Chapter Twenty-Seven
Gathering
"Aah... Jesus...!" Joshua clutched his head in pain. "Was not expecting that, no sir, not expecting that one bit..." Joshua shook his head, looking a bit annoyed. "I'm an idiot. Never should have got that angry. Shouldn't have done that. I should have done a bit more research... Anyway..." Smirking through the pain, Joshua looked to Lukas. "Man, it's a good thing you were waiting nearby. Collapsing in the street after shooting at police officers really isn't the best thing to do."
Lukas nodded silently, evidently disturbed. He stared out over a small field of grass. Behind them were a line of trees, blocking them from view of the road and buildings.
"What's got into you?" Joshua asked, leaning forward. A small amount of fresh blood was leaking from the scrape by his left eye. While it was only a thin line, the bullet had still affected his left eye which was now shut. When he opened it he couldn't see out of it. Luckily there wasn't any major blood or injury in that regard.
His hand was a whole different ballgame. He currently had it tucked into his jacket, squeezing it to put pressure on it but blood was still dripping out of the leather jacket.
"What do you mean what's got into me?" Lukas asked, turning towards Joshua with an incredulous look. "This... today has been crazy. I've been told to kill someone, I've held a gun, I've almost died... and now I learn that you've shot at police and a man in a cell? What's wrong with you, Joshua?"
Joshua snorted. "If you don't like it, then just go away. I am not stopping you."
"No. You're my only way to get to Dominika."
Laughing, Joshua shook his head. "And what makes you think I'm actually going to be bothered about her anymore?"
Lukas' eyes widened. "What?"
"You heard. Look, I stayed with you simply because you were under threat of death. This threat has passed. I have no reason to stay with you." Joshua fiddled with a strand of hair.
"What?" Lukas pushed himself up from the ground, looking down at Joshua. "What are you saying?"
With a pained groan, Joshua lifted himself up with one hand and shrugged. "I say what I mean. I made sure you didn't die."
"Are you saying that you were... what, protecting me?"
"Yup."
"You never intended to help me get Dominika?"
"Well, she was in passing. I helped you to stay near you." Joshua looked out down the small incline of grass. "Look. Chances are, she's dead. The guys in black aren't gonna just sit down and keep her company. It would be a fool's errand, no matter how much you think of yourself as a hero."
"I can't just leave her to die." Lukas looked shocked at Joshua.
"Sure you can. Besides, you wouldn't be leaving her to die if she's already dead. They probably killed her even before you put me and Miles up to gunpoint."
"I..." Lukas shook his head in disbelief. "I don't believe this... I gave you the benefit of the doubt, Joshua. I got you off the streets when you were passed out. I thought you were a good guy."
"No one is truly a good guy, Lukas." Joshua pulled away his jacket to allow a puddle of blood to tip into the grass before covering his hand again. "If you think heroes exist, something is wrong with you."
"Fine... fine, y'know what, fine. So you're not going to help me anymore... I care for Dominika and I will do my best to find her!"
"Good luck on not getting killed." Joshua smiled.
Lukas just shook his head and started to walk away. "I'm sure I can find a private detective or someone that could help me." Lukas continued walking before stopping. "And you know what? Joshua, you really-" Lukas stopped as he turned around, noticing Joshua was staring oddly to the ground. "What's..."
"Y'know what... Lukas?" Joshua took a stepped forward and seemed to teeter on his feet. "I think I will stay with you for a bit longer. I am losing a hell of a lot of blood. Here's a good idea. Go take me to a hospital." With that Joshua promptly fell face-down into the grass, unconscious.
XXX
"I cannot believe this. I..." Jennifer was practically pulling her hair out as she strode down the street. Behind her stood Dorothy who was holding onto a very amused David's arm. "Why didn't he tell me?" Jennifer suddenly spun around and prodded David's chest. "Why didn't you tell me!"
"Your boyfriend told me not to tell you."
"He isn't my boyfriend!"
"Oh... Is he your special friend instead?"
"Just... just shut up! I am not in the mood right now!" Jennifer was glaring straight at the hospital sign down the street as she walked. She had cared for Jason all these years, they trusted each other. Now he got arrested? He got shot! Why he didn't tell her, Jennifer couldn't say. She could have done something, but no, he had to be a stubborn fool.
Jennifer suddenly stumbled, her high-heel snapping in two. "Oh, for God's sake!" Jennifer snapped.
David chuckled, but quickly raised his arm as a high-heel came soaring towards him. He called out to Jennifer, "Having a problem?"
"What do you think? God!" Jennifer pulled her other high-heel off and stormed through the automatic doors bare-footed, leaving Dorothy and David behind.
"You were doing it again." Dorothy said with a frown, turning towards David.
"Hey, it's just teasing."
"And teasing escalates to bullying."
"Trust me, this isn't bullying. It's not like I'm stuffing her into a locker or stealing her books. Just a bit of ribbing, that's all."
"Can you tone it down... for me?" Dorothy asked with a sigh, sitting on a bench next to the doors.
"Are you not going in?" David asked, taking a seat besides Dorothy.
"I need some fresh air." Dorothy replied, placing a finger on her temple, looking blindly out across the street. Watching her for a few seconds, David placed a hand on Dorothy's arm.
"Are you all right?"
Dorothy shook her head. "No. No, I am not all right."
"Want to talk about it?"
