68 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

"He started drinking," Mira said, answering Kevin's question. "I found out that much. Not where he was doing it, but that he was. Beat cops would see him, occasionally. But they never followed up on it. After all, he wasn't their concern since he wasn't a police officer any more. Or I guess that's how they looked at it. By the time I found out what he was doing, he had totally vanished."

 

Kevin tilted his head at this new revelation from his mother. "Will's really a cop? I mean, that's what he said, when he told me about his plan for keeping me safe. But then he also said Mick was in the police academy."

 

Mira chuckled. "That was a bit of a stretch."

 

"Hey now, I could be, if I was older." Mick chuckled. "And if I wanted to be a cop… and if I get my GED… and…" His shook his head. "Way off topic."

 

"A bit," Mira replied with a smile. "But nonetheless." She returned her attention to Kevin. "Yes, your father was a cop—and a damned good one."

 

"Like you."

 

She patted his hand. "Thank you for that. I wish I was half as good as he was."

 

"Could he be one again, if he wanted to?"

 

"I bet he could," Mick said. "There was this officer, the one who talked to you when you were in the hospital, Kev. He said, umm, something like it was an honor to meet him. And that was just recently and…"

 

"First off, Will would have to want to return to it," Mira pointed out. "And I'm not sure he does."

 

"Me neither," Mick admitted.

 

Kevin sighed. "This is… sad. He's my father and even Mick knows more about him than I do."

 

Mira smiled at Kevin. "You'll learn, once you get to know the real him."

 

"If he lets me," Kevin replied, his mouth tightening. "I mean, he never told me, in all the time since I met him."

 

"I'd say he was afraid, Kev. He's spent the last eighteen years living a life he's certain you wouldn't approve of. And that was after he vanished from my life. He probably sees himself as someone far from the image you've drawn of what your father would have been like."

 

"Yeah, well, he's wrong. I mean… okay, so I didn't have a picture of a street person"—he glanced at Mick, who gave him a thumbs-up—"but the man I've come to know is… is just the way I imagined my father might have been as a person, if that makes sense."

 

"It does," Mira told him quietly.

 

"So he shouldn't be afraid of my knowing he's my father. Because I do now, and I want him in my life."

 

"That, Kevin, you're going to have to tell him, and convince him you mean it."

67 – This Gift, This Curse

 

Mira glanced at Mick, who was nodding. "I take it you know the story and didn't tell Kev."

 

"It's not my story to tell," Mick said.

 

Kev shook his head. "I know he saw it, Mick admitted that much, but nothing more."

 

"He did, and he tried to keep it from happening, but he was too late." Mira looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap, and said softly, "I blamed him for that."

 

"And so he left," Kevin said. He tried to keep the anger out of his voice because on some level he could understand why. "Where did he go? Some other city?"

 

"No, I was the one who moved. Once I'd calmed down and realized he wasn't to blame, I thought about trying to find him, to apologize, and tell him he was going to be a father. And then I'd have left the decision up to him whether he wanted to come back to me. But… I just couldn't. I couldn't bear the thought he might reject me. And, honestly, I couldn't bear living here where it all began."

 

"Then how, where…?" Kevin's eyes narrowed as he looked at Mick. "He wasn't some cop who took you under his wing, was he? He was living on the streets too."

 

Mick nodded. "He saved me when some punks tried to attack me and, well, I sort of tagged along after him until he finally gave up and let me be with him."

 

Curious, Kevin asked, "Did he have a vision about that?"

 

"Yes, although I didn't figure it out until a few days ago. I had no idea about what he could do until the night he saw your attack."

 

"He rarely, if ever, talked about it," Mira told them. "He always had some excuse why he happened to be in the right place at the right time to help someone."

 

"He should have seen what was going to happen to him and… and avoided it," Kevin said.

 

Mira smiled a little. "His is the only future he can't see. He was shot, six months or so before Danny died. I got really pissed at him because I felt the way you do, that he should have seen it happen and done something different. He said that seeing his own future never happened."

 

"Probably because if it did, he'd always be running scared," Mick put in.

