After the Storm (Gifted and Special Adolescents Hospital Book 1)

by Cheryllynn Dyess

  Chapter 29

  Bec’s schedule was rather monotonous during her last months at the hospital. Each day was the same routine from sunup to sundown, then her nights were alone locked in her room. In class, is the only place she really spoke to anyone anymore and if it weren’t for Wale, she’d not talk there.

  “I hear you get to leave soon.”

  “Yep. Five days.” This is the same conversation they have been holding for the last week and a half. Counting down the days together.

  “Any plans yet?”

  “Same plans as yesterday. I get out. I get revenge. I live free.”

  “I’ll be out not long after you. Want a partner?”

  Bec stared at him. He changed the conversation. He never offered to help her before, why now she wondered. Some would call her paranoid, but she considered herself cautious. “Why Wale, I never took you for a thrill seeker,” she teased.

  Shrugging, he replied, “I really don’t have anything to look forward to. Get a job. Live a mundane life. I mean I can’t do any of this,” he moved a few objects in the air between them, “in front of everyone ya know.”

  She nodded, “I get it. I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll come see you the day you get out and we can decide from there.”

  Wale held his hand out for Bec to shake. When the young woman took it, they shook. “Deal. I’ll see you January fifteenth!’

  “Deal. Possible partner. But I don’t leave quite yet.”

  “I know just preparing.”

  As the class worked on their skills, Bec was called into Georgia’s office the morning she was to get her papers to leave. “Good morning Bec.”

  Bec smiled at the doc as she entered the ornate office for the last time, “Good morning.” She plopped into her favorite chair and swung her legs up and over the armrest.

  “I have all your paperwork here. Signed and ready to go.”

  “Are you glad to be getting rid of me finally?” The young woman asked absently as she stared at the ceiling.

  “Why in the world would you think that?”

  Bec rolled her head to the side, so that she was facing the doctor and smirked, “Everyone is always glad when they can finally get rid of me. My mother was…now you will be.”

  “On the contrary. I will miss our visits.”

  “A visit implies I had a choice! We both know that I didn’t.”

  “But you have enjoyed them for the most part?” Georgia put down her writing table and pen as she leaned forward on her knees.

  Bec twisted herself around in the chair so that she was sitting upright, “If I must admit it, then yes… some. But the question is really… what am I supposed to do out there?”

  “I have,” Georgia held up the envelope, “some things to help you get started.”

  “Did you give one of those to Kyle?”

  Dr. Wilson thought for a minute, wondering what Bec was getting at, before she replied, “The envelope is something I do for all the residents who age out but the contents are rarely the same. I fill it according to the person and their needs.”

  “May I?” Bec asked as she held a hand outward for the envelope. Georgia shrugged and handed the envelope over. Bec cautiously opened the surprisingly heavy envelope. Looking inside she saw a set of keys, another smaller envelope and a lot of paperwork. Glancing up at the doctor, Bec leaned forward and empty the envelope's contents onto the table.

  “I’m sure you will do great in the world, Bec. I’ve done a lot to get things set up for your future.”

  “This future written in stone? Or can I have a say?”

  Pointing to the contents that are now spread out in between them, “Your vital records are there. That is enough cash to get you through a month or more until you get a job. The keys… well, there is a classic Mustang waiting for you.”

  “A car? You got me a car?” Bec questioned in disbelief. No one had ever given her anything as expensive as a vehicle or any amount of cash. She was uneased by the unknown gestures. In the past the most personal gifts were given to her by Jake, and he died for his troubles.

  “I did. You deserve so much more.”

  “So… when can I leave?”

  “Now.” Georgia stood and gestured to the door.

  Bec narrowed her eyes as she gathered the paperwork, cash and keys and dropped them in the large envelope. Standing, she glanced between the door and the doctor not sure whether to trust the fact that she could leave but nervous that she had nowhere to go.

