|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 1:14:19 GMT -5
There is no thought. There is no action.
There is only reaction.
In that moment, Paula slipped into a state of mind that almost never happened. She was suddenly aware of every movement in the room, every twitch of every muscle. It was as if the world had slipped into slow motion. There was indeed no action. There was only reaction.
The reaction was Paula's finger tightening on the trigger.
The bullet slammed into the man with the knife's shoulder with a very satisfying thud. Blood splattered all over Zeph. Chalk up another year in therapy. Without looking to see how much damage she'd done, Paula spun and fired off two more bullets. They found their marks in the bodies of two of the goons. One in the heart - he wasn't going to be getting up - and one in the upper thigh.
There is no action.
There is only reaction.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 1:35:01 GMT -5
Jason's world came crashing down upon him like a tidal wave. Zeph's head slumped forward as the man with the knife let it go... blood ran down Zeph's chest, staining his clothes a bright, wet red...
His body reacted while his mind was in chaos. His bones and muscles shifted, and he dropped to all fours, thick grey and brown fur bristling out all over his body as his clothes fell away in shreds. His vision turned to black and white and shades of grey; his nose filled with the smell of blood. His mouth would soon be full of the taste of it.
He sprang with a snarl, teeth bared, and struck the biggest of the remaining men, knocking him to the floor with Jason on top of him. No sooner had his teeth closed around flesh than a stabbing pain erupted in his side. A garbled howl of pain escaped him, and the man's blood gurgled from his mouth at the outrush of breath.
He shrank back, growling, his wound burning and bleeding. The man lay dead underneath him, and he discerned the sounds of bloody chaos around him. But his only thoughts were for the boy who lay forgotten on the floor nearby.
Jason moved to Zeph's side, whining, nuzzling him, getting blood in his mouth and his nose. Zeph was still and pale, and Jason didn't have the hands to help him properly. He whined in terror, pressing his big, blunt paws to the wound, trying to stop the blood flowing. A howl rose in his throat, and he flung back his head and released it, letting its echoes ring off of the walls in a cacophony of grief.
|
|
|
Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Oct 26, 2009 2:00:48 GMT -5
Aritha's lip curled and she leapt forward faster than seemed possible, her fingers curled into claws and her fangs flashing in the light. She moved to the next largest, tearing his throat out with her nails, refusing to sully her fangs with such garbage. She looked around, her eyes wild as she hunted for another victim. A man raised a knife and she flipped quickly, her hands wrapped around his throat as she snapped his head to the side so quickly the sound echoed along with Jason's howl.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 2:01:28 GMT -5
Euros stiffened as his brother collapsed, his face as pale as Zephyros'. Aritha and Jason reacted violently, but for Euros.... the world stopped. Zephyros fell slowly from the man's grip and the chair, hitting the floor limply. Euros' heart ached and he looked around. Zeph... oh, Zeph... They had been too late. Too late...
Aritha was looking for another victim. Euros stiffened his hand, and forced her away from the two living kidnappers. Paula was going to want to keep them alive.
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 2:11:02 GMT -5
Paula stood for a moment, taking in the scene. Four of the kidnappers were dead, and the two that were left were bleeding quickly. She stepped quickly over to the one she had shot in the thigh and pulled a set of handcuffs out of her coat. Always carry three pairs of handcuffs. One of her little quirks. She cuffed the man and moved onto the man with the knife.
As she slapped the cuffs on him, she bent down to whisper in his ear. "I hope you like prison, you sick bastard." He did not respond. She chuckled. "Well. Apparently your balls vanished with your victory." The man did not respond to that either, simply glaring at Paula.
After this was done, Paula stood and pulled out her cell phone. She quickly dialed Aritha's father back at the motel. "We're clear." She said, allowing a note of relief to slip into her voice. "Send the police in to take the two that are still alive into custody. Call the dispatch - they'll know who to send in." Still on the phone, she bent down next to Jason and put her fingers on Zeph's wrist, just to make sure. "He's alive." She breathed. Then her businesslike manner returned. "And send an ambulance. Zeph's been injured and he's losing blood." Once the man had had a chance to respond, Paula hung on the phone and put a hand on Jason's paw.
"It'll be alright." She told the boy. "Help is on the way. We made it in time. He's alive. You'll be together again. I promise."