 

"Possibly, yes. Or it's just not part of his gift."

 

"He calls it a curse," Mick told them. "A gift—and a curse."

 

"I suspect, if I were him, I'd think the same thing," Mira said softly.

 

"So when Uncle Danny died, Will just decided to give it all up and go live like a bum."

 

"Hey now," Mick protested. "He might have been living on the streets, but he wasn't a bum, any more than I am."

 

"I'm sorry." Kevin took Mick's hand. "I didn't mean that the way it came out."

 

"Yeah, I know. I shouldn't be so touchy."

'Of Another World Box Set' is out today!

 Of Another World Box Set

https://www.jms-books.com/edward-kendrick-c-224_229/of-another-world-box-set-p-5015.html

 

https://www.amazon.com/Another-World-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B0CVTHDVQ7/

 

GENRE: Gay Fantasy Spicy Romance Box Set
LENGTH: 102,105 words
RATING:

Three interconnected fantasy tales of danger and romance by best-selling MM author Edward Kendrick. Contains the stories:

Of Another World: Castaways Tony and Daniel learn they are far from home from elf Brion who says only King Cerdic can send them back. Tony and Cerdic are drawn to each even though Tony refuses to believe the island's shifters are guilty of the crimes that sent them to Stronghold. He offers to prove it by going there undercover. Will Tony survive so he and Cerdic can act on their feelings? Only time will tell.

Of the New World: Tony and Cerdic wed, and life settles down until a new problem arises. Bandits are robbing wealthy lords. Tony and mage Leofric come up with a plan to stop them, with Cerdic's consent; despite the fact they think Tony may be the true target. In the process, Tony learns why Leofric has given up on love. Can Tony change that? It depends on whether they survive their confrontation with the bandits.

Of a Harsh Winter: Qildor, a shunned crossbreed, is resigned to his lonely existence. Then a harsh winter sends him to warn the King that something is very wrong. Mage Pilore believes him and what he learns as they look for the cause leads him to believe an evil wizard is responsible. As they seek him, Pilore and Qildor form a bond, but will they get the chance to take it beyond that when they locate the wizard?

EXCERPT FROM "Of Another World"

From the way the sun slanted through the windows, Tony knew it was a bit after noon when Lord Randel returned. He stood in the doorway, looking between the brothers, and then beckoned. "If you'll come with me, I'll take you to King Cerdic. He's awaiting you in the Audience Chamber."

Leaving the library, they (entered the Great Hall), turned right and crossed to the door behind the King's table. Lord Randel opened it, stepping back to let them enter first.

As soon as they had, Tony sucked in a breath. Seated across from them on an ornately carved, high-backed armchair set on a two-step dais was one of the handsomest men he'd ever seen. He had long blond hair that fell well past his shoulders, deep blue eyes, high cheekbones, and a sensuous mouth. He was dressed in a black vest trimmed with silver embroidery, over a long, brown tunic with inset gold panels on the upper sleeves and a matching peplum at the waist. Black pants and knee-high boots trimmed with silver completed the ensemble.

::Easy, Tony. Remember he's a king and an elf. Way out of your league on all counts even if he did happen to be gay, which is doubtful, I think.::

::I can dream, can't I?::

::As long as that's all you do.::

Lord Randel's "Your Highness, allow me to introduce Tony and Daniel Nichols," brought Tony back to earth.

* * * *

Cerdic looked at the pair of dark-haired men standing before him, his gaze homing in on the younger one. He was dressed in obviously borrowed clothing which was understandable from what he'd been told. They did little to hide his muscular build and the sense of power he radiated, even while in the position of supplicant. To add to his allure, he had dark eyebrows over deep, almost black eyes, and a pair of lips that begged to be kissed.

Reining in his libido -- as he knew the man, the shifter, was unattainable, as well he should be all things considered -- Cerdic gave a minimal bow of his head to acknowledge their presence.

"I understand you are begging for my help to return you to your own world." Cerdic smiled to himself when Tony, the younger shifter, bristled at his words.

