Summoned

~`~`~`~`~` ( Author Notes ) `~`~`~`~`~

Well here’s chapter 34. I’m going back up to college this Friday so sadly my updates will be few and far between. School comes first so instead of the weekly update, chapters will come about every two weeks since I will have limited writing time, mostly late at night only. Sorry but this wonderful story of mine will take a backseat but I promise you that it will get finished. And a sequel will definitely be happening, just updated two weeks at time. I hope you all continue to read since this story is finally coming to a close. Thanks for reading this summer which I enjoyed writing. :)

Thanks for all the Reviews, Hits, and Rates!

Enjoy and Please Review or leave feedback in the forums!

WARNING: There will be violence and minor character death in this chapter, don’t like violence then don’t read or skip that section.

Note: Story is in Harley’s POV unless stated otherwise in chapters.
“Blah blah” – Normal speech
“Blah blah” – Thought of character
(Blah blah) – Author comments

Chapter 34

“Get a grip, girl, it’ can’t be Jeff. It just can’t be. Don’t think that. Focus on the task at hand.” I try to convince myself as I sit on the side of the road. I shove that frightening possibility in the back of my mind, not wanting to dwell on it. I instead focus on what’s real, the morbid scene before me.

I’m sitting with my knees pulled to my chest on the side of the road, the large hoodie giving me warmth from the slightly chill air. I ignore the throbbing pain from between my legs and other areas as I look over at the useless Camero that has my DNA in it. While I can say that Phil dropped me off and was on his way back when the accident occurred, the part of me driving will be harder to explain if I’m questioned by other officers. And Phil’s death outside of his car, that will be a mystery as well as how the earth split. A spontaneous earthquake won’t pass well in Michigan. “What will people make of this? The motorcycle is passable enough as an accident of running into Phil’s car at the trap of the hole but Phil’s death will be very suspicious. I can’t even burn away the evidence even if I wanted to. And moving Phil into the car just makes me a suspect. The only suspect!...And Gavin, how will he be explained if he’s found dead in Kevin’s yard? That takes the cake, it’s just too odd. Will I have to tell the police? My parents?...Err! I just want to wake up from this nightmare of a life!”

I give a groan in frustration as I bury my head in my arms, curling up my body tightly as I think of my next move. I consider waiting for someone to drive up and discover me, the bodies and the wreckage or to walk back to the party to see if I can find Detective Gavin. I even toss up the idea of walking back in the direction of home even if I’d be in for a very, very long trek. I can’t call Trisha because she can’t sneak away from work only to come back here later, risking the chance of some of her DNA showing up and no way would I want her to have to lie on my behalf if it risks her job…or her life. I’m basically stranded here. Stranded a few miles from home with no one able to come get me, covered in bruises and cuts hidden by a borrowed hoodie of a dead guy and of course, braless. I think I’ve hit rock bottom right about now.

While I’m not one to sulk over my own misfortunes, I couldn’t help consider myself a failure tonight. I came so close of finally saving someone, someone who it turned out, hadn’t been that bad of a guy. The death toll was up to twenty one now, five of them on my conscious, six if I count the unfortunate motorcyclist. Not only that, but Slaiden once again had his way with me, and not too gently either. It hurts to even sit let alone walk. I’m going to be sore for a while. And it’s going to take a lot of make up to cover the bruises, especially the one on my face. The last thing I want is for my parents to see me beaten up like this. Nothing is going right for me. I don’t even know if I should even attempt to save how many other people are left on the list since I haven’t been able stop Slaiden thus far. The only possible way to do that now is to get to his summoner but thanks to my brilliant deduction skills, I wasn’t even able to keep tabs on the right target much less figure out who the man with the plan is.

“Well, what’s it going to be? Wait around to be picked up by some white trash trucker or start hoofing it home?” I think as I grumble in disgust and aggravation.

