Hey gang!
Just wanted to give a quick apology! Life has been a wee bit hectic for me and I'm busy with a lot of stuff. Most prominently, I'm busy writing My Inansity (I am having so much fun!). Have a great day gang!
Comments|
Layuzu: Mi Placer!
Ponytime49: Yeah I agree that Beau is better lol. I think the major difference between the two that I liked was that Beau felt a little more real to me. He wasn't as melodramatic (as far as I can remember) and that was endearing to me because it felt like he really loved Edythe. On top of that, he had more of a personality. He was a responsible, busybody fish out of water with an old soul who wanted to take care of others. Bella to me, just felt... difficult I guess. I'm not sure how I'd describe her other than dramatic haha. Thanks for reading!
Beau meets a familiar face in Vermont...
(AU)
December 2076 - 66 years, 11 months
"Hold on!" I grunted, leaping over the hood of a car. "Hold on, we're almost there!"
The snow blew past me as I carried the much older man in my arms. I'd only been looking away for a second - less even! I'd just been a block away, looking for some stupid decorations for the party, and he… he'd just been in the street. It happened so fast, and I couldn't… I didn't get there in time to stop it.
"Beau," he wheezed, gripping my suit jacket tightly. He was looking at me bleary-eyed like he couldn't tell who was carrying his broken body through the snow-scaped streets.
"Y-you're okay, I promise, you're fine," I said fast, turning a corner so quickly that I skidded along the icy sidewalk. "We just have to get you to a doctor. You'll be fine!"
I knew exactly where to go; like every other city I'd visited over my long life, I'd started with a map. The only place in this small town that had the proper care for an accident like this was the University of Vermont's medical center. It was a small training hospital for newer doctors to practice their craft.
I prayed to god that they had a surgeon who could deal with this though… I knew only the best in the world could help because of his injuries…
His heartbeat was slowing down, and his breath became more shallow with each one. I had minutes at best to get him to someone who could stabilize him. It was the only way he was gonna pull through this. If I could reach them in time, then his healing factor would take care of everything - hopefully... maybe.
I felt like a newborn as my desperation pushed me farther, sprinting across city blocks within seconds, and dodging constant obstacles. I pushed my legs harder, going faster than I'd ever been able to in these past few decades.
I jumped around a couple, walking so slowly that they looked to be frozen. They hadn't noticed me as I flitted by - the only thing that gave them a hint that I'd been close to them was the quick whoosh of air, stirring the falling snow.
My friend had been hurt just two minutes ago, and now, as the clock ticked toward the third, I finally slowed down—pretending to be human, as I always did. I hit a speed that would still seem believable as I flew past the glass sliding doors, already open, rushing inside.
The waiting room of the small clinic was nearly empty. Only two humans occupied the space—a woman I assumed was the receptionist sitting behind the desk, and a male nurse leaning casually on the counter. It was clear I had interrupted whatever conversation they were having.
"Help! Please, someone, help!" I cried out, desperation lacing my voice as panic surged through me. I knew this was the quickest way to get a doctor—though the sight of me, drenched in blood and cradling a broken man, would probably have been fine on its own. "Please! He's dying!" I shouted, fear tightening around my heart like a vise.
The receptionist looked at me dumbfounded - as if she hadn't been ready for this exact situation, but luckily the male nurse seemed to have some experience. He quickly ran over, looking over Kurt, and trying to figure out his injuries, while the receptionist shook herself out of her stupor. I could hear her calling for doctors on a pager.
"Come with me," the nurse said with a shaky voice. Adrenaline was pumping through the young man's veins, and his heartbeat was skyrocketing. He was obviously terrified, but it looked like he was keeping a cool head… I hoped my guess about him having some semblance of experience was true. He turned and ran towards the double doors at the end of the hall. I followed, walking and matching his speed, but he held up a quick hand before we could get through the door.
"They're coming with a gurney, it'll only take a second," he said fast, bouncing on a foot. He was right. I could hear three people sprinting towards us behind the door, with four wheels sliding along with them. If they hadn't been, I would've just kept going. I would've headed straight to surgery and operated on him myself if they'd been any slower.
