“Come on, Becki! Come play!” I wanted to go to her, to hug her, see her shining hazel eyes, to never let anything happen to her ever again, but I knew…
“I’m sorry, Bandit.” I whispered, or at least I think I did, cuz I hadn’t moved my lips. “I’ve still got things to do, sweetheart. It’s not my time. But don’t worry. When I do come to join you, we’ll play all the time. I promise.”
And I was back.
I heard a faint beeping, and I took a deep breath, smelling bitter cleaning products. There was something in my mouth, I was groggy and I felt stiff. I heard a faint rhythmic drip, and I focused on that.
1…2…3…4… I kept counting, and when I reached 145,978 drips, I heard guitar strumming, and someone humming sadly. I’d know those sounds anywhere. And with every bit of strength I had, I pried my eyes open.
Bright white light was the first thing I saw, and after a minute my eyes adjusted, and I looked around. I was in the hospital, and the first thing I saw were Gerard, Frank, Mikey and Ray sitting in 4 different seats around me, not speaking. Ray had his guitar and was sadly strumming it, and Gerard was humming along from his seat beside the sleeping Frank and Mikey.
“Ghee? Way?” I tried to say, but with the tube, it sounded weird, but they heard it none the less. Gerard and Ray’s heads snapped up, deep bruise purple bags under their eyes.
“B…Becki?” Gerard asked, his eyes flaring with hope.
I chuckled, and whispered,
“Who else, shilly?” I tried lifting one of my arms, “Hug?”
Gerard and Ray shared a look, and at once they both jumped up, Ray running out, calling for a nurse, while Gerard walked slowly to my side.
“Is it really you, Becki?” He seemed to be fighting back tears, and I tried my best to smile at him.
“The one and only Becki Toro Iero Way.” He laughed, and I saw tears fall. I blinked in surprise. I’d never seen him cry before… I reached up as far as my stiff board like arm would go, it barley reaching his chine, but I wiped away his tears, and he smiled.
“Don’t cry, Ghee.”
Just then a lady with red hair rushed in with Ray right behind her, pushing past Gerard and resting her hand on my forehead.
“Hello, dear. How are you feeling?”
I swallowed and said,
“A lot better if I didn’t have tube in my throat.”
She smiled, and ever so carefully pulled the 4 inch long tube from my throat. I smiled, and said cheerfully,
“Much better.”
“Beck!?” I looked over at Frank, who, now wide awake, was looking at me with wide relief. I grinned at him,
“No, Frankie, my name is really Buffy, and I kill vamps for a living.” I rolled my eyes, and he grinned.
“What’s with all the noise?” Mikey murmured, rubbing his eyes. Frank yanked him to his feet, leaving Mikey stumbling.
“Our daughter’s up!” Frank cried with joy. All sleepiness disappeared from Mikey’s face, and as he saw me, his eyes lit up like the 4th of July.
“Beck! Thank God!!”
“Nurse?” I asked, not looking away from the guys.
“Yes, Miss. Way?” I blinked in surprise, but smiled.
“Am I well enough to be hugged by my fathers?” She looked a little nervous and was hesitating when Gerard said,
“We’ll be careful. We almost lost her once. We aren’t about to risk it again.”
The nurse looked from me to them, and after a moment, nodded, smiling.
“Alright. Just be careful. One hug each while I go get the Doctor.” As she left, Mikey rushed forward, hugging me best around all my IV’s, but he looked about to cry.
“God, I’m sorry, Becki. If only I’d been looking-” he was saying quietly, but I only tightened my arm, burring my head in his neck.
“It’s not your fault, Mikey. Blame the asshole who made you do it.” He laughed and was still hugging me when Ray cleared his throat.
“We’d like a turn with our daughter, too, ya’know?” He said.
Mikey gave me one last squeeze, and pulled away, gesturing to Frank to go next. Frank smiled, his arms wrapping around me as much and as close as possible.
“Becki. Don’t you ever, EVER, do that to us again, you hear me?” His voice was rough, and I knew how much almost losing me scared him. I sniffled, whispering a “yeah.”
“Alright Frank! My turn!” Ray said, playfully pretending to yank Frank away from me. I laughed, and realized I’d never hugged Ray directly, and as he bent down, it felt…different. He reminded me of someone… then it hit me.
He reminds me of Daddy!
The thought scared me, but I knew Ray was nothing like Dad, and after a moment, he pulled away, kissing my forehead before he did.
“Glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I said without thinking. He looked at me in surprise, and I blushed, embarrassed. He hesitated for a moment, then grinned sheepishly, ruffling my hair.
“My turn, Ray!” Gerard said, smiling. I grinned up at him, and blushed at how familiar his arms felt as they wrapped around me.
