Chapter 2: The Early Years Pt. 2
Ever since that fateful day Jake revealed himself to Iris, their bond has strengthened and are now near inseparable. Jake doesn't know how to describe it, there was just an instant connection and understanding between them. They only disagreed on three subjects: Jake revealing himself to the others, Jake's proclivity towards violence, and their choice in music. Jake was perfectly comfortable with Iris being the only one that knew of him. In fact, he could go the rest of his life without Marc or sweet Steven ever knowing of him. Of course Iris thought the opposite but never pushed, "you can introduce yourself when you're comfortable" she would always say.
Today was a special day, it was the day of prom and Marc had actually got up the nerve to ask a girl to attend with him. Jake was surprised when she had said yes considering how Marc had fumbled through asking her out. He remembered when Marc went home and told their father and how their father's face lit up at the news. How their father was apologetic that he could not go out and get them a new suit or tuxedo, that Marc would have to borrow one of his. Marc didn't mind though because for once things felt normal. Steven was happy as long as Marc was happy and Iris was just happy that her boys were happy.
Before that day, Jake was just happy watching from the shadows. Their unseen protector. Then he started noticing that someone else had noticed him. That one of them had become very aware of his presence. The shadows he hid in were cold and black with the festering hatred, fear, and anger that built up over the years of Marc's life. Not even Iris's light and warmth could penetrate the shadows to reach Jake. But one day, he had felt less cold and each day after that Iris's light seemed to reach out to him until that fateful day. When he saw Iris get stabbed, it was like something in him snapped and he was filled with white hot rage. She had forced the other two back into their mind and gave over control to Jake. She stayed by his side through the whole ordeal and didn't flinch away from his violence, his darkness.
Iris was in her room in the Safe Haven, looking herself over in her full body mirror. Iris was now sixteen and her body had developed just as any other sixteen year old girl's body. Iris ran her hands down the prom dress she wore. It was a floor-length white mermaid gown with a corset bodice with sequin artwork, low open back and off the shoulder sleeves. She had seen the dress as she was browsing online for some good corsage examples. Iris fell absolutely in love with it, and with the benefit of being a figment of someone else's mind, was able to wear it without even paying for it.
"Te ves hermosa." Jake said as he appeared from the shadows.
Iris jumped a little then playfully slapped him on the arm, "Thank you and please warn me next time."
"I have to keep you on your toes." Jake said with a smirk as he sat down on the edge of her bed. "Por qué te torturas a ti mismo?"
Iris sighed and looked at Jake, "I'm not torturing myself Jake. I just want to go through the motions too you know. It's easy for you or Steven because when you guys switch with Marc, you're males who encompass a male body. But, I feel like an imposter whenever I front. I am a woman trapped in a male body and it's hard for me. But being able to dress up like this in our Safe Haven, it helps."
Jake nodded in understanding and went to say something but was cut short by soft knocks at Iris's door. Jake immediately retreated into the shadows as Iris let the person in. It was Marc, his tie dangling around his neck and the look of defeat on his face. "Iris do you think you can come out and help me with this tie? It's kicking my ass."
Iris smiled gently at him, "Yeah give me a sec. I'll meet you at the mirrors."
Marc gave her a look of appreciation, "Thank you." and swiftly left the room to resurface.
Jake reentered the room with his arms crossed, "completely useless, can't even tie his own tie. Didn't even stop to give you a compliment."
Iris sighed and said, "Well it's not like our parents would've taught him. Too distracted with their own situation. Plus, he's nervous about prom and his date so cut him some slack."
"Only because you asked me."
Iris appeared in one of three full length mirrors they had set up in the bedroom. Steven appeared in the mirror beside her. "Wow Iris, you look stunning."
"Why thank you Steven. I'm glad someone noticed." She said as she playfully glared at Marc.
"Sorry Iris, I'm just distracted and admittedly, a tiny bit nervous."
"I know you are, that's why you have us here to help you. Okay let me take a look at that tie." Iris seamlessly took control of Marc's arms and began to tie the tie correctly. "There. Looking sharp as ever."
"You clean up nice Marc. Looking real snazzy in your suit and tie bruv."
"Snazzy? Anyway, lets make sure we got everything. Corsage that matches her dress and a bouquet that matches the corsage?"
Marc picked up both items, "Check."
"Money we saved up from our part time job so we can take her out to dinner after?"
"Check."
"Car keys?"
"Check."
"Escape route to avoid our father's excessive photo taking?"