"I..." Dorothy started speaking but stopped. Her face was easily betraying that she was thinking hard. "This whole... situation. It is so strange... so... unusual. Visions? Somebody whose next. Clues to some kind of death..." Dorothy's frown increased and she shook her head. "I do not understand it. I cannot understand. Why? Why did Jason see what happened? Why did I hear what happened? Why did no-one else? What makes us unique? What-"
"Calm down, Dorothy. Too many questions." David quickly interrupted. "I don't know what you're feeling, that much is true. I didn't have a vision. I didn't see anything, I didn't hear anything. But the fact of the matter is, I've known you long enough to know you're strong. Dorothy Louella... when I first came to you when you were playing that piano, I couldn't believe you could play a piano blind." David chuckled, looking to the sky. "Hell, you won fifty dollars proving me wrong. You're the woman who would hit me in the shins if I tried to guide you 'round New York with your walking stick. You don't like people guiding you, you always remained as you've always been. Strong." David placed an arm behind Dorothy and pulled her close into a half-hug.
"Just stay strong. That's the answer to all those questions. This is something unique, it's strange, but it's something which we can't let control your feelings. People are dying, that's the truth, but you and Jason have been blessed with being able to save people." David suddenly laughed. "Man, listen to me. I sound like a preacher."
"No, no, it is good advice." Dorothy smiled. "You always make me feel better David."
"I try my best. Now, let's work on getting Jason out of custody. We're witnesses that he didn't commit any kind of murder. Well, at least not the one's they are talking about. For all we know he could be a serial killer back in England or Africa or somewhere."
"Oh, stop it." Dorothy lightly pushed David away.
"Aha! There's the smile we all know and love." With that, Dorothy and David entered into the hospital, unaware of the orphan staring at them from the roof.
Tyrone could only register that David was the one in the window when Jason was arrested before his thoughts found their way back to Jake.
Jake...
He had found out by the policeman interviewing him. Asking if he had a connection to a homeless man or Jake Phillips. Asking why, Tyrone found out the truth. Jake was dead. He never came back because he died. Or was killed.
Tyrone had reacted badly, quickly going through shock. The policeman, Nick, noticed this and while Jason was taken back to the station he took Tyrone to the hospital knowing shock could be dangerous. After making sure Tyrone was left in the hands of the staff at the hospital, Nick left for the station again.
He didn't want to stay in a cubicle. He wanted to think. About Jake, about his parents, just think. Tyrone found himself sneaking away when no-one was looking and making his way up to the roof. It was nice up on the roof, somewhat calm. He didn't think he had actually registered Jake's death properly. He hadn't cried or moaned or anything. Not yet.
But Tyrone knew that it would come. All grief ended up like that. He was in shock now, sure, but soon... it would hurt. It would hurt almost as bad as anything else before simply because Jake was someone who he had a connection with stuck in Willingboro. Jake was an orphan too. The man was the only lifeline keeping Tyrone together, but now he was gone. For now, however, Tyrone was suffering too much from shock to react properly and he continued to stare out over the buildings.
XXX
The hospital wasn't that busy as Dorothy and David entered. A few people were in the waiting area, while a male and female were at the main desk. Otherwise, it was empty. As the two got close to the main desk, they overheard the male and female talking.
"I cannot believe I cut my hand peeling an apple. An apple!" Riley groaned as he waved around a bloody hand with a large gash running through it.
Becca found herself nodding absent-mindly. She was looking around with flitting eyes, taking in each and every detail.
"I've been known to peel apples quickly. This is the first time. If I need stitches..." Riley paused, noticing Becca's expression. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. I'm fine. Just..." Becca tried to smile but failed. Her eyes took in the cubicles that could be seen down the corridor. She knew that somewhere in the hospital would be a surgery room. People with knives... people cutting you open... no-one watching, all gone, abandoned, gone. Becca suddenly blanched, clutching her stomach.
"What's wrong?" Riley leaned down, placing his good hand on Becca's back.
"I... I think I need some air." Becca quickly stumbled away, pushing past Dorothy with a hurried 'excuse me' before leaving the hospital. Riley watched her go but was pulled back by the receptionists voice.
"A nurse will come and see you soon."
"Thanks." Riley nodded, walking towards a seat while looking concerned at the automatic doors. The doors soon opened again, but instead of Becca coming back in, it was a man in a 'two faces of drama' shirt with an arm around another fairly muscular young man.
"Oh damn, I passed out again, didn't I?" Joshua questioned as he looked around the hospital. "Well, you got me here. I'll give you that..." Joshua chuckled. "Man, I think I'm in shock now. I also think I'm delirious of blood loss." Joshua smirked and walked forward, accidently bumping into a plastered pillar. "Ow..." Joshua seemed to bounce off, re-opening the wound on his forehead. "That hurt... Heh..." Joshua pulled away from Lukas and stumbled towards the desk, pushing past Dorothy and David.
"Hey." David protested, but winced at Joshua's face. They weren't even here for an injury, so it was fair enough someone with an injury should be served first.
"Oh, hey..." Joshua nodded towards David before pointing to Dorothy. "Ah... it's you. Oh wait... if Jason is here, and you're here and... oh wait, now I think about it, I think everyone is here... heh... oh crap..." Joshua pointed towards the receptionist who was looking slightly confused. "First off, I'm not drunk." Joshua waved with his bloody hand. "Blood loss is a bitch... that I know. Second off... if I were you, I'd... y'know... be prepared to go pull that fire alarm..." Joshua's legs buckled underneath him where he collapsed to the ground yet again.
As medical personal quickly reacted to the man collapsing in the waiting room, a loud explosion of some kind was heard, coming straight from the roof of the hospital, strong enough to shake the building and cause dust and plaster to fall from the ceiling.
A/N: Thanks to LocalTalent53, Bookreader2010 and Gabe's-Girl-Forever for your review!
Oh boy. Ooooh boy. This isn't a coincidence, no sir, nope, no coincidence in this here hospital. Hehe... hahaha... mwahahahaha!
...
*ahem*
Let's just say I'm looking forward to next chapter, and you should too. Excuse me while I continue my evil laugh while writing that chapter.
'till then!