by Harry Roldan
“Oh, this should be fun. Going into a crowded hospital, taking out a test subject and then making sure all blood samples go missing. I don’t see anything going wrong with this,” Nikko said.
“Nikko, that is why you are not leading this operation. You worry too much instead of getting results. We will be just fine.”
Hospital:
Luckily I’d left a pile of clean laundry on the chair in my room. I dressed light since it was mid spring and it wasn’t cold out. Shy and I entered the hospital and went right towards the receptionist area.
“Hi, we are here to see Arthur Wax,” I said to the heavy set receptionist who must have been in her fifties. She glanced at her log.
“Are you family?” Shy nodded. The receptionist looked back at her log. “It says he just is out of surgery, and was just put into room 359. He may still be groggy from the anestisa.”
“Oh, don’t worry when he see’s us he will perk right up,” I said. The lady gave me a dirty look. I was about to say something but Shy pulled me away and that is when we started to make our way towards the elevator. My guard was on high alert. The goon squad had to be around here somewhere. Just lurking around doing what goons do when they lay in wait. I was as calm as I was going to get. The loud ping caused me to jump. Shy walked into the elevator and I followed. Shy looked at me strangely.
“You like him, don’t you?” She questioned. Confusion flooded my face.
“That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Especially from you. I will let it slide because you are emotional due to this whole ordeal.”
“You wanted him to yourself today, only you and him riding together. The other day you wanted to know where he was, when he was obviously fine, he just ditched, like he does from time to time.” The evidence was against me if that was the only evidence. What should I do? Deny this? Or tell her the truth. Or confess my false undying love for Wigs? The ping of the elevator saved me from having to say anything. Saved by the ping I guess. We both exited the elevator and took a right hand turn. The last time I was in the hospital I got lost. Why couldn’t they just make it easier to find the damn rooms? When we found room 352 we just followed the room numbers. I knew which room was Wigs cause Pearly was standing outside of it. When he saw me, he looked angry or maybe worried. I just met him so I really couldn’t tell his facial expressions yet.
“Shy, go in, I’ll be right there,” I said. She went into Wigs room without question.
“What are you doing here! You know they will be around this building!” Pearly yelled while whispering. Which I must say was very impressive.
“He is my friend! My question to you is, why did you let him get shot! He was your responsibility.”
“It happened so quickly. With his enhanced abilities he was across the street and chocking someone before I could even say whoa. The two shots were fired and they pretended to be officers. They made it seem like it was an attack on the police.
“Did Mr. Wonderful just hire you? Cause you suck at your job. The only thing I know your good is whispering loud.”
“You need to get out of here, before they show up. They have to show up. They will need to get the blood work and the other test results, because, of course, his blood is already altered. He’s no longer only human, Luna.” This seemed odd to me. When Zack died Dee told me that they couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary with his autopsy…unless if they got to his results first. How deep did this run exactly? I don’t like to get scared but I was almost getting to that point. “I just want to see him that’s all.”
“Make it quick. The doctors removed the bullets but there was no reason for them to poke around his ass, so…” Pearly was right. I nodded at him. If I wanted to survive I needed to be quick. I pushed the door open and saw Shy sitting in the chair looking at Wigs, who had his leg in a sling. I couldn’t see the other wound. He was still unconscious. Shy was crying again. I would too if I didn’t have so much on my mind.
“How is he?” I had to ask even though I knew that Shy wouldn’t know.
“I don’t know. I don’t believe this is happening. One minute we were at work and the next…he has more holes in his body than he should have.” Shy said.
“That is the nicest way I have heard anyone say someone being shot.” I commented. I went over to her and hugged her. I needed to keep it together, just a little longer, and then I could leave. “He will be alright.” Then it hit me! A knot in my stomach. Here we go. I released my hold on Shy to look around the room, and saw no one lurking. Then a light knock came at the door.
“Come in,” Shy said muffled. The door opened, and the knot clenched. At that moment my back was facing the door, so the person that just walked in didn’t see my face yet, and then I knew who it was…
“My name is Dr. Taylor. I need a minute with the patient…” A British accent came from the door.
-2-
Out of time: Part III
What was I going to do? She really didn’t know what I looked like from the back, well, at least I didn’t think so. She’d only seen me during the night time, but I knew she’d know me. Should I get ballsy again? When I usually ended up in trouble Mr. Wonderful would always help me out. I don’t think he was going to show this time. Too many lights. My heart was racing. Tonight may be the night that they took me in. Also I had to worry about Shy. I didn’t want her to get caught up in this business.
“Leave now,” I whispered to Shy. She gave me a look of confusion as she stood up from the chair. “Get out of the hospital. I’ll catch up later.” I knew the British Bitch had to be getting suspicious.
“What are you talking about girl?” Shy whispered to me and grabbed my arm digging her nails in. “What’s been going on? Something has…”
“Ladies, please. I need to check this patient.”
“Ok.” Shy looked both worried and confused as she made here way to the door. I heard the door close. I counted to ten and turned around.
“Hi! I missed you so much!” I said to Dr. Taylor.
“Excuse me?” The doctor said. It wasn’t the British Bitch.
