If It Weren't For You – Chapter 9

By MyNameIsCAL

-Fang's POV-

The grocery store was swarming with people when I got there. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. Waiting for me inside the car was a bag of meth and some painkillers. Last night, out of desperation, I had used my cell phone to dial every single phone number combination I could remember until I hit the guy who used to deal to me. We met up down the street. It was a smooth exchange, and I was eager to get back home so I could lock myself in my room and let go for a little while.

My leg ached from the cold as I went around the grocery store. I grabbed everything on Iggy's list, along with some other snacks and an extra pack of diapers because I knew we were running out. All the registers were open, thank god, or I might have made a mad dash to the car without paying.

I hid the meth and painkillers in my jacket pocket before I made my way up to the apartment. The security guard at the desk gave me a weary smile as he let me in.

"Why haven't you been answering your phone?" Max greeted me at the door, Ava in her arms.

"Oh, well, I guess it was on vibrate." I patted my pockets, searching for my phone, trying not to wince as I felt the bag of meth through my jacket. "I think I left it in the car."

"Iggy ran off."

"What?" I blinked. "What do you mean?"

She sunk into the couch. "It's a long story. I promise I'll explain everything later, but he's out there in the cold."

"You didn't go after him?"

"I couldn't, not with Ava."

I put the bags down on the counter. "I'll go look for him."

After ditching my drugs into my sock drawer, I hurried back downstairs. The snow was picking up already, but the roads were still crowded with cars trying to get last minute shopping done. There were only a few places that I knew Iggy could get to by himself: the coffee shop down the street, the old record store around the corner, and the park that was right across from the apartment. Everything was already closed though, so that left the park.

"Iggy!" I shouted over the wind.

The snow was past the top of my shoe and I cursed as some of it got into it. I ventured deeper into the park, passing the old playground. A light flickered ahead, and I moved towards it. There was a bench there, one I used to sit on with Max, where she'd talk me out of thinking about a lot of things. Snow was piled up on it. Iggy wasn't here. He could be anywhere. I couldn't believe Max would just let him run off like that. It wasn't like him to do that either. What could they have been arguing about?

"Iggy!" I roared once more, but there was nothing.

And then…

"F-F-Fang…"

"Iggy!" I looked around, and then my eyes fixed on the bench. The mound of snow was moving. It was Iggy.

"Iggy! Jesus, what the hell were you thinking?" I pulled him by the arm so he was sitting up on the bench now.

He shook violently, and I pulled off my jacket, wrapping it around him. I took his outstretched hand and pressed it to my face.

"You're freezing," I muttered, putting my hand around his wrist. "C'mon, we've got to get you to the hospital. You're going to be okay."

But he could barely walk, and for the first time in a long time, despite all the reckless shit I did, I was scared.

The ER was packed.

I filled out some paperwork and the nurse promised someone would be with us shortly. She gave me a blanket for Iggy, insisting it would only be another minute.

But in that span of five minutes, things were only going to get worse.

"EVERYBODY ON THE FLOOR!"

A man burst into the ER, two guns in hand, pointing them right at me. I tightened my grip around Iggy, staring at him.

"Get on the floor!" he snarled at me, his other gun pointed at the security guard.

I slid down against the wall, Iggy slouching against me.

"You!" He motioned to the security guard. "Lock all the doors into here. No one gets in or out without my permission."

As the man busied himself with the security guard, I wrapped the blanket around Iggy. I surveyed the room. At least no one looked like they needed help immediately. Except maybe for Iggy.

"Where is Dr. Goodman?" The man grabbed the security guard, pointing one of his guns to his head. "I want him here, right now, or I'll start killing you all one by one, starting with our security guard here."

The nurse shook. "H-He's in surgery right now."

I had seen a lot of shit happen when I was out on the streets fending for myself, but I had never seen anyone get killed until now. The man let the security guard drop to the floor, blood pooling around him.

I felt a cold hand force its way into mine.

"Fang…" Iggy spoke weakly. "I-I'm so c-cold…"

This wasn't the time to be upset about Iggy holding my hand. Even if we were under different circumstances, I probably wouldn't have cared. I gripped onto it. "You're going to be fine. Just hold on a little longer."

The nurse was now on the phone, voice shaking as she explained the situation. Everyone in the room had their eyes fixed on the gunman.

It was a split second decision, and probably one I should never make again. I sprung up from the floor, tackling the gunman from behind. He was swifter than me though, turning and grabbing me before I could make a grab for one of his guns.

"You think you're brave, don't you?" He sneered into my ear, pressing one of his guns up against my shoulder, the other one still pointed at the nurse.

"No, I think you're a goddamn idiot," I growled, putting my hand over his.

He didn't even have time to react as I pressed his finger against the trigger. The bullet ripped through my shoulder and he dropped to the ground cursing. I kicked his guns away.

"Everyone get out of here!" I bellowed.

The nurse unlocked one of the doors and everyone flooded out. I leaned against the wall, sliding back down next to Iggy.

"We're going to get help," I managed to say, clutching my shoulder.

But there was no response.