by Lucky Charms

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Feedback is always welcome: luckycharms@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © 2004 by Lucky Charms. All Rights Reserved.

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Chapter 15

Date: October 1, 3021
Time: 11:00pm
Location: New Hope Hospital

Brent watches with intense interest as the surgeons’ work frantically on the three gaping wounds in Aeryk’s back. He shakes his head slightly and turns to see Derryk walking toward him.

"Well?" Derryk asks, expectantly. "How does it look?"

"He lost a lot of blood." Brent says. "The paramedics were amazed he was still breathing when they got him here. I spoke with one of the doctors, and they’re doing what they can to keep him alive."

Derryk grimaces. "Is it fatal?"

Brent shakes his head again. "From what they can tell right now no vital organs were hit, the same with his spinal cord." He sees Derryk’s face grown dimmer and places a hand on his shoulder. "They’re doing what they can. I’m sure Aeryk will pull through this. Have you contacted Brian’s family?"

Derryk nods, not taking his gaze away from Aeryk. "They’re on their way. I called Jackie and the others, so they should be here soon as well." His face suddenly contorts in fury. "If I find out who did this to them I’ll..."

"Mr. Smith?" A female doctor holding a large envelope says softly. "Hi, I’m Doctor Whalen."

Derryk shakes her hand. "What’s the news?"

Doctor Whalen escorts the two over, pulls out several x-rays, and attaches them to an illuminated board. "I have some bad news." She points to a lower section of the picture. "Aeryk’s left lung and heart have been severely damaged. The surgeons are doing what they can to keep the lung from collapsing, but with his heart..." Doctor Whalen shakes her head.

Brent grimaces and gives Derryk a sympathetic look. "What are his chances Doctor?" He asks.

"We have our best surgeons on the job." She says reassuringly. "Though I’ve dealt with Aeryk for a brief amount of time, I think he’s a strong man and will pull out just fine. By the way, I see his friend’s upstairs. How is he doing?"

"Just fine." Derryk replies. "Thank you Doctor."

"Well, there isn’t much more I can do here." She says. "I’ll be around if you need to ask any questions." Doctor Whalen smiles as she walks toward her office.

Derryk falls heavily onto a padded bench and stares in mute awe at the room full of nurses and surgeons working furiously to save a stranger’s life. "Oh my God." He mutters as he rests his head on his fingers. "What am I going to tell the others?"

Brent lowers his head in thought a moment. "You better tell Brian first."

"But his parents..."

Brent looks up again. "He needs to know. Brian’s parents know Aeryk well enough."

Derryk nods slightly. "I guess you’re right Brent." He rises from the bench and heaves out a sigh as he runs his hands through his hair. "How can you Doctors do it?"

"Telling the loved ones that someone they care about might be dying?" Brent shakes his head. "I, myself, never understood how we could."

Derryk begins the heavy task of alerting Brian about Aeryk’s condition as he slowly makes his way toward the elevator in a daze. This is impossible. How could this be happening? Just hours ago I was with him! He looked so happy and alive... Derryk lets out a long breath as he enters the elevator and orders it to the proper level. I’ve come to love Aeryk more than he’ll ever know. I’m only sorry that I didn’t see it sooner. It’s going to be hard, loving him and be forced to keep quiet about it. If I were only as carefree as he is.

The elevator slows to a halt and Derryk makes his way toward Brian’s room and sees Barbara and George speaking with their son. He knocks on the door and clears his throat. "Am I interrupting anything?"

Brian turns his head and smiles faintly at Derryk. "Hey Chief. Come on in. This is my mother, Barbara and my father, George."

Derryk shakes hands with both people and falls silent a moment. "I, uh, came here to tell you about Aeryk’s condition."

Brian sits up, immediately not liking the tone in Derryk’s voice. "Is it bad?"

"His left lung and heart were damaged during the attack, and with the loss of blood..." He trails off. "We don’t know if he’ll survive the operation."

"What?" Brian gasps, fighting the sudden tears in his eyes. "You’re lying...!" He breathes.

"Brian, what are you doing?" Barbara cries as she sees her son leaving his bed. "You’re still weak from before!"

Brian shoves past his parents and stumbles toward the door. "Which way?" He pleads to Derryk. "Tell me!"

"Please Brian, you need to rest." Derryk says softly.

"Where is he?" Brian yells, grabbing at Derryk’s shirt with tears falling down his face. "I have to see him... please."

Derryk looks over to Brian’s parents, who nod. "Okay Brian, come with me."

As they watch Brian walk off with Derryk, Barbara falls close to her husband. "George..." She whispers.

"I know Barbara, come on." The two follow after the other men.

Brian races out of the elevator the moment it opens and demands Derryk show him the way. Luckily, Brian is wearing a more concealing hospital robe, as the older ones were far too embarrassing. His bare feet fall noisily along the tile as he makes his way toward the operation room.

"Brian!" Jackie calls out in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"Where is he?" Falling onto Jackie as he legs give out.

