pain made him want to cry. "I couldn't distract her long enough. I'm sorry, Professor."
"I'm fine, Connor." Collins' words were only half true.
"This is all my fault . . . I'm sorry . . . I'm so sorry . . ." Connor looked down at the floor. Collins lifted his head.
"It's not your fault," he told the boy. "She probably would have done this anyway. You couldn't have stopped it, so don't blame yourself for it. Do you understand me?" Connor nodded, still silently feeling guilty. "I talked to Angel. She and the rest of my friends are with the police. They're on their way here."
"Really?"
"Yes. They're coming to save us. They should be here soon since I called a few hours ago."
"Three hours and thirteen minutes." Collins nodded and attempted to move his leg as Connor glanced over his shoulder at the door. "I went through her bag."
"What's in it?" Collins asked.
"I found more rope, holy water, a bible, and a crucifix." Collins furrowed his brow. "Professor, I think she may be planning . . . an exorcism."
"What?" At that moment, Anna appeared in the doorway. She stood there for a short while and stared at her nephew and his professor.
"Connor, I thought I told you to stay in the other room," she said, walking toward them. Connor stood up and faced her. Placing her hands on the sides of his face, she smiled at him. "You look so clean . . . so pure." Moving him out of the way, she glared at Collins. "This is not a police matter. Why would you bring them into this?"
"Because you're insane," Collins replied. Anna stepped toward Collins, her hand raised, as Connor's phone rang. She looked at it, then at Connor, then at her watch.
"It's four in the morning," she stated. "Who would be calling you at this time?" She picked the phone up off the bed and answered it. Collins and Connor watched her as she spoke. "Yes?"
"Anna Gibson?" Ed's voice came.
"Yes, who is this?"
"Detective Ed Green, I'm with the New York Police Department. We know you have two hostages and we have you surrounded. The only option you have right now is to come out with your hands up."
"Surrounded? Detective, I've already explained this. Who told you people that they're hostages? Was it my sister? She's not well, you know." Hearing Anna mention his mother, Connor slowly took a step toward her.
"Mrs. Gibson-"
"She's just jealous because I raised a son while she sat in a hospital," Anna continued. "She's always been after everything I have, even when we were kids. That'll stop tonight though."
"What do you mean by that?" Connor asked. Anna didn't bother acknowledging that he had said anything.
"Detective Green, it's been lovely talking with you, but I have to get to work now," she said into the phone. Connor suddenly bolted from the room, quickly making his way through the living room to the front door. He threw it open and got to the top step of the porch before Anna grabbed him and held her gun to his head. Connor shielded his eyes from the flashing lights of the cars as every police officer aimed their weapons at Anna.
"Mrs. Gibson, let him go!" Ed demanded. Anna said nothing and began pulling Connor back toward the house. The boy did his best to resist and tried to break free from her grip.
"My mom!" he shouted. "Send someone to protect her! She lives in Lavender Meadows Mental Hospital! You have to keep her safe! Please!" He was then pulled into the living room and watched Anna slam the door before slowly turning to face him. He looked as if was going to cry. His aunt forced him to turn around and pressed the gun to his back. Silently, they walked back to the guest room. Collins sighed in disappointment upon seeing them. He was hoping Connor had escaped. Anna lowered her gun to her side and glared at the back of Connor's head. As soon as the boy turned to her, she hit him with so much force, she knocked him to the floor.
"Hey, what the hell is wrong with you?" Collins asked angrily. Anna ignored him and looked down at Connor.
"What happened to honoring and doing right by your mother, Connor?" she asked, tossing her gun onto the bed. Connor slowly sat upright, one hand clutching his forehead. His eyes were closed tightly. "I'm talking to you." Connor brought his other hand to his head and began rubbing his temples. "What is wrong with you?"
"It's my head," Connor replied. "I have . . . pain killers in my room. Can I go get one?"
"No."
"Please . . . it hurts . . ."
"I said, no!"
"Let the boy get something," Collins told Anna. "He's in pain!"
"And he will have to suffer through it. I'm going to go get my bag and I'll be back." Anna then left the room. Collins watched as Connor cringed and whimpered. Just as he was about to reach out to his student, he took his hands away from his head. His eyes remained closed.
"Connor?" Collins said. Connor didn't move. "Albert?" The boy's eyes snapped open and he looked at Collins. He seemed to be studying the professor.
"She's here, isn't she?" he asked. Collins nodded. "And she did that to you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I was trying to protect Connor. Get him to safety."
"You took a beating for him? Maybe you're not like everyone else after all." Connor looked at the gun on the bed and then toward the door. "Where is she now?"
"Getting her bag. Connor thinks she might be planning an exorcism."
"I wouldn't put it past her." The boy looked back at Collins. "You do realize the only way to stop her from hurting Connor is to kill her, don't you?"
"Why can't you do that?"
"Someone has to get to her. You know, get inside her head. I know exactly how to piss her off. All you have to do is get the gun."
"I . . . I've never shot a gun before in my entire life. And I do not want to kill anyone."
"We have to save Connor. You don't have to kill her. Just give her a flesh wound or something. I'll distract her."
"Connor said you're afraid of her."
"I am, stop reminding me or I'll back out."A few moments passed before Anna returned to the room. She sat her bag on the bed and opened it just as Connor's phone rang again. Rolling her eyes, she picked it up and answered it.
"I am in the middle of something," she said. "And I would appreciate it if you would stop interrupting me, Detective. Thank you." She hung up the phone without waiting for a response. "I just don't get it. How can anyone want to stop a person from showing a sinner the light of God?"
"You're the only sinner I see here," Connor said.
"Excuse me?" Anna put her hands on her hips and walked toward Connor.
"You're not perfect. Just because you think you're doing what God told you to, doesn't mean you're a saint. You are the epitome of sin."
"You shut your mouth!"
"You do whatever you want and then claim it to be God's will for you to do so."
"I am saving helpless souls!"
"Projecting your views of the typical sinner onto someone else and then punishing them doesn't make you a savior!"
"Shut up!" Anna put her hands over her ears and paced back and forth for a short while. "You don't know what you're talking about! I'm doing nothing wrong! I'm helping people! I'm forcing the devil to vacate their bodies!"
"You're perverting God and the bible to justify the actions of your rage! If anyone has the devil inside them, it's you!" Anna's mouth dropped open. Collins felt like he could literally see the anger boiling inside of her. She practically ran toward Connor and punched him square in the face, causing him to fall backwards. He blinked a few times and Collins knew that he was no longer Albert. Before he could say anything to his student, Anna pulled the boy into an upright position by his hair.
"You have no right to talk to me that way!" she shouted. She then began dragging him across the room.
"Aunt Anna, please stop!" he begged, trying to pry her hand off of his hair. She took a pocket knife from her bag.
"Don't hurt him!" Collins pleaded. "I told him to say those things! They're my words! Not his!"
Anna stared at the professor and released Connor. She charged at Collins, knife in hand, and pounced on him, ready to slit his throat. Being a bit weaker than usual, Collins had to fight harder than he normally would to keep the blade of the knife away from him. During the struggle, the bed was bumped several times, causing the gun to fall onto the floor. Collins heard the gun fall and used all of his strength to push Anna a good distance away from him, giving him enough time to grab it, ignoring all of the pain he was putting himself through to do so. He turned to see Anna on her feet and charging at him again. Without giving it a second thought, he pulled the trigger.
The gunshot echoed as Anna dropped the knife, fell to her knees, and then finally forward.
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