Love Struck

Chapter 20 - Missing Person

Ghost's POV

"Ughhhhh….!" I groaned as I opened my eyes from a deep slumber.

My body felt horrible in every way possible it was hard to believe it was from only drinking a few beers.

I slowly tried to lift myself out of bed and as soon as I let my feet hit the floor I felt like I had to vomit.

I immediately ran into the bathroom and fell in front of the toilet.

"AGHHHHHHHHHH!" I knew I had to vomit.

After the first wave of my aftermath I felt another one coming.

"AGHHHHHHHHHH!" I let it all out in hot waves of mixed colors and after the second drop I slowly lowered my head onto the toilet rim.

As I rested my weary head I didn't notice the fact that I was being watched.

"Ghost?" I heard someone say quietly.

I slowly raised my head and looked over at the door to find Amy looking down on me with a sad face.

I didn't want to talk so I just smiled and waved my first two fingers at her as a hello.

"Are you ok?" She asked me as she entered the room.

"I think so." I replied.

Just as I said that I felt the last wave coming up.

I immediately lean back into the toilet and let it out.

"AGHHHHHHHHHH!" I shouted as it came out of me.

Amy came rushing over to me in a comforting way. She softly took my shoulder and began to rub my back gently as I tried to catch my breath.

"What happened to you last night?" She asked softly in my ear.

"I had a little too much to drink at the party I guess." I replied.

"Shadow said you guys were going out to celebrate." Stated Amy.

"I'm just glad he got me home safely. Where is he anyway, do you know?" I asked.

"I was actually coming by to ask you the same question." Replied Amy.

"I guess he's roaming around here somewhere." I stated while slowly lifting my head back up.

"No." Replied Amy.

I slowly looked into her green eyes.

"What do you mean no?" I asked in confusion.

"I checked with the guards and they said after he dropped everyone off last night he went out by himself." Replied Amy.

"Where?" I asked while beginning to worry a little.

"No one knows. He never came back." Stated Amy in a weird tone.

I slowly took her by the shoulder and brought her closer.

"What's wrong?" I asked seriously.

Amy knew I wasn't playing around and she looked at me in sadness.

"Late last night I went out with Nexus to pick up a package for Logan at the post office." Said Amy as I gently released her shoulder.

I watched now as Amy began to get upset.

"As we walked back Nexus and I were attacked by a small gang of Anti-rebellion men. They almost killed Nexus and they almost raped me." She stated as tears began to run down her face.

I'm not good with girls and there emotions so I quickly took her into my arms and gave her a gently hug for comfort.

She sniffled a few times. I guess that's a good sign.

I waited for her to continue but I didn't rush her.

She sniffled a few more times then looked up into my eyes.

"I thought we were dead until Shadow showed up and saved us." She stated.

"Maybe he knew you were in trouble." I suggested.

"I left after he did according to the timeframe the guards wrote down. Shadow was out for a good hour before me and Nexus went out." She replied.

"Maybe he went out for a walk." I suggested again.

Amy then waved her head in disapproval.

"When he came he was hurt really bad." She stated.

"Maybe it was during; when he was trying to save you he got hurt." I suggested once again.

"No Ghost! Shadow never let a man touch him! He killed them all!" Shouted Amy.

My eyes widened in surprise.

"He killed them?" I asked not wanting to believe her.

"He was someone completely different. He was brutal and crazy. He beat the one guy to death. He punched him over and over until the man was incapable of fighting then he kept going as if he was a punching bag." Stated Amy.

"That doesn't sound like Shadow Amy." I stated.

"I didn't think it was him ether, but when I saw his face and how he looked into my eyes I knew it was him. He wouldn't let me or Nexus help him. He killed everyone and then ran off." Said Amy as she let go of my waist.

"You said he was hurt. How bad did he look?" I asked.

"Like he went through hell." Stated Amy.

My eyes widened in shock.

"His pants were burned and his shirt was wiped clean from his body as if he went through a burning building. He had a lot of cuts and bruises and his arm looked like he had been shot."

I began to feel really worried and I stood with severs of worry in my posture.

"His face was the worst. He was burned all over and his cheek had been cut open. His eyes were covered in dirt but I could still make out his crimson red." Stated Amy as she looked into my eyes.

In my head I was trying to figure out what was going on, but nothing added up. "Why would Shadow be the way Amy said he was to me? We had no mission and even if we did he wouldn't go alone. I'm also his commanding officer, he wouldn't not tell me about an operation if we had one to do that night. Something is wrong and I think Logan knows what."