Jackie holds onto the trembling Brian and looks up at Derryk with fearful eyes. "He can’t..." She mutters to him. Derryk nods curtly to Jackie who slowly nods in understanding. "Brian, the doctors are..." She looks over through the window and watches the surgeons continue trying to bring back Aeryk’s lost heartbeats. "Trying to..." Her voice gives out.

Brian looks up at Jackie’s pained expression then over into the surgery room. He lunges for the window and forces his legs to support him. Oh my God, no! "Aeryk!" He pounds his fist on the thick fiberglass window, but the doctors ignore it.

The seven officers watch for long moments as the doctors fight to save Aeryk’s life.

"Alright, I think we’ve done all we can. Nurse, if you’ll please." The head surgeon asks and watches as the nurse shuts down the life support system. "Time of death, 3 o’ clock in the a.m." He sighs as he takes off his gloves. "You did your best everybody."

The doctors and nurses bow their heads as they slowly shuffle out of the room. The head surgeon looks up and notices Brent and smiles faintly. "Brent, long time no see."

"James." Brent says shaking the other mans hand.

"What brings you here?" Brent looks over at Aeryk’s body. "Oh, sorry man. I didn’t know." He notices the rest of the grief stricken group. "Is this his family?"

Brent shakes his head. "No, he has no family."

"A wife..." James asks.

Brian steps forward. "No. I’m the next best thing though."

"And you are...?" Kirk inquires.

"His boyfriend." Brian ignores the shocked gasp of his mother. "Can I go in and see him?"

James gives Brent a questioning look before nodding to Brian. "Go ahead."

Brian readies himself and slowly walks into the quiet operation room. He gazes down at Aeryk’s pale, calm face and brushes a hand through his soft brown hair. Brian reaches down and collects Aeryk’s still warm hand in his and raises it to his face. "Aeryk," He whispers kissing the other man’s hand. "Did you see me? I told them." Brian places Aeryk’s hand down gently. "Come on, you’re supposed to tell me how much of an idiot I am for taking so long." He chuckles. "Open your eyes Aeryk, please."

Jackie and the others stand silently in the doorway and listen with broken hearts at Brian’s plea to Aeryk. "Brian..." Jackie begins.

"Why do you guys look so sad?" Brian turns and looks at the six other officers. "He’s just playing a joke on us." He turns back and grins at Aeryk’s motionless body. "Good one Aeryk. You can open your eyes now, we’re on to you."

Brian waits patiently for Aeryk to obey, but is doomed to failure. "Aeryk, open your eyes baby. Come on, this isn’t funny anymore." He leans over and grabs his love’s shoulders. "Aeryk, open your eyes. Damn it Aeryk, open your eyes!" He roars as he begins to shake Aeryk’s body violently.

Aaron and Brent rush up and pull Brian away. "Brian, stop it..." Aaron pleads. "’E’s dead, let ‘im go."

"Damn you Aeryk!" Brian snarls, fighting against the other men’s grip. "The hell do you think you are, huh? Listen to me damn it and come back!" Barbara places a gentle hand on her son’s shoulder and he faces her with a pained expression. "Mom..."

Barbara pulls Brian into a fierce embrace and holds him as he falls to his knees, crying unashamedly.

Aeryk closes his eyes and raises his face to the warm sun as a gentle breeze brushes across his face. He looks around the hills, spotted with trees and bushes, and the large lake bordering it. A seagull flies by, drawing Aeryk’s attention with it to the remnants of a large bridge in the distance. He looks to his left and sees a large tower-like structure with a long beacon on the top. "How did I get here? This place looks familiar, somehow."

"That’s because this is what’s left of Seattle." A deep voice says from behind.

Aeryk whirls around and sees a large white tiger, with intelligent yellow eyes, sitting on its haunches gazing at him. "You...?"

"I’m Byakko." The tiger says.

Aeryk grimaces. "Oh, another one."

The tiger God chuckles. "You were definitely more spirited than the last one, that’s for sure."

Aeryk slowly sits on the soft grass and stares at the tiger. "Well? Get on with it."

"Oh, and what is it I’m supposed to do?"

"Where’s the mysterious scenery, the obnoxious chanting of your name?" Aeryk scoffs.

Byakko shakes his head. "They were right, you are difficult."

"I’m only difficult if the situation presents itself as thus!" Aeryk snaps as he rises to his feet and walks toward the tiger fearlessly. "I’m getting real sick of this, got it? Now, I want answers!"

"And speaking with me in that tone of voice will get you those answers?" Byakko responds sarcastically. "Calm yourself Aeryk, and I’ll do what I can to answer your questions."

Not prepared for this, Aeryk falls back slightly. "Oh, okay."

The tiger heaves out a sigh. "You are son ji, the Sacred Child." He begins. "Destined to save this world from the evil of the Lan Long, the Blue Dragon."

"The Blue Dragon? Wait a second, that’s the name of the worlds largest crime ring!" Aeryk states. "What do they have to do with this?"

"Not they, her." Byakko says. "The leader of the ring is the descendent of the previous ruler of the Lan Long. She is the one you had to worry about, and a select few I assume."

"Wait just a moment." Aeryk says. "I’m having a hard time with this. How about we start from the beginning?"

