Copyright October 2005
Author’s note: This story popped into my head one night, so I posted the first part of it as a story challenge on gagesworld…here’s my attempt at it. Thanks to Linda for the title
All EMERGENCY! Characters belong to MARK VII LIMITED but any and all OC’s (Original Characters) belong to me and can not be used without my permission
**Denotes thought
Death Is A Three-Letter Word
By Sherry
In the black of the rainy night, the young paramedic sat nervously in the back seat of the car, alone and cold, as he shivered from, he guessed, getting wet from the rain. His hands were bound behind him and tape covered his mouth to prevent him from screaming.
With all the twists and turns that had been taken, while being awake, plus whatever it was that one of the three men had forcibly shot into his arm, he was drowsy and incoherent, as he kept going in and out of consciousness.
Although he was in a foggy haze, he could hear four voices outside over the falling rain. They were talking rather loudly, he figured about him, but he couldn’t quite make out what was being said.
He heard the voices of his three kidnappers, but the other one, even though he couldn’t see the person’s face, he thought he recognized the voice…and it scared him.
**No…no it can’t…can’t be…why would he…no…he wouldn’t…what’s goin’ on…**
As he weakly struggled to free his hands, and having no luck, the drug once again took effect, as his eyes slowly closed and he again lost consciousness.
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
A few minutes later, the four men approached the car and opened the door and after momentarily starring at the unconscious paramedic, one of the kidnappers slightly laughed, as he spoke.
“Well…looks like Gage is still out of it. But why bring ‘im here, and what do ya want done with ‘im…why not just take the guy out in the middle of nowhere, do whatever it is that you’re gonna do to him, and dump his body and be done with it…I’m tellin’ ya, that would be a better way to take care of ‘im.”
The unknown man spoke up, and said, “No, he’s been conscious…that’s how this drug works…in an’ out for quite a few hours, it’s enough to drive a person crazy. And you brought him here because I told’cha to …and with all the money I’ve paid the three of you jerks, none of you should be askin’ any questions…or standing there tellin’ *me* how to take care of somebody. And what did you think I wanted you to do with him Snyder…do ya think I had’cha kidnap ‘im and bring him here so I could throw the guy a surprise party and make nice to ‘im? I want him dead!”
Tony Snyder heard the anger in the man’s voice and only shrugged his shoulders, but didn’t say anything else. Then, Kent Rollins foolishly spoke up.
“But, I though the two of you were friends. What happened that’s made ya suddenly hate ‘im enough ta’ kill ‘im…if I’m not bein’ too noisy that is.”
The man angrily turned on Rollins, shoving him back against the trunk of the car, holding him down, as he yelled at him.
“You *are* bein’ noisy and around me, that can be *very* hazardous to your health…and you’re just like Gage, it doesn’t pay you ta’ think, so stop doin’ it before you strain what’s left of that rock that masquerades as your brain!”
The man suddenly calmed down and composed himself as he let go of Kent. The other two kidnappers laughed at Rollins, as he stood up, straightened his shirt and slowly backed away.
“And the two of you shut up!” the man shouted.
Tony and Steve quickly became silent…they knew that it would not be smart to anger this man.
He spoke in a slightly calmer voice, that at first, held a hint of sadness, but then quickly turned to anger as he thought about what had happened.
“But, I’ll say this much…you’re right Kent…we *were* friends…very *good* friends…but after what he did…what he’s put me through…he’s no longer my friend…and I want him ta’ pay for the damage he’s done and the heartbreak he’s caused me.”
Williams, the third kidnapper, was about to say something, but stopped when he saw the look on the fourth man’s face…daring any of them to ever question his motives again, and seeing what had just happened to Kent, Steve nervously looked away and glanced back at Johnny and remained quiet…he felt this man had gone off the deep end.
The fourth man looked at the three, then looked back at Gage and grabbed a handful of Johnny’s long hair and jerked his head back, looking at him. He then spoke to the others.
“Blindfold ‘im and get this piece of trash out’a my sight before I kill ‘im right here, and then take ‘im to the warehouse over on East 57th…I’ll meet’cha there in about an hour. When you get there, take him inside and keep him tied up…and he better *not* get away…cause if he does, I’ll kill tha’ two of you in his place. You can remove the tape, but other than that, *don’t* do anything to him…I want that privilege myself.”