But they burst through the doors within seconds, so I very quickly, and very carefully laid my friend down on it. It was like fire as I heard his bones shifting beneath his muscles, grinding against each break… all of him… it was just broken.
And just like that, they were wheeling him away, heading to the operating room.
His life was in their hands, and as much as I wanted to believe otherwise, experience told me that they had a very slim chance of succeeding. Even now, as he left my sight, I could hear his heartbeat fading.
I let out the breath I'd been holding, my shoulders slumping as I made my way to the small row of chairs by the door. It was the only thing I could do—wait. I hated every second of it.
In the background, I vaguely heard them paging a doctor, though I didn't catch the name - purposefully trying to tune it all out. The noise faded into a dull hum as I sank into a chair, resting my head in my hands.
"He'll be fine, Beau… he's always been fine," my angel whispered. Her legs were curled up beneath her as she sat in the chair next to me, her chin resting on my shoulder. "Have faith."
"Faith in what?" I muttered.
"In him," she whispered, kissing my cheek.
I sat there, frozen for about an hour before the younger-looking receptionist finally got up from behind her desk. Not that I could see her - I was too busy keeping my eyes closed, and shutting out the world… which she was helping me quite a bit with, when she asked, "Do you need anything, sir? A water maybe? Coffee?"
I knew she was just trying to be polite, or whatever, but it was hard being the gentleman I usually was in a situation like this. I tried my best though. "No, thank you ma'am," I softly whispered, giving her a strained smile, without looking up.
The usual uptick of a heartbeat once again happened… it always did when I smiled at humans. But she didn't show anything wrong outwardly. "A snack then maybe? I know it's kinda late; did you manage to grab some dinner?"
My bright golden eyes finally flickered up to her, "I did actually… though I appreciate the concern."
"Of course," was her automatic response. "Please, just let me know if you change your mind. I'll let you know if anything new happens with your friend."
I nodded, getting ready to go back to my brooding, but she paused, "And uh… you don't have to worry by the way. We have one of the best doctors in the country here. She'll be the one taking care of him."
Every hospital claimed to have the best doctors. I didn't bother listening in to see if what she said was true... I didn't want to hear anything going on in that room. "He's lucky to be under such good care then,"I said quietly.
"He is," she gushed with such confidence, that I almost did believe her. "I've seen this doctor do miracles… she once saved a man's life when he'd been impaled through the neck!"
That sounded a little fantastical, but it was a nice thought to believe.
"Then it'll be good to spend Christmas with him like we planned," I whispered.
"I'm sure you will!" She nodded. Lightly, I noted that her name tag said Kelly before she walked away. I'd have to send a letter or something to her bosses… let them know that she's good at her job.
I took a breath.
I was so foolish… I insisted that Kurt deserved a proper party—complete with stupid decorations, gifts, and freaking cider. Each year, he told me no, and I respected that. I wasn't a fan of being in the spotlight either, but the idea that he had never really experienced the joy of Christmas felt just too sad to ignore.
So, I left him at the little apartment I bought, literally for this sole occasion, and I went to the store. It was just down the street; a tiny, family-owned shop that made these custom decor things for the holidays. They weren't great, but I'd thought they'd do, and right as I was checking out, I heard this scream.
Just someone crying out a block away. I heard shattering of glass, and metal tearing - bones breaking. Just like every other time I heard someone get hurt, I went to help, of course. I dropped my bag on the street corner, and I just went… I didn't… I hadn't realized that it'd been one of my oldest friends who was dying in the cold.
I was an idiot.
I should have been faster.
Of all the friends I'd made, Kurt was one of the very last. Besides him, only the Denali clan, Jules, and Alex were left. Dozens and dozens of humans, and immortals, have just… gone. I felt like I was a magnet for death. I leaned back in my chair and interlaced my fingers on my stomach as I stared up at the ceiling.
"That's still a lot of friends Beau," my angel whispered, nuzzling into my side further. "And you still have me."
Yeah. I still had her… after everything… She was my constant companion. "Thank you," I whispered so quickly and quietly, that it wouldn't be noticed by the receptionist. She just nodded.