I quickly looked at Amy and turned around towards my front door. I immediately swung open the door and rushed to Logan's office with Amy right on my tail.

I didn't knock. I entered Logan's office to find him behind his desk looking at me in confusion.

"Something wrong Ghost?" He asked me while trying to stand up.

I instantly pushed him back down in his chair and he stared at me with eyes of anger.

"Something sure as shit is wrong here Logan and I want to know what!" I shouted in anger.

"What are you talking about?" He asked me in confusion.

"What did you send Shadow out on last night!? And even better, why wasn't I informed of this matter!? Do you understand that he could be dead right now!?" I yelled at him.

Logan looked at me in a guilty expression and I saw him staring at the door where a group of workers had formed a circle wanting to know what's going on.

Logan took a breath and looked back at me.

"I know your mad Ghost and I'm sorry…!" I cut him off as he tried to get up.

"You're sorry! My partner could be dead Logan! He could be in trouble with no one to help him!" Logan fell back into his seat and looked back at the door.

I quickly looked back and found Dove and a few of her men trying to force themselves into the office.

They pushed back the workers and Dove slammed the door shut as her men dealt with the crowd.

"What's going on?!" Asked Dove in force.

I looked back at Logan.

"Yeah, what's going on!?" I asked.

Logan relaxed himself and slowly got up without me forcing him down again.

"Do you remember Ghost when I called you and Shadow into my office after your first mission?" He asked.

"Yeah what about it!?" I asked.

"Shadow and I had a small talk afterwards with Nexus about my scar." He stated.

"What about it?!" I asked still in anger.

"I was happy that Shadow admitted to almost killing me and I would have let him go if there wasn't someone else who wanted some sort of compensation for there sadness." Stated Logan.

"Who?!" I asked.

"There was a guard killed during the attack and it happened to be Nexus's nephew." Stated Logan.

My eyes widened.

"We both wanted to see that his death didn't go in vain, so we sent Shadow on an op last night…!" I cut him off.

"Without informing me?!"

"It was a punishment for him as well. He had to do it alone that was the rule. He couldn't tell you about it." Replied Logan.

"What was the op?!" I asked.

Logan hesitated at the response.

"What was it?!" I shouted.

"We sent him to eliminate Adam the stalker." Replied Logan.

My eyes widened in shock.

"You sent him to kill the leader of the Anti-rebellion?"! I screamed.

"Calm down Ghost." Urged Dove.

"You shut the fuck up! I'm talking to him!" I shouted at her as I pointed at Logan.

"He completed his mission Ghost. I found out this morning that the target building was destroyed along with whoever was inside." Stated Logan.

"That doesn't mean he's alive! And that doesn't mean Adam could be dead! Has Shadow reported in at all!?" I asked.

Logan lowered his head and tone as he replied.

"No."

I immediately brought my hands up and grabbed Logan by his neck.

"You better hope he's alive! Cause if he's not I swear you'll be sorry!" I shouted at him.

Dove rushed me along with Amy and pulled me off him as hard as they could.

Logan fell back down into his seat and looked into my eyes.

"I'm sorry Ghost." He stated.

I looked at him with anger and quickly smacked Dove's hand off of my arm.

"I'm leaving to go find him weather you like it or not Logan!" I shouted as I walked towards the door.

As I opened the door I heard Logan shout behind me.

"He should have some Files on him! Get them if you can!"

"You'll be lucky if they didn't go with my brother!" I shouted back as I slammed the door behind me.

I immediately went to the arms master and he looked at me in surprise.

"Good morning Ghost. What can I do for you today?" He asked.

"Shut up and hand me a weapon!" I shouted.

The arms master was caught off guard by my anger and quickly tossed me my M9 and my UMP.45. I quickly loaded the weapons and rushed to the door. I didn't sign out I just grabbed my armor and left to go find my brother.

"I'm not losing you too." I said to myself.

Shadow's POV

I woke up about an hour ago and I can't stop crying.

I've been on this roof for too long and I'm starting to see things. The drugs have completely fucked up my mind.

I'm shaking and shaking with no way to stop.

My feelings have gone from feeling great back to I want to kill myself.

I've been so out of whack for so long I feel as if I'm trapped on a roller coaster going through an endless lope.

I had my M9 laying by my side because I've been thinking about it. About the freedom.

I haven't had the will yet to do it though because I keep telling myself that it's just the drugs affecting me. Same as when Archer was drunk. It was just the alcohol talking.

I'm getting close though. It's becoming clearer and clearer after every second that passes that this one bullet can free me from all this pain and suffering. I don't know what to do.

