Chapter 29

"Midnight fright"

The next day around noon, I awoke with Niko and Ethan gone. I didn't panic. I just felt alone. And I wanted the constant feel and sight of both of them. A gust of wind from the open window blew a note on the table. As it skidded across, I nabbed it before it fell to the floor. I held it and realized it was from Niko.

Sorry for leaving so early. We got a call from the hospital. Karen is okay and is regaining consciousness. She wanted us up there, but you were out cold. Ethan and I will be in room 312 if you want to come.

Your soulmate

Niko

The things I said yesterday about me not caring about her were not true. I showered and dressed with haste and I drove up to the hospital. I couldn't help but feel sorry for what I said as I drove through the streets. I didn't feel like listening to music at all. I just wanted my thoughts.

I finally made it to the hospital after dealing with the heavy traffic again. I couldn't wait to move out of the city and away from the overpopulation. I liked people, don't get me wrong, but the city was not only crowded, noisy, and loud; it had horrible smells sometimes from all sorts of things.

I called Niko, hoping he had his phone on silent to not disturb the other patients so they can visit with their families or rest. His voice responded in a whisper to keep quiet.

"She is in room 312. Try not to run through the hallways like last time." He joked.

This earned a little chuckle from me.

"Seriously though, there are people in here sleeping and recovering."

"She's okay then?"

"Yeah. She needed a bunch of stitches from glass cuts that I couldn't protect her from."

I caught the disappointment in his voice.

"I'm sure you did the best you could and she is glad you kept her safe."

"I guess so. She is sleeping now. She's on some pretty strong painkillers. I worry about her."

"Why?"

I called for the elevator in the lobby after I walked through the expansive parking lot.

"Because she's getting the painkillers. Don't you know she could become addicted to them?"

"Oh, sorry. I just wasn't thinking. Yeah. I see what you mean. Listen, I'm getting on the elevator, I might lose you."

"I'll talk to-...Just be-...okay?"

The service was lost when I pushed the button for the third floor. The ICU was full of busy, fast paced doctors and nurses who worked seemingly around the clock to ensure those who were entrusted to them were kept stable. I took it upon myself to find the room on my own as to not bother the hard working men and women of the facility. I knew the stress coming from them.

I found the room easily enough. Ethan was sitting in a chair in the corner reading a car magazine, and Niko was standing over Karen, holding her hand as she slept. He waved me over to sit next to him. He had fresh tears in his eyes that he tried to hide when he blinked them away. I held his hand, offering support for him while he gave his to Karen. I was enformed from Niko that Ethan needed a break, so Niko asked him to step aside for a bit. He didn't go too far.

"How did you sleep?" Niko asked in a slight crack in his voice.

"Alright. What about you? What time did the hospital call?"

"I slept okay. I had a nightmare about you, and it's too close to me to retell."

I knew there must have been some sort of outburst from Niko this morning. I hoped Niko didn't do anything to my brother as I slept. He seemed to figure out what I was thinking. Probably because he was asked it so many times from so many people.

"No. I didn't attack your brother. The phone was what woke me up about 8:30."

"Did they say anything about her?"

"They had to give her some blood. She'll be okay. The bombs were small and the explosions weren't that strong."

"That's good. Did you find out anything about the people in the courthouse?"

"I know twenty people were saved. They took cover in other rooms. Everyone died inside the courtroom. Including the judge."

"Great. Now what?"

"I'm not worried about that right now."

He directed his attention to Karen, who was now talking in her sleep. We tried to focus on what she was saying. It mostly was moaning. Niko said it couldn't be pain because the nurse administered medicine an hour ago. He focused harder and he looked at me.

"She's saying I love you."

"Who is she talking to?"

"Whoever is in her dream."