Byakko nods. "Alright. It began with the birth of the world. My brothers Genbu, Seiryuu, Suzaku, and I came to this chaotic planet and brought order. Genbu, the God of the North brought about the earth in which he supports all like on the back of his shell. Seiryuu, the God of the East, brought the skies and justice with his hands. Suzaku, the God of the South, brought the fire and scorched the land so that life bringing new life to the world. And I, Byakko the God of the West, brought the waters that sustain all life."

Aeryk nods and falls onto the soft ground again. "So where does the Lan Long fall into this?"

"Patience!" Byakko snaps. "The four of us then created a soul that would carry out our will of keeping peace throughout the world and created the Sacred Child and gave to him seven Guardians that will protect him from the dangers of the chaotic dragon, Lan Long. The abilities of the Guardians varied. The one with the sign of the Ogre upon his forehead possesses tremendous fighting capabilities. The one with the sign of the Star on his neck possess unbeatable leadership qualities. The one with the sign of the Willow upon her chest carries great strength. The one with the sign of the Water Well across his knee is a magus. The one with the sign of the Wing on his arm can summon scorching fires." Byakko snickers. "Suzaku’s favorite. Anyway, the one with the sign of Sadness upon his hand can heal the direst of wounds or the gravest of illnesses. Finally, the one with the sign of stretch upon his foot possess the vast knowledge of the ages past, present, and to come."

"So what you’re saying," Aeryk begins. "Is that Brian and my friends are the Guardians?"

Byakko nods. "See, you can learn!"

Aeryk frowns. "Anyway..."

The tiger nods. "Lan Long sought out his most pious believers and gave them the task of bringing chaos back into the world."

"And the ring and necklace...?"

Byakko snorts. "Lan Long disguised himself as a priest and went to the Temple of the Sacred Child and convinced the four High Priests to create them. He told them that the Sacred Child might try to take over the world if they did nothing to contain him. It was a grand scheme of hoping to obtain the objects upon completion and use them to enslave the Child. They obviously have failed. However, the magic they used to create the artifacts was too strong and any attempt to destroy them proved fruitless."

Aeryk nods in understanding. "So, the only way for me to unlock the power is to find the temples and use the spell to summon you?"

Byakko nods.

Aeryk rises to his feet. "Thanks for telling me this Byakko. It’s starting to make sense to me, sorta. When do I wake up?"

"Wake up?" Byakko asks.

"Yeah, I’m usually dreaming when this is going on." Aeryk replies.

Byakko bows his head in shame. "Oh, you think you’re dreaming. I thought by answering the questions, your soul would..."

"What are you talking about?" Aeryk asks suspiciously.

"Come with me." Byakko begins walking off with Aeryk close behind.

"What’s going on here?"

Byakko pauses before a large bush. "Push it aside." He says solemnly.

Aeryk obeys and cries out in shock when he sees Brian draped over his motionless body. "Am... am I dead?"

"The wound was too much for your body." Byakko says.

Aeryk stares disbelievingly at the scene before him. Dead? How can I be dead? That’s impossible! "I can’t be dead." Aeryk whispers.

"I’m sorry Aeryk." Byakko says. "Don’t worry, they’ll fight the Lan Long and secure the future until the next Child arrives and..."

"Send me back." Aeryk turns on the tiger. "There has to be a way!"

"Aeryk I..."

"I lived through a building falling on me. I think I can survive through this!"

Byakko looks away. "It has never been done before. Even if you could go back, who knows if it can be done again?"

"I’m planning on doing it only once." Aeryk says seriously.

Byakko nods slightly. "Okay. You must return to the place where your life began. There you will encounter the one thing that has kept you alive thus far, and destroy it."

"I understand."

"There is nothing more I can do to help you Aeryk." Byakko says as he begins to fade away. "You’re on your own."

Aeryk looks back and sees Brian and the others form a mourning circle around his body. "Don’t worry guys, I’m coming home soon." He then turns and races toward the very place where he was born, Swedish Medical Hospital.

Date: October 2, 3021
Time: 4:08am
Location: New Hope Hospital

Joe looks down at Aeryk’s body, a tear in his eye. I can’t believe he’s gone. One of the few people in this world who actually cared for me. He believed in me when I had doubts. He saved my job.

He turns and silently walks out of the room and down the vast hallways of the large, quiet hospital. "What’s going to happen now?" He asks. "In the short amount of time I’ve worked with him, I feel we became real close. No, it was that book that brought us together." Joe shakes his head. "Why would anyone like Aeryk ever want to hang out with a dork like me?"

Who said you were a dork? A voice calls to Joe.

Joe turns and sees Aeryk smiling at him. "Aeryk?"

You’re not a dork Joe, just misunderstood. He grins. What’s bothering yah?

Joe realizes that there isn’t a sound coming from anywhere in the hospital, not even a nurse walking by. "Um, nothing." He mutters, looking down at his feet.

Come on Joe, we’ve done this before. Talk to me. I can’t hurt yah. Aeryk chuckles. I’m dead remember?