Marc opened his bedroom window, "double check."
"Alright you have a great time and dont forget to hold the doors open for her."
"Hey I'm a gentleman." Marc smirked as climbed out the window and made a beeline for his dad's car. He reached the car just in time for their father to run out of the house to take pictures. With a quick "love you dad" he was off.
Prom had gone off without a hitch. Marc actually had fun and his date had even agreed to keep seeing him after prom. He drove her home and walked her to her door where they shared a quick kiss goodbye. Marc, and by extension the system, was on cloud nine.
Iris had watched the scene from her balcony like she was watching a scene from a movie. She sighed contently and wondered, if only for a moment, what it would be like to go to prom and be kissed good bye like that. Unfortunately, it was something that wasn't possible for her so she was content in knowing that at least Marc could have this experience.
Jake joined her at the balcony edge, "Why do you torture yourself?"
Iris sighed and stared longingly at the full moon, the silver light reflecting beautifully in her hazel eyes. It was enough to steal Jake's breath away. "Sometimes...I wish I was separate from Marc with my own body. I want to do "girly" things like dressing up and doing my hair, experimenting with makeup. I am a woman trapped in a man's body. My body is literally not my own. It's hard sometimes."
"Come on. I have something for you."
"Really? What is it?"
Jake smirked and said, "its a surprise."
Iris followed Jake out of the house and watched as the scenery morphed from flat flower fields into a wooded path. The trees arch as if opening a path just for them. "You're not taking me to the middle of the woods to kill me are you?" Iris joked.
"Now thats just rude. Where's the trust?" Jake joked back. Iris nudged him lightly.
They walked for a few minutes before arriving at a lake shore. Jake led Iris to a picnic he had set up on the shore. Iris was so touched that tears began to form in her eyes. "Oh Jake, you did this all for me?"
Jake rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact, "yeah. You seemed down so I thought you could use some cheering up."
Iris smiled and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you. I love it."
They spent the evening enjoying each other's company. Jake had opened up to Iris a lot more and Iris in turn became more vulnerable around him. As the evening started to wind down, So Into You by Tamia came on over the radio. "I love this song!" Iris exclaimed as she turned the radio up and began to hum along.
Jake stood from his spot on the blanket and outstretched his hand towards her, "Me concedes éste baile?"
Iris took his hand, "I would love to dance with you."
Jake pulled her in close as they slowly danced to the song. Iris wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. They moved together like they were made for each other. The full moon's silver light shown down on them like a spot light. Jake decided this would be the perfect time to go for the kiss and Iris seemed to think so too. Right before Jake could seal the deal, Iris turned her head away from his advance.
"Jake, we can't. It wouldn't be right..."
"Iris, we both want this, why deny our selves? Is it because of Marc?"
Iris loosened her hold of Jake and turned away from him, "This is not our body, our mind. We don't have the right to do what we want. Marc doesn't even know you exist Jake..."
Jake gently placed his hand on her cheek and coaxed her to look at him. "After all you have sacrificed for Marc, Steven, me, don't you think you deserve to have something for yourself. Let's give this a try."
Iris placed her hand on his and stared into his eyes, "Promise me this one thing. That if things don't work out between us, that we will remain friends afterwards. Because I don't want this if it costs me my best friend."
Jake looked deep into her amber eyes and nodded, "Si, promisa."
Iris gave gim a warm smile and brought his lips to hers. At first, both were unsure, tentative but as they got more comfortable the kiss became passionate. Jake tightened his hold around her waist as she pushed up against him. Jake bit her lip, Iris gasped giving Jake the access he craved. Their tongues entangled in a passionate dance until they had to separate to breathe.
Jake began to kiss down her neck, leaving small love marks on his way down. Iris tilted her head giving him all the access he wanted. She ran her hands through his dark, curly locks. She gasped out when he reached a sensitive part of her neck, she gripped his hair harder.
"Why dont we finish this back at my room?" Jake asked huskily, voice dripping with lust.
The next morning
Jake woke up and for the first time felt refreshed, but it soon turned to worry as he noticed that Iris wasn't in the bed beside him. Doubt began to fill his mind, did Iris change her mind? Did she regret what they did last night? His doubts were soon abated when Iris walked into the room holding a tray of breakfast. Also to Jake's pleasure, she was wearing one of his shirts over her naked body.
"Good morning Baby. I made us breakfast." Iris smiled warmly at jake as she placed the tray down on a table in the room. She then kissed his cheek, "I hope you weren't thinking i regretted anything from last night."