The rest of the afternoon was spent just sitting in silence. Once in a while, a nurse or doctor would check up on us if we needed anything and to adjust the IV to Karen's arm. The flow of painkillers was fluctuated from ten milligrams to fifteen miligrams. Niko outbursted once because he thought the nurses had no clue what they were doing. I explained to him that they were just keeping her comfortable. This explanation seemed to appease him for the time being as he slumped back in the chair.

Karen woke up just in time for dinner. The servers brought her tray and Niko looked over it. It was almost like he took over being mother hen to Karen. I just think how he'd be if I was Karen. I guess he was ensuring she got better fast.

"I'm going to go downstairs for fresh air." Ethan said.

"On your way back, get me a soda." Niko reached in his pocket and fished out a five dollar bill.

"Alright."

We were left alone in the room with Karen. She had some strength to talk, but as we were, both of us knew she was becoming more listless. She'd often go off topic talking about a flying unicorn in the room and a clown. It was the painkillers talking.

"Karen, are you in any pain?" Niko asked as he held her hand.

She slowly turned to look at him and gave him a carefree smile and nodded. Her eyes opened up a little wider to look at him more intently. She laughed suddenly and touched his face and tapped his nose.

"You're a funny looking man."

He smiled at her, knowing she was high above the clouds. We'd rather have her that way then be in pain.

The staff informed us that visiting hours were over and we had to go home. We wished Karen a good night and left her to rest. The painkillers she was recieving was reduced a little to prevent her from getting too sick as the night went on.

Ethan gave Karen a kiss before he left her. He hid his tears as he left.

"Good night, clown man." She said. "I realized I called you that earlier. I was not myself, was I?"

Niko cracked another smile back at her before he closed the door. "It's fine. Good night, Karen. Sleep well. We will be back tomorrow."

Niko had the idea to stop off somewhere to eat. A small diner nearby the hospital sufficed. The hospital had food for us, but we all refused their food. The staff was busy enough.

"So, you and Karen.." I began after we ordered.

"Yes. We seemed to make amends. I finally told her she needed to move on from me and date Ethan. She seemed like she was able to let me go."

"Why did you wait so long to tell her?"

"We've been through this, Sharon." He warned.

"Yeah, but-"

"Don't start. Please, I have no energy." He covered his face with his hand while he stirred his coffee to cool it down.

"You were in such a good mood before. What happened?"

"Forget about it. It's nothing."

"You're closing up on me again."

"I said forget it."

I looked out the window a little hurt and to reflect on the whole week. It was one thing after another with Ethan's near death heart attack, then Niko and Karen almost dying in a blast. I wondered what was in for me this week.

Our food came finally after the waitress got our orders right. She messed up on Niko's food and his temper flared up. He slammed his hand on the table, causing our silverware to clank together. I didn't say anything to him. I didn't want it to escalate further. The three of us ate in silence.

The bill came and Niko glanced over it to make sure we weren't overcharged.

"I gotta piss." He said harshly and stood suddenly.

With him gone, Ethan thought it was a good idea to say why he was in a horrible mood.

"Karen's employers came up to the hospital. They said Niko didn't get his citizenship yet. The trial continues next week in another courthouse."

"So, he's pissed off at us?"

"He's not pissed at us. He was so close to getting his citizenship only to get it taken away. They said they're going to try and pin the bombing on him."

"What?!" My shock alerted the entire diner.

"Some slob cop thinks he did it and is going to pin it on Niko. The trial will take longer."

My body shook in anger. I don't know why it was so hard for him to be free. But I soon realized that this trial might not take long. Niko was totally innocent and I was sure this cop was being paid somehow to extend this.

Niko came out of the bathroom to plop down on the booth.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He said as he threw $40 on the table. "Let's go."

The two of us followed his order and got into the Calvacade. He was a little reckless as he drove back home. I called his name several times to slow down and drive carefully. It fell on deaf ears as he continued. I looked in the rear view mirror to see Ethan looking out the front window wide eyed.

"For fucks sakes, Niko! Would you slow down! You're scaring Ethan!"

