Chapter 13
Jeff was in shock. He couldn't move, his legs felt like jelly. The hood was after him again, and he didn't know what to do this time. John and Virgil were caught up in the Hood's evil plan, and he had to protect his other three sons and his organisation. He felt himself being dragged to a nearby chair and sat down before his legs could give way. Jeff felt like he was losing his sons. Mike knelt down in front of him and smiled weakly at him.
"They'll be ok, Jeff. They're your sons. I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe." Mike tried to reassure him but he could tell it wasn't working for Jeff. Suddenly, John started shouting in his bed, sweat pouring down his face as he wrestled with the demons of his nightmares. His once peaceful sleep had been disrupted by haunting visions and now his distressed state was beginning to escalate. Jeff's heart pounded with worry as he pleaded for John's torment to stop. The desperation in his voice reflected the fear that gripped him, fearing for his son's safety and well-being. Rushing to John's side, Jeff reached out and firmly grasped his hand, hoping to provide a grounding presence amidst the turmoil. With gentle movements, he began to stroke John's hair, attempting to soothe him even though he knew John was lost in the realm of unconsciousness. Yet, as the fearful moments unfolded, the tension escalated further. The monitors attached to John's frail form suddenly began emitting erratic beeping sounds - a distressing siren signalling the alarming deterioration of his condition.
As the urgency grew, Jeff turned to Mike, desperately seeking his assistance. In a split second, Mike sprang into action, narrowing the focus of his attention solely on John's troubled state. He moved swiftly, conducting a series of checks and assessments to determine the cause of the escalating episode. Each examination carried with it a sense of urgency and determination, as Mike searched for any clues or indications that could offer insight into the distressing situation. Meanwhile, John's battle with his subconscious continued unabated. His body thrashed about in the confines of his bed, tangled sheets clinging to his trembling form. Beads of perspiration glistened on his forehead, mirroring the intensity of the nightmares that held him captive. The conflict playing out within John was palpable as if the torment waged in his dreams had become entangled with his physical existence. In the midst of the chaos, Jeff anxiously watched over John, his own emotions teetering between fear and hope. Every strained breath that escaped John's lips felt like a lifeline; a desperate plea for solace and peace. With bated breath, Jeff prayed that Mike's swift actions would bring an end to this unsettling ordeal, freeing his son from the clutches of the nightmares that held him in their merciless grip.
"John, if you can hear me, stay calm, buddy. We will help you," Mike reassured, administering medication through John's IV line. Instantly, John felt the relaxation wash over him, lulling him back into a deep sleep. Jeff slumped back into the chair situated between John's bed and Virgil's, his gaze fixed emptily upon the wall. Determined, he knew he had to find a way to stop the Hood. As he began to doze off in the chair, a sudden realisation jolted him awake.
"TinTin!" Jeff exclaimed suddenly. Mike, taken aback, turned to Jeff with a puzzled expression. Why would he mention TinTin? What could she possibly do? "Mike, remember when Alan almost died during the Bank of London incident? It was TinTin who stopped the Hood. Her abilities are similar to his." Mike's eyes widened in disbelief. Jeff then left the intensive care unit and made his way to the waiting room, where Scott, Alan, and Gordon were patiently awaiting news. As soon as Scott saw his father enter the room, he stood up anxiously, his heart racing in his chest, fearful of what his father would say to them.
"Dad?" Jeff firmly grasped Scott's shoulders, locking eyes with him.
"John is sedated, but I need TinTin's help. She might be the one who can save Virgil and John." Jeff turned to look at Alan, who smiled in acknowledgment. Alan recollected TinTin's powers—the scorpion, the sudden collapse of the bank railings. Jeff was right, TinTin could be their salvation. "We must have TinTin here to assess the situation. I'll contact Penny and hope she can assist. Time is of the essence; I'm unsure how much longer the boys have," Jeff urged anxiously. A lump formed in Scott's throat as the thought of losing his brothers became all too real. Jeff exited the waiting room, determined to reach Mike's office promptly. Making that call was imperative for the sake of his two sons.
Scott, Alan, and Gordon returned to the ICU room, causing Mike to give them a puzzled look. Confused, he asked, "Where's your father?"
Scott replied, "He's trying to bring TinTin here. She's the only one who can help defeat him again." Mike nodded and smiled, before turning his attention to Alan, who looked visibly pale.
Concerned, Mike asked, "Sprout, are you okay?" Alan opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by another voice.
"Leave me, Alan. Leave me to die, just like your father did." It was not Alan's voice. Scott hurriedly led Alan to an empty chair, while Mike knelt in front of him and began checking on his condition.
"It's the same voice that was coming from John," Scott confirmed, knowing it was the hood. At that moment, Jeff rushed back into the ICU room, ready to share the news that TinTin would be arriving shortly. However, he paused when he noticed the commotion unfolding before him.
With concern in his eyes, Jeff questioned, "What's happened?"
Alan's mouth started moving as he stared at Jeff, "Did you save them all this time, Jeff? Or did you leave someone behind?" Scott and Mike exchanged glances as Jeff's eyes widened.
"No! This can't be happening!" Jeff exclaimed, his voice filled with despair. Trying to protect everyone from another tragedy, Mike quickly placed an oxygen mask on Alan, unable to bear witnessing another collapse like Virgil and John's.
Turning his attention to Jeff, Mike explained, "He's targeting your family, but he wants John first. He initially went after John, but he proved too strong, so he moved on to Virgil. And now that Virgil is in a similar state, he's turned his attention to Alan. It's crucial that we keep Scott and Gordon safe." Understanding the urgency, Jeff nodded rapidly and prepared to remove them from the ICU room, when suddenly a voice emerged from John's direction.
"Jeff, I don't want them. I will kill John. It'll be just like the avalanche," the voice spoke, though John remained unconscious. Simultaneously, bruises began appearing around John's neck, alarming signs of physical harm, accompanied by decreasing vitals and a rapid beeping from the monitors.
"He's killing him, Jeff!" Mike shouted anxiously. "I need to induce a coma and intubate John, similar to what we did with Virgil. Hopefully, that will put a stop to this madness!" Jeff stood in shock, witnessing the visible evidence of the bruises. But as he recalled the horrifying sight of Alan being strangled while suspended in midair, he knew that John was facing the same fate.
Suddenly, John's monitors emitted a single, prolonged beep. Jeff felt a sinking sensation in his heart. It was apparent that John was losing or had lost the battle.