Jake smiled and pulled her into a kiss, "of course not. Amore."
Iris blushed before playfully pushing him away, "come eat your breakfast." Jake quickly put on his boxers before joining Iris at the table.
Jake immediately dove in once his stomach realized how hungry he was. "You and Steven make the best pancakes. How did you get the bacon past Steven?"
Iris smirked as she took a bite of her pancake, "Babe I am the system, I think I can conjure up some bacon without Steven knowing."
Jake just shook his head, "I don't know how you do it, being the system. It has to be hard to maintain us, make sure Marc's mind doesn't break, and make sure you're intact too. I...worry sometimes that one day something is going to happen and it's going to be too much. Something that even you can't handle."
Iris reached over and gripped his hand, "Hey, that will never happen, especially when I have the Jake Lockley looking after me. Nothing will keep me away from you or Marc or Steven. Nothing. So stop worrying." Despite Iris's reassurances, Jake still couldn't shake this feeling in his gut that something was going to happen, something bad.
A few weeks later
Jake and Iris were still going strong and the system was at its healthiest. In celebration of one month of being together and a month of no mental breakdowns, Jake and Iris decided to take a stroll through the flower fields. Jake had a surprise waiting for Iris at the end of the path. The sky was a mix of blues, purples, and deep reds as the sun was beginning to set. There was a pleasant breeze and the weather was comfortable. Jake looked over at Iris who had kneeled down to inspect something on the ground.
Jake walked over and knelt beside her, "what is it? Is there something wrong?" Iris didn't answer, she seemed to be fixated on whatever was on the ground. "Iris? Iris snap out of it!"
He had to shake her to get her to look at him, she looked terrified. "Iris what's wrong?"
Iris hugged herself as she looked down at the bones on the ground. "I've seen this before. Right before our little brother died and right after. I saw these very bones. Jake something bad is about to happen."
"Hey, nothing bad is going to happen. Mum isn't here, she can't hurt us anymore. We have dealt with the bullies, we're doing good in school. Everything is fine."
Iris still didn't seem convinced and stood up, "I don't know Jake. I think we should head back. I have to check on Marc."
"Hey, come here." Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her in close, "I know with all the good happening in our lives right now, you can't help but wonder when the other shoe will drop. I feel the same way but we can't let that feeling stop us from living our lives. So let's continue celebrating our one month of no issues."
Iris still seemed unsure but decided that Jake was probably right, she was just being paranoid. After years of always having to watch over everyone's shoulders had made her increasingly anxious. She gripped his hand as if it were an anchor keeping her from floating out to sea.
They walked hand in hand the rest of the way, Iris's worries melting away the longer nothing happened. They eventually arrived at the picnic Jake had set up as a surprise for Iris. Iris loved it and they spent hours enjoying each other's company and good food. Jake then had another surprise for Iris when sunset turned to twilight. He had set up a small log cabin for them to spend the weekend. Everything was going so well, until it wasn't.
Jake woke up in the middle of the night to find that Iris was no longer in the bed with him. Confused Jake got up and started to search the small cabin but couldn't find her. He was beginning to worry until he looked out one of the windows to find Iris standing outside staring up at the moon. What the hell? He went to grab his jacket off the chair. He looked outside one more time and nearly jumped out of his skin at what he saw. Standing in front of Iris was a freakishly tall and terrifying bird skeleton thing.
Jake hurried outside, this seemed to have caught the attention of the bird monster as it turned its beak right at him. Jake froze, utter terror filling his being as those hollow eye sockets stared at him. His blood ran cold and he felt a massive weight on his shoulders. Jake then realized that he was indeed frozen, unable to do anything but watch helplessly as the skeleton bird turned its attention back to Iris. He watched in disgust as the bird ran his talons gently along her face.
Fuck, body move. You need to move. Jake willed but his body did not comply. Then the bird lowered its beak close to Iris's ear and seemed to whisper something before disappearing. As soon as he was gone, Iris collapsed to the ground and Jake finally could move. He ran towards her and immediately scooped her up in his arms. Jake quickly felt for a pulse and sighed with relief, she was unconscious but breathing. He then picked her up and took her into the cabin. He placed her on the bed, tucking her in so she would be comfortable.
Jake didn't have a lot of time to reel over what he just saw before everything started to go to shit. Jake could hear thunder and when he looked outside the sky was dark with thunder clouds. Now, this was really odd because Iris always made sure the weather was comfortable day and night. Soon, it was pouring down and lightning was flashing. Something else caught his attention, the flowers in the field were beginning to wilt.