Hoping to be able to change the other man’s mind to allow them to beat up on Johnny…if only a little bit, Rollins smiled, as he asked, “But…what if he tries ta’ fight us…or he does tries ta’ get away…can we… well, can we rough ‘im up a bit?”
Shoving Johnny’s head forward and looking back at Rollins, the forth man replied, “Ya know, besides bein' dumb, you can also be an idiot…he's not gonna fight'cha with his hands tied behind his back. Although ...you might be right, the way I know that Gage is...he might try ta' get away...and if he does, I suppose you can teach him a lesson...but I'll repeat myself...do *not* kill him."
Steve and Kent nodded their heads, showing that they understood…even though Kent was disappointed, Steve was becoming more afraid.
Seeing they understood, he turned to Tony, and said, “Tony, you can drive me, but I’ve got a stop ta’ make along the way…I need to pick up somethin’…special…to take care of Gage.”
Tony nodded his head and as he and the unidentified man made their way to the other car, Steve reluctantly blindfolded Johnny, then he and Kent got in the car and drove off, taking the unconscious paramedic to their destination.
~~~~~~
The movement of the car is what finally brought Johnny around…at first, his brain was so jumbled that he had forgotten where he was and what was going on, as his breathing became more rapid, seeing that everything was dark, even though he knew he had opened his eyes.
After a moment, he vaguely remembered being kidnapped, drugged and taken from the parking lot of his apartment complex, and feeling the bandana that had been placed over his eyes and tied behind his head, made him realize that he was blindfolded, as he tried to calm his breathing down.
**Where are they takin’ me…I’ve gotta get away from these people…but why is this happenin’ ta‘ me…what have I done**
Gage tried to remain as quiet as he could, hoping, for one, that his kidnappers wouldn’t realize, at least not yet, that he had once again regained consciousness, and two, in hopes of maybe hearing a familiar sound to at least give him a clue as to where he was being taken, since he was unable to see.
Johnny didn’t know how long they had been moving, but he finally felt the car, as it jerked to a stop, his breathing once again increased, not knowing what has coming next. Kent unfortunately heard Johnny’s rapid breathing, and as he turned around in the seat to look at the paramedic, he spoke to him as he rubbed his hands together.
“Well Gage, you’re awake…again…now, time for a little bit’a fun.”
The words “a little bit of fun” made Johnny tense up…he became more afraid, not knowing what these two men might end up doing to him. Seeing that Gage was scared caused Kent to laugh…he received a sick feeling of satisfaction, knowing what he was putting his hostage through.
“Hmmm…hmmm…” was all Johnny could get out.
Placing a hand to his ear as he continued to laugh and make fun of Johnny, Kent said, “What was that Gage…huh…speak up, I can’t understand’cha. Oh, that’s right, I think he might be sayin’ nooooo… nooooo…is that right Johnny?”
Johnny slowly nodded his head yes.
Steve spoke up and nervously said, “Kent, leave tha’ guy alone…and remember what the boss said, we can’t kill ‘im…he said not ta’ do *anything* to ‘im.”
Laying his hand on his friend’s shoulder, Kent said, “Ah no, now…I’m not gonna let you take my fun away from me. Steve m’ boy, he said we could teach him a lesson…if we had to…but not to kill ‘im…and I think I *might* just have to teach ‘im a lesson…a good, hard lesson…but I didn’t say anything about…killin’ him…maybe just make ‘im wish he was dead. Then when the boss comes, Johnny boy won’t care if we do ‘im in. Come on, let’s get ‘im inside, it won’t be long before they get here.”
“Man, I don’t know about this, I don’t think we should do it. Look, he hasn’t done anything ta’ us…let's just let 'im go, give back the money and me and you take off…man, the boss is crazy.”
**That sounds like a good idea to me…I won’t argue with that…please let me go**
Grabbing his friend by the front of his shirt, Rollins angrily said, “Look Williams, we're not lettin' him go and it don’t matter what he’s done or not done ta’ us, he’s done somethin’ to the boss…and there’s no way I’m givin’ back *my* money…besides, the boss is gonna kill ‘im anyway. And you heard what he said, if Gage gets away, *we* die…and I’m not about to let that happen. So, unless you do wanna end up like this guys gonna, you’d better keep your mouth shut and quit feelin’ sorry for 'im!"
**Please don’t listen to ‘im man…please…you gotta help me…you guys can’t do this…you just can’t kill me for no reason…please…please don’t**
Knowing that the boss meant what he said and being afraid that he might end up dead as well, Steve sadly glanced back at Johnny as he spoke.