"We're not begging," Tony said tightly, obviously ignoring his brother when he laid a firm hand on his shoulder. "We are asking, as strangers who are not responsible for our presence here, that you send us back. We understand you're the only one who can do so."

"I am, but why should I?"

Tony took a step forward. "Because you're not stupid, I hope. You must know that our presence has upset more than a few of your subjects."

From the expression on the elder brother's face, Cerdic felt certain he was upset with Tony's defiant reply, and was undoubtedly letting him know using mind-speak -- words the younger shifter obviously ignored as he waited for Cerdic's answer.

Cerdic tapped a finger on the arm of his chair. "I could send you to join your compatriots in Stronghold. You do know what that is."

"The place in the mountains where you've imprisoned shifters, treating them as enemies of the state."

"Because they are," Cerdic replied angrily.

"On what grounds?"

"That is not you business or your concern."

Tony shook his head. "As I shifter myself, I believe it is. They are my brethren, if not by birth than by species."

Cerdic looked past Tony at the Seneschal. "Lord Randel, please leave us and take Daniel Nichols with you. I wish to speak with this hothead alone."

"Your Majesty," Lord Randel protested at the same time Daniel growled angrily.

"Do it! If Daniel gives you any trouble, call the guards."

With a bow that didn't hide his smile, Lord Randel put his hand on Daniel's arm. "If you'll come with me, quietly please. Don't worry about your brother. King Cerdic hasn't killed anyone in at least two months ... that I know of."

Cerdic bit back a grin at his seneschal's words as he watched him and an obviously pissed off and very reluctant Daniel exit the chamber.

When they were gone, Cerdic stepped down to sit on the top step of the dais, beckoning for Tony to join him. When Tony didn't move, Cerdic chuckled. "Or stand there. It makes no nevermind to me. We can still discuss your concerns either way. It just seems you'd be more comfortable sitting."

 

66 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

Kevin sat in the chair beside the bed. "You could have told me," he whispered, gently resting his hand on Will's arm. "I don't care why you disappeared. When you came back, you could have told me who you were."

 

"Mick has a big mouth." The words Will spoke were barely discernible.

 

Kevin barely suppressed a shout of relief when he heard them. "You're alive."

 

Will opened his eyes momentarily. "Probably."

 

The nurse was there seconds later, shooing Kevin from the room, telling him to go wait with his mother.

 

"He spoke to me," Kevin said elatedly, as soon as he was back in the waiting room. He hugged Mira and then Mick, telling him, "He said you have a big mouth."

 

Mick grinned happily. Mira smiled, but cautioned, "That doesn't mean he's out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination."

 

"I know," Kevin replied, his mood deflating. "But at least he remembered Mick and me. I think."

 

The nurse came into the room to let them know the doctor was with Will.

 

"It will be two hours before you're allowed back in to see your father," she told Kevin. "You can wait here if you want."

 

Kevin nodded, looking at the others. "If I stay here, I'll pace a hole in the floor."

 

"Then I suggest we go get something to eat," Mira replied. "It's almost morning and I, for one, haven't eaten since the police called me hours ago."

 

The nurse suggested, with a small chuckle, that they go somewhere other than the hospital's cafeteria. Taking her advice, the three of them went in search of the nearest restaurant.

 

When they found a small diner not too far from hospital, Mick asked if Kevin and Mira would rather he went home so they could have some private time together. Both of them said no. Mira added, giving him a quick hug, "You can keep Kev from killing me." One look at Kevin's face confirmed that in some part of his mind that was an option.

 

They took a booth at the back of the room, ordered their meals and coffee. Then there was a long, pregnant pause.

 

"Why didn't you tell me?" Kevin said, breaking it.

 

"Because I truly thought it was better for you to think he was dead rather than that he'd deserted me…us."

 

"But you knew he wasn't."

 

Mira nodded.

 

"Why? Why did he leave? Or don't you know?"

 

"Guilt."

 

"Because Uncle Danny was killed?"

65 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

When Kevin, Mira, and Mick got off the elevator, they were met in the waiting room by a nurse and had to go through the whole routine again.

 

"Why did the police call you?" was the nurse's first question to Mira.