As if on cue, my choice is made for me. A light in the distance is coming from the direction of Kevin’s neighborhood. “Moment of truth, saved or suspect?”

I stand up to get a better look as the headlights get closer. The approaching car starts to slow as the ‘accident’ comes into its view. It comes to a halt about a foot away from where the large fissure ends. I squint in the blaring light as I take a few cautious steps closer. As I walk slowly, cautious as to not fall in the hole, past the scrap heap of metal I recognize the car as Gavin’s. I instantly perk up at the sight but still keep on guard because no movement has been made from the person inside the car. For all I know, Gavin might not even be in there. Someone could’ve stolen it. After a night like tonight I’m not taking any chances so I wait a few feet away on the side of the road.

The engine is cut and the driver’s side door opens and slowly a form of a man comes out. I give a sigh of relief at the sight of Detective Gavin leaning against the door. But I instantly get worried when I see that he is a little worse for wear. I run over to him and start surveying his wounds, the bleeding gash just over his heart which he’s pressing his discarded jacket to in particular.

“Gavin! You’re in no shape to be driving! How the hell are you still alive?!?” I exclaim as I pull his hand holding the jacket away to get a better look at the wound bleeding through his white wife beater.

“What, no ‘Thank god you’re ok Gavin!’ or heartwarming hug of joy?” the detective says with a bit of rare humor, although by the tone of his voice I can tell he’s in pain.

“Not when you’re covered in cuts and have a gash four inches long on your chest, No. Now sit down so I can help you.” I say with edge as I pull away at the torn cotton material round the edges of the cut.

“Its fine, Harley. The bleeding is slowing down.” Gavin says trying to easy my worry. But he knows that’s not the case and complies by kneeling down.

“No it’s not, don’t be a tough guy.” I reply as I pat his already bloody jacket against the cut to dry it up a bit, mindful to go lightly when I hear Gavin give a hiss of pain. I then toss it aside into his car and pull out the remains of my red shirt. I wrap it around his shoulder and tie it around the opposite side under his arm to keep pressure on it. The shirt immediately starts to soak up the blood but at least the pressure on it will slow if not stop the bleeding. I take a look at the rest of his body which is covered in other little shallow cuts from Slaiden just grazing him. They are hardly bleeding so I just dab them up with a scrap of my shirt then toss it in the car along with his jacket. “This cut is going to need stitches, we need to get you to a hospital before you lose any more blood. Give me your keys.”

“No hospital. I’m a cop Harley, if I show up there I will be forced to contact the chief. I know a guy who can patch me up, no questions asked. I'm keeping the keys.” Gavin says as he slowly stands, wincing slightly at the pain.

“No! You’re in no shape to drive! I’ll drive. Just tell me where to go.” I say sternly, not budging on my stance. While I think the hospital is the right idea, I know Gavin makes a good point. We can’t risk the police finding out and asking questions. I already have enough law enforcement people involved. Not to mention putting more lives at risk. We will go to this stranger’s place but no way am I letting him drive. I don’t even know how he made it through the subdivision without passing out.

Gavin gives me a hard gaze, not at all happy to be bossed around by a teenage girl. But luckily he swallows his male pride and hands over the keys to his car. He then slowly walks around me, careful to not strain himself, and goes to the passenger’s side. He opens the door and sits back in the seat, releasing a hiss of pain as he does. Once he’s settled, I get in the driver’s seat, ignoring the blood stains, and start the engine. I back up his car a bit then go forward, halfway off the shoulder to avoid the crack and wreckage. As we pass, Gavin looks out my window to survey the scene. Once we pass completely and I’m able to drive completely on the road, he speaks. “Mind telling me what went down here?”

“You first.” I say coldly, not yet ready to talk about it since I know he will want to know everything.