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 10:03:58 GMT -5
Jason looked up at Paula with a whine, his ears flat against his head and his eyes full of pain. He kept his paws on Zeph's neck for all the help they would give, lying down gently on top of Zeph to keep him warm, but giving him plenty of room to breathe. He would not leave Zeph's side unless explicitly ordered to do so.
He distantly remembered that he was bleeding too, and it was getting all over Zeph. Scheisse. There was nothing he could do about that now.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 11:22:49 GMT -5
Zeph's right hand rose slowly and clawed weakly at Jason's paws, trying to move them. His eyes flickered open a little and he looked at Jason blankly, still trying to move the paws that pressed against his throat. He jerked back a little, his face as pale as death despite his... somewhat consciousness. His fingers curled around one of Jason's paws and pulled pathetically.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 11:27:45 GMT -5
Jason looked down at a movement underneath him, quickly moving his paws with a startled yelp as something clawed at them. Zeph! He was awake, or partly awake, his eyes blank. Jason's tail wagged a little at the sight, but stilled when he saw how horribly, horribly pale his boyfriend was. He wished he could speak, to reassure him that help was coming. A low whine rose in his throat. It's okay. You'll be okay. I promise.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 11:35:19 GMT -5
Zeph's eyes focused better on him and he smiled, reaching up to touch Jason, even if it was only on the muzzle. His lips were blue... but he didn't seem to be cold. His breath gurgled in his throat and he coughed a little, turning his head to spit out the blood that was always in his mouth. "J-jassson..." he whispered. "Th-thought I woulllld nnnnevvverr s-see yyoou a-gain..."
This must be a hallucination. I'm not quite dead yet and my brain is playing tricks on me... but I'll take whatever I can get, hallucination Jason and all. He smiled again, lightly petting the short fur at Jason's muzzle.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 11:44:54 GMT -5
Hearing Zeph's voice again, however strained and weak, was like a slap to Jason's mind. He had to speak to Zeph now. He relaxed his body and shifted carefully back to human form, immediately feeling colder with neither fur nor clothing on. Screw his body-shyness; this was much more important. He moved his bloody hands to clasp one of Zeph's, smiling through the tears that ran down his cheeks, washing some of the blood away.
"I promised you'd see me again, didn't I?" he laughed weakly. "You know I always keep my promises..."
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 11:55:59 GMT -5
Zeph smiled more, his hand on Jason's cheek. He nodded slowly, his green eyes closing for a moment and then slowly opening.
This can't be real. It would be too much to hope for... that they made it in time when... He sighed softly, falling into a coughing fit that was terrifying in its weakness. He rasped desperately for breath, but took only short shallow gasps. Would something in my mind hurt so much?
He whimpered softly, closing his eyes again. Everything spun and he felt like he'd been holding his breath... except he knew he was still breathing; his chest hurt like he was breathing. Unconsciously, his fingers curled against Jason's cheek, digging his nails a little into the skin beneath them. They jerked away again when he realized what had happened, and he opened his eyes again.
"J-jason... you-you're f-fu-uzzy," he said, trying to giggle.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 12:02:20 GMT -5
Jason laughed through the fresh deluge of joyous tears that ran down his face. Zeph was going to be okay. People on their deathbeds didn't make jokes.
"I'm a werewolf, what did you expect?" he answered. He moved one hand to stroke Zeph's cheek, wanting so much to kiss him, but knowing that would be a bad idea. Both of them had blood in their mouths. "I'll shave once you're safe in the hospital. Until then, I'm not leaving your side unless someone orders me to."
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 12:21:53 GMT -5
Zeph leaned his head into Jason's hand a little. He very slowly slid his hand around Jason's neck to rest against his hair and the back of his head, then pulled his head down and found Jason's lips with his own. Normally he didn't care for the taste of blood, but he'd been unable to get rid of the taste for almost three days and he didn't care anymore. He had Jason, and the pain he felt told him that it had to be real. Tears slid down his face as he closed his eyes, though he kept the kiss short so he could keep breathing.
"Th-thank you..." he whispered, kissing Jason again. "Th-thank y-ou for n-not g-giving u-up..."
