Friday, April 9th, 50XX
Elliot takes a deep breath in, nervous. He had the taxi driver drop him a few blocks short of the compound.
He wanted a few blocks to give himself time to collect his thoughts about what his about to do, but no matter how much he goes over the situation at hand in his head, there is too many outcomes for him to predict exactly how his story is going to end.
But he knows this is game over. Even if every other crime he committed is forgiven, the one that won't be is Allie's death. That was callous murder through and through. There's no denying what he did.
He makes it into the compound and walks up the inspection booth that has the barrier down to stop cars. "Hello, please state your official business- Then the person saying it pauses mid-sentence.
"Uhh..."
"I'm AWOL, I know."
"I was going to say you're not in a car."
"Right, well, I'm ducking under this barrier so you can just deal with it, sorry." Elliot shrugs, ducking under and popping up on other side, then keeps walking.
The security booth attendant doesn't say another word. Elliot makes his way into the main foyer and he sees someone is up-ahead at the reception window in the office. He gulps when he sees it's Vincent staffing it. His talking to a woman at the counter.
"Shit." Elliot curses under his breath, but he has no choice but to continue.
The Military now knows he is here.
As he gets to the window, he sees Vincent's face pale and the man quickly storms off out back, screaming that his done for today, that his going home followed by choice words.
Vincent has now left the desk unattended and the person he was talking to.
"Elliot?" The person says, turning to look at him. His eyes widen a little, them droop when he sees who it is.
"Mum."
"Elliot, my baby. I... I haven't seen you in 13 years."
"And what do you want me to do about that? Why are you here?"
"Elliot, listen to me. I'm your Mum, I never meant to turn my back on you."
"But you did! I was 14!" Rage filling Elliot.
"When Dad left because he was a deadbeat, you didn't be my Mum. You we're more interested in going back out onto the dating scene, sleeping with every man in sight. You bought a different man home every night and sometimes, otherwise, I didn't see you for weeks!
I was just a kid; I couldn't cook for myself or do the housework or pay the bills. I still can't really even do all that now. My housemates have to do it all for me cause I'm so stupid, and socially inept as well and fucking messed up in the head.
No one likes me, I don't like myself and I turned to a life of crime to survive. I didn't know what to do. I tried to hold a normal job at first, but I was so terrible at it.
I couldn't even do basic maths. I didn't last longer than a week at any job I took. Didn't take anyone long to realize they hired someone who had not even graduated with a high school certificate and when they found out, I was cut loose.
Every single time. And for me to go University and finish maybe was something I didn't believe I was capable of before.
My whole life is messed up, turning to a life of crime was easier and I'm not functioning. Never have. You left me to raise myself and I never really raised myself. Skipped the plate on that one."
When Elliot is done venting, years' worth of pent-up emotions, he feels better having had a chance to dish hurt out on someone who hurt him very much.
"I'm sorry that I left you, I'm sorry that I hurt you, Elliot. If I could have a million more lifetimes, I'd spend every one of them trying to make it up to you."
"And a million chances wouldn't cut it. Can you just go? I don't know even know why you're here. How you even found me, I didn't contact you ever for a reason."
"You're General reached out to me. You we're missing. You have no paperwork in place specifying who is your next kin so by default, it's me."
"And I've come back so I'm no longer missing. Just go, Mum. Leave."
"I'm sorry you feel that way. But I'd really like to make it up to you one day, Elliot. If you ever do want to reach out,
I'll be here at the drop of a hat." And she hands him a business card.
Looking over it, he sees it says she is a CEO for a business. "What business?" He asks, confused.
"I'm the head of a medical research institute and treatment provider for-"
"Did you go back to school?"
"I completed several medical and nursing degrees. If you ever want to see my building, you're welcome. Address, my number and email are on the card.
Just turn up, I'll give my receptionist a heads up about you. Goodbye for now, Elliot. I do love you even though you don't think I do. Because when you do love someone, you never stop thinking about them." And she goes, leaving Elliot behind, clutching her business card.
"Elliot..." says a voice. He looks up to see Kiera standing there in the doorway having just come from the back room. Crutches are under her arms. "Elliot, you're back?" Says Maxis popping out beside her.
"That's what the cat dragged in." He hears Vincent snicker, poking his head out. "Shut up!" Kiera hisses, punching Vincent in the shoulder who backs away immediately.
"Kiera, be careful! Your wrist is still healing."
"I'm fine. It was nothing compared to the snake bite, Maxis."
"And that could have killed you. You we're barely alive when we took custody of you. You we're unconsciousness."
"I'm fine, Maxis!"
"A snake bit you?" Elliot whispers. Kiera opens her mouth to reply when the general walks out. "Wait, Miss Coleman! Can you hold up for a moment?" He says, and she stops, pretty far away up the hall from Elliot.
He gulps, coughing a little, his throat being tickled by some forming flowers. Not now, not now! He tells himself, then it dawns on him.
Vincent knows, did he report it?
"Elliot" Says the General. "Yes, General?" He responds.