Something was wrong, terribly wrong. The last time the system went through something like this was when their brother died. Jake had to find out what was going on but when he tried to take over the body something was blocking him. "What the fuck is going on!" Jake yelled as he slammed his fist into the wall, causing his knuckles to bleed. I just need to focus, he thought as he took a few deep breath and tried to front again.
This time he was able to see what was going on but still couldn't take full control. What he saw made his blood run cold, sitting at the dining room table was their mother. The room was trashed and furniture was thrown every which way. Not only was she sitting there, but she was holding a knife and she was staring directly at them.
Fuck, fuck, fuck! I have to take over now, I have to protect them! It was to no avail and all Jake could do was watch helplessly as their mother stood from her seat. If i could just take over his arms or legs, i could get us out of here. Please...
Jake suddenly felt a hand rest on his shoulder, he turned to look at the owner and was shocked to see Iris. "Iris, what are you doing?"
Suddenly Jake felt extremely tired, he started to fall but was caught by Iris. She lowered him down and placed a kiss on his cheek. She was the last thing he saw before blacking out.
Marc woke up suddenly, sitting straight up in a hospital bed. As his vision cleared he realized he hadn't woke up in his own bed but in a hospital bed. Realization hit him like a ton of bricks, he was in a hospital. Marc could feel panic bubbling up inside of him as he desperately tried to remember how or why he was placed here. Not only could he not remember the last 48 hours, but he could not reach Steven or Iris. For the first time in a long time, he felt empty and truly alone.
Marc went to get up from the bed but stopped as a sharp pain traveled up his arm. He looked over his arm and saw that his bicep was wrapped in bandages. Fuck, what the hell happened last night? Come on Marc think. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to think back to last night. He remembered that he came home from hanging out with Selena and and, shit what happened after that?
He walked into the small bathroom in the room and splashed some cold water on his face. He looked over himself in the mirror and damn, he looked like shit. Marc has a busted lip that has since scabbed over, a bruise along his right cheek, and bruises along both his arms and wrists. Marc took a quick look out into the hospital room before whispering, "Steven? Iris? Are you guys there?"
Nothing but silence.
"Hey guys, i really need you right now. We are locked up in a hospital and i have no idea why."
Silence.
Marc could feel panic beginning to overtake him, "Hey if this is a joke, it's not funny! Iris! Where the hell are you?! Answer me!"
"Hey Jackass, cierra la puta boca!"
Marc froze as he saw someone, who looked just like him but not exactly like him, stare back at him in the mirror. "Who? Who the fuck are you?"
Jake tilted his cap in greeting, "Jake Lockley at your service."
Marc glared at him, "what have you done with Steven and Iris! Are you the reason we're in this place and I can't remember shit?!"
Jake rolled his eyes and scoffed, annoyed with Marc's insinuation. "I haven't done shit to them! In fact, you should be thanking me!"
"Oh yeah and why is that?"
"Because, if i hadn't stepped in when i did, we would be at the local morgue right now!"
"Wha-what?"
"Wow, you really don't remember what happened to you? Iris really did a number on you didn't she?"
"Just tell me what happened and where Steven and Iris are."
"You didn't ask nicely, "Jake taunted.
Marc glared at him before gritting out a please.
"Alright Ill fill you in if it shuts you up. First, Steven is safe and sound in the Safe Haven. He is sound asleep in his room. Iris on the other hand, I haven't seen her since we blacked out. I've looked in every corner of our mind and I can't find her. The safe haven and the system is still intact so i assume she is at least okay."
Marc sighed with relief, some of the pent up tension leaving his body. Jake continued, "it all started when we came back from Selena's."
12 hours earlier...
Marc walked into the front door and was in an exceptionally good mood. Lets just say, things with Selena were going really well. School was going well, the football team may be heading to state, and he was making friends outside of his own head. Marc never thought he would ever get to experience any of this but with his mom gone and a stable system, he was able to just be a typical teenager.
Marc hung his jacket and called out to his dad that he was home. His father didn't call back to him, odd, dad should be home by now. His coat and shoes are here so he has to be here, he thought. "Dad! Are you here?" Marc called out as he entered deeper into the apartment. As he entered the living room, his blood turned cold as he observed the state the room was in. Furniture had been thrown about, family pictures laid shattered and torn to pieces on the ground, and the tv was shattered. It was as if a tornado had run through the room.