"Don’t say that!" Joe cries. "How can you be so casual about something like that? What’s going to happen now? What’s going to happen to Brian?" He demands.

Is that what’s bothering you? What happens now?

Joe sits on a bench and nods. "I’ve never been too comfortable thinking about it. But I’m scared Aeryk."

Scared of what? The ghost walks over and sits next to Joe, smiling at him warmly.

"The future." Joe replies. "I’ve tried to avoid thoughts of what I’m going to do or what I’m going to be."

Everybody’s afraid of the unknown Joe. That’s what makes us human. Do you think I wasn’t afraid five years ago when I saw my family die before me? Aeryk says. I was terrified! I was a scared sixteen year old, truly all alone in the world with no one to support me. You have family and the guys at work behind you now. If anything, I know Brian will support you one hundred percent.

Joe turns away at the mention of Brian’s name. "Yeah, I guess."

Is there something else you want to talk about? Aeryk asks.

"What’s it like?" Joe asks, looking back at the ghost before him.

Everything I can’t describe to you. Aeryk winks. When your time comes, you’ll find out. Until then, He rises from the bench. Live on Joe. The world may seem like it’s against you, but it’s not. You have a full and wonderful life ahead of you.

Joe smiles genuinely. "Thanks Aeryk. I’ll miss you."

I’ll miss you to Joe. He turns to walk away. And watch your foot.

Joe gives the vanishing ghost a funny look just before a strange and irresistible itch attacks his right foot. Looking around to see if anyone’s watching, momentarily forgetting that there is still no one around, Joe takes off his shoe and sock to see the a red kanji for "stretch" glowing brightly on his foot. "What the...?" Joe cries.

"Is something the matter?" A passing nurse asks Joe.

Joe looks up in terror and sees that, suddenly, everything has returned to the way it was before Aeryk arrived. "Uh," He looks back at his foot and sees that the kanji has vanished. "No, just an itch."

Brent places a compassionate hand on Brian’s back before slowly leaving the room just after Joe. Poor guy. I know what he must be going through right now. I’ve lost someone important to me as well Brian. He looks into the room once more before heading down the empty and silent hallway. Aeryk was the one that kept this group going. Hell, he was the one that kept me going. All those times I thought I fooled everybody else into thinking when the times I cried, dust got into my eyes or something. He smirks. Aeryk always knew better though. I often found myself talking to him for hours about Shannon.

"Damn, I miss her so much." Brent looks up as a tear falls down his face. "I’ll miss you too Aeryk."

Shannon misses you too Brent. Aeryk’s voice calls.

Brent looks back and sees Aeryk smiling at him. "A-Aeryk? You’re a ghost!"

Not the best greeting, but given the circumstances... He winks. How’re you holding up?

"Not so well." Brent admits. "Just thinking about Shannon again."

Still blaming yourself? Aeryk asks.

"I was the best doctor around, and yet I couldn’t save my own wife!" Brent cries. "I felt as if I should’ve done something."

What could you have done? You’re only human Brent. You can’t save every life that comes across you.

Brent nods with a sigh. "I see what you mean. But there’s always that ‘what if’."

Ah, the infamous ‘what if I just...’ He chuckles. Listen Brent, no ones blaming you for not doing anything. You loved your wife, that’s more than enough. You were there for her when she needed you most. That’s all she wanted.

"Then she knew...?" Brent asks.

Aeryk nods. Funny thing, how we know when we’re going to die. I felt calm and everything around me made sense at last.

"I’m sorry Aeryk." Brent mutters. "If I could’ve..."

There you go again Brent! Aeryk warns playfully. You’re not God. Let it go. Let the pain go.

"But I could’ve saved you!" Brent cries. "I’ve discovered something about myself that I don’t even understand yet. I can..."

I know you can Brent. I know all about that. Aeryk says.

"But how did you...?"

A big white tiger told me. Aeryk winks. And you’re blaming yourself for not coming forward. Am I right?

"I was afraid to, yes." Brent admits. "I was afraid it wouldn’t work. I was afraid of making things worse. I hoped so much that the doctors would pull you out of it Aeryk that I was devastated when I found out you died. Please forgive me Aeryk!" He pleads falling to his knees.

Aeryk’s ghost walks towards Brent and kneels in front of him. You did all you could for her Brent. You did the same for me. Neither of us blame you for how you reacted. Brent gazes at the phantasm before him with wide eyes. Brent, we forgive you.

Brent bows his head as the years of hidden fears explode from within and fall to the tiled floor in crystalline tears. "Thank you Aeryk." He weeps, not noticing that Aeryk has vanished and a concerned nurse has draped her arm around his consoling him the best she can.

Aaron gives one final look down at Aeryk’s body before leaving the operation room shortly after Brent. Cryin’ shame. He says to himself. Looks just like my brother did when ‘e died. So calm and at peace. Wonder if Aeryk’s up there right now, scowling at Brian for acting like such a baby. He grins slightly. "Knowing you, you probably are."

So what if I am! Aeryk snaps playfully. What am I to tell people when they see that hulking mass of muscle blubbering like an idiot?

