Hi friends! I am not entirely happy about this chapter but still posted it! Do tell me how was it. Thank you for reading! Sorry for mistakes!
Enjoy :-)))
Oliver hadn't moved from his place. A big reason was the boy sleeping on his lap. It was more like trying to sleep. Barry kept fidgeting whole night mumbling incoherent words. The vigilante spoke in soft comforting tone trying to calm the hero. It was early morning when Barry's fever finally broke and he could sleep peacefully. Oliver sighed closing his own eyes, sleep claiming him next second
Next day they were given the same mashed potatoes and beans for lunch. By now Barry was feeling little better and could keep his share of food without throwing up. He was still very weak and exhausted. The infection was still there but the Oliver was glad it wasn't spreading. Though he knew Barry needed medical treatment as soon as possible. The antibiotics given were not enough and with every hour passing the kid looked worse than before.
They were currently sitting side by side when Barry asked with his closed eyes "Oliver are you really thinking of going to this meeting?" The older man nodded "I don't have a choice Barry. They will hurt you"
Barry went quite for a while. He felt like a burden to his friend. If he wasn't injured they would have already taken out Gabriel and his men "I am sorry" Oliver looked at him with a confused expression "For what kid?"
"I came here with you to catch this gangster but without my powers...I feel like a burden" Barry's voice was soft as he hung his head low. Oliver frowned "Barry don't blame yourself okay. What happened is not your fault. Right now I don't care of catching that criminal. All I care about getting out of here alive. We can go after him when you get your powers back"
Barry turned his head to his side. No matter what Oliver said, the guilt was still eating him alive. He looked at his leg. It was still hurting and felt like sharp pins were being poked at his skin. He closed his eyes and waited for the night to come not knowing what fate had planned for them.
FAR AWAY IN WOODS
Joe and his two officers were still searching for Oliver and Barry. It was now almost evening with the dark sky ready to take it's place for the night. The officer with him looked at his watch "Sir...our backup should arrive by tomorrow morning. I am sure the pilot must have reached Central City by now"
Joe stopped brushing away the dirt on his suit "You are right Carl. We should keep looking though" The second officer Nathan pointed towards his right and whispered sharply "Sir! I think someone is there" he passed the binoculars to Joe
Joe saw through the lens and frowned, they were not Barry or Oliver but two men who were dragging a wooden box. He saw one of the them open the box and pull out brand new rifle and picked out second item which was revolver.
It didn't take long for Joe to understand they were smugglers and most probably Gabriel's men since he was spotted in this island. Joe thought for a moment and made a decision. He had to stop them. Being a cop he coudn't let him get away "They could be Gabriel's men" he said to his partners and looked again "But I don't see him!" All three then hid themselves behind the thick bushes "Sir what should we do?"
Joe again looked through the binoculars "I don't see more than two men.. we can take them. Look Nathan you go back to our landing place and wait for the back up"
"But Sir I can help you with these criminals"
Joe shook his head sternly "No! I need someone to guide the back up team here if we are in trouble. Carl will stay with me. Now go! It's my orders"
"Yes Sir!" Nathan then turned and headed back to the place where they landed the chopper
Joe pulled out his gun and motioned with his hand to Carl, asking him to follow. Slowly and cautiously they reached were the two criminals stood inspecting the items in the box. The detective saw the two men were busy talking so he took this opportunity and yelled "FREEZE! CCPD!"
The two men turned around holding their hands in the air. They were shocked and shook with fear "Please don't shoot" Joe tightened his hold on the gun and walked towards them. Carl followed behind with his gun aiming at the two men "Where is Gabriel?"
The two men looked confused "Who?"
Joe raised his voice "Don't try to act smart! I know you are smuggling weapons and Gabriel is here in this island. It will be lot easier for you if you all surrender" One of the men spoke "Listen officer...we don't know who are you talking about. We were paid to deliver this box tonight. We don't even know the person's name"
Joe frowned "Who gave you this box?"
"I don't know his name. We get a call from our boss who gives us address where to deliver the goods and then a huge amount is paid to us. That's all we do"
Carl whispered to Joe "Sir... I think this box is suppose to be delivered to Gabriel. He might come to collect it tonight" Joe thought for a moment "You are meeting this guy for first time?" Both nodded "Please sir...we are just the delivery guys. We did not commit any crime"
Joe scoffed "You mean delivering illegal weapons to a ganster is not a crime to you?" he saw the two men hung their heads in shame "Carl tie them up. We are going to take the delivery to Gabriel"
When Carl was tying the two men Joe ran a hand on his face. He had come here in search of his son and Oliver but now he had to catch a criminal. The father so badly wanted to keep looking for Barry but he knew Gabriel also needed to be stopped. It was also getting dark so it will prove even more difficult to find them. He will just have to wait for backup to arrive. Until then there was no way he was going to let the criminal escape.
IN CABIN
Oliver's eyes were on the door. He knew any moment Gabriel will come to separate him from Barry. He wasn't afraid for himself. His fear was for the boy who right now had very less capacity to defend himself if needed. He looked at Barry who was sleeping again, tightly clutching the blanket that was pulled up to his chin.
Oliver quickly got up from his place and went near Barry. He placed his hand on the boy's forehead. His fever was up again. The vigilante cursed and checked the wound. The meds must have worn out as the ankle was swollen with red blotchy skin. A small puss was forming around the wound. Barry wimpered when Oliver covered back his ankle "Ol..Ollie? Whts..oing..on?"
The vigilante gave a small smile acting brave for Barry "Nothing kid. Just checking your leg" he saw the boy let out a shaky breath "Could you pass me more blanket...it's freezing cold" Oliver covered his friend with his own blanket "Do you want some water?" Barry shook his head "Kid drink few sips. You need to be hydrated" the older man then made his friend sit up and the hero drank few sips
"Everything..hurts Ollie" his voice weak and raspy. Oliver placed his hand on Barry's head "Hang on kid..I.." The door to the cabin opened with a bang. Gabriel entered with his men "Let's go Mr Queen"
Oliver looked at Barry and got up "If anything happens to him" he pointed at Barry "I will kill you" the vigilante hissed at Gabriel. "My men will tell you where is the meeting held. Bring me my delivery and you can have your friend back. Meet me back here. Be careful...my men have seen a chopper land on this island" Oliver's ears picked up. Maybe help had arrived. He heard what the leader said next "I am sure they must be searching for your two. But don't let yourself be found before you make the delivery. If they are cops...you know what to do. I will release you both once as soon as I get my box"
"Oliver..." Barry called out from below. Oliver bend down to face Barry "I will come back for you okay" The boy looked through his blurry eyes "Don't go" The vigilante squeezed his shoulder "Why not you take a quick nap kid. I will be back before you wake up"
"Promise?"
"Promise"
Oliver got up and Gabriel gave him a briefcase full of money "Give this to the other party" The vigilante looked at Barry one last time before leaving the cabin.
Sorry I did say the meeting will be in this chapter but it got long so had to split it in two. Please leave a review :-)))