“Alright …okay, just let go! I know I’m gonna regret this but…let’s do it and get all this over with Kent.”
By saying each other’s names, Johnny figured that he was going to end up dying…he just couldn’t figure out why. When Gage heard the two front doors open and then slam closed, and felt the air and cold rain from outside, from the back door being opened, he tried to move away from the hands that he knew was coming for him.
Reaching inside, Kent grabbed the frightened paramedic by the arm, and said, “Come on Gage, let’s go. It’s gonna go easier on you if you don’t give us any trouble.”
**Yeah…easier on me…sure it will…you’re not killin’ me without a fight**
Not listening, Johnny again tried to move across the seat to try to get away and fight his captors, but he was unable to move quick enough, as Kent quickly became angry, reaching in and roughly jerking him out of the car by his right arm, causing the blindfolded man to almost stumble…Gage suddenly felt a hand on his other arm and back and immediately knew that it was Steve who was helping him to keep his balance and not fall to the ground.
The paramedic started thinking that maybe he might have a friend in this man...at least, he hoped he would long enough to maybe be able to get out of this mess…alive.
“Hey man, you don’t have ta’ be so rough with the guy, he’s blindfolded and can’t see so take it easy. Besides, he’s just scared, but he ain’t gonna give us any trouble…are ya Johnny?”
The two men saw, as Johnny slowly shook his head no.
Looking back at Kent, Steve said, "Now see Kent, so come on dude, chill out a little."
"Chill out...you want me ta' chill out...okay, I'll…chill out."
Johnny didn't like the tone of Kent's voice and he soon found out why...he heard what sounded like someone being pushed to the ground, then suddenly felt a fist slamming hard several times into his face and then in his ribs and stomach, causing a severe coughing spasm, as he fell to the wet road, writhing and moaning in pain…he brought his knees to his chest against the pain, but it didn't help.
Steve quickly got to this feet and pushed Rollins away from the fallen man, as he tried to help Johnny to his feet, but the paramedic couldn’t catch his breath and was unable to stand…Williams instead was finally able to help steady Johnny on his knees. The two men saw the blood from Johnny’s nose then suddenly heard as the young paramedic started to gag…Rollins just stood there, laughing, but Williams became frightened and carefully but quickly removed the tape that covered Johnny’s mouth…Gage continued to violently cough, which also made him start throwing up.
Looking up at Kent, Steve asked, “What the hell is wrong with you...why can’t’cha just leave the poor guy alone and let the boss take care of ‘im? And let’s get ‘im in outta the rain."
Mockingly, Rollins said, “Why don’t’cha leave ‘im alone…why don’t’cha leave ‘im alone… I’ve told’cha, that attitude, ’specially ‘round the boss is gonna get’cha killed…now, you better listen ta’ me.”
Letting Johnny finish, Kent grabbed his right arm, and said, “Okay Gage, come on, let’s get inside.”
Breathing hard, and still trying to catch his breath, Johnny turned his head so he could wipe his mouth on the sleeve of his uniform shirt.
Johnny softly said, “Please…please don’t…don’t do this…ta’ me…I haven’t done…anything …who are you…please let…let me go…”
“No can do Gage, I’m not lettin’ you go and die because of it. And it doesn’t matter who we are, so shut up and come on.” Kent said.
“Please…don’t do this…”
Kent jerked Johnny to his feet and pulled the blindfolded paramedic towards the warehouse …Williams reluctantly followed. Steve knew that the other men were going to kill Johnny, and like Gage, Williams didn’t know why, but knew that he didn’t want to be a part of any murder. He made a promise to himself to get the two of them out of this situation, but for the time being, he decided that he had to keep it to himself in order to keep them both alive.
Reaching the door, Kent said, “Alright Gage, ya got a step right here…step up, then keep walkin’ straight ahead till I tell ya ta’ stop.”
Johnny was already unsteady on his feet and with his hands tied behind his back and not being able to see, was only making it worse…he hesitantly and carefully stepped up, trying to make sure he didn’t fall, then went inside the cold warehouse as he was ordered.
“Why…why are you…doin’ this ta me…please…at least tell me…” Johnny softly begged, as he again began to shiver.
Reaching the chair, Kent said, “You’ll find out soon enough…okay stop and turn around and sit down.”