 

"Probably because Will had my name in his wallet telling them to, in case of emergency," Mira replied tartly.

 

"But you're not his wife."

 

"No. Look, long story short, which I know you need to know, I was engaged to Mr. Reynolds when something happened and he disappeared. I was also pregnant with Kevin, though he didn't know that. Kevin is his son, and therefore his only next of kin. Okay?" Mira stared hard at the nurse.

 

The nurse nodded, held up one hand to let them know to wait, and went into the ICU unit. Kevin could see her consulting with another nurse. They both turned to look at him before continuing their talk. Finally the first nurse returned.

 

"Under the circumstances, we've decided to believe you, Ms Parker. Since Mr. Reynolds is not able to sign the HIPPA form to release his medical information, Mr. Parker will have to do so in his stead. Then we can let him see his father."

 

She left, returning with the form which Kevin duly read, signed, and handed back to her. Only then did she tell them Will's condition.

 

"He received a severe concussion from the blow to his head. So far, he has not regained consciousness. There was a severe laceration to the back of his head, which has been closed, and his skull was fractured." When Kevin let out a small gasp, she quickly said, "A fractured skull does not necessarily mean there was any traumatic injury to the brain."

 

"But in my father's case?" Kevin asked hesitantly.

 

"He's been given a CT and no intracranial bleeding or other damage was found. I should warn you, this does not preclude the fact that something could show up in the future. At the moment, he is resting comfortably, although as I said, he hasn't regained consciousness yet."

 

"Which is not a good thing," Mira said.

 

"Let's just say the sooner he awakens, the sooner the doctor can do tests to see if there's any memory impairment, muscular weakness, and so forth."

 

"Can I see him now?" Kevin asked.

 

"Yes, but only you, and only for ten minutes. And that will hold true even after he regains consciousness, until the doctor says he can be moved from the unit. He has to remain calm."

 

With that said the nurse unlocked the door to the unit and took Kevin inside. He followed her to Will's room, realizing it was glass-enclosed.

 

"Is that so you can keep a good eye on him," he asked the nurse, as they entered the room. She nodded.

 

He walked over to the bed and looked down at Will. No, not 'Will', but my father. He looks peaceful but is that a good thing?

 

There were tubes and wires and things he didn't want to think about radiating from Will's body. He knew they were just there to monitor his father, but it still frightened him.

64 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

Kevin did fall asleep, despite thinking he wouldn't. The last thing he remembered before he did was Mick covering him with a blanket then giving him a swift, gentle kiss.

 

He woke to the sound of his phone ringing. Blearily he dug it out of his pocket to check the time and answer it. It was one in the morning and the caller was his mother, saying she'd just arrived and was about to head to the hospital.

 

As soon as she'd hung up, Kevin started to call Charlie, changed his mind, and called for a taxi instead.

 

Mick appeared in the living room at that point, asking what was going on.

 

"Mom's here and I'm going to meet her at the hospital."

 

"Good. Give me a minute to get dressed. I'm coming with you."

 

Kevin saw that Mick was only wearing a pair of sweatpants. Despite everything that was going on, he suddenly realized Mick was well-built in a lean and quite sexy way. He stared at Mick a beat too long before tamping down on that thought. Now is not the time

 

"Okay," he replied aloud. "But hurry. The cab should be here soon."

 

Mick must have seen something in Kevin's face because he grinned a bit as he turned and went back to his room.

 

Twenty minutes later, Kevin was pacing the living room, muttering "When is the cab going to get here?"

 

"It's closing time for the bars, so they're probably busy," Mick replied.

 

"Yeah but…" Kevin's words were interrupted when his phone rang. "Finally," he said, after he answered it.

 

The ride to the hospital was silent as the two young men thought about what they might find out when they got there. As soon as they were out of the cab, they hurried into the hospital lobby.

 

Kevin's mother was standing at the front desk, talking to the attendant. She smiled when Kevin joined her, giving him a hug, then turned back to the man. "Don't you understand, Mr. Reynolds doesn't have any family? I'm probably the closest person who might qualify since we were…" Mira stopped talking suddenly, glancing at Kevin, obviously uncertain what to say since he was standing right there.