He heard a groan of pain coming from the direction of the kitchen. Marc hurried towards the kitchen, careful not to trip over broken furniture. In the archway, Marc saw his father laying on the ground, blood pooling from his head and there was a knife in his stomach! Marc ran to his father's side, "DAD! Wha-what happened? Oh my god..."
Marc looked around for something to soak up the blood but Marc's father grabbed his son's arm, "run."
"What? No, I can't just leave you here!"
"Run...Marc..your mom" his father then passed out due to blood loss.
"No no no no, dad wake up! Shit!" I have to call 911! Marc ran into the kitchen where their landline was but everything came to a full sudden stop as Marc came face to face with his mother. She was sitting at the table, holding a knife in her hand and she was covered in blood, his father's blood. The phone was located on the other side of the room, behind his mother.
Marc was frozen and his breathing was coming out quick and labored. Nonnonononono. He watched as his mother stood and she stared him down, hatred in her eyes. Was he really going to die here? What about Stevie and Iris? Come on body move dammit!
Suddenly Marc felt a warmth envelope him and he felt lighter. Safe. No, No! Marc looked on in horror as Iris took over the body and their mother lunged at them. Marc called out, "Iris let me out! Please Iris!" His pleas fell upon deaf ears as Iris dodged their mom's attack. Iris knew that there was no way she was getting to the landline but, if she could get out of the apartment, she could run down to the lobby and call for/get help. Iris turned and ran as her mother recovered from her first attack.
Iris could hear their mother right on her heels. Almost there, i just have to get to the elevator and we will be home free. Unfortunately, their mother was smaller and quicker than their bulkier body. Their mom tackled them and began to slam her fists at their face, chest, and anywhere they could find purchase. Iris raised their arms to defend their head when a hot flash of pain filled her arm. Iris screamed out as her mother plunged the knife into her bicep and then pulled it out to stab her again. Before she could stab them again, Jake caught her arm before kicking her off of them.
Jake scrambled to his feet and ran, clutching their bleeding arm, towards the elevator. He managed to get in and get the doors shut before their mother got to them. Shit shit shit! He looked at his reflection, "Iris? Iris! Are you there? Are you okay!"
" Yeah I'm okay I'm okay. Oh my God, oh my God, are you okay?! Jake you have to get us and dad help. I can't believe this is happening! God, we are losing so much blood!"
"Hey, it's going to be okay. I'm going to get us help and make sure nothing else happens to us, to you. No matter what."
"Jake, promise me that you won't hurt her."
"Are you fucking kidding me right now! That woman is trying to kill us! She stabbed us Iris, fucking stabbed us! Did you see the way she looked at us? There was no love there."
"I know Jake I know. But my priority is to you, Marc, and Steven and if you hurt her, they will have us locked away. I won't let that happen to us again."
"Iris, I don't think-"
"You don't know when to stop Jake. When you're in protection mode there is no stopping you and you take it too far."
Jake knew she was right, "fine, but if it comes down to us or her, I will choose us every time."
The elevator doors opened and Jake didn't hesitate to run out and into the lobby. He ran to the front desk, startling the attendant. "Call the police and paramedics! Now! Please my father and I were attacked."
The attendant seemed stunned for a moment before getting on the phone. Jake looked around for his mother who could turn up at any moment. The adrenaline was the only thing keeping him from passing out right there.
The attendant handed him her scarf, "They're on their way. Use this and apply as much pressure as you can. I'm going to get you a chair Marc, I'll be right back."
Jake leaned against the counter and waited for the attendant to come back.
The attendant came back moments later, carrying a first aid kit. "The paramedics and police are on the way now. You should sit and rest." She helped them sit in one of the lobby's couches.
"Thank you Ms.Betty but you should probably find somewhere to hide. We don't know when my psycho mom will show up."
She sat next to them and began taking out antiseptics, coagulates, and gauze. "Listen, I'm not leaving you here to bleed out in the lobby. You're gonna need stitches but at least I can try to stop the bleeding and keep it clean."
"I know but-"
"No buts. I've known you since you were a baby, you really think I'm gonna let you die. Not on my watch."
Jake let out an exasperated sigh and allowed her access to his forearm. She first applied the antiseptic, which stung like a bitch btw, then the coagulate. After a moment she pressed several gauze against the wound and wrapped it up in bandage tape.
"Your pretty good at that, where did you learn first aid?"