“I’m sorry, Gee.” I whispered.
“For what, baby?”
“For scaring you. For almost choosing Banditta over you guys.” He pulled away, his eyes wide in shock.
“You mean…”
“Yeah, all the way to heaven’s door. But…” I stopped, as a doctor, an elderly woman walked in, smiling.
“Well, well, look who’s awake. My name is Dr. Eliza Smith.” She said, walking over to the machines and checking them all before turning to me.
“You, Miss. Way, are very fortunate to have such caring friends. But I need to speak with them a moment. Will you be alright?” I rolled my eyes, but a quick glance from Frank made me bite my snide remark.
“Yes, Dr. Smith. I’ll be fine.”
She nodded, her smile strained now.
“This way, Gentlemen.” They all looked reluctant to leave me, but after I nodded, they followed Dr. Smith out the door. I sat back, thinking happy, marshmallows light thoughts.
Things I’d do when I got out of here. Get Gerard to teach me more about art, get Frank and Ray to help me learn guitar better and compete with Mikey for the coffee every morning while we could spar. I was so happ-
Just then a loud “NO!” came from outside, shattering my happy feeling into thousands of pieces. And then I heard the voices.
“You can’t adopt her! I’m sorry! Mr. Way, please listen-!” Dr. Smith tried to say.
“No! She has no one else! We’re all she has now!” Frank interrupted, his voice alive with rage.
“I understand that, Mr. Iero, but-!”
“You can’t take her!” Mikey challenged.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Way.” A woman’s voice said, tight and emotionless. “But due to state law, she is now under my authority until she becomes of age. Boys, please go tend to our young lady.”
Just then, two men walked in, CPS written on their uniforms. I froze.
“No! Gerard! Gee!!” I cried, and I could see the guys try and get in but more men were holding them back. I tried to get off the bed, but the men pinned my arms down, and I fought like my life depended on it. “Frankie!!!”
“Becki!!” I saw red hair and tattooed arms, but they were being held back.
No! They can’t do this!
“Daddy!!!” I couldn’t believe what I’d shouted, but I knew I was calling for Ray. “Mikey!!” I felt tears pour down my cheeks. The men tried to tie my wrist down, but in my furry, I whipped back and hit him across the face. “Get the fuck off me!!!”
“Becki!!” Gerard finally pushed through, and he was instantly with me, holding me to him tightly. I clung to him, feeling the CPS men try and pull him away. I held on, but I could feel his leather jacket begin to slip under my hands.
“No!! You can’t take him from me!! No!!” I shouted, feeling Gerard being pulled, my grip on him loosening. “Gee!!” I grabbed his arm frantically, and for a moment, we locked eyes. His were wild, full of defiance, fear and determination. Then he was gone, his hand ripped from me. The last thing I saw was his hazel eyes and red hair, his voice calling out.
“BECKI!!!” And he was gone.
“NOOOOO!!!!!!!” I shrieked, sobbing as I tried to run to the door. “Gerard!! Frank!! Mikey!!! Daddy!!!” They grabbed me again, and I kicked and screamed until I felt a needle prick my arm, and I instantly felt sleepy, but I fought it. “You damn son-of-a-bitches!! Give me my fathers’ back!!”
“Calm down!! Calm down, you brat!” one man shouted, his arm restraining my own. Wild, I turned and bit his shoulder as hard as I could. He cried out in pain, and I tasted blood. They eventually tied my arms down and they left me, sitting in my now dead hospital room. I looked at the door, wildly hoping for a glimpse of red or blond, tattooed arms or an afro. But nothing came. I skillfully undid my restraints, but instead of running, I sat there, my body numb and shaking uncontrollably.
“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no-!” I muttered to myself.
Unable to think, I brought my legs up and wrapped my arms around them, clutching to them like they were the last life preserver from the Titanic.
After one last look at the door, I burst into tears. The future I’d once looked forward to was now gone, a burnt pile of ash. I cried until whatever they shot me with finally took effect, and it dragged me into a fitful, dreamless sleep. I slept for over 3 days, forcing myself back to sleep every time I woke up. I didn’t eat anything. I only laid there. I felt dead, and I had no life left in me.
But on day 4, I woke to the sound of a woman’s voice.
“My god. She looks just like her father.” My eyes flashed open, and I automatically saw a woman standing with the red haired nurse, whose name tag read “Megan”. She had long black hair and hazel eyes, and was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. My eyes widen.
“Oh! Becki! I never-“ she stumbled over her own words, and I sat in shock.
“You….”
To Be continued.
Hello, Mi Familia ^^
So, about this becoming a comic, im not gonna do it. but i will be creating pictures of certain scenes.
^^ so enjoy, dearest readers.
