Chapter 14
"Homecoming"
I stopped it nothing to know what was going on with Niko's rescue. I texted Karen multiple times asking her for an update. Her replies never came, so I came to the conclusion that she was in the midst of the rescue.
My brother tried to keep himself and I sane by asking his friends to come over. I told him no because if he was in contact with his drug friends, he would relapse and start doing drugs again. I was keeping his withdrawls at a minimum by just talking to him, and to my shock, he has had only one severe withdrawl.
It was a whole 3 days, and I was only texted two times on what was going on. The first message read that they arrived at the warehouse, and they were camping out out of sight so they can assess the situation. The next message read that they were almost ready to go in. That last message was sent yesterday, and as if I was there, I heard gunfire. I could only picture myself in the battle to get him back, but I really would be of no use.
Roman stopped by yesterday too, and I kept him informed of the news. I believed beyond belief that this would be a massive rescue, and that Niko would have a little more faith in the country he served. Maybe enough that he would take back a few things that he has said.
I was preparing lunch for my brother and I when I got a phone call from Karen. I answered it immediately knowing this could be the phone call that would make me cry or cheer.
"Sharon? Are you sitting down?"
I prepared myself for what was going to be said. I leaned against the stove, holding into the counter for stability.
"We have news on Niko."
The tears stung at the back of my eyes, and I remained silent.
"We went inside yesterday to find him. There were atleast 50 men surrounding the warehouse. When we finally got in the basement, we found Niko."
"Okay." My heart was racing.
"We found him, and we rescued him. He is fine, but he is a little malnourished."
My excitement exploded through my veins as a wave of relief came over me. I began to dance, and the noise I was causing made my brother rush out of the bathroom.
"What! What happened? Did they find him?!" He asked with anticipation.
"Yes!" I shouted with glee.
"Karen! Put him on the phone! I want to hear him!"
"He is resting, Sharon. He is weak and starved. We are taking him to the hospital to get him back."
Thatta boy, Niko! I thought. Stay strong.
"What happened to the drug dealer? Did you kill him? Did you lose any guys?"
"We killed the contract, and there were no men lost. It was a flawless rescue."
"Can I come see him at the hospital?"
"I'd rather you stay at the apartment. The police might be watching. I'm coming back to the apartment once we get him checked in. Understand that Niko will need his rest in the hospital. They will release him when he is better, and I will have my contact collect him. He will be back home in a few days."
"Okay." I couldn't wait to see him, but his health was not in good shape.
The phone call was terminated, and I did a dance of joy. I couldn't believe my Niko survived. I couldn't wait to ask him how he did it.
Minutes later, my phone rang.
"Hello?" A weak voice said.
"N-Niko?" I couldn't believe my ears. "Is it you? Is it really you?"
"Yeah. It's me." He sounded miserable.
"He said he was well enough to talk to you. And he wouldn't stop bothering me until I called you back." Karen teased in the background.
"I want to see you." Niko said.
"I need to see you." I was getting overwhelmed again.
"I told Karen to skip the hospital. It's probably a bad idea, but I don't care."
"You are going to the hospital, Niko. You need fluids. Home can't provide you that." I heard her say in the background.
"Listen to Karen, Niko. She's right. You need professional care."
He made a disgruntled sigh over the phone.
I heard in the background the pilot saying they were landing. Atleast I knew he was closer.
"Волим те. I will see you later, I guess." He said.
"We will be together soon. Put Karen back on, okay?"
I heard the phone rustle and her voice asked me what I wanted.
"Are your employers going to toss the last contract seeing as though it was too dangerous for one man to take the second one out?"
"I will have to pull a lot of strings. He still has one left, but seeing as though he will be out of commission for atleast a few days, we might be able to wave the last one. It isn't right to send him a few days later while the 3rd one is still at large. Hopefully this was the last one he will have to do."
"He really is killing himself by doing these on his own, and if the third one will be anything like the second one, he will be at risk again. And I would prefer him alive when he gets his freedom."
"I get that. I gotta let you go. We are getting off. There is an ambulette waiting for him. I will call you tomorrow and let you know how he is doing."
"Thanks, Karen."
It would be a whole week later, and Niko was released from the hospital, feeling much better. He was hooked up to IV's to help hydrate him, and his nutrition was key. Karen said they had him in high calorie food, and he was to eat as much fruit as he could stomach. His trip home was highly anticipated by myself, my brother, and Roman. I met him outside the apartment complex as Karen's suv pulled up. She offered to help him out, but he got out on his own. I held him tightly and cried hard into his chest just ecstatic and relieved to hold him. If only I knew what he had gone through. I would not allow him to leave my side ever again. Upon telling him that, he simply laughed. Hearing his laughter and voice, feeling him holding me, and just seeing him made me glad he came home safely.