 

"I'm family," Kevin said to the man. "I'm his son."

 

Mira looked at Kevin in shock. "How…? Did he tell you?"

 

"No, Mom. But Mick did. At least someone… Hell, never mind. Now's not the time." Returning his attention to the man at the desk, he said, "My mother can vouch for the fact that I'm Mr. Reynolds son."

 

"She just said Mr. Reynolds doesn't have any family. Why should I suddenly believe differently?"

 

Mira sighed, taking her ID from her purse to hand to him. "I'm a police officer for one, so if I tell you, Will, Mr. Reynolds, is Kevin's father, you'd better take my word for it. There are reasons, which I'm not about to go into, why I didn't know Kevin knew. Be that as it may, he is his son. Now, will you please tell us where to find him?"

 

The man checked her ID, and then Kevin's, after he asked to see it. Finally he picked up the phone to notify the ICU that they would be coming up.

63 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

With no other choice at the moment, everyone headed home. Charlie made Kevin promise that the moment he heard from his mother, he'd call so Charlie could pick him up to take him back to the hospital.

 

When they got up to their floor, Mick insisted Kevin come to his apartment rather than going to his own.

 

"The last thing you need right now is to be alone."

 

Kevin agreed. He didn't want to be by himself. Even with Mick there he knew he probably wouldn't sleep. He did, however, lie down on the sofa at Mick's insistence. When Mick sat down beside him, Kevin looked at him and sighed deeply.

 

"Is anything real?"

 

Mick smiled, stroking Kevin's arm. "I am."

 

"I didn't mean it that way."

 

"I know. Yeah, a lot of what you thought you knew about me, about Will, turned out to be wrong and it's our fault. But we did it… said it, so we could protect you."

 

Kevin nodded. "I know that, but…"

 

"If I'd told you the truth about me at the beginning, would you have trusted me to help keep you safe?"

 

"I don't know. Maybe." Kevin tried to smile. "Hell, the way you've lived, you probably know more about how to do that than most people."

 

Mick chuckled. "Good point, but still…" He shrugged.

 

"What I really don't understand is why Will didn't tell me."

 

"He has his reasons."

 

"Do they have to do with my uncle?"

 

"What makes you think that?"

 

"Well, from what Mom said, my father died—or at this point I guess disappeared—about the same time Uncle Danny was killed. Oh God," he whispered, "he didn't have something to do with that, did he?"

 

"No, not the way you seem to be thinking."

 

Kevin frowned, staring off into space for a moment. "He saw it, didn't he? Just like he saw what was going to happen to me."

 

Mick nodded. "But like I said…"

 

"It's not your story to tell. I understand. You know what? He damned well better live because I want to hear it. From him. I want to know why he deserted me and Mom."

 

"You will."

 

"God, I hope you're right," he whispered, echoing his words to his mother.

62 – This Gift, This Curse

 

Mick took a deep breath. "I have something I need to tell you. Something I promised Will I wouldn't. But right now I think… no, I know I have to break that promise. Remember…? Never mind, of course you don't. The day after Archer attacked you the first time, there was a story about it in the newspaper. When I showed it to Will, I thought he was going to have a heart attack."

 

"Why?" Kevin asked, feeling genuinely puzzled.

 

"He saw your name and"—Mick took a deep breath—"Kev, you're his son."

 

Kevin shook his head in disbelief. "No way!"

 

"Yeah, you are. At least that's what he said."

 

"Uh-uh. If I was, Mom would have told me."

 

"Even if he asked her not to?"

 

"Yeah, she still would have. Damn it, Mick. He's…" Kevin shook his head again, trying to take in what Mick was telling him. "My father's dead."

 

Mick took Kevin's hands in his. "Is he? Remember what you told me, that you'd tried to find out if he was and there was nothing even though he supposedly was killed in the line of duty."

 

"Yeah, but…" Kevin pulled one hand free, rubbing his eyes with it. "If he is alive… I mean, if what he told you is true and he's my father, then why didn't he get in contact with Mom? With me? Why didn't she find him and let him know? She's a cop too. She could have done that."