Hours went by again. I could hear them cutting, stitching, and setting bones in the operating room. It was horrific, and I tried my best to tune it out, but in this incredibly quiet town, in this even quieter building, it was hard.
So, when my angel started singing my lullaby; it made me appreciate her even more.
Eventually, the receptionist left the room, getting a page on her small device. I knew it meant they were done… but I wasn't eager to listen in on the verdict. I kept tuning it out - but when the woman came back in and headed over to me, I knew I couldn't ignore it any longer.
Her look of pity already told me what I knew. "I'm… I'm very sorry sir… but he's not going to make it."
I nodded, and then I froze. "Notgoingto make it?"
She sat down next to me, putting a comforting hand on my knee - which she quickly jerked back from, feeling how cold I was. She gave me a small look of shock, but quickly shook it off. "Um… uh yes. They managed to stabilize him temporarily, but his wounds were too severe…he's not going to make it through the night."
"Where is he?" I asked quietly.
"They put him in room 106, he's unconscious right now, and he might not be able to wake up again." She warned softly, but I was already standing.
"Thank you for the help," I mumbled, walking away from her, and down the hall. I felt my angel squeezing my hand silently.
Delicately, I twisted the doorknob and pushed it open.
He was in bed, his face a twisted mess of wire and dried blood, and his limbs in braces. His heart monitor was beeping at a slow, but steady rate, and an IV was dripping water slowly, while another pumped enough morphine inside of him to kill a horse. Not that it would work; he'd burn through it too quickly.
My oxfords softly tapped against the white floor as I settled into the chair beside his bed, reaching for the chart at the foot of the mattress.
I glanced at it. I had been spot on with my own quick diagnosis. Multiple open, and comminuted fractures… cardiomyopathy… a litany of contusions… a concussion… a brain hemorrhage. I knew, even with his healing… it wouldn't be enough.
I let out a shuddering breath, as I dropped the chart, letting it clatter against the floor. He looked… he looked like he was at peace. Even with how painful this must be for him; if he was conscious of it, he looked calm. As gently as I could, I laid a hand on his elbow. It was one of the few places that hadn't been majorly damaged.
"Hey pal," I whispered, my voice barely breaking the stillness that surrounded us. I wasn't certain if he could hear me, but I needed to try—hoping that if he could, he'd understand he wasn't alone. "Looks like that nickname finally caught up with you," I managed a soft laugh, the weight of the words making it hard to breathe.
Everyone we knew called him "Roadkill." It was a nickname that fit him like a second skin because he'd constantly joke about jumping into the street. I always told him to stop with the suicidal jokes; they made my undead heart race in all the wrong ways. But to him, they were just hilarious, a twisted kind of humor that he couldn't resist.
"I'm… I'm so sorry," I managed to choke out, the three simple words trembling on my lips as the heaviness of regret threatened to swallow me whole. "I should've… I should've…"
"There was nothing you could have done, Beau," my angel whispered, her soft voice wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.
"I know," I whispered. I truly did. It's taken a long time, but I knew I wasn't responsible for everything. That didn't mean it didn't hurt like utter hell though. And it certainly didn't stop me from blaming myself.
I knew I couldn't fix this, that there wasn't any magical bullcrap, or god-given luck to pull us out this time. All I could do was make him as comfortable as possible. So, I started telling him our stories, reminding him of all our little adventures.
"You remember that time in Mexico when we were hunting down the last of Marshall's coven?" I softly asked him, trying my best to smile, "And you showed me what you meant by that whole 'cat thing?'" I laughed brokenly, starting with one of the best.
We sat there for the rest of the night, enveloped in my smooth flow of words that felt eternal. I didn't move a single muscle, other than what was necessary to speak. Every heartbeat echoed like a distant clock, as I listened to his slowly falter. I remained frozen, anchored by grief, until the moment it finally happened.
His body took one last shallow breath… and then he was gone.
His heart monitor flattened, and its monotone sound played, filling the silence as I looked at his body.
Slowly, I stood, and turned it off, finally managing to tear my eyes off of one of the strongest people I'd ever known.