Kent helped Johnny to turn and sit down in the chair. Feeling himself being pushed slightly forward and the rope around his wrists being loosened, Gage thought, if only for a moment, that he might be able to pull away and run…but knowing that he probably didn’t stand a chance of escaping, Johnny decided against it and only slightly moved in the chair as he tried to get into a more comfortable position.
Johnny didn’t know if Kent was just being mean or if he thought he was trying to get away, but the cold, shivering paramedic suddenly felt his left arm being pulled and twisted behind his back, making him cry out in pain.
“Ahhhhh…no please…please stop…please…it hurts…!”¨
“Are you gonna try that again?”
“I didn’t…do anything…please stop it…it hurts…my arm…!”
“Kent, stop it!” Steve shouted.
Kent ignored Steve, and said, “Don’t lie ta’ me Gage, you were tryin’ to get away…weren’t you?”
Johnny knew the only way to get the pain to stop was to agree with his kidnapper…so he did.
“Okay…yes, yes I was…won’t do it…again please…please stop…!”
Kent let an evil grin spread across his face as he let go of Johnny’s arm, yanking the hurting paramedic back in the chair, as he tightly retied the rope around Gage’s wrists and around the back of the chair, making sure that his hostage couldn't get away.
Steve saw tears running down Johnny’s bruising checks from behind the blindfold…he wasn’t sure if it was because of what Kent had done and his arm was hurting or if it was because Johnny was scared…he figured it was a little of both.
The phone across the room suddenly started ringing…being startled, Johnny jumped. As he looked across the room, then back at Williams, Kent spoke as he spitefully tightened the rope even tighter around Johnny’s already numb and hurting wrists, causing Gage to jerk from the pain.
“I’ll get it, it’s probably tha’ boss. You stay here with Johnny and keep an eye on ‘im.”
**Like he can go anywhere…why did I ever agree to get involved in this mess…I need my head examined**
“Yeah, sure…okay.” Steve softly said.
Not being able to see, Johnny attentively listened to the footsteps that walked away from him. When he felt that the man was far enough away, he very quietly spoke to the man who remained beside him.
Johnny swallowed hard, as he softly asked, “What…what’s your name?”
“Steve.”
Trying to control his fear, Johnny begged, “Thank you for…for helpin’ me out there…but please Steve …please help me again…now…don’t let ‘im…don’t let ‘im kill me…please I haven’t…I haven’t done anything…please let me go…please…I wanna go home…I’m cold…”
Steve looked over at Kent, who, for the moment, had his back turned to them. He spoke in the same quiet voice as Johnny had.
Sympathetically, Steve said, “Man, I can’t. If I help you get away, those guys are gonna kill *me*…and then kill you…when they catch’cha…and they *would* catch’cha, believe me …these guys are crazy, total nut cases. And I’m sorry Johnny, but I don’t have a jacket or anything, if I did, I’d let you have it.”
Johnny kept trying, he could hear in this man’s voice that he really didn’t want him to get hurt and that Steve didn’t want to be there anymore than he did. For some reason, Gage felt safe with Steve.
Slowing his breathing down a bit more but still shivering, Johnny replied, ”It’s alright…been cold before so…I’ll live, I hope…but you can’t…let ‘em kill me…at least tell me what I’ve…what I’ve done…I deserve that much…don’t I…?”
Steve checked again and seeing that Rollins was still on the phone and had his back to them, he quietly spoke to their hostage.
“Yeah, you do. But I don’t know Johnny…honest, I don’t. I was just there when Kent got the call ta’ do tha’ job and he didn’t tell me why…I don’t even know if he really knows the reason.”
“Please…please let me go…”
Kent finished with the phone call and hung up and turned to see the two men talking. Being a little suspicious about what they were talking about, Kent quietly started walking towards the two and listened. He saw Williams squat down in front of Johnny.
Not knowing that Kent was listening, Steve said, “Okay, look, listen ta’ me…I’ll try ta’ get both of us outta here…I don’t want any part’a this…not murder. But no matter what happens, play along…we’ll get outta here…I promise. Just try ta’ relax some and don’t give these guys any trouble…trust me, you don’t know ‘em like I do, you don’t know what they’re capable of doin’ to a person.”
Calming down a little bit, Johnny said, “Yeah, I know…I don’t know ‘em and…I’m scared…I don’t…I don’t wanna die.”
“I know…I know…neither do I. Just keep actin’ scared and I’ll get us outta here.”
**Somehow**
“Thank you.” Johnny softly replied.