His eyebrows drew close and his jaw clenched down hard. I knew he wanted to say something to me. I dared him to.

"What do you got to say, Niko. Say it."

He slammed on the breaks. Harder than I realized because I had to brace myself by putting my hands on the dashboard. He glared at me amd scared me a little. I tried not to show it.

"Your country is full of rats who only care about themselves! I almost don't want to be legal here if I turn out like them! I'm better off going home!"

He stared at me with anger mixed with frustration. I wanted to tell him he'd be okay. I knew the accusations wouldn't stick. It was the fact that people were making it almost impossible.

"Niko, I am sorry you aren't getting what you want. But you don't need to be so angry."

"I am angry. It's who I am. Ever since the war, I've been that way."

He left the Calvacade, sprinting in a random direction. I tried to follow him, but he was too fast as his sprint turned to a run. I decided to call his phone to talk to him. It went to voicemail. I left him a message telling him we needed to talk. Ethan was still in the Calvacade with the look of worry on him.

"Is he coming back?" He asked when I took us the rest of the way home.

"I don't know, Ethan. I just don't know. He needs to get something off his chest, and he needs to do it on his own. I just wish he didn't. He has us to confide in when he is hurting. I know there is more he's not telling us."

"What more is there?"

"I don't know. But it is plaguing his heart right now. I just need him to confess. For now, let's just let him vent his anger. He will be able to talk about it without yelling at us."

The night was spent back home without Niko. He never called or messaged us on where he was or how he was doing. I repeatedly sent him messages telling him he is welcome to come talk to us to free his mind. The welcome was never taken.

(Niko's POV)

If I had explained to Sharon and Ethan why I ran out on them that night, I would have lost my mind. I didn't want them to recieve any of my anger when they did nothing wrong. It would end up with Sharon crying and Ethan having added stress that he couldn't take.

I found solace at the cemetery where Kate was burried. It had been a very long time since I visited her, and I felt extremely guilty when I never visited in almost two years. There had been visitors though. Cards and flowers from Packie, Mallorie and Roman, and even Jacob. Which I thought was nice of them to remember what I almost forgotten.

The sun was sinking behind the trees and a small breeze drifted along the cemetery as I talked to Kate. Telling her why I haven't been visiting her every other day like I have the past seven years. Occasionally, the wind blew, making me believe it was her soft voice telling me it was alright. I told her I found love. About Mila, about everything she's missed out on. A hard wind blew around the cemetery. I thought it was her gushing about the baby and me being an uncle. I looked at my phone and it had atleast a dozen messages and voicemails from Sharon. I smiled at her worry. I'd have a lot of explaining to do. Her worry made me feel warm inside.

I decided to leave Kate for another time as it was past 10. I called to let Sharon know I was okay and I was on my way home.

"You were at a cemetery for five hours?!"

"I needed to visit Kate. I haven't talked to her in a while. I'm sorry I snapped at you. I am really stressed out over everything."

"Niko, you know I am here for you too."

"I know you are. My heart needed this."

"We need you. Come back home, okay?" Her imparitive tone rang in my ears. I realized that I hurt them when I left without warning or reason.

"I'll be home soon."

"Do you need me to come get you?"

"No. I'll get a cab."

"That's not safe, Niko. Somebody is probably watching you."

"I have my gun. Let them try something. I'll put them down."

She held her voice. I was sure she'd yell at me for carrying my gun again. Her concern came instead.

"Please be safe. We'll see you soon. Volim te."

"Volim te. Keep the door open."

I did finally grab a cabby. All the other ones didn't stop, or they had occupants in it. This cab driver looked familiar. Someone from my past. I kept alert as she asked me where I wanted to go.

"Where to, handsome?""

"Can you take me to Galveston avenue, please?"

I didn't want this woman knowing where we were hiding. Something about her made me think very hard on where I remember her from. It was just a block away and I could walk the rest of the way. And if something happened, atleast it happened away from Sharon and Ethan.