Gavin looks over at me with tired eyes, giving a grunt in pain before replying, “Alright… Slaiden got out of the water as soon as you and Phil took off. I noticed right away that his shoulder was already healed so I immediately started shooting but he dodged every bullet. He lunged at me and knocked me down, going for my throat. I wasn’t letting him get a good grip on me so he started scratching at me so I’d become open. We exchanged a few words as we fought. He was pissed off and I knew I wasn’t going to last long. As we struggled I reminded him that you and Phil were getting away to safety and that I was perfectly fine dying if it meant you got away. That just pissed him off more. He slashed into my chest which made me cry out in pain. It hurt like hell, still does. He then left me like that to bleed to death, saying that I was getting off easy if I survived since he had something more important to attend to. As soon as he’s out of my sight, I wrestled out of my jacket and tried to stop the blood. I passed out for a few moments but woke up to the throbbing pain. Luckily no one saw the fight or me so I was able to pull myself up but that just made the gash bleed out more. I somehow made it back to my car despite having blurred vision. I was forced to drive slow due to my light headedness. I didn’t want to risk passing out again. I was just hoping that you would be okay since I couldn’t come find you that quickly. I eventually made it out of the sub just in time to see Slaiden fly off into the distance. Then I found you. Take a right up here and merge onto the expressway at the next light.”

I nod and let the information sink in. “Well at least he’s alive. He might not be if he had gotten to us before Slaiden took off…..did he find out anything useful from Slaiden?” I voice my question, hoping that Gavin’s dangerous wounds were worth it.

“He was as careful with his words as always, even when fighting with all that rage. The only thing he bothered to mention was that soon this will all be over which leads me to assume that the list is almost complete. Possibly one or two more targets left at most.” Gavin answers as he uses his hand to add pressure onto the covered gash on his chest.

I drive onto the acceleration ramp to the expressway as I comment. “That’s not good. I was wrong earlier on my suspected targets. I never even suspected Phil since the other guys fit the profile so much better. Since he was in our suspected age group, at least it shows that the summoner is most likely a kid at my school but I still don’t know who he is.”

“So you don’t have any clues?” Gavin asks as he leans back in his seat.

“No.” I simply say. I just have a theory, one I don’t even believe myself so I don’t bother sharing it.

“Hnn…things don’t look good for us then…” Gavin trails off going into thought. I notice him turn his head at me in the corner of my eye as I drive. He then arches an eyebrow before speaking again in a questioning tone. “Uh…..weren’t you wearing a different shirt?”

My face instantly turns to one of embarrassment and annoyance, possibly turning pink. I just slightly turn to look at him while keeping an eye on the mostly deserted freeway. I drop my eyes to look at the makeshift bandage around his torso, my slightly blush of embarrassment and slight incline of the head sufficing as answer enough.

Gavin just raises his brow further before following my gaze. He looks at it with puzzlement then his eyes slightly widen in realization. “Oh…Ohhh…..uh…thanks I guess…so…care to share now? Based on what I saw back there, a lot happened.”

Despite his brief slip of composure, Detective Gavin is back to all business now. It’s time to tell my side of the story. I let out a sigh, still embarrassed even though Gavin still doesn’t know the extent of my lack of clothing. Focusing on the road, I start to explain tonight’s events. “Well, me and Phil took off in his car with me behind the wheel…..”

I tell the detective about the close call with the deer, Slaiden showing up and splitting apart the earth, that we fought and about my viewable bruises, the motorcyclist and Phil’s death. I keep Slaiden’s punishment vague, just saying that while I let him, it wasn’t like before, that Slaiden wanted to humiliate me to get back at me. I left it up to Gavin’s imagination to put the pieces together.

“Damn it!” Gavin says, getting pissed off. “That fu—Ahh!” he gives a loud hiss in pain, cutting himself off.

“Gavin, calm down! You’ll open up the wound more!” I warn harshly.

“Sorry…ouch…..get off at this exit here and make a left onto the main road.” Gavin says, relaxing.