"You've done alot and are worth so much. Even if you don't see it. Even if you have some weak spots, you have strong suits too."
"I know."
"I don't think you do."
"General, I get it. But can you skip the pep talk? If you're not going to yell at me for the numerous crimes I have committed, then let me go home and have a hot shower, a decent meal and catch up on some serious sleep."
"Oh, we need to do more than have a chat about what happened on your recent mission, but I don't believe now is the right time to do it, or even tomorrow. Or next week. Or next month for that matter."
"Why?"
"We pieced together the puzzle. From Kiera's point of view, from Maxis', Vincent's. I went over everything with a fine-tooth comb.
After you, Kiera, and Vincent jumped, there was roses. Red and pink ones were found onboard Maxis' chopper, covered in blood and vomit.
Kiera reported you looked unwell and seemed off during the mission after jumping and you didn't pull your parachute.
She deployed it for you, a move that nearly broke her arm.
And the final piece, you coughed flowers covered in blood all over Vincent in the Urgent Care Centre in Centre Valley, a small town stuck in the past. A timeless classic.
Centre Valley... A small town stuck in the past? That's where he ended up... "And? Either way, I fucked up this mission and my life right now."
"Elliot, you're unwell right now. For crying out loud, do you not see this as serious?"
"It'll go away eventually... My stomach is just upset and my gut behaving weirdly."
"Elliot, this is not that straight forward. What you have has impacting your thinking, judgment and behaviour."
"Then I'll go to a blooming doctor then. I just don't like to waste money unless absolutely necessary."
"I think we're way past the point of absolutely necessary."
"What do you mean?"
"Elliot, you're very close to dying even if you don't realize it. If this had gone un-noticed any longer, you would have likely suffocated in your sleep. Been found dead one morning, a few days from now by your friends." He points out, gesturing to Kiera and Maxis.
"It's a miracle you're even here, standing before me right now."
"....."
"Do you want to know the name of what you have? Why it happens? And how it can be alleviated?"
"No."
"Okay, I'm more concerned now than I was 30 seconds ago. Maxis, please take Kiera home. Remove her from the area."
"Wait, no! You can't do this, please General!" She cries, Maxis moves her crutches aside and easily picking her off her feet and holding her close as he carries her away, her struggling against him. "Baby, please don't. Stop, stop!" She begs Maxis.
"Elliot! ELLIOT!" Tears are flowing down her cheeks. "You have to come home!
"You have too!" Her voice turns to low sobs.
"Why did you do that? Why did you hurt her like that emotionally?" Elliot snaps.
"I love you too!"
Elliot freezes when he hears the final words out of Kiera's mouth before Kiera's gone with her completely, one of the Donovan twins following them, carrying Kiera's crutches. The last thing he sees is her injured arm outstretched, desperately trying to reach for him, but she's no match for Maxis who's got her half hanging over his shoulder.
"Why did you do that?! She needs me! I'm a comfort to her, she has from the trauma she's no doubt running from. I don't want her to ever think I'll abandon her."
"But you did. You put your illness before her. You we're so distracted and not with it. And you're risking your health right now. Do you want to die, Elliot? Cause you will otherwise."
"Otherwise, what?"
"You have what is called Hamasaki Syndrome. It's not common, but it's not unheard of. At-least 100 or so cases are diagnosed and treated each year and has been for the last 20 years.
Flowers form from a seedling sprout of them continuously inside you, the lining of your stomach and throat is rupturing, which is leading to your vomiting and blood coming up too, cysts will form if they haven't already caused you immense pain. Worser pain than you're in already now and lastly, your throat will seize up and coughing or vomiting won't clear it.
You need to have surgery to clear any flowers we can see, remove the pit, check and treat any cysts. It's invasive, but you will die otherwise."
"Hugo Peterson, I'm well aware of how this procedure works. I'm now leading the refined treatment of it from the researcher's research from 25 years ago. Why am I still here?
My son clearly doesn't want me in his life. What he does with the information you're giving him is up to him. As much as I don't want to attend my only son's funeral, the choice is up to him what he does with his illness." She interjects.
"Miss Coleman, with all due respect for you, I need you to listen to me for a moment.
Elliot, we have never truly figured out why this happens, but there are old rumors and tales dating back about why. It's never really been confirmed though.
We can't cure this, but we can buy you time. The medical world is making great progress on this.
At-least 10 cases out of 100 every year, the illness does not re-occur after the flower seedling pit is removed."
Then Elliot coughs, a bit of blood hitting the floor alongside roses, but there is an absence of pink ones. The only one's present are red.
"Hang on a minute, there is no pink roses!" Vincent calls out. "Vincent, go home. You said you we're done with today." The General snaps and Vincent retreats.
Elliot shakes his head. "Let me go home, I'm overwhelmed. I'll discuss this with a doctor tomorrow."
And he prepares to turn around and leave. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Elliot." The General speaks up and he sees some other members of the Military blocking his way and standing between him and his Mum.
"You're unwell, Elliot. In most cases, the illness does not affect rationality, but you have demonstrated a decline and impulsive behaviour alongside irrational thinking.