“Sorry doc, I thought you were someone else. But I’m relived it is you. Is he going to make it?” I asked trying to switch the subject from me looking so stupid.
“He will make a full recovery, but I must check on him now. If you would leave us alone for a few minutes.”
“Yea,” I said and walked out the room. The knot still was in my stomach, but I didn’t see any danger what so ever. Shy was sitting down in one of the chairs in the hall way, but Pearly wasn’t around.
“Where is Pearly?”
“Who?” Shy questioned in confusion. I forgot she didn’t know his new name.
“The new guy form work. I haven’t gotten you up to speed with his new name.”
“Oh, I don’t know. He wasn’t here when I got out here.”
“Speaking of which, didn’t I tell you to leave the hospital?”
“Yeah, what is wrong with you? Something has been going on, hasn’t it?” At that moment the knot tightened so hard that I almost hunched over.
“Well, next time you should listen to your friend, dear.” A British accent said form behind me. I spun around so quickly I nearly fell. British Bitch!
“You know I was worried that you wouldn’t show. I guess better late than never is what I say.” She was only with her goon the douche, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad…yeah right.
“Luna, you know these people?” Shy interrupted my stare down with the British Bitch.
“We go way back! All the ways to last week. We are almost family!” I glanced towards a couple nurses who had just come out a near by room.
“Causing a scene will not help you. To them we are officers here to question a criminal.” She smirked. Yep, I was stuck in this crappy situation.
“I think you could have tried posing as a doctor instead, so much more original.”
“Luna, honestly who are these people? I mean I already know the blonde is a
bitch.”
“You see! I knew you gave off that type of vibe!” I commented. “But Shy honestly just shut it.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m pretty sure that your bad ass tough girl attitude is not going to make us bullet proof. But I will definitely hide behind you.”
“What do you mean, Luna?” Shy was so confused and frustrated that her voice was almost whining.
“She means this!” The British Bitch pulled out a gun and pointed it at us. Her goon was shaking his head. I guess he didn’t want things to go down like this.
“You assured me that everything would go smoothly,” The douche commented.
“Nikko, just follow orders. Everything will…” The British Bitch began but was interrupted by a scream from Wigs’ room. The goons took off toward the room. I had two choices: run and get to safety or go see what happened in Wigs room. All of a sudden the answer shoved himself into me.
“We have to go right now!” Pearly commanded.
“But Wigs…”
“We have Wigs. Well, he has Wigs. Aka Mr. Wonderful. He snuck into the room and took him. He didn’t plan on the doctor being there.” Pearly pointed out.
“And he says I’m not bright.” I snorted and rolled my eyes then started to run. Shy was still stunned by all that was happening but she was smart enough to save her ass first then ask questions later. We bolted out of hospital and down the street.
“We have to get out of here! They will be following us since they lost your friend.”
“Hold on just a damn minute.” Shy stopped in her tracks. “Why are they after Wigs? What type of trouble is baldy in now? What trouble are you in? Who were those people? And who is Mr. Wonderful?”
“Are you sure those are all your questions?” I responded sarcastically. “I would try to answer them, but unless you want to get shot in your ass you will start moving!” I really wanted to avoid any type of bullets grazing my ass tonight. We saw an old bus a block away. If we made it, we could be safe. Pearly started running, and I followed. Shy was the slowest of the three of us, but she managed. We were about fifteen feet away from the bus when Shy yelled out.
“Let go! You scum bag!” She was trying to twist her way out of the hold Nikko had her in.
“You know I’m getting jealous. I thought I was the girl you guys wanted. And I’m not normally the jealous type. I guess there is a first time for everything.”
“Come with me, and I will let you friend go,” Nikko said as he jammed his gun in Shy’s temple.
“I am still number one! I was so worried.” I was scared. I wasn’t going to lose Shy. Pearly positioned himself behind me.
“Is there anything in Mr. Wonderful’s manual about hostage situations?”
“I haven’t read the entire manual. Don’t forget. I’m still a newbie,” He retorted.
“You know every time you do something good you follow it up with something half ass.” As soon as I finished speaking a burst of energy went through my body. It felt the same as the burst of energy that coursed through me the other night in the alleyway. Something triggered in my mind to just rush at the douche and everything would be fine. I had to make a quick decision. Knowing that the British Bitch was not far behind this guy. So, I did it. What other choice did I have? Mr. Wonderful was off saving Wigs. I rushed towards the douche. I don’t know how to explain it but it was like slow motion. Yet, I reached the douche rather quickly considering the amount of space that was between us. I stepped on his foot, and he dropped the gun. I’m glad it didn’t go off. I didn’t want to be the next person in the damn hospital. Then I punched him in the stomach. He flew a few feet and hit the ground.
“How did you do that?” Shy was amazed.
“Girl, I told you. I take my vitamins. Now lets get out of here!” The bus hadn’t moved, because the driver was too busy watching a free action packed thriller. We boarded the bus, and I glanced at the driver trying to find three dollars in my pockets to pay for the three of us.
“It is on the house. I don’t want you whooping my ass,” The driver said. I smirked.
“Finally a good man in this town.” I said as I joined the others in the back of the bus.