I do as he says and drive into the city. As I stop at a light, I continue the conversation. “So what do you think the police will do once Trisha’s CSI’s process the scene and find my DNA? They will want to know about Phil’s body being outside the car…”

“Don’t worry about it. Trisha will take care of any DNA she finds of yours. They can put together a theory about the crack and then tie in Phil to the still ‘unknown’ serial killer.” Gavin responds as he motions for me to keep going straight.

“But she could get in serious trouble for that! She could lose her job…you could lose your job! It’s not right!” I retort, not at all liking the idea of Trisha and Gavin risking their careers to help me.

“We don’t have a choice if you don’t want to end up behind bars. You’ve shown up way too many times to just be considered a coincidence anymore. You’ll become a suspect and most likely take the blame for the murders. We can’t have that, not when we know the truth. So don’t worry about it, it will be taken care of…..turn right then a left after this intersection.”

I frown at this statement. I didn’t want to be linked to the murders and end up in jail with a lot of questions to answer to. Gavin was right again, we had to do the wrong thing in order to do the right thing. I can’t worry about it, just focus on where to go from here.

I follow the rest of Gavin’s directions and we end up in downtown, parked in front of an old apartment building that is five stories high. The place looks a little shady to me but if Gavin trusts whoever lives here then I’ll go along with it. I just want to get him some help since his cut has drenched the rag of a shirt and needed medical attention a.s.a.p. And he was starting to pale due to blood loss, not good at all. I get out of the car and go to the passenger side to help him up, easy to mind his wounds. We walk up to the door and he presses the intercom.

“Cal, its’ me.” is all Gavin says.

We wait a few seconds then the man named Cal answers. “Do I even want to know what you did this time?”

“Just let me up, this is different.” Gavin growls out, not in the mood or shape to deal with the man’s annoyed attitude.

“…Ok, c’mon up.” Cal says with the same annoyed tone.

We walk in and go up to the third floor, the whole time I’m supporting Gavin as he clutches the railing. He moves up slowly and I can tell that he’s getting worse. We get to a worn out door with the number 305 on it. Gavin reaches up to knock but the door swings open to reveal a young man not much older than Gavin. He is tall and a bit on the thinner side compared to Gavin, more of a soccer player build. He has coal black hair that is a bit dishelved and a bit of stubble on his chin. He’s dressed in old jeans and a baggy grey shirt and has an unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth. I also see a very detailed, dark looking tattoo on his upper arm, half covered by his sleeve. Despite his appearance, he is still considerably attractive. He stares us up in down, sizing the situation up. We just stare back, waiting for him to let us in.

“Man, you really need to stop going that underground boxing…..who’s the chick?” The man named Cal says with an apathetic tone as he moves aside to let us in.

“That was years ago. This is work related.” Gavin retorts back as he passes Cal to go to the beat up couch against the adjacent wall with me following close behind.

“Work related? She’s a little young to be your partner, don’t ya think?” Cal says as he shoves his hands casually in his pockets and faces us, an eyebrow raised in question.

“This is Harley and she’s not my partner.” Gavin says as he slowly sits down, hand over his painful wound. His face shows a bit of discomfort as he sits back.

“Hi.” I simply say with a small wave and smile to be polite as I take a seat next to Gavin, not sure how I feel about this guy yet.

“Oh…so she’s…..nice man.” Cal comments as he gives me a wolfish grin and a wink at Gavin.

“It’s not like that, dumb ass.” Gavin growls out in annoyance.

“Hey man, if you like robbin’ the cradle, I ain’t judgeing. She’s cute.” Cal says with amusement plain on his face.

“I’m right here, ya know.” I add, not liking being talked about as if I’m not even in the room. “And it’s not like that!”

“Hey, if that’s the case even better.” Cal just shrugs, laughter shining in his eyes as he gives me a wink as well.

Gavin gives a glare at this comment, clearly getting annoyed at his friend. “Knock it off, dumb ass. I’m bleeding over here. Go get your kit.”