 

"I could probably tell you why, but it's not my story to tell."

 

"If what he said is true, then I can see him," Kevin said, jumping to his feet.

 

"You'd have to prove it. Especially since you've already told that nurse you weren't family."

 

"How the hell do I do that?"

 

"You can't, but your mom can."

 

"I can't wait that long. What if he dies? What if… if there's something wrong with his mind and he doesn't… he doesn't remember that I am his son?"

 

Mick grabbed his hand, urging him to sit again. Reluctantly, Kevin did. When Mick wrapped his arm around him, he sank into the caring embrace, resting his head on Mick's shoulder.

 

"He has to live. More now than ever, he just has to."

61 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

The minute they got back to the apartment building, Kevin was on the phone, calling his mother. He knew she'd want to know what happened. As soon as he began to tell her, she said the police had found her name in Will's wallet and had already called her, and she was about to leave for the airport. "As soon as I arrive, I'll call you and then I'll take a cab to the hospital." She paused before adding, "He's going to be all right, Kev."

 

"You don't know that," he replied angrily.

 

"I do. He's hard-headed, in all ways. He'll survive. I promise."

 

"God I hope you're right," he whispered.

 

As soon as he was finished talking with her, he changed clothes and joined the others in Will's apartment. Then they took off for the hospital.

 

When they entered the ER waiting room, they went straight to the desk. Kevin asked if they could see Will, telling the nurse he'd been brought in with a head injury.

 

"Will who?" she replied.

 

Kevin frowned, turning to the others. "I don't even know his last name."

 

"Reynolds," Mick told him. "William Reynolds."

 

Kevin relayed the information to the nurse. Her next question was, "And you are?"

 

"Kevin Parker."

 

"Family?"

 

"No, ma'am."

 

"Then I'm sorry but I can't release any information on him."

 

"But…"

 

She just shook her head. "Family only."

 

"Can you at least tell me if he's alive," he asked.

 

She must have seen something in his face or heard the desperation in his words because she left for a moment then came back to tell him that, so far, Will was alive, and he'd been transferred to the ICU.

 

"It's not fair," Kevin growled, as he and the others headed to the exit. "He could die because of me and I can't even… they won't even let me in to… to tell him I'm sorry."

 

As soon as they were outside, Mick gripped Kevin's arm, leading him to one of the benches along the wall. Then he asked Sue and Charlie if they would mind waiting for them in the car. After a moment's hesitation, they nodded and walked away.

 

"What's going on?" Kevin asked.

60 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

The sound of sirens and then the screech of tires announced the arrival of the police. Three officers came through the front door of the theater, guns drawn. The man who'd been on the phone pointed to the restroom. The officers entered cautiously. Kevin heard one of them say, "Don't move. Put your hands behind your heads."

 

With Sue right beside him, Kevin entered the room. He saw Mick and Charlie doing as they'd been told. A third man lay at their feet. It was obvious he wasn't going to be moving any time soon. A few feet away, Will was sprawled on the floor, blood pooling under his head, an officer kneeling beside him.

 

"Is he…?" Kevin asked, looking fearfully down at his friend.

 

The officer looked up and shook his head. "He's got a pulse. Weak, but it's there."

 

The sound of racing feet came from the hallway and then two EMTs appeared. One of them paused just long enough to ascertain that Archer was alive, if unconscious, then joined his partner beside Will, telling Kevin and the officer to give them room to work.

 

Kevin backed away, turned, and saw one of the officers cuffing Mick. "He's not the one who did this," Kevin said. "It was him." He pointed down at Archer. "He was attacking me and Will tried to stop him and…" He began shaking as the full reality of what had happened finally hit home.

 

The officer nodded, releasing Mick, and then Charlie, who was already cuffed. Mick moved swiftly to wrap his arm around Kevin, asking, "Are you all right?"

 

"I'm going to be sore, but"—he looked back at Will—"but Will…"

 

By then, the EMTs had Will intubated, in a cervical collar, and boarded, preparatory to putting him on a stretcher to take him out to the ambulance.

