Richard woke up in the hospital.
"I suppose you want me to get used to this."
Richard tried to sit up. "Used to what?"
Mr. Whitaker was sitting in a chair next to him. "Seeing you in the hospital. It seems that you can't just settle for minor injuries; it's gotta make sure you end up in the ICU."
"Well, maybe this'll cheer you up. It doesn't hurt."
"It doesn't?"
Richard tried to grin, but it turned into a grimace. "Yeah… I'm a liar."
Whit chuckled. "Well, it's good to know you're back to your normal, 'I'm going to turn everything I say into a joke, even if I'm about to be killed' self."
Richard laughed. "Yeah. I think Blackgaard said something like that, too."
"So… care to explain why some guy named Casper shot you?"
Confusion crossed Richard's face. "Who?"
"That's why you're here, isn't it? Because you were shot?"
"Well, yeah… but… you see, I was carrying a gun in my car's trunk. It must've gone off while I was driving Olivia and Matthew home."
"Why were you carrying a gun?"
Richard tried to shrug the question off. "You can never be too careful."
"While you were driving a couple kids home?"
"Well, I didn't really have a chance to take it out before I met up with them."
"But then, why-"
Whit was cut off as a nurse came in. "I'm sorry, Mr. Whitaker, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Richard needs his rest."
Whit nodded as he stood up. "Alright." He looked over at Richard. "But I'll be back."
Richard winked. "I'll see ya later."
As soon as Whit and the nurse left, Richard opened his eyes and climbed out of bed. He stood up and, grabbing the IV pole for support, walked into the bathroom. He closed and locked the door. Ah, there it was. Just like they said. Sitting on a chair beside the shower was a clean set of street clothes, a Band-Aid, and a small, MP3-looking black device. There was even a pair of tennis shoes.
Richard smiled to himself as he slowly peeled the tape away from his left hand where the IV was. He hesitated for only a second, then pulled the needle out. As soon as blood began spurting through the pinprick, he stuck the Band-Aid on, then proceeded to get dressed. As soon as he was ready, he pulled a pen and a scrap of paper out of his pocket and scribbled a note to Mr. Whitaker; setting it in the sink as he unlocked the door.. Then, grabbing the MP3 thingy, he opened the window. Richard looked down, then up. Great. 3rd floor. I guess up it is. He reached out, then pushed a button on the black device. Wouldn't you know it, it was really an ingenious Ekaterina grappling hook. It shot up and grabbed the roof. Richard looked back one last time. Then, he began to climb.
True to his word, Mr. Whitaker returned later that day.
"Richard?" He called as he entered the room. Something wasn't right. His bed was empty. The bathroom light was on. He walked towards the door. One push, and it opened. "Richard?" There was a note in the sink.
Mr. Whitaker,
Sorry I had to disappear on you, but it was necessary.
See you around… maybe.
-Richard
P.S.
Please don't send the cops after me. It's kinda vital to 7 close friends.
P.P.S.
You know how I asked you to pray for me? Now would be a good time.
Thanks.
The window was open; a breeze blowing through the small room.
He was gone.