“Yeah yeah shit head, take it easy.” Cal mumbles over his shoulder as he goes through his small kitchen and into another room.

As he walks away I take a moment to view my surroundings. The small apartment is a bit on the dirty side, which I guess would be typical for a single guy since there isn’t any evidence lying around of another female present. The main living room which Gavin and I currently occupy connects to a kitchen, separated by a half wall at table level. Past that is a small hallway which if I crane my neck to see, I can make out three doors. Which I assume is a bathroom, the bedroom and possibly a closet. I look back to Gavin to see him leaning back with his eyes closed, trying to either relax or fight off a headache, I’m not sure which at this point.

“Sorry about that.” He mumbles, noticing my attention on him.

“It’s fine…how do you know this guy?” I ask in curiosity, not sure what to make of the two men’s relationship. They appear to like insulting each other but are very laid back around each other as well. In fact, this is the first time I’ve ever seen Gavin let his guard down and I don’t think it’s because of that pain.

“Me and The Champ here go way back. I’ve been fixing his sorry ass for years.” Replies Cal with a grin for Gavin as he comes back into the room with a medical kit, hand towel and a cup of ice in hand. Gavin shoots him another annoyed look as he pulls up a fold up chair to face the injured man. I just arch an eyebrow at the ice, not sure what it’s for.

“You mean this guy is a doctor?” I ask disbelievingly.

“Legally, No. Skillfully, Yes.” Cal replies casually as he opens up his kit to reveal bottles of medicine and surgical tools. He picks up a pair of steel scissors and begins to cut apart Gavin’s bloodied shirt.

“And you’re going to let him stitch you up?” I ask with slightly irritation, not liking the fact that this is very unprofessional…not to mention definitely not sanitary.

“He’s my best friend, practically family. He’s right when he said he’s been fixing me up for years.” Gavin explains as he leans forward to get closer to him. “He fixed me up when I used to box in…let’s just say not the most friendly of places back in high school. He’s even pulled three bullets out of me over the years back when I was a regular cop. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my injuries that are…off the record.”

“So that’s it. These two are old pals. But that doesn’t explain his lack of an M.D.” I conclude. Deciding to quench my curiosity, I have to ask. “So where did you learn to fix people?”

Cal rolls his unlit cigarette between his lips as he pulls away the once white shirt and picks up a few large sewing needles, studying them. “My dad was a doctor before he passed away. Taught me a lot since me and Gavin here would come home with scrapes and bruises back in junior high for fighting the other punks. Fun times.” He settles on one then unravels a bit of stitching thread. “He got sick of fixing us up all the time since we did it just for the fun of it so he made me learn so I could do it myself. I have the steadiest hand this side of Lake St. Clair.”

“Now you do. Back then we were lucky if you didn’t hit a major artery.” Gavin cracks at him, light playfulness in his voice despite his condition.

“For that comment I’m not going to numb you.” Cal shoots back with a smirk. Seeing my twisted face at the thought of the needle stabbing into skin, he comments with more humor, “Not that I have any anyway, I’ve been out for a few weeks now.”

“You wouldn’t if you didn’t waste your time fixing up gang members on the side.” Gavin adds, although his tone is one of sarcasm, not scolding like I would expect from an officer of the law. Apparently friendship trumps the law between these two. Not that I should be surprised since Gavin has gone out of the way for me lately despite the legally right thing to do.

“Cash is cash no matter whose pocket it comes from. Hold still, I’m going to ice you so quit your bitching.” Cal replies casually as he picks up an ice cube and pulls the soaked red shirt away from the gash. He gently rubs it against the still bleeding wound which causes Gavin to flinch and lightly hiss in pain. I instinctively scoot back as I watch the ice appear to become red. Cal massages the area until the skin is nice and cold. He then discards it into the cup and grabs the hand towel. “Bite down, jerk. I don’t need you biting off your fucking tongue. I can extract a bullet with nothing but a small knife but even I can’t put fix that despite it being considered an improvement for you.”

