| Chapter 58 A.J. woke up, blinking his eyes. He was hunched over in a very uncomfortable chair in Marie's hospital room. He lifted his arms over his head and stretched, yawning at the same time. He then stood up, needing to stretch his legs. That's when he noticed Marie staring at him. He sat down on the side of the bed and smiled at her, "Hey, how long you been awake?" She shrugged, looking down at the blanket. A.J. bit his lip, knowing her heart was broken. "Honey, how are you feeling?" he asked. Marie shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes, "Our baby's gone," she whispered. A.J. took her hand in his, "I know sweetie. I'm so sorry." Marie wiped her tears with the back of her hand, trying to stay strong, "I-I don't understand what happened. Everything was fine." A.J. sighed, "I know. I guess things like this just happen sometimes, and no matter what you would've done, it wouldn't have changed anything." She nodded, taking a deep breath to calm her emotions. A.J. squeezed her hand, "Are you OK? I mean, are you in pain or anything?" She half smiled, "I'm OK, just um sore and ......" she trailed off, looking back down at the blanket. "And what?" he asked. "Sad ...disappointed .. I don't know how to describe it," she said softly, "What am I gonna tell Brian? He was so happy when he found out ...... and now......" The tears were back in her eyes and A.J. pulled her into a hug, "Shhh, honey, it'll be alright. I'm sure Brian will be just as happy to know that you're Ok." Marie shook her head, silently weeping against his shirt, "It was a little girl....Bri wanted a little girl......." A.J. fought to hold back his own tears, gently stroking her back, "I know honey. Shhh it's gonna be Ok......." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cameron stared at his patient, trying to remember what his name was. Brad, Brent ...something like that. He'd been up most of the night with him, trying to keep his fever down and get enough fluids and medicine in him to turn the tide in his favor. So far he'd been rewarded, as Brian's fever had gone down some, and he wasn't coughing as much. Cameron rubbed his face, fighting the sleep that so desperately wanted to come. He looked up as Brian started mumbling in his sleep. He'd been doing it all night, but it was in a language that Cameron didn't understand. The only word he did understand was Marie. He knew this was his wife's name, and he wondered just what had happened to the man in front of him. "You stay up all night?" Aubrey asked, wrapping her arms around her husband. Cameron nodded, "Most of it. He's had a rough time." "Is he getting any better?" she asked, looking over. "Maybe, his fevers gone down a little. His breathing still worries me though," he answered. Aubrey kissed her husband on the cheek, "Well I'm sure with your help, he'll be good as new in no time." Cameron smiled as Aubrey kissed him again, then heading into the kitchen to make breakfast. Cameron checked on Brian once more before going into the kitchen to help his wife. They ate in silence, both keeping an ear trained on the room their patient was in. Aubrey stood up to clear the table when a scream pierced the house, followed by fitful coughing. She was so startled she dropped the plates back on the table, and followed her husband into the room. "Easy," Cameron said, sitting on the bed next to Brian, "Slow short breaths." Brian followed his advice, and in a few minutes had calmed down. He looked around the room, not knowing where he was, or who these people were. He licked his parched lips, "Where ..am...I?" "Bowman's Pass," Cameron answered. Brian looked at him confused. "We're about fifty miles east of White Cap, right on the boarder between Mardica and Novaduel," he explained. Brian nodded, "How far to .....Cystaleia?" "It's a hard days ride from here through the mountains," Cameron said. Brian sat up, swaying as a round of dizziness swept over him. "Whoa there," Cameron said, reaching out and steadying him, gently forcing him back in the bed, "You aren't up to moving around just yet." Brian grabbed his stomach as the craving hit. He grimaced, trying to will the taste from his mouth. Cameron watched him with concern, "Are you in pain?" Brian shook his head, "No ... I uh I'm ... having withdrawals." Cameron shot his wife a glance. Brian relaxed as the craving left, feeling embarrassed. He looked down, not wanting to see their faces, "I was ... kidnaped. They .... um forced me to ..... take Krystal." Aubrey put her hand to her mouth in shock. "How much were they giving you?" Cameron asked, even more concerned. Brian shook his head, "I-I don't know. They .... gave it to me in the IV's." "How bad is the craving?" he asked. Brian reached up with a trembling hand to wipe his face, "It's bad," he answered. "Alright, I'll head into the village and see what I can get," Cameron said, starting to stand up. Brian grabbed his arm, "Don't. I ...have to get to Cystaleia." Cameron looked at him for a moment, "Why are you in such a hurry?" Brian opened his mouth to answer, but flew into a coughing fit. Cameron sat back down, laying a hand on Brian to help steady him as he coughed. Aubrey left the room, coming back with a glass of water. Cameron took it from her and helped Brian drink. "I have to stop them," Brian said, after he regained his composure. "Stop who?" Aubrey asked. "Nick ...I have to stop him from .... giving the mines to Jeptim," Brian answered. "They already settled that," Aubrey said, "It was on the vid before the storm knocked it out. They're having the signing ceremony tomorrow night." Brian sat up again, trying to get out of bed, "I have to go." Cameron grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him back down, "You are