Euros took a moment... okay, several long moments, to realize that Zephyros was not only alive, but awake and talking. He watched the two boys... and decided to leave them be. Let them have their moment... Jason needs it after the hell he's been suffering. And I have no doubt Zeph needs it too. Where are those blasted police? And the ambulance?
|
|
|
Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Oct 26, 2009 12:30:38 GMT -5
Aritha spun when she heard Zeph's voice, staring with disbelief at the badly wounded mage. She started forward, then paused, looking at Jason's face. No... this was their time. Jason had been amazingly strong these past few days; he deserved some time alone with Zeph. And Zeph was in no shape to be crowded into a reunion. That could wait until he'd recovered some in the hospital.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 13:02:24 GMT -5
Jason smiled, kissing Zeph's forehead and leaving a bloody smear in the shape of his lips. He cupped Zeph's chin gently in his hand, looking into his eyes. A substantial part of him wanted to break down completely and sob in relief until he passed out for want of breath, but now was not the time. Zeph wasn't out of the woods yet; he still needed to get to the hospital and be taken care of. And Jason had to see him reunited with his mother, as he had promised her.
Jason's wound still hurt and bled, but he ignored it. This was nothing. Zeph had endured worse and survived. He shivered a little, though, as the flowing blood warmed only a little of his skin. The rest was covered in goosebumps.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 13:15:07 GMT -5
Zephyros smiled as Jason cupped his chin, letting his eyes close. "J-jason... d-don-n't let me fffall asleep," he whispered, a note of alarm in his voice. It was a struggle to open his eyes again, his hand, which still was on the back of Jason's head, tightening a little. He didn't mean to pull Jason's hair... but he hadn't meant to scratch Jason's cheek either.
Euros watched them, noticing the goosebumps on Jason's skin and pulling off his jacket. He moved forward and threw it over the werewolf's shoulders, rubbing them a little. His eyes widened as he realized that some of that blood was Jason's and looked for some way to stop that bleeding. Sirens sounded outside and Euros nearly wept in relief. They would get help... thank God.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 13:23:17 GMT -5
Jason looked up at Euros as the younger boy placed a jacket over him. "Thank you..."
He looked back down at Zeph, trying to keep a note of panic out of his own voice. "It's okay. You're going to be fine. Keep talking to me." He squeezed Zeph's hand, rubbing it gently. "Stay with me."
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 13:29:36 GMT -5
"C-can-n't keep t-talking..." he whispered, his eyes filling with tears of pain. "H-hurt-ts...Ev-very-thinnng h-hurts..."
Euros nodded, backing away from his brother and the werewolf. He would only be in the way... The mage didn't know any first aid, really, and the only thing he could truly offer to this was the ability to give Zeph blood. Which was definitely going to be used, it looked like. He looked at Paula, half-asking what to do. The sirens slowly came closer and Euros clenched his fists. How long did it take?
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 16:23:15 GMT -5
Paula Harris was a woman who prided herself on maintaining a professional air. All through every crisis she had ever faced, she had keep her attitude strictly business, never allowing her emotions to affect her judgment. This attitude served her well, allowing her to think clearly when others were blinded by their sensibilities. But when it was all over... there was nothing to keep her from expressing her relief.
When Zeph had begun to speak, Paula had stood and walked away from the two, allowing them to have their moment. Seeing Euros standing off by himself, she smiled and approached him. "You did well." She said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "You did really well. I'm proud to have had you by my side."
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 17:37:27 GMT -5
Euros looked at her and nodded slightly, his blue eyes locked on his brother's white face as the paramedics finally rushed in.
They started to separate Jason and Zeph and Zeph grabbed at Jason's arm with his good hand, whimpering a little. He started coughing and the paramedics left them together as they quickly did what they could to help him. His eyes fluttered closed as they put an oyxgen mask over his face, helping the blue fade from his lips. They lifted him slowly on a gurney and his eyes flickered open. His hand reached for Jason again, his face twisting a little as they started to move him away.
<He'll be right behind you, young man. In the same vehicle,> one assured him, as Jason was wrapped in a blanket, his wound carefully cleaned and bandaged. He led to the ambulance to sit next on the bench next to Zephyros, who gave him a smile through the mask and all they'd been forced to do. They set his leg as the door closed and he blacked out, his head falling limply to the side. The moniter they quickly set up however, proved his heart was still beating, along with the rise and fall of his chest.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 17:50:48 GMT -5
Jason sat still beside Zeph, tugging the blanket more tightly around him as he kept his gaze on his boyfriend's still, pale form. Tears of gratitude and relief poured silently down his face as he shook with sobs, thanking Mary for preserving Zeph from death.