Aaron laughs heartily. "Thank God I’m not your boyfriend. Know knows what emotional scars I’ll get before my time comes."

Aeryk chuckles as he joins Aaron on his walk. At least I can rely on you to keep spirits high.

Aaron smirks. "Jackie’s beside herself with grief. Jeff isn’t saying anything, and Joe and Brent left a short while ago. There’s no need to tell you ‘ow Brian’s reacting." He looks over at the faint image of Aeryk. "Derryk’s taking it ‘ard too. It would seem you’ve left behind a bit of a legacy my friend."

Aeryk nods. I’m sure you’ll move on after a while.

"Nah, I don’t think so. You were the strongest link out of the whole group Aeryk! That’s awful arrogant of you to think that no one’ll miss you."

Aeryk grins. I guess so. I’ve never seen myself as anyone special. How about you?

"Me?" Aaron asks. "What about me? I’m no one special."

Oh, and your brother was?

"Charlie?" Aaron gasps. "Come on Aeryk, Charlie was always my parent’s favorite. Only an idiot could miss that. Charlie could do no wrong."

But you still loved him?

"Of course I loved him." Aaron replies. "But I was always the one to take the fall when ‘e did something. I was the problem child, see?"

Aeryk chuckles. Gee, I wonder where that idea came from.

"You be quiet." Aaron retorts with a smile. "Okay, so I wasn’t exactly a golden child. But all I ever wanted was for my parents to pay attention to me. Which is why, I guess, I acted the way I did. I’ve always been in my brother’s shadow. My parent’s always compared us to one another, and I always came out the lesser. You know ‘ow ‘ard that is?"

Aeryk nods. Living in a family as big as mine. It’s not very hard to be forgotten every once in a while. But the thing is, I was the eldest and had to live up to certain expectations. I was like an guinea pig to my parents’ greater scientific test of child bearing. I would do one thing, get thrashed, and the next day my younger brother would do it and get away with a mere slap on the wrist. God it made me so angry. So I would just find something else to get back at my parents.

Aaron grins toothily. "So I guess you do understand me."

Of course I do! Aeryk replies. Why else would I put up with half the things you do?

Aaron laughs. "I thought you ‘ad an immense amount of patience."

Patience nothing, you see how I am with Brian. I would have no greater pleasure than to kick his ass just once and get away with it.

"Well, next time Brian acts up, I’ll do it for you." Aaron winks.

Thanks Aaron. Aeryk replies.

The two stop and look at each other. "I’m really going to miss you Aeryk."

I’ll miss you too Aaron. Take care of them for me will yah?

"You can count on me." Aaron replies just before Aeryk vanishes and the hospital returns to it’s normal self. "Ah, got an itch." He grumbles as he pulls down his right sleeve only to find a red glowing character for "wings".

Jeff moves himself from his place on the corner of the wall and leaves the room. I can’t believe he’s actually gone. Poor Brian. Jeff walks in silence down the long hallways, occasionally looking into the rooms and sees patients sleeping soundly. "What he must be going through right now." He shakes his head. "I’ve never lost anyone I loved like that. I just pushed them away."

Pushed them away? An astonished voice calls. Honestly Jeff, you can’t be all that bad!

Jeff looks back and sees Aeryk’s ghost standing before him. "Aeryk...?"

Yup, I’m a ghost. I’ve come to haunt you the rest of your days. Aeryk jokes as he makes spooky sounds. He stops when it looks as if Jeff would turn tail and run away screaming. I’m kidding Jeff. I’m not here for that.

"But how?"

I guess I’ve been given the chance to say goodbye to you guys, and throw in a few words of wisdom from the other world. He jokes.

Jeff nods slightly, but still gives Aeryk a wary look. "So, uh, why me?"

You seem to have something on your mind right now. What better ears than a guy to talk to who can’t reveal your secrets? So who did you push away?

Jeff heaves out a sigh. "Just someone I was very close to once, a long time ago."

You’re wife?

Jeff nods. "I, uh, wasn’t the worlds best husband I guess. I was away for long hours, sometimes days at a time." He pauses a moment and turns to lean against the wall, his arms crossed and head bowed. "One time, I came home early to surprise her. I snuck upstairs to find her. I slowly opened our bedroom door and found her..." Jeff stops a moment as the painful memory returns. "I, uh, went downstairs and found a kitchen knife and I..."

Aeryk takes a step toward Jeff. Jeff...?

"I killed them, Aeryk." Jeff says calmly, gazing at his hands as if expecting to see the blood. "My wife and my best friend. I killed them both. I’ll never forgive myself."

Aeryk lowers his head. So this is why you’ve been afraid of getting close to us? I’ve noticed that about you, and why you prefer Brent’s company. You’re afraid that if you get too close, you’ll fail again. You think you’ve failed her, don’t you?

"How can you say otherwise?" Jeff asks. "I wasn’t there enough!"

And that excuses what she did?

"Well, no." Jeff replies. "Nor does it excuse what I did."

