Chapter 9: In the Dead of Night
A/N Sorry that it's been so long. When you are a senior and scholarships are running rapid, you will understand. Again, I'm only having fun with this, and likewise I just follow what my mind says. As with RENT, it's all Jonathan Larson.
Later that Night...
"Hello my beautiful friends." Collins said as he breezed into the loft. Both
Mimi and Roger couldn't help but laugh as their anarchist friend entered,
armed with the usual Stoli.
"Hello Thomas." Roger said as he hugged Collins. Mimi walked over to
him and placed a kiss on his cheek. Smiling, Collins jerked his head around
the loft.
"Mark went out Roger?" Collins asked.
"Yeah. He nearly pushed me away as he bolted out the door, armed with his
trusty video camera." Roger said, vaguely chuckling.
He sat back down on the duct tape couch, with Mimi and Collins in tow.
They exchanged concerned looks as they watched him. He kept his hand over
his scraggly chin, as in concentration. Mimi sat down next to him and placed
her hand on Roger's knee.
"Roger honey, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing babe." Roger said.
"Roger! Don't pull this crap again What's really wrong." Collins said.
Roger took a deep breath. "I'm just nervous about him."
"He's fine honey." Mimi said to her love, kissing his cheek.
He nudged away from her. "How the hell do you know?! Your weren't
friends with him since fucking grade school! We're like brothers. What
happens if he forgets to breathe and he can't reach that damn inhaler?"
Collins sat down next to him. "Rog, Mark needs to cope, and if filming is
his way way to cope, then we must let him do this." he said.
"I know that! He's always so absorbed in the camera. Hell, I promised him
that I wouldn't worry about him. It's just so hard." Roger cried.
Mimi hugged her fallen fiancé. "Roger baby, it's hard on all of us. Maureen
and me couldn't even leave Mark's bedside, but we have to live through
this. Things may happen to him. Honey, we have to let him live."
Roger smiled at Mimi. The one he sang a song to not so long ago to bring
her back. He knew that he had to let Mark live his own life and past this
nightmare. For all of the bohemians, the mantra that held them together "No
Day But Today" still echoed in their heads. Roger kissed Mimi on the lips,
feeling the warmth in her thin mocha body.
"I guess you're right." Roger said.
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Mark was walking on the corner of 11th street and Avenue B, happy of the
footage he captured. The Earth's beauty was in his canvas bag, resting
against his camera. Despite the fact that he needed to stop to use his inhaler
now and again, he was glad knowing that after all the uncertainty, he had his
life back. Suddenly, grey clouds formed in the night sky, making it darker
and colder.
Mark walked on until he saw shadows on the sidewalk. He turned his head
and noticed several bodies walking towards him. They wore plaid shirts and
carried weapons. Panicking, Mark ran into the alleyway, but the predators
still followed him. They cornered him into a brick wall, grasping his small
body in their clutches. One by one, they punched him, each punch pierced his
gentle skin. He fell to the ground wheezing and coughing. One of the
muggers, a man with a jagged cut on his cheek and wild hair grabbed his
camera bag and looked inside. He closed it, frowning. After a final kick at
Mark's body, he signaled his gang to follow.
"This asshole has nothing of value to us." he growled.
They left Mark on the pavement. His chest contracted wildly, and his body
started to shake a little. With a shaky hand, he grabbed his inhaler. After a
few weak breaths, he was more calm, but he still need help. He tried to get
up but he moaned with each moment he made, he moaned in pain. He closed
his eyes, trying to ward off the pain around him. As he slept tow figures
came to him. Warm skin gently touched Mark's.
"Thank god he's still alive." said the voice.
Mark opened his eyes a crack,. The voice was warm, like someone he knew.
Still, it was too dark to see. The voice came closer to him and kissed his
forehead, its touch so familiar.
"It's okay Mark, just rest. We'll take you home." the voice said.
He felt warm hands lifting his body and carried him. He felt the bright lights
of the city. When it was clear enough, he opened his eyes. He smiled as he
saw the figure.
"Maureen?" he said weakly.
Then he fell asleep again, it was all too painful. The person touched his skin
once more and gently said.
"Don't worry Mark, I'll protect you."
There is still more to see. Just so you know, I do not hate Mark, this will all come together in the end. Remember, the title is Fight for Life. It is your job to interpret that. Anyway, reviews. Never fear, I will continue. I am writing the next part as we speak.