 

"Will he… will he live," Mick asked, as he watched them.

 

"I can't say," the EMT replied. "He's alive for the moment."

 

"Where are you taking him?"

 

"City General," was the terse reply, as they wheeled Will out of the room.

 

A second team of EMTs appeared. One of them immediately began checking Archer while the second one examined Kevin. He told Kevin he seemed to be all right but that he should see his doctor just in case.

 

Archer was another story. Apparently Charlie and Mick hadn't hesitated to take out their anger on him as they tried to keep him from escaping before the police got there. He was still unconscious, but, as one EMT said, "In no worse condition than he would have been in a street brawl." He was transported to the waiting ambulance, one of the officers going with him.

 

"Is he under arrest?" Kevin asked.

 

"He will be, once he wakes up," the remaining office said. Then he had each of them make their statements about what had happened. By the time the three young men were finished, the officer was shaking his head. "A real piece of work," he muttered. He looked at Kevin. "Given what he did to you last time, if it was him—which I don't doubt—I'd say you're damned lucky your friend intervened."

 

Kevin grimaced. "Define 'luck'. I might be okay, but Will isn't, damn it."

 

The officer nodded. "All right, you're all free to go. I'd suggest you go home and clean up a bit first before going to the hospital. They're not going to know anything about his condition for quite a while, I suspect. And since you're not family, they probably won't let you see him anyway until he's moved out of the ICU."

 

"If he survives," Mick said angrily. "And if he doesn't…"

 

"You will let the law take care of Archer Mitchel. Understood?" the officer told him sternly.

 

"Yes, sir," Mick muttered. "Let's get out of here," he said to the others. "Charlie…"

 

"Yeah, I'll drive you home," Charlie replied. "And then to the hospital."

59 – This Gift, This Curse

 

With twenty minutes yet to go in the movie, Kevin whispered to Sue, "I'll be right back."

 

"I'm coming with you," Mick murmured, overhearing Kevin.

 

Sue chuckled softly. "That's a girl thing, Mick. Guys don't go to the restrooms together."

 

"Yeah, well, I'm not letting him go off on his own, all things considered."

 

"How dangerous can it be? I won't be the only one in there I'm sure," Kevin told them as he stood and eased his way past Mick to the aisle.

 

When Mick started to get up as well, Kevin put a hand on his shoulder, saying barely above a whisper, "You have to keep an eye on her, just in case."

 

Sighing, Mick nodded in agreement.

 

As he made his way up the aisle, Kevin felt as if he was being watched. He quickly looked around, then saw Charlie sitting on the aisle three rows from the exit and relaxed. He knew Will was somewhere too, although he didn't see him.

 

When he got outside in the lobby, he saw the restroom signs at the end of the hall between the two downstairs theaters and walked quickly toward the men's room. He started to push the door open then turned quickly, feeling watched again. Will was standing at the end of the hallway. Kevin gave a slight nod and opened the door, stepping inside, suddenly realizing that the lights were off.

 

Before he could back out, someone grabbed him, pushing him up against the wall beside the door. He heard the lock snick into place and then a man growled, low and angrily, "I told you, she's mine."

 

Two things happened at the same moment. He heard a loud bang on the door and a fist slammed into his gut. As he doubled over, gasping for breath, he was hit again. He fell to his knees, trying to roll away.

 

The door burst open. Kevin heard Will say, "Back away. Now!"

 

"Fuck you!"

 

Kevin looked up just in time to see the man he knew had to be Archer, barrel, shoulder first, into Will. Will was thrown backwards. His head hit the edge of the sink with a terrifying crack.

 

Kevin scrambled into the hall on all fours, shouting for help. Three men were already racing down the hall, one with a phone to his ear. The other two, Mick and Charlie, paused just long enough to be certain Kevin was alive before entering the restroom. Kevin heard shouts, and the sound of fists hitting flesh.

 

Suddenly Mick was at the door, calling to the third man, "Tell them we need an ambulance, fast!"

 

By then a few more people had arrived. Two more men went into the restroom while a third knelt down beside Kevin, asking if he was all right.