  Georgia walked toward the door with Bec following her. As the doctor opened the door, Bec stopped in its threshold. Turning to the doctor, Bec gestured to the envelope, “Thanks for this doc.”

  “Of course. I couldn’t not do anything for you,” Georgia smiled a sad smile as she could see the young woman’s nerves rising up. “You will do good things, Bec. I truly believe it.”

  Bec’s emotions overwhelmed her when she realized that the woman before her was the only woman who ever gave her wellbeing any concern. Suddenly embracing Georgia, Bec whispered, “Thank you.”

  Georgia held the young woman as if she were comforting her own child. Rubbing her back, Georgia gave Bec a quick kiss on the girl's head before replying, “You don’t worry about a thing. Go on now.”

  Bec left the doctor’s office without looking back. The elevator ride down to the main floor was in silence as she rode it alone with only her thoughts to keep her company. When the doors slid open, Bec realized that she was merely yards away from her freedom. The short walked seemed to happen in slow motion. Geo stood by the door with her bag and held it out to her as she moved past him. He may have said something but Bec wouldn’t hear him, she wouldn’t hear anyone other Kyle who was now in her head, “I’ve been waiting for you.” She heard him clearly as he stood on the other side of the gate a good hundred feet away.

  Kyle leaned up against his car, with his arms and legs crossed and hair hanging down around his shoulders. His shirt fit tight as did his jeans but Bec was more focused on his eyes. His eyes smiled at her and welcomed her into a tight hug as she ran up to him. Pulling back, she smiled up at him, “Thank you.”

  “Oh. baby girl, no reason to thank me. I told you I’d never leave you. Now, how about we start living!” The two young adults slid into the car and drove off as the Dr. Wilson looked down upon them from her office.

  Chapter 30

  The air inside was stale from years of cigarette smoke that soaked the wooden frame of the mobile home. The living room was bare as she made her way to the den where she heard the low rumble of the television show that was playing in the background while the man snored in his overstuffed recliner. She stood in the doorway of the hall and kitchen that faced the back of the man’s chair.

  Memories of her childhood flooded her, overwhelming her with fear at first then extreme anger. Her childhood had been destroyed by this man. He had done unspeakable things to her and no one ever believed her. No one ever protected her. On this night, she was going to make sure he paid for it all.

  A snort came as one of her footsteps drew a loud creak from the old floor. Bec took another step and another until she came around the chair and could see the face of her demon. She watched him sleep until his eyes slowly opened.

  “Who the hell are you? What are you doing in my home?” He cried out in shock.

  “I used to ask you why you were in my bed. Do you remember what you told me?” Bec leaned in closer to Darren and sneered.

  Confused, the man’s face scrunched until recognition happened and all the color fell from his face as his jaw dropped. “How’d you find me?”

  Standing tall, Bec cracked her knuckles, “Oh so you do remember…” Raising one brow, her head titled as she slid on the brass knuckles maniacally. “I’m glad you do.” Side-stepping the man’s feet, Bec stood in front of him, leaned in close enough to put a hand on either hand rest of the recliner. Looking from one eye to the other with exaggerated movements, she taunted, “I’ll be your demon now.” />
  The man’s head turned as if someone called his name. Bec smiled and stood straight again before stepping back. Kyle was in the man’s head now and she’d let him play just a bit before she continued. Kyle’s voice echoed in Darren's head. The older man stood and walked around confused. He couldn’t understand the man's voice in his head telling him about the darkness he would enjoy and learn to love and how the soul eater would be there soon.

  As Darren stumbled around confused, Bec took advantage of the situation and landed a hard hit across his jaw when he came to close to her.

  “Ouch! What the hell is going on?” Darren grabbed at his jaw with one hand and his head with another.

  “I’ve become your karma and I’m here to give you what is owed.” Bec held her hands up like that of a boxer before throwing a one-two punch series that landed squarely across the bridge of the man’s nose.

  Darren now held both hands over his nose as blood trickled between his fingers from the gushing break it had just received.