“Wait and you can thank me later…we aren’t outta here yet.”
Kent saw Johnny nod his head.
**So…you’ve decided ta’ help Gage…well, we’ll see about that…I tried ta’ warn you but I guess you have to learn the hard way **
Before Steve could answer Johnny, Kent walked back over to the two and said, “Forget it Gage, you can’t have any.”
Being startled, not knowing that Kent was coming back towards them, Johnny said, “Please…I need some…I’m gettin’ dehy…”
Johnny suddenly stopped when out of nowhere he felt a closed fist hit him again in the face…Johnny’s head jerked roughly to the left and he felt blood coming from his bottom lip.
**Oh great…first m’ nose and now m’ lip**
Yelling, Kent said, “Shut up, I said you’re not gettin’ any…and if you keep annoyin’ me, tha’ tapes gonna go back on! Do you want that ta’ happen?”
Turning his head to spit out the blood, Johnny softly said, “No…no I don’t…I’m sorry… just…just thirsty and…and I feel weird…”
“Well, get over it.”
Suddenly the three men heard a car pull up outside and the doors slam shut…Johnny became more afraid, knowing that he probably didn’t have much time left…in spite of what Steve had just promised him.
Kent leaned in close to Johnny…the paramedic could smell the order of alcohol on the breath of Rollins, as he finally spoke in a low, threatening voice.
“Well, that’s tha’ boss. Now, it’s time to take care of business…and I’m gonna enjoy this.”
They then heard the door to the warehouse open and then slam shut. Johnny felt as the weird feeling got stronger...his ears started buzzing and the voices he heard sounded muffled and distant.
**No…no you can’t do this…not again…you have ta’ stay awake**
Johnny knew what was happening, as he again blacked out. (END OF PART 1)
Tony and the unidentified man walked toward the other three…they saw Johnny's head lowered and knew that he was once again unconscious. The leader saw that Steve looked a little bit nervous and that Kent looked as if he had something that he couldn’t wait to tell him…but he decided to worry about that later, at the moment, he just wanted to take care of Gage.
Stepping up and quickly speaking, Kent said, “Well boss, here he is, just like you wanted.”
The unidentified man looked at Johnny and pulled him again by the hair, lifting his head up…he saw the blood coming from his nose and lip and the bruises that had already formed on his face.
As the man looked over at Rollins, Kent could tell that he wasn’t very happy.
Angrily, the man said, “You did it…didn’t you…you just had to beat up on him.”
Kent only shrugged his shoulders, as he replied, “He tried ta’ get away boss…honest. Plus, I just don’t like the guy.”
Turning to look at Williams, the boss asked, “Is that what happened…did he try ta’ get away?”
Steve knew that Johnny had really only tried to shift around in the chair, but seeing the look that Kent gave him, he knew that he had better not cross him…so he went along with Rollins, as he looked at Johnny, knowing that his answer might get the paramedic hurt even more.
“Ah, yeah…yeah, that’s what happened…Gage tried ta’…ta’ get away from us as we…we were bringin’ ‘im in here.”
The fourth man wasn’t convinced by what Steve said, and replied, “Blindfolded…his hands tied behind his back…and he tried to get run and get away…well, I don’t believe it. You’re both actin’ weird…what’s wrong with you guys?”
“Nothin’…nothin’ at all.” Steve softly replied, looking back at Kent.
Wanting to get on with the business at hand, Kent excitedly asked, “When are we gonna kill this guy?” .
“What’s the rush? And *we* aren’t gonna kill ‘im…*I’m* gonna do it. But I want him awake when I put him to sleep…permanently…I wanna see his face when he finds out it’s me…I wanna hear ‘im beg for his life…and tell me that I can’t kill him because we’re friends.”
“How long do you think it’ll be before he wakes up?” Tony asked.
Looking at his watch, the man answered, and said, “Well, since the drug should be wearin’ off about now and gettin’ outta his system…probably about another ten minutes or so. So, while we wait, let’s eat somethin’.”
Ten minutes later, as predicted, Johnny started regaining consciousness. Even though his mind was fuzzy, he could hear the men talking in the background and could tell they were standing off away from him…then he heard that voice.
“Let me tell you guys somethin’, Gage has always bugged me, from the day I first meet ‘im, even though I was friendly towards ‘im, I thought he was too damn cocky. And it always irritates me about the way he just goes on and on and on about things, he just doesn’t know when to shut up. Then after what he did, I want him gone…out of the way.”