"You got it, sugar."

I kept stealing glances at her when I thought she wasn't looking. Just piecing together where she was placed in my past. She noticed I was looking too frequently and called me out.

"What are you looking at, handsome?"

"Oh, uh. Nothing."

"Don't give me that. You're checking me out. Yes. I am single and I was looking at you when you flagged me down."

"I have a girlfriend."

"Bullshit. So, do you want to party, or what?"

"I told you. I have a girlfriend."

"So, why are you checking me out?"

"I'm not. You just look familiar to me. I was trying to figure out where I know you from."

"All you had to do was ask."

"So, who are you then? What's your name?"

"Anna Faustin. I'm surprised you don't remember me. I remember you."

"Shit. Now I remember you."

"Yes. And it's time for you to come with me."

Of all the things that can happen to me, this would happen. Again, my past actions have caught up to me. I took no chances, and I wasn't planning on going quietly. The car sped by traffic and I drew my pistol out.

"Stop this fucking car!" I growled.

"Put the gun away if you know what's good for you."

"Fuck you. You're not taking me anywhere."

She spun the car around to disorient me. It didn't work at all. I had to hand it to her, she knew how to handle a car.

"Let me out of this car!"

"You're going to see the boss. He's very angry with you, Niko Bellic."

"I don't give a shit!"

I shot through the roof of the car. She jumped in her seat from the sound. I tried to open the door to throw myself from the car that was going atleast 70 miles per hour. The doors were locked, but that didn't stop me. I used the butt of the gun to smash open the window. Glass shattered in my lap and all over the pavement. She spun around again, thinking it worked the first time. Once we stopped, I took advantage and dove out the window. An unbroken piece from the window sliced my leg on my way out. It didn't stop me from running from her. My exit was blocked by a group of Russians holding various weapons. I was trapped. My eyes darted around for any way of escape.

"Hello. Mr. Bellic." A man stepped into the circle. He held a cigar and a bottle of vodka.

I had no idea who this man was, nor did I really care. I just knew I had to escape.

"What are you doing here all on your own? You don't have your girlfriend here to protect you."

I only assumed he was talking about Karen.

"Who are you?" I asked. He had my curiosity. I wanted to know who he was and why he was keeping an eye on me.

"I'm offended you don't know me. Don't you remember your lovely trip to the beach with your pussy on call? I was sure you remembered me from Mr. Faustin's place."

It made sense now. This was the group of Russians that attacked Sharon and I. A lot of good it did them. I wiped out most of that group. But then again, here I was, surrounded by more. These Russians are like cockroaches. I have to cut off the head to eliminate them all.

"All you Russians look alike to me. All dead and cold." I glared.

"I'm hurt at your hostility. All I want is for you to come with me."

"And I'll say it again. Fuck you. I'm not going anywhere with you."

Everything went black from there. I have no memory as to what happened or where they took me. My life was on the line yet again. I should have never left to be alone.

My eyes flittered open to two men and a woman gesturing wildly at each other. It was a heated word battle and I understood every word from them as they spoke. I played possum while they argued. I figured someone would spill some information as to where I was tied up.

"Chto vy delayete, prinosya yego syuda? Vy znayete, chto zdes' vy privlechete slishkom mnogo vnimaniya!" (What are you doing, bringing him here? You know that here you will attract too much attention!) A deep voice said.

"On bespolezen, yesli yego devushka ne zashchitit yego. Pochemu by nam prosto ne ubit' yego seychas?" (He's useless if his girlfriend does not protect him. Why do not we just kill him now?) Another voice said.

"Potomu chto on slishkom mnogo znayet. U nego yest' otvety, kotoryye ishchet boss. Eto slishkom dolgo, chtoby eta okhota zakonchilas' bez nagrady." (Because he knows too much, he has the answers the boss is looking for, it's too long for this hunt to end without a reward.) A feminine voice said. I was sure it was Anna.