Once he had cried himself out, he looked up again, his mind clear. Zeph was out, he was free, he was going to be fine. Now all that they needed to get through was the hospital stay, however long that would take... then they could go home and start to put this behind them.
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 18:12:27 GMT -5
The paramedics were followed by several squads of police officers, who swarmed in and picked up the two kidnappers who had been left alive. A tall man with glasses stepped through after them, surveying the scene.
"I see you're up to your old tricks, Detective Harris." He said with a thick accent, offering his hand to Paula.
She smiled and shook his hand. "Chief Avramidis. It's a pleasure to see you again."
"And you, Detective." Chief Avramidis said, smiling broadly. He pointed down the bodies. "No, questions, I assume. As last time."
"Yes." Paula nodded. "I bet that the idiots up at the courthouse are still scratching their heads over the last time you and I worked together."
Chief Avramidis laughed. "Indeed they are. I get called in to try to explain it every week. And they still haven't managed to figure it out..."
"One day, Chief Avramidis." Paula said. Then she turned and pointed at the scene before them. "Now, I was thinking how we might go about explaining this to the people who do Internal Affairs. I don't need to go to the hospital... I can stay here and run you through it."
Chief Avramidis nodded. "Of course. What did you have in mind?"
The two walked around the chair where Zeph had been sitting. Paula started to point to the bodies. "I was thinking we could get away with using drug dogs to explain the wolf bites..." The two voices faded into the background as the two began to work out how to allow the supernatural involvement to disappear...
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 18:31:06 GMT -5
- - -
Zephyros had spent a few hours in surgery, and Euros had donated as much blood as they would allow... both boys were exhausted. Zephyros had slept through the night and most of the next day. While he slept, a room in the Aetai mansion was prepared like a hospital room. The Aetais' personal physician was more than able to take care of Zephyros, and what wounds Jason had as well. He was carefully moved, with his family kept back until he steadied.
Dawn slowly came forward as his eyes flickered open, giving her a slight smile. <Hey Mom.>
She just kissed him softly. <I am going to let you rest, Zeph. I have much to apologize for but I want you well first. Jason is going to stay here with you.>
<Thank you, Mom. Take care of yourself.> He gave her a sweet smile as she backed off, and his family quietly welcomed him home. His eyes closed for a moment, then looked around. There was something else...
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 19:51:42 GMT -5
Paula stood at the doorway to Zeph's room. The stress lines and bags around her eyes were gone, erased with a good night's sleep. Instead of coffee, she now sipped at a mug of tea. The caffeine needed to be purged from her system, and now that the crash was over, Paula wanted to keep her body systems semi-normal. She watched as the family reunited with their son and brother, sipping at her tea with a small smile on her face.
It was rare for a story to have a completely happy ending. The Springfield High Fire had left William crippled and bitter, John brain damaged, an innocent boy in jail, and a host of other problems for those involved. The chase of the Woman in White across the world had ended... it had ended with Paula in the hospital and the Woman in White free to terrorize the world. Nothing ever had a happy ending.
Except this. This had a happy ending. Zeph was alive, and reunited with those who loved him. And Paula was content. Not happy - she was never truly happy. What cop could be? - but simply content. For now. Because nobody ever lives happily ever after.
When Mrs. Aetai backed away from the bed, Paula approached it. She set her tea down on the table and stared down at the boy whose life she had played a part in saving and the boyfriend who had stood faithfully by his side. She smiled and when she opened her mouth, she knew they expected her to say something touching and emotional.
But those were words that were not in Paula's vocabulary.
"Tracking 100." She said firmly, still smiling. "Tracking 100 and Deductive Reasoning 101. You will both be there next semester. Aritha as well. Front row. If you do not sign up I will march down to Veronique's office and enroll you myself. Am I clear?"
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 20:01:33 GMT -5
"Crystal clear," Jason answered with a grin, looking up at Paula from where he sat, ever vigilant, at Zeph's bedside.
|
|