  Bec was bouncing back and forth from one foot to the other like a boxer waiting to strike. “Hey Darren, remember all those times my mother thought you were spending quality time with me? Here are my thoughts on that!” Bec spun and raised her right foot just as she completed the spin, landing her heel directly into the opposite side of his jaw that she had hit just moments before.

  Darren fell flat on the floor. He didn’t move. Bec stood over him, kicking in the side to make sure he was alive. The grunt that followed confirmed this making her smile.

  Bec knew that no matter how much she beat on the man; it’d never make up for all the damage he caused but her task was not yet over. Pulling out her cell phone, she dialed nine-one-one.

  “Nine-one-one, do you need fire rescue or police?” The high-pitched woman asked on the other end of the connection.

  Bec grunted in joy, “I was driving by twelve-fourteen country road fifty-one and saw what looked like a robbery going on. You need to send the police quick.”

  “May I have your na-,” the woman tried to ask but Bec terminated the call. Pulling an envelope from her back pocket, she leaned down on one knee at Darren’s side and dropped it on his chest. Then she pulled one of her daggers out, and caressed the man’s cheek with it just before slicing it from the temple to the chin, and then from the inner bridge of the nose to the just below the ear making an X across it. She wiped the dagger on the man’s shirt then slid it back into its home.

  “Darren, you will never be anyone’s demon again.” Patting him on the chest, Bec stood and walked out of the mobile home and to her car.

  Once inside the car, she sat there in silence before turning the key on the ignition and pulling away. The couple passed two cop cars with their lights flashing but the sirens were off. Turning off their lights as they entered the driveway, Bec watched them disappear in her rear-view mirror.

  It wasn’t until she was halfway home before she pulled over and burst into tears. Kyle knew her better than to say anything or do anything, so he sat silently as she wept away the last of the remnants that the demon had left on her. All the damage created by doing the most evil things a person could do to a child and she finally got her revenge.

  Kyle knew what was in the envelope and when the police find the envelope and look inside, they will know the truth as well have the privilege of removing him from society.

  Chapter 31

  Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Kyle rolled over in the bed, stretching his arm while his hand searching blindly for his phone. His fingers wrapped around it and pulled it to his ear, “Hello.”

  “Were you sleeping?” The voice on the other asked.

  “Dr. Wilson? Is that you?” Kyle sat up in the bed and patted Bec on the hip. She rolled over rubbing her eyes with a questioning look.

  “Yes. Good morning. Is Bec there as well?”

  “Well. Um. Yes.”

  “Good. Put me on the speaker, please. I need to speak to you both!”

  “Is everything ok?”

  “Just do as I ask Kyle.”

  Pulling the phone from his ear, he looked curiously at Bec then hit the speaker icon on the phone. “Ok Georgia, you’re on the speaker now.”

  “Good morning Bec.”

  “Morning Doc,” Bec grumbled.

  “Ok. I don’t have time for any more nonsense. I need to get right down to business. I need you two to come work for the school.”

  “That is a hospital. Not a school.” Bec growled.

  “Well, technically yes. But we need you two to work in the school portion. We’ve had an influx of kids lately and the head administrator is leaving and has asked me to find more staff to help out. Plus, we have a special project we want to implement and with your… um, extra-curricular activities we think the two of you would be perfect for it!”

  “Doc, the Gifted and Special Adolescence’s Hospital is doing what kind of special project?” Kyle asked as he sat up higher in the bed.

  “Well, we are taking in more kids and thought it would be helpful if they had a way to heal more like what you and Bec do together. We want to create a special class for the ones who were… um, more like the two of you.”

  Bec glanced at Kyle, “The two of us?”

  “Yes. More damaged and completely alone. The two of you were able to make a successful life outside of GASAH and we want to make this possible for more students.”

  “What’s in it for us?” Kyle grunted.