Struggling to get free, Johnny whispered to himself, and said, “I was hopin’ that…I was wrong…that it wasn’t him…and now I know…what he really thinks of me…but what have I done…why does he hate me…why…why is he doin’ this?”
Hearing Johnny struggle, the four men started walking over to him.
**Oh no…I’m dead**
Reaching Gage, Tony grabbed his neck from behind and squeezed, as he asked, “Hey Johnny, what are you tryin’ ta’ to…get away?”
“Now, we can’t be havin’ that Gage ‘ol boy.” Kent replied.
Being tense, Johnny answered, “Please…please don’t…don’t hurt me…let me go…”
The man motioned for Tony to let go, and as he did, Kent walked over and slapped Johnny across the face…the unidentified man softly chuckled in amusement and Steve just stood there, wishing that there was something he could do for Johnny.
After a moment, Johnny turned his head back, and softly spoke.
“Please…please let me go…I think I know…who you are…but I don’t know…what it is that…that I’ve done…but I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…just don’t hurt me.”
The unidentified man walked over and stood in front of Johnny and motioned for Steve to remove the blindfold, which he did. With Johnny’s eyes being covered for as long as they had been, he squinted against the light, as it took them a few minutes to adjust. Even before they did, Johnny knew who it was…he couldn’t believe that this man, who he would have given his life for if necessary, without even having to think about it, and who he thought was his friend, could have done this to him. For a moment, all he could do was sit there, starring at the man that stood before him.
Finally being able to speak, Johnny said, “Oh god no…I was right…it *is* you…but why…why are you doin’ this…what I have I ever done…ta’ you…I thought we were friends.”
Not thinking, Kent slapped the man on the shoulder, and said, “You were right boss, that’s exactly what you said he’d say. He knows you too well Gage.”
The man pulled out his gun and pointed it at Kent, pulling the hammer back.
“Do *not* touch me!”
Rollins became frightened and quickly put his hands up in front of him and spoke.
“Whoa boss, now wait a minute…sorry, I didn’t mean ta’ touch ya…but you can’t kill me, I’m loyal ta’ you…and I’ve *always* done everything you’ve asked, no matter what’s it’s been I’ve done tha’ job, no questions asked. But now…Steve here…he promised Gage that he’d help ‘im get away…even told him that all of us were crazy…I swear, I heard the two of ‘em talkin’.”
Steve started backing away, frightened, knowing what was coming next. The boss turned the gun on Williams, and he knew that he and Johnny were both about to die.
As he struggled to get free and hopefully stop Steve from dying, Johnny yelled, “No…you can’t kill ‘im!”
The man turned and looked at Johnny, as he slapped him across the face.
“Watch me.” the man coldly replied.
Hoping to buy himself and Johnny some time. Steve said, “No boss…don’t kill me…I didn’t…I didn’t do anything…he was on tha’ phone…he didn’t hear anything…he‘s lyin‘.”
Johnny turned his head back and was about to say something else, but his voice was drowned out by the two gunshots. He watched in horror, as Steve fell to the floor, bleeding from his chest, as he slowly closed his eyes. After the man laid the gun down and reached into the pocket of his coat, Gage sat back in the chair when he suddenly saw a gun being pointed at him.
The man spoke and said, “You wanna know why I’m doin’ this Johnny…because you irritate me. But mostly because of what you did ta' me...the total hell you’ve put me through."
Johnny didn’t have a clue what the man before him was talking about. He just kept struggling to free his hands
“What I…what I did ta’ you…I wish you’d tell me what it was…I…I didn’t do anything…I swear I didn’t…”
The man again slapped Johnny across the face, before he spoke to him again.
“Don’t play dumb Gage, you know exactly what you did…you killed them, you murdered my family…my wife that I loved more than my own life…my kids that I would die for…and kill for. And now, I’m going to, you get to join them.”
Again turning his head back, Johnny saw the gun that was being held closer to him.
“I brought this gun to take care of you Gage…it belonged to my great grandfather and he killed many people with it. Before he died, he gave it to me…it’s my…special gun…the one I save for…special occasions …and I consider taking care of you…a *very* special occasion. Good-bye Johnny.”
Johnny saw and felt as the gun was placed to the side of his head…closing his eyes, the last thing the paramedic heard was the hammer falling and himself screaming.
“Nooooo!”