Aeryk nods. I wish there is something I can tell you, Jeff. What you did, you will face in the future. As for now, do as Brent told me once, move on. He grins. As simple, and as difficult, as it is, you’ve got to do it. They’re there for you Jeff. They want you close to them.

"Really?" Jeff asks. "I don’t know if I can."

You can. Aeryk says simply. I think you can. There’s nothing worse than feeling alone all the time Jeff. I was there once, and I don’t want to see you there too.

"But I already am alone." Jeff mutters. "Am I?"

That’s for you to decide. Aeryk says, turning to leave.

"Hey wait!" Jeff calls, rushing to Aeryk but his pant leg gets caught on an exposed nail and tears open at his knee, revealing a glowing red kanji for " water well". "What in the...?"

Aeryk stops as he reaches Madison and Broadway and leans against the remnants of a brick wall. "I thought dead people couldn’t get tired." He pants as he wipes away a small bit of sweat from his brow. "This is nuts."

Aeryk looks down both sides of the street and is surprised at how silent this once noisy city has become. "But this is nothing but an illusion." Aeryk mutters to himself. "I have to find the one thing that has kept me alive and destroy it."

The young man turns his attention to the huge hospital just a few blocks away. "I wonder how destroying what has kept me alive, will bring me back to life."

Aeryk looks up at the sky that is slowly changing from the bright blue to the reds and purples of sunset. "It’s been so long since I’ve been here. Yet the pain remains." He shakes the thoughts out of his head. "No, I’ve got to move forward."

He forces himself to run the last few blocks to the hospital and slows to a walk when he enters the main lobby. "Nope, hasn’t changed either."

In the distance, the slight ringing of an elevator catches Aeryk’s attention and he sees the door opening. "Guess I’m to head up."

Jackie turns her tear-filled gaze away from Aeryk’s body and rushes out of the room before she can no longer hold back the cry of pain from within. She falls against the wall and struggles to hold herself up, tears streaming down her face.

Why? Why did it have to happen to him? She demands. Of all the people you could take, why him?

She barely notices the suddenly quiet hospital when she slips down onto the spotless, cool tiled floor and brushes her fingers through her hair. "Oh Aeryk, I’m so sorry guy. Life was just getting better for you, and this happens. And Brian..." Jackie mutters. "I’m afraid of what he’ll do once all this sets in."

It boggles the mind, doesn’t it? Aeryk’s voice says softly beside her with an obvious hint of laughter.

Not bothering to look beside herself, Jackie looks up at the ceiling. "It’s like Corey, all over again." She says softly. "Why did you have to do die Aeryk? The time when I need you the most, you leave me."

You need me? Aeryk asks, surprised. What for? Hey, you’re not gonna start hitting on me are you?

Jackie smirks. "No. I’m still having a difficult time with loosing Corey, that’s all. And seeing as how you’ve been through what I have... I just need someone who I can talk to."

I’m here now. Aeryk responds.

"Yeah, I guess you are in a way." Jackie sniffs and turns her tear stained face at the ghost next to her. "There were some things I wanted to tell you Aeryk, but I guess this is my last chance to do it. When I lost Corey, I felt as if my world would end. I haven’t spoken with my parents since he died and... from that moment I guess I looked to you for the strength I felt I lost. I’ve watched you and how you handled dealing with Brian, and Jason and all the crap that went with it."

We all have our share of life’s difficulties Jackie. I’m no one special.

"But you handled it with such dignity and..." She notices Aeryk arch a brow at her and smiles. "Okay, not all the time, but I knew that nothing that was happening could take you down. You were such a strong person inside, Aeryk. I admired that about you. I’m such a coward, I ran away from my problems."

Aeryk nods. Well here’s a cliché saying for you, ‘admitting you have a problem is the first step on the road to recovery’. He winks. I heard that somewhere. Anyway, you don’t need some messed up kid to tell you how to deal with your problems Jackie. You’re doing just fine. Beside, there’s someone close to you who has an ear for this sorta thing.

Jackie looks up as Aeryk’s ghost rises to his feet. "Who?"

Just somebody who has been in your shoes once. Aeryk replies as he walks away. Keep an eye on that red sore of yours by the way.

Jackie lurches to her feet. "What are you talking about?" She then notices a faint glow on her chest and looks in a nearby mirror to see a glowing red kanji for "willow". "Well I’ll be damned..."

Derryk looks down as he walks down a hallway. "Aeryk... I’m so sorry kid. I’ll never forget the day I first found you." He falls heavily onto a bench and gazes at his feet. "You were such a chaos of emotions, I didn’t know where to begin. But I never stopped loving you. God I love you so much Aeryk. Your smile, you beautiful eyes..." He chokes back a sob and rests his head on the wall. "I’m all alone."

Who says you’re alone? Aeryk’s voice says in a snappish tone.

Derryk turns disbelieving eyes up at Aeryk’s ghost. "You’re alive?" He asks rising to his feet with shaky knees.

Aeryk shakes his head, smiling. Sorry Chief, I’m gone.

"Please don’t call me that kid." Derryk says softly. "I’m not just your boss you know, I’m more than that."

Aeryk responds with a fainter smile. I’m not going to ask what’s bothering you.