"Viktor vsegda gotov k nasiliyu, my podozhdem, poka on ne prosnetsya." (Victor is always quick to violence. We'll wait until he wakes up.)

"YA nenavizhu eto zdes'. Slishkom kholodno. Nadeyus', etot balkanskiy idiot skoro prosnetsya." (I hate it here, it's too cold, I hope this Balkan idiot will soon wake up.)

"Yesli by vy ne udarili yego tak sil'no, my by poluchili otvety pryamo seychas." (If you did not hit him so hard, we'd get the answers right now.)

"YA sil'no udaril yego, chtoby on ponyal, chto on pod nami. On skoro poymet, chto on tozhe nichego ne znayet." (I hit him hard so he knew he was under us, he would soon understand that he is nothing either.)

These two were stalling. I wasn't getting too much information from these morons, so I decided to chime in.

"Troye iz vas dolzhny byli utonut' pri rozhdenii." (The three of you should have been drowned at birth.) I coughed out.

"Ah, so. The little bitch can speak finally."

I kept silent again. The less I said the better. I overheard they wanted answers from me. For what, I didn't know.

"So, Niko Bellic. I believe you have some information about Ray Bulgarin's money. Where is it?"

This shit again? These people kidnapped me to find out what happened to the money when I had nothing to do with it. It was beyond my power to save that money. I would have drowned getting it.

"I tried my best to get it for him. What you don't seem to understand is I can't breathe underwater."

My words earned me a slap on the face. What I didn't know was the real torture was coming. A huge chest full of weapons and knives made its way to me. I only stared at the weapons and the users. I was prepared for this. They wanted answers, and I gave them it. It must not have been what they were looking for. They were either getting the information out of me, or they'd kill me.

"We will ask again, where's the money?"

"Will you people listen! I don't have it! It sank with the ship!"

Anna ordered her men to hook up a high voltage machine. She bent down to look me dead in the eye. I scowled in defiance back at her. She stole a kiss from me.

"What I am about to do to you is fun to me. I've been looking forward to do this to you." She said as her men began to rip my shirt open and stuck electrode pads on my chest. She raked her fingers along my chest. I looked away from her, not wanting what she was doing to me. My body reacted as any other man's body would. The man named Victor powered up the machine and it whirred to life. My heart was beating erratically, but I remaimed calm on the outside.

"Are you some sort of dominatrix or something? Are you getting jollies from this?" My voice was hoarse as my arousal was showing. I tried to fight it back.

"I must admit, Bellic. You are a very attractive man. Just the sight of your bare chest has got me going. If things were different, who knows. It's too bad. If you don't give me what I am looking for, you're going to die."

"I can give you what you're looking for." I purred. I wasn't able to keep my erection hidden any longer. It was obvious as it made my trousers tighter as it snaked down my leg. I formulated a plan to use it to my advantage. This was a plan in the works, and I hoped to God it worked.

"What's that?"

"What you are looking at. I can give you myself. I'm sure you're wondering what I am like in bed." I was working my charm. To me, it seemed to work. She was blushing.

She gestures to her men to take off the conductor pads. They ripped them off pretty hard, and I grunted as some of my chest hair was removed.

She was whispering amongst her group. The men were inaudable as they mouthed their answers. I got the jist of what they were saying. Anna wanted to be alone with me. Just what I wanted.

"You have my interest, Bellic. Show me."

"You'll have to untie me."

She motioned for her men to leave. She and I were left alone in a giant walk in freezer of some sort. I looked around quickly. It was sealed shut from the outside.

"Kiss me." She demanded when she sat on my lap.

"Can't we go somewhere else? I think you'll be able to understand what I am capable of."

"What's wrong with this?"

"It's cold. I can't get it up."

"I think I can help you."

Shit! That didn't work.

She unbuttoned my trousers and found my balls. She was rather hasty bringing me out and toyed with me, trying to get me more erect.

