Hunted: A Suspense Collection
Page 138
Abel may have been caught, but no, it was far from over.
More hours sneaked by. At one point, Jason hesitantly took a trip to the restroom, making sure the doctors would call for him if Ted woke up. As he walked back to Ted’s room, he passed an open door. He peeked inside.
It was a room just like Ted’s. Window, bed, white walls and floor. Craig Weston was lying on the bed, watching a TV hanging from the ceiling. His eyes were dim and it looked like he had shrunk a few sizes. Garth had said he had taken two bullets to the chest. Just like Ted.
Jason stood frozen in the corridor, staring into the room. He watched Craig lie there, and he felt his blood begin to simmer.
Then Craig seemed to sense his visitor. He craned his neck and saw Jason standing outside the room. Craig’s eyes grew wide and he scooted back, sinking into his bed. His mouth opened as if he wanted to scream but his terror had stolen the sound. He had been so cocky in Jason’s home, but now, lying on his back in defeat, he seemed so cowardly.
Jason walked away, leaving Craig alone with his fear.
Settled back in Ted’s room, Jason felt a heavy weight on his mind. He looked at his son. Even though the monitor offered visual proof that Ted’s heart was still beating, he looked dead. Jason’s chest tightened, and it felt like it was about to tear open.
Such weights, strapped to his back and his heart.
“Mr. Flynn?”
Someone peeked through the ajar door. Jason turned from Ted. It was Rick Neves.
Jason looked at him as if for the first time. He had dark hair, sharp features, deep, frightened eyes.
Rick stammered, “I heard about…what happened, and felt I needed to come. D-Do you want me to leave…?”
“No, c’mon in, Rick,” Jason said, using his voice for the first time in hours. “I was just about to ask someone to go find you.”
He beckoned Rick into the room, then gestured to an empty chair at his side. Rick took slow, hesitant steps to the seat, and then sat.
They sat watching Ted’s diaphragm rise, and then fall. Rise, and then fall. Rick shifted in the chair, eyes downcast in what seemed to be a mixture of awkwardness, anxiety, and utter shame.
Jason watched Ted for a few more seconds and chuckled quietly. “He is so much like his mother.” Rick recoiled as if physically shoved, but Jason continued. “The way he looks when he’s trying to remember something. His eyes, his curiosity. And the way he just loves unconditionally. And I mean unconditionally. That’s an amazing thing if you really stop and think about it. No conditions, no caveats…No matter what, love. It’s hard to grasp.”
Rick exhaled and said, “Mr. Flynn, I can’t—”
“Rick…” Jason said gently, “I…It’s okay.”
The weight disappeared from Jason’s mind. He took a deep breath, and it felt clearer and more blissful than he had thought possible.
Rick’s chin trembled. He opened his mouth to speak, but he instead turned his face away.
It was quiet in the room except for the beeping heart monitor. There didn’t seem to be any words left to be exchanged. Then, Rick gave Jason a fleeting glance and said, “Thanks, Mr. Flynn.”
The two sat at Ted’s bedside, soaking in the tranquil silence.
Beep, beep, beep…
Bonus!
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About the Author
Luke Swanson was born and raised in Yukon, Oklahoma. He loves nothing more than a good story—as such, his passions include books and movies. He currently attends Oklahoma Christian University, studying English writing, history, and international studies.
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Twitter:
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Blog:
https://swansonaround.wordpress.com/
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