Despite the name calling and verbal jabs, Gavin complies, clenching the cloth with his white teeth. I slightly squirm at the sight of Cal threading the needle. He places his left hand on Gavin’s shoulder to support himself and brings the steel needle to the cut. He mumbles how the torn skin is four and a half inches long as he studies the cut along with the smaller and less threatening others littering his torso. I do the same, relieved to see that underneath all that blood smeared skin, Slaiden never got too deep on the other ones. I can even make out a few small scars spread around on his front and arms, assumingly from the earlier mentioned bullets.

“Fuck Gavin, you look like you fought Freddy Fucking Kruger. Did the knife practically fall on ya? I expected flawlessness from you.” Cal comments mockingly, never missing an opportunity to diss his friend.

Gavin just glares back, unable to speak with the gag in his mouth. I actually give a small giggle at the sight, finding amusement in their exchange and momentarily forgetting the real reason he got the cuts from. I even briefly forget my own until the rumbling from my laugh causes pain to my side.

Not taking his eyes from the wound, Cal stabs the needle into Gavin’s flesh. Gavin gives a groan in pain but it’s muffled very well by the towel. Cal then starts threading it up, pulling the separated skin together. I watch silently in fascination, never having gotten stitches myself before. He pokes at the skin and weaves through it. The whole time Gavin is chomping down on the rag, face scrunching in discomfort. Cal was right about his steady hand, he’s blowing through the length with speed and efficiency. Once he’s done, he ties it off and cuts off the excess thread. Tossing it back in the kit, he replaces it with a small bottle. He squirts the unknown white cream onto a cotton ball and gently dabs it around his handy work. I can make out the sound of a sigh from Gavin which makes me conclude that the cream is for soothing. Cal then goes on to examine the rest of him, patching up the smaller cuts with either surgical tape or gauze and larger band aids. Soon Gavin’s torso and arms are covered in white strips. He spits out the towel and says thanks. Once satisfied, Cal turns to me.

“Alright you’re next, little lady.” He says with a playful wink. Only I’m now anything but in the mood to be playful.

“Oh no, not gonna happen.” I think, conscious of my lack of proper clothing underneath the overly large hoodie. My face must portray my thoughts because Cal picks up on it.

“C’mon now, that bruise on your head is proof enough that you’re hurt. Your leaning of the right side is also a dead giveaway. Can’t fool me, sweetheart.” Cal says with a cocky smirk, knowing that he’s dead on.

Knowing that I have to make the real reason clear as to why I don’t want him helping me and not due to stubbornness, I gesture to my rag of a shirt that is at Gavin’s feet. “That rag you put there…that was my shirt.”

Cal’s eyes slightly widen at this but quickly recovers. He even gives a reassuring smile before replying. “It’s fine, you don’t have to get naked. I’m not some perv…not right now anyway.” He gives another wink, hoping to help ease my discontent.

Realizing that he’s not going to give up, I give a sigh in frustration. I have to expose my little secret, no pun intended. Once again feeling embarrassment, I look away from both Cal and Gavin, finding interest in the haggard grey carpet. “That’s the thing…umm…” I stuff my hands in the large front pocket and pull out what little remains of my underwear I have. “Yeah…..so…..”

Cal’s eyes widen even larger than before. He then shoots out of his chair and it staring down intently at Gavin. His face’s once relaxed features are now hard and serious which completely catches me off guard. Locking eye’s with Gavin, Cal speaks in a cold tone. “What. Did. You. Do?”

Now it’s Gavin turn to do an attitude shift. His eyes slightly widen at this accusation but they quickly harden once the words sink in. He gets up to meet Cal straight in the eye despite the painful injuries. His eyes show a touch of anger as he matches Cal’s stare and tone. “I didn’t do that. How in the fuck could you even think that?”