"My brother used to run the streets and would get into fights all the time. Since its just us, and we didnt have medical insurance at the time, I would patch him up. Glad to say he's left that life behind, became a paramedic ironically."
"Good for him, glad he got out."
The sounds of distant sirens started to fill the air. "You think that's them?"
"I hope so, we don't know where mom is or when she will pop up again. I never thought I would be happy for the police to show up.I hope my dad is okay, he was in really bad shape."
Ms.Betty placed her hand on his, "your dad's gonna make it out of this, he's a strong man. He ain't gonna leave you alone. No way."
"Thank you Ms.Betty."
The sirens were growing louder and louder making their hope rise with the sound.
"Their almost here!" The front desk phone began to ring, "that might be the police. I'll be right back."
Jake nodded and looked at a mirror on the wall across from him. Looking back at him was Iris, "we look a mess."
"Heh, that's an understatement. How you doing? Are you okay?"
"I should be asking you that, your the one that fought off our mother."
"Yeah but I ain't the one holding the system together."
"I'll be fine. I kept us intact after our little brother's death, I can keep us intact after this."
"Yeah, don't know why I worry so much."
"It's in your nature."
Iris then turned her head to look in the direction of the front desk. "Iris? What's wrong?"
Jake looked in the same direction but all he saw was Ms.Betty on the phone. When he looked back at Iris his stomach hit the floor. Standing behind her was the same skeleton bird from the cabin! He watched in horror as his talons curled around her shoulder as he whispered something into her ear. Iris looked as if she was in a trance, not even flinching at the unnatural touch. She was still fixated on the front desk, not looking away for a moment.
Jake got up and hurried to the mirror, "Iris! Snap out of it!"
No response.
"What the fuck are you!?" Jake whispered harshly at the bird. "Leave her alone!"
The skeleton bird looked at Jake and Jake felt his soul go cold. What the hell was this thing?
Iris, still not looking at Jake, says "Jake. Get ready."
Ms. Betty called out to them, "good news Marc! They're right around the corner, and should be here any minute now. We are getting out of-"
The entire world slows down as Ms.Betty is stabbed in her back by their mom. Ms.Betty crumbles to the ground in pain. Jake's eyes met his mother's eyes and he's frozen in place. He's whole body began to shake, "Ms.Betty?"
His mom was closing in on them but their body wasn't listening to him. Come on, move. Body move!
"It's okay, I got you." Iris took over the body and Jake was free falling. All he could was let the darkness surround him.
"And I don't know what happened after that. Since we're not in a mental hospital, I assume Iris was able to handle mom without getting us locked away."
"Iris disappeared for a period after our brother died. I think when we go through a highly stressful or traumatic event, Iris has to exert a bunch of energy to keep the system intact. So, once she stabilizes it, she goes into a period of rest to recover."
"Hmm, I'm surprised you were able to come up with that."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh nothing."
Marc glares at Jake was just about to tell him to shove it when they heard knocking outside of the bathroom door. "Mr. Spector, my name is Jackie, I'm your day nurse. Are you doing okay in there? Do you need any help?"
"No I'm okay. I'll be right out." Marc called out. He quickly washed his hands and headed back out into the hospital room.
"Please take a seat on the bed, we have some things to discuss about your treatment."
Marc complied and sat on the edge of the hospital bed. "Can you tell me about my dad first? Is he alright?"
"Of course. Your dad had to have surgery
and blood transfusions but he pulled through. He's stable and is in the ICU."
"Oh thank god. Can I go see him?"
"Well, your father is on pain killers that make him drowsy. I can't guarantee he'll be awake when you go."
"I just want to see him, that's all."
"Alright, I'll transport you there later. Let's move on to you." She rolled over a small desk carrying a laptop. "I'm just going to check your vitals, look over your wound and make sure it's healing properly. The doctor will be here in a couple of hours to go over your treatment plan."
"Treatment plan? I was only stabbed in the arm, it's not that severe."
"Marc, you not only suffered from a stab wound but also bruised ribs, a concussion, and bruises all over your arms, chest, and face. You and your father have gone through a seriously traumatic situation. That's going to be hard on the human body and mind."
"Yeah I guess so."
"Don't worry, you and your dad are in good hands here." She then took out a blood pressure cuff, "let's get those vitals."
Author's Note
Alright, I finally got chapter 2 out. So sorry for the long wait, I did not expect this to take a whole year to finish.
Please be patient with me on getting new chapters out. I'm at the tail end of my graduate degree and my schedule has been insane.
Thank you for reading and see y'all next time!