“Luna, what is going on? Why do ass holes have guns pointed to my head? And when did you become a damn ninja? I always knew you were bad ass, but that just took it to another level.” Shy looked a little pale.
“Well, I’m taking that as a thank you for saving your ass.” I wasn’t ready to tell her the truth, I don’t think I was ready for the truth and I was involved in the damn thing.
“Well, in all honesty, they sent those goons to collect payment for the apartment. You can’t even be a month late these days.” I had a feeling that Shy wasn’t going to buy my lie.
“You are more than a month late if they ready to shove bullets in you.” Shy replied. The bad part was Shy wasn’t dumb.
“I need to find dumber friends.” I sighed. “Shy, I will let you know some day. I don’t think you will believe me anyway. I don’t even believe it myself come to think of it.”
“What about this guy? What part does he have in all this?”
“Why can’t you be happy that you aren’t dead?” Pearly was taking the wrong approach with Shy.
“Uh oh. You are going to get your ass whooped now.” I said leaning back against the seat and closing my eyes. I needed a little time to think. What was the next course of action?
“Oh, I know you aren’t getting snappy with me,” Shy retorted. I just smiled I could just picture Shy’s expression. I continued to hear the two bickering all the way to our stop. I knew Wigs was in good hands now. I would worry about him come tomorrow. I said bye to Pearly, while Shy gave him a dirty look and we headed to my place. I told Shy that she can stay with me tonight since Dee was going to play with her new boy toy. She gladly accepted.
We walked into my apartment and luckily Dee had kept her word and wasn’t there.
“Girl, I don’t care what happened on this couch: I’m exhausted and I need to sleep.”
“You can’t be tired enough to sleep on that bad boy. Let me get you a sheet that I can cover it up, and I have a few extra pillows.” I was tired as well. Today’s events had taken a toll on me. While I was getting the stuff to put on the couch I thought about how I took out the douche aka Nikko without breaking a sweat. What was happening to me? The goons that were after me, the energy running through my body, and the knots in my stomach… I started to shake. Everything was setting in, and my adrenaline was gone. I started to get scared.
“Hey girl?” Shy’s soft voice took me out of my thoughts. I turned to her and gave her a weak smile.
“Listen, I know you will tell me what is going on when the time is right. And I know you are scared about what is happening. It seems that you have enough to worry about.”
“Wow! A soft spot to Shy? Who would have thought?” I smiled. She smiled along with me.
“Girl you know I have my moments. But you better tell me soon, or I’ll whoop your ass.” I smiled and went over to the couch to get it ready.
Shy was knocked out within minutes of laying on the couch. I covered her up with an old blanket, and went to bed myself.
I didn’t know where I was heading. I just kept running. The best part was that something or someone was following me. I stopped, put my hands on my knees and attempted to catch my breath. Then I saw it move in the shadows. I saw the red eyes staring me down and then move towards me.
“What do you want!!!” I yelled as I started to move again. My lungs were screaming as I started to run again. They weren’t ready to move, but I tried my best. The shadow was now moving a lot faster than I was. It was going to catch up to me sooner or later. I kept running disregarding the pain in my lungs, and I glanced back only to see that the shadow was right on my tail. I was just about to give up when the shadow disappeared. “That’s right! You can’t catch me,” I mumbled. I turned around but the shadowy figure with the red eyes was right in fro
nt of me. “Oh, crap!” The shadow made an eerie sound before blanketing me completely and everything went black.
-3-
Secret is Out
I woke up screaming. I was shaking and in a cold sweat. What did that dream mean…before I could even think about it even further Shy rushed in.
“Girl! What is going on? Are you all right? I heard you scream.” Shy sat next to me and put her arm on my shoulder. “Girl, you are drenched.”
“Yeah, I do a lot of cardio in my nightmares.” I felt my self shaking again. I needed to know what was going on in that dream and what that dark figure was. I almost cried but I held it in.
“You want to tell me what the nightmare was about?” She prodded gently.
“No, I don’t want to re-live being chased and caught.” I said staring blankly now at the ceiling.
“Well, if you need to talk I’m here for you girl.” She stood and started to leave the room.
“Shy…”
“Yea…”
“Thanks…” I said. She was trying to be the best friend I could have. And she was succeeding.
“I know…” She said and then left the room. I looked at my alarm clock which read 1 a.m. I knew I wasn’t going back to bed, so I needed to find something to do. I needed some answers, so I was going to do the only thing I knew that made sense. Back to the alleyway. I waited until Shy went back to sleep then snuck into the shower, and washed off the sweat. I didn’t dwell on the nightmare. I really didn’t want to any more. I just really didn’t want to think. There was too much to think about. I got dressed as quietly as possible so that I didn’t wake Shy. I thought about bringing my bike, but I needed this time to just let the early morning air hit my face. I needed to get my thoughts together.
The morning air felt so amazing on my face. For some odd reason my worries just drifted away while I walked. To bad they weren’t going to stay there, away. Then all of a sudden I was in front of the alleyway. Why does every thing that felt so good lasted what felt like seconds, and me running away from goons seem like it lasted a lifetime? I sighed and walked down the dark alleyway to where it all started.