I hated how hollow I felt. I was sad. I knew I was… but it felt like I was used to this. People dying, or leaving, for whatever reason. No one truly wanted to stay with me, and it's happened so many times that it felt normal.
But with Kurt—I don't know. I always knew the pain would come eventually; it always did. He was the one friend I took with me as I explored the world, and together we had done so much. We saved countless lives, searched for his cure, and fought against a string of mad immortals. He was my partner in all of it, and for him to die from something as senseless as a car skidding on ice… it just didn't feel right.
It wasn't fair.
"Goodbye, old friend," I whispered, putting a hand on his shoulder, and giving it one last squeeze. Gently, just as delicately as I'd opened the door when I came in, I close it, stepping out into the empty hallway.
My hand stayed on the knob though, and I took a gasping breath. My face was contorted in a mask of pain as I finally felt it hitting me.
He was gone… and I was alone again.
I slowly started walking back towards the waiting room, and the doors that would direct me to the dark, gray world I'd come to know intimately. My bloody-soaked suit jacket slung over my shoulder and my hand slid into my pocket. My angle was hanging off of my arm… and just like it had happened when I first started traveling the world, I was making plans for where I'd be going…. By myself. I could go back to any of the continents again, any of the countries, but it was hard to choose when I'd already visited all of them.
Crazy what a lifetime could give if you needed time to explore.
Just as I was about to step back into the snowy night when I heard behind me the frantic voice of the receptionist. "Sir! Wait! Please, we still need to talk to you!"
I was all too tempted to just walk out, and flit away before she could get to me. But I honestly didn't want to be alone… and I had all of eternity left to waste away in, so what was the harm of one small conversation?
I turned back around and gave her a tired, but pleasant smile. "Yes?" I asked.
She quickly smoothed down her shirt and gave me a sympathetic look in return. "I'm so sorry to keep you, but we wanted to get your information, and your friends to figure out who we need to contact to uh… deal with his passing."
I nodded, weakly teasing, "Of course, my apologies for almost making your life harder."
"No, no, no, not at all!" She was frantically shaking her head, holding both of her hands up. "I'm so sorry, I… I uh, we just needed his name, and his emergency contact."
"His name was Kurt Becker, and he didn't have an emergency contact." I shrugged. Neither one of us had any family left - it was one of the reasons we traveled together. We'd both been alone. "And my name is Charles Black. I'm sorry, I forgot my manners when I came in… busy as I was… it's nice to meet you."
"You too," she said quickly, blushing as I gave her the usual charming smile. Which I only used to speed up processes like this. "Um… uh… would you happen to have a couple of extra minutes then? I have a form you could fill out to get us all the info we need, but um… the doctor that I'd talked to you about earlier - she'd like to speak to you?"
I cringed internally. A remorseful doctor; that was something that I didn't want to deal with at all. Not when I was busy processing my own grief. I looked back out towards the door, and into the snowscape city… then again… it was either that or spend Christmas Eve alone.
"Of course, though I don't have much time honestly, I would really appreciate it if we made this quick."
"Yeah, it'll only take ten minutes!" She said, handing me a piece of paper, and a pen, which I took gently out of her grip. "If you'll follow me, we can head down to her office; she has the biggest one, so it's a bit of a walk," she laughed with strain, leading on.
I deftly filled out the paper as she guided me through the building - it only took a couple of seconds. There wasn't very much information that was relevant about him. Or me for that matter, even with the fake identity Tanvir helped me set up.
"Just around the corner here," the woman said. I nodded and handed her the paper, which she took with surprise. Probably because of how quickly I filled it out, but also probably because I didn't have anything to write on. She probably expected me to wait for a desk or something, but I didn't have the patience.
We walked further in, turning the corner she mentioned, and stopped suddenly in front of a door that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.Around the corner indeed.
She swung it open, and I caught a glimpse of a nameplate, but her head blocked my view. She waved me inside, and then gestured to someone in the office, with a proud hand.
"Mr. Black, meet Dr. Carine Cullen," she said as I stepped inside.
I froze before my foot could hit the carpet.
Sitting behind the desk in a beautifully furnished office were the wide, astonished eyes of my ex's mother.
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