Derryk takes the few steps toward Aeryk and stops before him. "There are so many things I want to say to you Aeryk. So many things I’m feeling right now that need to come out." He tries to run a finger down Aeryk’s face, but grimaces when his flesh meets with nothing. "I love you Aeryk, so much that it hurts."

Aeryk’s ghost looks up at Derryk with sad, pleading eyes. Derryk, I...

"Shh, don’t say anything. Just let me say this much. I love you Aeryk, more than you’ll ever know. I’ve loved you the moment I first saw you. I’ve taken care of you through the toughest of times. I’ve been there when you needed someone. Obviously nothing will come out of it now but..." He pauses, gazing longingly into Aeryk’s eyes. "Just for one moment, just let me see you the way I’ve always wanted to see you... as someone who loves me."

Aeryk’s ghost looks up at Derryk before turning away. I’m sorry Derryk I can’t do that. He replies softly before walking away.

Derryk calls out to Aeryk’s ghost and feels a slight burning sensation on the side of his neck. He looks at the window next to him and sees that character for "star" glowing brightly. "This is...?"

Aeryk steps out of the elevator and gazes around the eerily silent hospital. "Man, I feel like I’m in an episode of the Twilight Zone." His footsteps resonate through the hallways as he makes his way around the empty hospital. "Wonder what I’m looking for."

The sounds of smaller feet clatter noisily just down the opposite direction of the hall and Aeryk jumps slightly. "Who’s there?" He calls out and is responded with a gleeful chuckle.

Aeryk slowly walks down the hallway until he reaches a large desk area with several phones and computers strewn about on the floor. A large pile of paper suddenly shoots up and Aeryk cries out, frantically searching for the gun he doesn’t have. "Come out!" He stammers.

A little girl with long brown hair and bright blue eyes appears from under the desk and beams up at Aeryk before dashing off, laughing.

Sudden realization hits Aeryk like a herd of stampeding elephants, and he bolts after his little sister. "No way, it can’t be." He mutters as he rushes down the hall after his surprisingly fast younger sibling.

"Michelle stop!" Aeryk calls and she slows to a stop, facing away from him. "Michelle," He pants as he stops as well. "What are you doing here?"

"I don’t know, you tell me." Michelle replies, slowly turning to face Aeryk, her face no longer smiling.

"I came here to destroy the one thing that has kept me alive." Aeryk replies sullenly. "I didn’t think it would be you."

Michelle’s face darkens with fury. "You’re here to kill your own sister?" She demands, her voice altering into a deeper, more sinister sound.

"I have to ‘Chelle." Aeryk responds, startled by the change in his sister. "I have to go back to Brian and..."

"So, this is all about you isn’t it?" Michelle snaps. "Selfish!" The little girl suddenly warps and transforms into a hideous zombie. "I’ve been dead five years and this is what you think of me?"

Aeryk takes a step back from the creature before him and knocks into a fire emergency console with a large red axe in it. Something deep inside him warns Aeryk to retrieve the axe and he quickly opens it and removes the weapon.

Michelle begins to shuffle toward Aeryk. "Stay back Michelle." Aeryk warns, showing the axe to her.

"You can’t kill me." She hisses. "You can barely fight yourself. All those years of learning the Martial Arts were wasted on you. Pathetic weakling! Go back to your precious Brian and cry yourself to sleep."

"Shut up!" Aeryk screams, backing away as Michelle advances on him.

"You’re weak Aeryk. Not worth the ground you walk upon. You think you’ve done the family proud? Well you haven’t. We’re all ashamed of you!"

Aeryk lets out a tearful cry as he swings the axe around and removes Michelle’s head from her body with a sickening thud. Michelle’s little body falls over as her head rolls away.

The young man drops the axe with a loud clatter and falls to his knees and holds himself closely. He barely notices the hospital suddenly shaking violently and the walls around him begin to fall away.

When all is silent, Aeryk opens his eyes and sees a completely white space around him. He feels no solid ground below him, but he doesn’t feel like he’s floating. He calls out but hears no echoes of his voice. The air is still and not a sound can be heard other than his own panicked breathing.

"Hey!" Aeryk calls. "I thought I was supposed to be going home by now!"

"Aeryk..." A gentle voice calls from behind him.

The young man turns and sees his parents and younger siblings standing together, smiling at him. Absolute dread consumes Aeryk and tears burst out of his eyes. "Not you too...!"

Robin, Aeryk’s father, laughs heartily. "No, you don’t have to kill us. We’re here to see you off."

"See me off?" Aeryk echoes.

"We were given the chance to give you a proper farewell." Michelle, Aeryk’s mother replies.

Seeing his family Aeryk feels a terrible pull to remain where he is. "No, I change my mind. Let me go with you. Byakko said that..."

Robin shakes his head. "No, son, you have to go back now."

Aeryk bows his head, knowing it to be foolish to fight now. "I understand."

Michelle races up and clasps her arms around Aeryk’s waist and hugs him tightly. "I’ll miss you." She says, turning her bright face up at him.