  “For you, more than the satisfaction of helping others,” the doctor replied sarcastically, “how about sixty thousand a year plus a full benefits package?”

  “Can we talk it over and get back to you?” Bec asked.

  “Oh of course,” Georgia replied and disconnected her call.

  Kyle fell back onto the bed and growled. “What is she really up to?”

  “I’m not really sure, but,” Bec laid back and snuggled into Kyle’s chest, “it could be helpful to the next gen of those like us. We could make a difference?”

  “Since when did you get sentimental?”

  “Its been six months and I feel better, different. Plus, this is for kids who didn’t have the support system we wanted. We could be it for them! We, more than anyone else, understand them.” She glanced up at him with a smile. He leaned in and kissed her forehead.

  “What about the shop?”

  Bec sat up on an elbow, “I hadn’t thought of it.” She quieted for a few moments leaving Kyle to watch her silently. He could tell she was working out the details inwardly and he didn’t want to disturb her. “Charlie can run the shop. I can promote her to manager and let Wendy be the head stylists.” She tapped her finger on his chest as she spoke.

  Kyle smiled, playfully grabbing her he rolled her onto him, “I love this new caring side of you. So, do we call the good doc and let her know?”

  Bec picked up his phone, hitting contact information for the doctor. Pressing the icon for the speaker, both listened as the phone rang.

  “Hello you two! Have you made a decision?” The doctor’s voice came across the speaker.

  Bec nodded toward Kyle for him to respond, “We have. But first, we want a suite on the grounds but have access to leave whenever we want and we want full control over the program.”

  “Deal. I’ll give you a week to take care of anything you need and see you next Monday to meet the kids.”

  Bec and Kyle smiled at one another. Never did they imagine that either would be returning to the hospital and surely they never thought they’d be returning as a couple. Bec snuggled into Kyle again, running a finger over his chest, she whispered, “I love you.”

  He froze momentarily then wrapped her in his arms, took the phone and dropped it onto the floor and rolled over towards Bec and smiled. He slowly took in her features. As his eyes caressed her lips, he leaned in closely and brushed his lips against hers. “I knew you did,” he teased then kissed her deeply.

  Epilogue

  “Good morning,” Kyle spoke out loud to t
he rambunctious kids in the classroom as he and Bec stood at the front of the room. No one stopped to acknowledge him, as they threw paper planes through the air while some used their powers to throw things around or each other. Bec glanced at Kyle and shook her head, she raised her hand to her lips to whistle and he stopped her. “Let me,” his eyes twinkled. He looked around as a devious expression soon erupted o his face. Mentally he yelled out to each and everyone in the room, “GOOD MORNING!”

  The class went silent, many covering their ears, some stopped still as they all slowly turned to see the two adults standing at the front of the room. A dark skinned man with grey eyes and long dreadlocks stood next to a thin pale skinned woman with tons of tattoos, piercings, and short hot pink hair.

  “Sit,” Kyle instructed them mentally. Out loud he continued, as the students found their way to their desks, “Good. My name is Kyle and this is Bec. We will be your… instructors in, well… everything until you leave here.”

  A small framed girl raised her hand hesitantly, Kyle pointed at her and nodded. She cleared her throat before speaking in a sing song voice that sounded almost angelic, “What do you mean until we leave? Do you know that can be years for most of us here.”

  Bec put a hand on Kyle’s and he let her respond, “We were here for years as well. And we will be here until you are not. We won’t abandon you.”

  A larger boy in the back of the room with messy brown hair stood up with his hands on his hips, “Are you even like us? We know he is but what could you possibly do?”

  Kyle chuckled, “Bec, why don’t you show him what it is you can do.”

  Bec stepped into the middle of the room, rose her chin and smiled at the boy. She placed her hands calmly behind her back and with a focused mind lifted the boy off the ground. “Whoa. Put me down.” He cried out but that only stirred her instigative personality and she flipped him in the air head over heels several times before she set him down back into his chair and then stepped back to Kyle’s side.