"This isn't exactly romantic. There's certainly nothing romantic about you rushing me to get a hard on."

Plus the fact that you're really unattractive. I thought.

She brought her pistol to my head to warn me that she was watching me. She began to untie me. My chair was tipped over and I was knocked back with it. She put her foot on my groin and aimed the gun at my head as if to keep me in line.

"Try anything, and this bullet will drill through your skull. Got it?"

"I got it."

She let me stand up. The gun now pressed on my temple as I began to undress her slowly. She moaned my name as I rubbed her nipples through the fabric of her tank top.

She was distracted enough for me to begin my retaliation. My hand grabbed her wrist that held the gun and I managed to get it from her hand without her firing off an accidental shot.

"Don't do anything stupid, Bellic. I should have known you would try something on me."

"Of course I would. Now, if you'd be so kind, open the door and let me out."

"My men will shoot you down. They are just outside."

"Even better."

She cocked her head to the side, waiting for me to elaborate on my plan.

"You are going to just let me go free. You are going to say that you and me are going somewhere else. Then, I'm going to run for it."

"And if I don't?"

"I will kill you."

She swallowed hard as she tried to work her way out. I saw right through her plans.

"You have the gun. They will shoot you."

"I'll hide it. You're stalling. Let's go."

I twisted her arm around her back and made it look like she was leading me on to somewhere. The men were confused, but they allowed it with watching eyes. She clearly ran this operation.

I lead her out the door where my freedom was certain.

"Anna, gde on tebya zabral?" (Anna, where is he taking you?) The last guard asked. I took quick stock of the situation before me. He held a rifle and he was roughly 6 foot tall. Medium build with a missing ring finger. An easy opponent.

"On vedet menya k den'gam. Khranite sklad v otklyuchennom sostoyanii." (He is leading me to the money. Keep the warehouse on lockdown.)

"Speak English." I warned.

This did not bode well with the guard. He had a suspicion something was not right. He proceeded to follow us to a car. A black Benefactor Schaffer was waiting for me to use. I didn't care what it was as long as it could get me out of here in a hurry. The gunman sat in the back behind me while I drove. Anna was in the passenger seat. I would have to plan this as I went along again. Perhaps driving this thing off into the river would work.

I drove slowly, looking for a surefire way to abandon the car. Mohanet avenue didn't exactly lead into the river. But it was the only way I could do it quickly without driving around all night. They would get suspicious that I would.

I was lining up the car. I punched the gas and the g force pushed both occupants back in their seats.

"What are you doing!? You're a madman!"

Before the gunman aimed his rifle back at me, I flung the door open and rolled along the pavement. The car drove off into the river. I watched as I saw the taillights dissappeared below the pavement. I ran as fast as I could to look for a car to "borrow". A nearby beige Albany Primo sufficed. I felt around in my pockets for my cell phone once I hotwired the car and drove off. The bastards stole my phone. It was 3 am indicated by the radio clock. Sharon was probably a panicked mess.

I relaxed a little once I began to think nobody was following me. The car gave me some cover, but I had a feeling someone soon was going to spring an attack. I held the gun I stole in my hand.

I circled around the condominium complex to be extra sure there was nobody in the area. I drove slowly with the high beams on to look for any sort of movement. There was a family of raccoons that scurried away from a dumpster. All was clear.

The lights were off as I pulled up in the driveway. Nobody was on the front lawn, and when I went inside, there was nobody awake. I hoped they were alright.

I found Sharon fast asleep on the bed. She must have been assured that I would be home when I said I was, and went to bed. She had no idea what night I had. And I preferred it that way.

I cleaned up my wound. It was atleast nice of them to patch up my cut on my shin. Sharon would wonder what happened to my leg, so I guess I'd still have to tell her. With my leg properly bandaged and cleaned, I threw on a clean shirt and shorts. I snuggled close to her. Her body wash and shampoo filled my senses and I dozed off quickly.