in no shape to be traveling." "But ... you don't understand," Brian begged, not having the strength to force his way back up. Another craving hit him and he grabbed his stomach, moaning in pain. Cameron stood up again, "I'm heading into the village. Promise me you'll stay here until I get back." "I have ...to go," Brian said. Cameron looked at his wife for a moment, then back to Brian. "I'll help you get to Cystaleia, but I've got to get you some Krystal first," he said. Brian shook his head, "I can manage .. without it." "No you can't. You can't just stop taking Krystal, it'll kill you. You have to be weaned off it. Just stay here until I get back," Cameron said, heading to the door, his wife following him. He opened the door, turning to his wife, "I'll be back as soon as I can. Don't let him leave, and keep the doors locked. Whoever took him may still be looking for him." Aubrey nodded, locking the door after him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick paced the control room, glancing at the techs every so often. Ana watched him. "Nick, why don't you come down for breakfast?" she suggested. He looked up at her, "They should've called by now. They know the mines are theirs, they should've called and arranged a drop off or something." Ana moved closer to him, "They'll call. But you staying here isn't going to make that happen any faster." He sighed, bringing his hands up to his face and rubbing it. "I'm scared Ana, what if something happened?" he said through his hands. She sighed, looking down. She didn't have an answer for that. "They'll call," she said, "But in the mean time, you need to eat." "Alright," he finally agreed, "If anything comes through, send for me immediately," he told the techs. They all nodded, as he turned and left the room. Ana walked next to him in silence. She didn't want to admit it, but she had the same fear as Nick. The kidnappers should have called already, and she feared what caused them not to. She felt Nick step closer to her, and smiled when he slipped his hand into hers. She looked up, seeing an uncertainty in his eyes. She squeezed his hand, silently letting him know she was there for him. He nodded slightly as they reached the dining room. Reluctantly, they both dropped their hands as they entered the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Ahhhhhhhhh!!" Brian screamed, as Aubrey tried her best to ease him. "Shhh, I know," she said, gently rubbing his back, "Cameron will be back soon." "It hurts," Brian panted, clutching his stomach, his eyes tightly shut, tears streaming from them. Aubrey glanced toward the door, wishing for the hundredth time that her husband would hurry up. Brian shivered, trying to pull the blankets up around his neck. Aubrey helped him, then took a damp cloth and wiped his forehead and face. "Thank you," Brian said, desperately trying to force the taste out of his mouth. Aubrey seemed to sense this, and offered him some more water. She helped him drink, then sat the glass back on the bed stand. She heard the door unlock and got up, to help her husband. A moment later Cameron came into the room, a syringe in his hand. Brian had to force himself not to grab it out of the mans hand. Cameron injected the liquid into Brian's IV, then sat down next to him. "I tried to contact the palace, but the grid is down. I'm not sure when it'll be back up," he told him. Brian nodded, feeling the drug as it eased him. "I need to leave," he said, trying to sit up, only to fall back again. "We will, but you need to rest a little more," Cameron said. Brian started to protest but Cameron stopped him, "You have time. You need to rest now, or you'll never make the trip." Brian stared at him for a moment, wondering if he could be trusted. But that soon flew out the window. Cameron could have turned him in anytime he wanted, but he hadn't. He'd stayed up with him all night, keeping an eye on him. If he couldn't be trusted, who could? "Alright," Brian agreed, "But not to long." Cameron smiled at him, "We'll leave in a few hours, try and get some sleep." Brian nodded, closing his eyes and swiftly falling into slumber. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ana peeked around a tree, seeing Nick disappear down the trail. She crept down the path, not wanting to get to close. Nick would sense her if she did. For days Nick had been disappearing in the garden, only to return hours later. No one knew where he went, or what he was doing. Today was no different, and Ana decided to follow him. She was worried about him, about the stress he was under, and how down he seemed now. She had to make sure he was alright. She topped a small hill, ducking behind a tree when she saw Nick standing in the middle of the path ahead. She watched as he seemed to be looking for something. He took a few more steps forward, then turned off the path and ventured through the trees. Ana stepped out, slowly making her way to the spot where Nick left the trail. She looked down, seeing two rocks, one stacked on top of the other. She smiled at the obvious marker, stepping over it and making her way through the trees. She lost sight of Nick, and wondered if she hadn't just gotten herself lost, when she stepped out of the trees, facing a wall of rock. She glanced to the side, just in time to see Nick duck into an outcropping of rocks. Slowly she made her way to the rocks, then peered inside. She couldn't see him anywhere, so she ducked in. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light, but when they did, her mouth dropped open. How could she live here for as long as she had and not know this was here? Slowly she walked through the massive room, taking it all in. The far wall caught her attention and she walked over, staring at the painting. She felt chills as she looked at Nick's image. A loud rumbling from the back of the cave pulled her attention from the painting. She turned, making her way along the wall to where the noise came from. She stopped, watching as Nick sat down on the bed and heaved a large sigh. He had a sword in his hand, and he was turning it this way and that, looking at the blade. She took another step, trying to get a better look. "You can come in ya know," he said, not looking up. Ana winced at being caught. Stepping from her spot, she walked into the kings chambers and sat down next to him. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to disturb you. I was just worried," she said. He glanced at her and smiled, "It's alright. I was gonna show you this place anyway." Ana looked at the sword, "What are you doing?" "I'm trying to figure out what this says. I traced it, but I must've done it wrong because it doesn't translate right," he said, fingering the engraving. "What language is that?" she asked. "Aklazhian," he answered. Ana thought for a moment, trying to place it, "What's it doing here?" "That's what I'm trying to find out. It has something to do with the painting on the wall, and all the weapons in here. Like they were planning on world war three or something," Nick said, laying the sword down next to the bed. "But this stuff is ancient," she mused. "Yeah, it is," he said, looking around, "It all still works though." The two sat in silence for a while. Nick took a deep breath, "Ana, do you know exactly what the prophecy says?" "Not word for word, no," she answered, "It's centuries old ... kinda like this stuff," she said looking around. He nodded, "Yeah, I was thinking that maybe this is where it came from. I need to know exactly what it says, cause I have a feeling it's a lot more than I've been told." Ana studied his face, seeing how exhausted he looked, "You didn't sleep did you?" He shook his head, "I've got to much going on in my head to sleep." Ana reached over and took his hand in hers, "I'll do whatever I can to help you." Nick stared at her for a moment, afraid to say what he wanted to, but at the same time, needing it. "Ana ...um," he stammered, looking down at the silken comforter, suddenly feeling embarrassed. She watched his cheeks blush and smiled. Reaching out she took his chin in her hand and lifted his head up, slowly she leaned in and kissed him. Nick wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him, savoring the feeling of her lips on his. After a moment they broke for air, both so entranced they knew there was no going back now. Nick suddenly got up and walked to the massive doors that separated his chambers from the rest of the cave. He passed his mark over the sensor, turning back to Ana as the doors rumbled shut. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cameron secured the saddle bags to his saddle, mentally making sure he'd packed everything he needed. Aubrey came out, handing him another bundle. "You might need some food ya know," she smiled. "Right," he said, frustrated with himself that he packed everything but. He looked up, seeing the suns were already on their way down for the evening. He knew that Brian would be mad at him for letting him rest all day, but Cameron knew he needed it. Brian was far from being well, and Cameron feared he wouldn't make this journey. But he had promised to help him, and that he would do. He sighed, looking at his wife, "I guess we need to wake him." Aubrey nodded, following Cameron into the house. He sat down on the edge of the bed, gently shaking Brian. "Hey, it's time to go," he said as Brian slowly opened his eyes. Brian nodded, sitting up, trying to get his bearings. He coughed violently, holding his chest and wincing in pain each time his body shook. Cameron helped to steady him, "Is it hurting when you cough?" Brian nodded as he gasped for air. "Brian, you'll never make this trip. You need to say here and rest, get some more medicine in you. I can try to reach the palace in the morning again," he said. Brian shook his head, "I ...have..to go." "You don't understand. The poison's causing your lungs to constrict. Pretty soon you won't be able to breathe, you'll suffocate and die," Cameron said, doing his best to convince Brian to stay. Brian struggled to get out of bed, "I have..to stop them. I'm going ..... no matter what." Cameron sighed, not believing the stubbornness of this man. He watched as Brian slid his feet to the floor, looking around for his clothes. "Alright, let me help you get dressed," Cameron said, grabbing Brian's freshly washed clothes. He sat them down next to Brian and proceeded to take out his IV. Brian got dressed, grabbing his stomach as another craving shot through him. He moaned, trying to will away the persistent need for the blue liquid. "Here," Cameron said, holding up a smile vial of the substance. Brian grabbed it, quickly taking a drink. "Careful, not to much," Cameron warned, "I've got two more vials. It has to last the whole trip." Brian nodded, handing the half empty container back to him, and trying to get to his feet. With Cameron's help, he made it outside. The white unicorn was standing next to the door. It had a saddle on, and looked ready to go. "Ok, one, two, three..." Cameron said, pushing Brian up into the saddle. "Here Brian," Aubrey said, handing him a hooded poncho, "It'll be cool tonight." Brian put it on, pulling the hood over his head, "Thank you." Aubrey smiled as Cameron mounted his unicorn. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he said, leaning down to give her a kiss. Brian picked up his reins, leaning heavily on the saddle horn. "You ready?" Cameron asked. He nodded, "Yeah, lets ...go." Chapter 59 |