~~~~~~
“Nooooo…don’t please…don’t do it…nooooo…!”¨
“Johnny…Johnny, calm down and relax…come on now, you’ve had surgery so you need to lay still, to give yourself a chance to heal and get well.”
Johnny could hear Roy’s voice but it sounded muffled and distant, but when he opened his eyes and saw Roy and Hank standing over him, he panicked, as he started to fight his partner as he tried to get away.
“No…no don’t…let ‘im…hurt me…please I…I didn’t…didn’t do it…I…I swear…they’re …they’re okay…please don’t…”
It scared Roy and Hank to see the way their friend was acting…they all knew that Johnny always had trouble whenever he’d had surgery and was coming out of the anesthesia, but he had never acted afraid. Roy placed his hands on Johnny’s arms to try to calm him down, as Hank stepped over to the other side of the bed…DeSoto immediately saw Johnny look at their Captain and tense up
“Johnny…relax, it’s me, it’s Roy…and Cap…you’re just wakin’ up from bein’ put to sleep…you’re in Rampart so just relax, you’re okay. Stay calm so you don’t pull that IV out.”
Rampart…put to sleep…IV…those words finally sank into his foggy brain and blinking his eyes a few times to clear his vision and feeling some pain and discomfort in his lower right side, and seeing that he was in a bed, Johnny finally realized where he was and slowly relaxed.
Taking a few shallow breaths, and wincing due to the pain, Johnny softly said, “Put…ta’ sleep…surgery …what…what happened…ta’ me…did I get…get hurt…?”
“No Junior, you didn’t get hurt, but Brackett and Early *did* have to perform emergency surgery on ya. We were at the Station, in the locker room…you had been actin’ a little …off…I guess is the best way ta’ put it…all day, like you weren’t feelin’ very good, and then all of a sudden you bent over and fell in the floor and was layin’ there in terrible pain. Brackett said that your appendix came pretty close to rupturing partner, and if it had, we could’a lost’cha. You’ve had an infection and been runnin’ a pretty high fever as well so you’ve been out of it for a while. You should’a told me…or any of the guys that you weren’t feeling good.”
Sleepily, Johnny replied, “Appendix…oh man I…remember…been hurtin all…all day …hurtin’ some now…but I know I should’a …said somethin’…sorry…but how long…have I been out of it…?”
“Oh, a little over a week. Like Roy said, you’ve been pretty sick.”
Being surprised, Johnny said, “Over a…a week…I wanna go home…but I had a…a weird dream Pally…”
“Yeah, from your screamin’ me and Cap could tell. And, I figured you’d say that but you’re gonna be here for a little while longer so you can’t go home just yet, but I can call Brackett, if you need somethin’ for the pain Junior."
Roy stood and started to reach for the call button, but seeing Johnny shaking his head no, made him stop and sit back down in the chair that was beside his friend’s bed. The older paramedic could tell that his best friend was sleepy, and he knew that any pain medication would put his friend to sleep within a matter of minutes. Johnny slowly turned his head to look at his left arm, seeing the IV that was inserted into it and taped down, and then he lifted his right hand and rubbed it over his face.
“What kind of dream did you have Johnny?” Hank asked.
Quietly and tiredly, Johnny spoke and said, “My dream…there were…three guys and…and you Cap…you had me…kidnapped from my…apartment…they drugged me…you were so…so mad at me…kept sayin’ that…I had killed Carrie an’…the kids…never said how…even saw ya…kill somebody…but you were real…mad at me… pointed the gun…at m’ head and… pulled…the trigger…but I tried ta’…tell ya that I didn’t …didn’t do it…but you…you wouldn’t…lis…listen ta’ me…you…you killed me…side…hurts…”
Roy and Hank saw as their friend was getting upset and that it was causing Johnny more pain. Hank tried to calm his young paramedic down.
“Johnny, it’s alright, just calm down. It was just a dream…I’m not mad at’cha, I didn’t kill anybody and I'm certainly not gonna kill you Pal and Carrie and the kids are fine…so just take it easy. I guess now instead of bein’ sick as a dog after surgery, you’re gonna start havin’ weird dreams huh.”
As he relaxed, Johnny slightly smiled, as he replied, “Yeah…I guess so…but I don’t…want either…and I hate…ta’ say this…but Cap…Pally...”
Looking at Johnny’s face, Roy and Hank figured they knew what was coming next.
“Yeah?”
“I think…I’m gonna be…be…”
Quickly jumping backwards, Roy said, “Oh Junior.”
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