Chapter 32: Went Dark
Again, so sorry for the delay. Holidays and whatnot! But, I'm feeling the writing bug again so here ya go, another chapter for your enjoyment. Also, if anyone is interested, I'm working on a Switched at Birth fanfic as well. If you like the show, please check it out! Please review, good or bad, I can take it all! Thank you!
Auggie came home that night and almost went deaf as well as blind from the blaring music coming from one of the bedrooms. He sat his bag on the counter and made his way to the babies room. The smell of glue and pizza hit his nostrils with a vengeance.
"Annie?" he yelled into the room.
Annie stopped putting up a strip of wallpaper and turned at the sound of her name. Seeing Auggie standing there, she turned the dial on the radio down to a manageable level. "Sorry, Auggie. I lost track of the time, I guess."
He tentatively took a step into the room. "What's going on in here?"
"I've been decorating. Danielle thought it would help me get my mind off of things. Give me something to do." She walked over to him and brushed her hand against his. He took her elbow and she led him into the room.
"You called Danielle?"
"Actually, she called me. But I was going to call her. I was going absolutely stir crazy within minutes of you leaving this morning."
He smiled at her. "I figured."
She punched him in the shoulder. "Yeah, I didn't tell her everything, but enough for her to know I needed something to do. So she suggested I start on this. Auggie, this wallpaper is amazing. It goes up so easy and isn't bad for me to handle and it's so pretty and..." Auggie cut her off when he pulled her tightly against his strong body and placed his lips on hers.
Breatheless after they pulled apart, Annie smiled and said, "I guess I deserved that for rambling."
"Oh, keep rambling, please. I'm happy to stop you..." he said as he leaned in for another kiss.
Pulling away from him, she said, "I got pizza. Might be a bit cold now though."
"I don't mind." He sat down on the floor. Sitting next to him, Annie moved the pizza box closer to him so he would know where it was. He reached in, grabbed a piece, and said, "So, tell me all about the new decorations."
He sat there for several minutes, eating his pizza while she told him of the new wallpaper with little rattles, music notes, ballet slippers, teddy bears, guitars and bows all over it. She had also bought two new cribs and set them up on the outer wall. A changing station was in between them. She led him all around the room, showing him the new furniture, where it was placed, how to use it. All the while he simply smiled and took it all in.
This woman, this beautiful woman, was carrying his two children, had been through hell lately, was probably still going through mental hell, had done nothing but spend the entire day setting up the room their babies would grow up in, and all she was concerned about now was showing him everything and telling him all about it so he could try to see it for himself. How was he so lucky?
"I love you," he stated after she had finally finished.
"I love you, too."
Just then, Auggie's phone rang. "Joan, what's up?"
'Auggie, I'm sending someone to come get you and Annie. We found Dr. Russell. Dead. Annie was right. They're here and until we find them I want the two of you here, out of harm's way.'
"Joan we can..."
'No, Auggie. No arguments. It's happening. Don't panic Annie, though. That's the last thing she needs right now. Just get her into the car and get her here.'
Auggie sighed. "Alright, Joan. See you soon."
Annie touched his shoulder. "What's going on, Auggie?"
"Joan needs us at the office. She sent someone to come get us."
"I could have driven us..."
"I know. I think she's just trying to protect you... us. We'd better get an overnight bag. Don't know how long we're gonna have to be there."
"Alright, Auggie."
They made their way into their bedroom and began packing a few clothes and toiletries into a duffle bag. Soon enough, a knock came at the door. They zipped up their shared bag and headed out to the car Joan had sent for them. Annie helped Auggie find the door and slid in beside him. Minutes later they were on the highway, headed for Langley.
They rode in silence, except for the quiet playing music from the car radio. Annie was staring out the window when her focus was brought to the side view mirror. A car behind them was making erratic moves, weaving in and out of traffic to catch up to them. She turned around and saw as the car came right up behind them and sped up even faster.
"What is it, Walker?" Auggie asked.
"Someone's following us." She turned to the driver and said, "Hey, you see that right?"
He looked in the rear view mirror at her and nodded. Just then the car following them bumped into their back bumper, hard.
"Speeding up now would be good!" Annie yelled at the driver.
Just as he went to press the accelerator, the tailing car bumped them again, sending them spinning out into traffic. Cars swerved and honked, barely missing them. The car sailed into the median, causing it to flip over onto its roof. Suddenly, the whole world around Annie went dark.