 

Kevin nodded, and with the man's help, managed to stand. Seconds later, Sue was beside him, her arm around his waist as she asked what had happened. He explained as best he could.

 

"I think… I think Will's hurt. Bad."

58 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

As he left the building, Will carefully checked the people on the street and the cars parked at the curb. There was no Mustang, but he knew that didn't mean anything. Archer would have to be a fool to be driving such a distinctive car anywhere in the neighborhood. Or an egomaniac. If he was stalking Sue, and Will had no doubts about that now, he had probably seen Mick hanging around the coffee shop with her and the others. If he saw Mick watching when he drove away… Yes he just might be egotistical enough drive around the neighborhood in it from what Charlie and Sue had said. Or not, since the car's not anywhere around.

 

Feeling certain that Archer was not watching the building, Will continued walking and then after two blocks turned off onto a side street. He positioned himself in the doorway of a small near-new shop, where he could see the building and the trio when they came out. They were laughing, apparently at something Mick had said, as they came toward him. Kevin had one arm around Sue's waist while Mick walked casually on Kevin's other side.

 

The trio continued on past Will, stopping a couple blocks beyond him to look at a display in a clothing shop window. Will casually followed, watching everyone else on the street. He really didn't expect Archer to try anything in such a public venue but he was taking no chances, which was why the gun Captain Newsome had given him was now at the small of his back.

 

When they arrived at the theater, the trio bought their tickets and went inside. For the time being, Will positioned himself at a table in the patio in front of a small Greek restaurant across the street. When a waiter came to take his order, he told him he was waiting for someone and just ordered coffee.

 

If everything went according to plan, Charlie was already inside. Will waited, watching for Archer. He almost missed him when the waiter came back with his coffee. When he looked back at the theater, Archer was just going inside.

 

Will dropped a couple of bills on the table and hurried across the street, purchased a ticket, and entered the dimly lit lobby. Archer was nowhere in sight, but Charlie was. He gave a quick jerk of his head toward the right-hand door leading to one of the three small theaters. Will nodded and slipped inside, taking a seat at the back by the exit where he could see Kevin and his friends—as well as Archer who was seated several rows behind them, against the far wall.

 

The lights dimmed a few minutes later and the movie began.

57 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

"Everyone ready?" Will asked.

 

It was Friday night and he, the three young men, and Sue were seated in his apartment. As they'd planned, Charlie had come straight there after his last class. Kevin and Sue had stopped by the coffee house, as usual. They'd stayed long enough to make things appear the same as always. Then they'd headed to the apartment building, with Will following, keeping well out of sight. He hadn't seen anyone who looked like Archer along the way, but he knew that didn't mean anything. He'd also, right after he'd gotten the description of Archer's car, had Newsome run a check to see how many were in the city, and if one was registered to an Archer Mitchel. The results had been disappointing so far. There were several red Mustang Shelby GTs, but none were registered to their suspect.

 

For the last two days, while they were at the coffee house, Kevin and Sue had talked about their movie plans, while Charlie had made it clear he had a date with a 'cute young lady from his science class'. Mick had hovered on the edge of the conversations, only agreeing to come with Kevin and Sue when they made it clear they didn't want him to feel left out.

 

"As ready as I'll ever be," Kevin replied, trying to look more relaxed than he felt.

 

Mick patted his leg and said, "Everything's going to work out just fine.'

 

"Yeah, it will," Charlie agreed.

 

Kevin almost smiled as he looked at Sue's twin. He'd arrived at the apartment early, and now his hair was colored a dark brown and slicked straight back, very different from his usual casual style. He wore dark-framed glasses, a button-down shirt, and baggy jeans. Kevin would have had to look twice to know it was him if he saw him anywhere else.

 

"Okay then, let's do it," Will told them.

 

As planned, Charlie left first the same way he came, by the back door to the building. From there he'd drive to the art house movie theater, using one of his roommates' cars.

 

Will left next. The theater they were going to was only ten blocks from the apartment building so he was walking. Sue, Kevin, and Mick would do the same ten minutes later.