You are being detained for diagnosis and treatment. Once you're settled and we clear the flowers, we'll chat when you can think more clearly.
I'm waving all your crimes and ignoring them as if they never happened, I'm not going to jail a man for them who is unwell, but you will need to make up with your friends and co-workers for the pain and trouble your actions have caused them.
And I suggest you smooth things over with Allie's family best you can. It took alot of convincing for me to get them to agree to not press charges. The Military is covering most of her funeral expenses.
And your future pay checks will be garnished so we don't take a massive loss in the long run. But for now, you're on medical leave.
Miss Coleman, as your son's next of kin, do we have your consent to treat your son?"
"Yes, you do. Now, I have to go. This will go more smoothly if I am not around. If you need me, call me. And if you want to talk to me, Elliot. Call me after you've had your surgery."
And then she's gone. "No, I'm not letting you do this! I don't consent!" Elliot. panics. "We don't need your consent, Elliot." The General reminds him and then he feels himself thrown the floor, several people pressing down on him
"No, no! Let go of me! Let go..." His cries become weaker as he feels a needle pressed into him, someone roll him over and a portable oxygen mask placed over his face.
---
"Elliot, Elliot. Wake up."
Elliot yawns, taking a deep breath in, his throat feels clear for the first time in ages. No tickling sensations either.
He realizes his eyes are still closed. Peeling his eyes open, they're heavy and droopy, but he manages.
"Hey, Elliot." Says a voice, their hand touching his cheek to get him to look up. "M-Maxis?" He croaks, his voice sounding off.
His standing right next to him, holding his hand. "What happened to me, they- they-"
But Charlie shushes him. "You're okay now. They cleared the flowers. You've been in and out of it for a week.
But we're goanna get you home, brother. Okay? I'm going to take you home when we can. You're probably feeling really groggy from all the medication you've been on, but you're going to start to feel clearer in the head too, okay?"
"Thank you."
"It's no problem."
"Where's Kiera?"
"She's at home, cooking spaghetti for dinner tonight. If I push a little and maybe pull some strings, I can take your home for tonight so you don't miss dinner. Your favourite meal."
"I-I'd like that."
"Cool, I'll go have a chat to the General. I'll be right back when I can. Don't worry, I am not leaving, leaving. I'll still be here in the hospital. But before I go..."
Maxis bends down and Henry feels lips against his cheek. "I love you too. Just wanted to let you know that...
We'll um talk about it further at home."
And then Maxis disappears. Elliot doesn't really think about what just happened. He just doesn't have much brain compacity at the moment to think about anything.
He moves around a bit trying to get comfortable, but he feels restricted.
Pulling a little, he feels something canvas but also webbed around his hips and arms. And a very slack version around his legs, just going across below his knees.
He gulps a bit when he realizes what they are. He quickly calls up one of his memories that are fairly solid actually.
Kade. That is what was tied around his wrist when he climbed into the passenger seat. Is he okay?
He needs to check his mobile when he gets home. Maybe, just maybe he reached out? What happened to him was scary.
Wait, does the Military even know about Kade? Did they care about where Dr V's van ended up or was that just left in the hands of the local Police and no one knows about Kade?
But he was in the gas station with Kade, there would have to have been CCTV. He'll have to try to ask Maxis later about it. He might know something, have some information.
It feels blurry in patches actually. He tries to think back further, but he can't really remember anything else other than stabbing Allie, sleeping in an alleyway, meeting Kade and arriving home.
Everything else just won't come to front much. Maybe it all will come back when he gets to relax at home and wean off the tons of medications, Maxis says his on.
He relaxes, and let's himself drift off.
---
"You ready? She's really missed you." Maxis tells him, flashing a goofy smile.
"Yeah, let's go in already. I'm starved! And I miss her." Elliot laughs.
"Alrighty then!" Maxis cheers, sliding a key in and preparing to push the door while one hand is still placed on Elliot, afraid his friend will fall over when he frowns.
"Wait a moment, this is unlocked?" and he pulls the key out, pushing the door wide open.
He pulls out his gun in less than a second. "Get behind me, Elliot"103Please respect copyright.PENANAzr7uOBQWje
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Elliot steps behind him as they both slip into their apartment.
The lights are off, but it's clear there has been a scuffle. Furniture is upturned and a pot of spaghetti is laying on its side, the content spilling out, all over the floor, clearly having been knocked off the stove.
Maxis tells him to stay put in the kitchen while he searches every room, before eventually calling the whole place as clear.
Eventually he heads back into the kitchen, switching a light on. He can see Elliot just standing there, holding something between his fingers.
"What you got there, bud? You wanna show me?" Maxis enquires. Elliot slowly turns around, holding it for him to see between two fingers.
"A ring with a snake eating its own tail?" Maxis asks, tilting his head in confusion. A look of anger in Elliot's eyes flash and he grits his teeth.
"The group from our mission outside Centre Valley. This ring with a snake eating its tail is their emblem."103Please respect copyright.PENANAzhurdQWjBH
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