Aeryk kneels down and collects his sister in his arms. "I’ll miss you to." He sees the space around him begin to waver like ripples in the water and Michelle breaks away and races to her parents’ side. Aeryk rises to his feet and waves at his family. "Goodbye."

Not realizing that everyone has left him alone in the operation room, Brian leans over Aeryk’s body again and buries his tear-stained face in his love’s chest.

"Oh baby..." Brian sobs. He looks up at Aeryk’s serene face as the strange sensation swarms over his forehead. "Do you know what this means?" He asks Aeryk’s body. "I think I’ve finally figured out what my meaning in life is. It means that I live to protect you, now and always."

Derryk, Jackie, Jeff, Aaron, Brent, and Joe slowly walk back into the room and hear Brian whisper into Aeryk’s ear.

It means that I live to protect you. Brian’s words fill Derryk’s tortured mind and he lowers his head. "No, we all live to protect him." He mutters.

"He watched over us in our time of need," Jackie states.

"It would be dishonorable not to repay him." Aaron finishes.

"He’s done so much for us, and not even known it." Jeff says softly.

"That was his gift to us." Brent says. "He never let us down."

Don’t worry Aeryk, I’ll live strong. I’ll do it for you. Joe says to himself.

Brent lets out a startled gasp as the red kanji appears on his palm again, the strange light radiates from his hand and trails over to Aeryk’s body.

As the light touches Aeryk, the wounds slowly begin to heal themselves and life and color return to him. The remaining officer’s characters flare to life as Aeryk sucks in a large breath and opens his eyes as if for the first time.

Brian watches in awe as Aeryk slowly removes the blanket covering him and swing his legs around to face him. "Y-you came back?"

Aeryk smiles and Brian throws himself into his arms. "I’d never leave you alone for more than two seconds." He whispesr, relishing the feeling of Brian’s arms around him.

"You asshole!" Jackie bellows. "The hell do you think you are?"

Aeryk tears himself away from Brian’s chocking embrace and smiles at Jackie. "Long story..."

Derryk steps forward, not noticing Brian’s dark gaze, and leans close to Aeryk’s ear. "Listen about what I said before..."

"Huh?" Aeryk looks at him funny. "I haven’t spoken with you since you dropped me off at my place."

Derryk turns his stricken face away a moment. "You sure?"

"Yeah." Aeryk says. "What? Did you have a little visit from my ghost or something?" He laughs.

Derryk fakes a laugh. "Sorry, must’ve been thinking about something else."

Jackie and Aaron exchange glances and they both shrug. "So ‘ow about we take our medical miracle out of this place." Aaron says cheerfully. "I feel a bit of drinking is in order."

"Drinking it always in order for you." Jackie retorts, then turns her attention to Aeryk. "You die on us like that again, and I’ll make sure you stay dead."

Knowing full well that Jackie’s joking with him, Aeryk laughs in her face. "Okay, I’ll try not to defy death again."

As the group chatters happily amongst themselves, a white haired nurse walks by swiftly and finds a payphone and dials in a number. "Jen, it’s me..."

Date: October 2, 3021
Time: 6:00am
Location: ???

"Well...?" Jen asks irritably.

"He’s alive."

"Excellent. Get back here." She hangs up the phone and turns her attention to the torn and bleeding Richard below her. "You’re lucky he’s alive." Jen says darkly. "Disobey me like that again, and I won’t go so easily on you." She snaps the whip for emphasis and Richard cowers.

Vincent looks up from his post by the door leading to the basement as Jen walks out. "I’m taking it either Richard’s dead, or the boy lived."

"He’s alive." Jen says succinctly.

"Then let me sour your day by telling you the plane won’t be ready for some time yet. The weather up north has suddenly turned rather nasty, too nasty for flight. I’ve been advised to wait it out for the time being."

Jen whirls around and scowls at Vincent for a brief moment, then smiles sweetly up at him. "Very well. We have all the time in the world to wait now. We have the ring and the necklace secured, do we not?" Vincent shrugs at the comment. "That’ll give time for us to rest up and prepare fully for the long trip ahead. Just make sure everyone’s here. I want the leave as soon as we’re able."

Date: October 2, 3021
Time: 4:28pm
Location: Aeryk and Brian’s Condo

Derryk has awarded Aeryk and his comrades with a day of rest after the fiasco earlier that morning.

Aeryk and Brian went back to the video store a couple hours before and sincerely apologized to the woman working there about the incident. Quite unexpectedly the woman praised them for herding out the crazy man, as she so elegantly put it, and gave them free movies for a month. Brian wanted to push his luck by asking for more, seeing as they’re such great heroes, but Aeryk announced his disapproval by soundly kicking Brian’s shin.

Now, Aeryk lies across Brian’s lap and watches yet another British comedy while his hair is busy being tortured by Brian’s curious hands. "So what are we going to do about the party?"

"It’s still on." Brian says. "Doctor says you need your rest. After coming back to life and all." He winks.

"Good." Aeryk replies and turns his attention back to the movie. That way, I can get that ring back. I’ve got to. There’s no turning back now.

Continued in Part 16

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