Ghost's POV

I have no idea where Shadow is but I think according to last night he would be close by. He wouldn't leave the city.

I quickly searched the streets and alleys finding no one but civilians.

As I passed down the street I noticed out of the corner of my eye the pair of binoculars Shadow smashed the other day, but for some reason they were down here. Shadow left them up there after he dumped his gun. Did he go back up there after the op?

I had to find out so I immediately ran into the building and went for the stairs.

Shadow's POV

My mind was slipping and I began to give into the feeling.

I slowly went for my gun and once it was in my hand I rested it on my lap.

Tears began to drip onto its metal plating as I cried out in pain.

I slowly forced myself to raise the gun.

Ghost's POV

There's so many fucking stairs it's unbelievable the building was built this high up.

I made it to the last flight going up when I heard someone crying loudly.

The second I heard the voice my eyes widened and I bolted up the last seven steps.

Shadow's POV

I put the gun to my head and the touch of its cold surface made my heart sink down within me.

I slowly griped the trigger as my hand began to shake.

I feel like nothing can save me. I feel that I have no one in my life anymore that cares.

Just as I was about to pull the trigger I heard someone open the door behind me.

Ghost's POV

I ran onto the roof to find my brother sitting on its edge with his back towards me.

"Shadow!" I shouted at him.

He quickly turned his head and stared into my eyes.

I looked in shock as he slowly turned around and sat up to face me.

Amy wasn't lying. He's really hurt.

Shadow turned and in his right hand was his M9.

"Gho…Ghost?" He said with a stuttering voice.

His eyes were blood shot and his whole body was covered in blood. Some his and I'm guessing a lot from others.

I lowered my weapon and began to approach him calmly.

"I'm here to help you Shadow…!" He cut me off as I made my way towards him by pointing his gun at me.

I instantly backed off realizing something completely bad happened to him last night. He would never point a gun at me.

I'm also surprise he would even think about it. Something's not right with his mind.

"Stay away!" He shouted at me.

"Calm down Shadow." I urged him calmly.

"Stay back! I'm a monster!" He shouted as his hand shook with the gun.

"Shadow, I know your hurt but you're ok. Your mission is over." I stated.

Shadow began to smile.

"It is over Ghost! I killed Adam and I got the Files! There right here!" Stated Shadow as he took them out from behind his back.

"That's good Shadow. Now please lower the weapon." I said calmly.

"Give me one good reason to!" He shouted at me.

"I'm your commanding officer, your friend, and most importantly I'm your brother." I replied.

Shadow lowered the gun slowly and I went to approach him.

"Don't come near me!" He shouted as I began to move forward.

I stopped and waited as he looked at the files in his hand.

Shadow gently tossed them on the ground in front of me and I looked into his eyes.

"That's what Logan wanted from me Ghost. Those little files. They fucked me up." Stated Shadow as he backed up towards the edge of the roof.

I began to feel worried as he made it to the edge.

"You're not fucked up Shadow your just shell shock." I stated.

"You don't understand Ghost you weren't there to see the torture I performed in front of Amy." Replied Shadow.

"I talked to Amy Shadow. She misses you and she's really worried about you. She wants you to come back to her. I want you to come back to me." I stated.

Shadow looked at me and then back at his gun.

"I'm sorry Ghost, but what I have done can never be erased from my memory." Replied Shadow.

Shadow then began to raise the gun towards his chin.

I quickly shouted.

"Stop Shadow!"

Shadow let the gun stop about halfway up to his chin and he looked into my eyes waiting for me to talk.

"I know it hurts and I know what you're going through, remember? I've been through what you're going through right now. Do you know how many times I wanted to end my own life because of what I have done?" I asked him.

Shadow didn't reply.

I slowly walked towards him.

"I know you're in pain Shadow and I know it seems like a bullet will end it all, all the suffering, all the torment; but it won't. You have so much left to live for in your life and no matter what you have done you'll always be a good person and you'll always have someone who will care for you." I stated as I was about ten feet in front of him.

Shadow began to shake and tears slowly came out of his eyes as the feelings pushed his soul in two different directions. One begin hope and the other being death.

"I beg you brother please think about this before you act." I urged him as I drew closer.

Shadow began to wail his head and the gun began to go with it.

I was about five feet in front of him when he made his choice.

Shadow quickly raised the gun towards his chin and griped the trigger.

My eyes widened and I instantly ran at him.

"SHADOW NO!" I shouted as he pulled the trigger.

"BANG!"

How was that one? I think this will leave you guessing until tomorrow. Please review and let me know what you thought.

mT Shadow