Cal just stares at the detective, studying him to make sure he is telling the truth. While I appreciate Cal going all big brother on me, I really don’t want a misunderstanding to occur. I decide to speak so he knows it’s all fine. “Gavin didn’t do it. What hap--”

Cal stops me mid sentence by raising a hand. He keeps his eyes on Gavin as he talks. “I don’t want to know. Don’t ask, don’t tell. Sorry, bro but you can’t blame me for thinking that.”

“Its fine, I get it.” Gavin says as he looks to me. His eyes fill with a hint of guilt as he looks upon my tattered clothing.

“Good…now regardless, I still want to check you out so wait here. I’ll dig up something for you to wear besides that hoodie. Blood stained is not a good look for you.” Cal says casually, back to his laid back demeanor. He turns around and walks back to where I assume is the bedroom. I look down at myself and realize there are stains of blood from helping Gavin up the stairs. The hoodie would need to go.

Gavin slowly sits back down, both from pain and slight irritation from being accused of a horrible act. Looking at me he whispers an apology that between us has a double meaning. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine, really.” I reply which can be said for both subjects.

Cal reenters the room holding a thin scarf, a black wife beater and a pair of boxers. “Here,” He says as he hands them to me. “Use the scarf to rap your breast up since you can’t wear that hoodie any longer. The bathroom is just past the kitchen, on the right.”

I say thanks as I take them and leave the room. I’m in the bathroom ten steps later and quickly start discarding my trashed clothing. I notice that my jean capris have a large hole in the back of my right leg, something I didn’t notice before due to all of the commotion tonight. They would need to go too. I use the scarf like Cal told me, binding my breasts and tucking the ends in the sides. It’s actually kind of comfortable. I then slip on the grey and black checkered boxers, rolling the waistband up to fit my hips. Last to go on is the wife beater. The black tank top is huge on me, going down mid thigh and would have shown a bit of cleavage if not for the navy blue scarf. As satisfied as I can be, I exit the bathroom to see Cal doing a quick final check on Gavin to make sure nothing was missed. Both men turn their heads to stare at me.

“Told you she’d look good in my clothes.” Cal says with a wolfish grin and laugher in his eyes. I feel my cheeks heat up at the compliment, unsure if I should respond.

“Just get it over with, shit head.” Gavin growls out, not in the mood anymore to for Cal’s humor. I think the pain is making him aggravated and is just taking it out on Cal. Or this could be common for all I know.

“Man your grouchy when you’re hurting. Just relax and let Doc here take care of everything. Where’s that trust you’re always talking about?” Cal mocks as he gets up with his kit to face me. His face loses the casualness as he sizes me up. “Do you want me to do this in the bathroom with more privacy or in here? I’m not that kind of doctor but I can take a look down there if anything is bleeding that shouldn’t be. I’m a doctor first and man second so don’t be embarrassed. It’s your call babe.”

“You’re not even a doctor.” I think sarcastically as I study myself. It hurts down at my womanhood and those stairs earlier didn’t help one bit. But despite the pain, nothing else is in serious need of attention. The only major cuts on me are at my hips. I get a bit uneasy thinking about that but since he already has an idea of what happened I’ll let him see and he can think whatever he wants. “No it’s fine. We can do it here. The only thing you need to see is at my hips and side…and head I guess.”

He gives a nod in understanding. He sits back down in his chair and motions for me to stand in front of him. I do and roll down the boxers until they sit just above where my curls start. I then roll up the large tank top to just below my covered breasts. I hold it up as Cal’s eyes roam my front, noting every cut or discoloration. He takes his hand and softly applies pressure on my bruising side. I instantly wince.

“No broken ribs, just some inner bleeding. That’s going to be one nasty bruise tomorrow but it’ll be fine.” He says as he moves to look at the rest of my dirt covered front. I can tell by his hard eyes that he has a pretty good idea of what happened. Cal then dabs at the slowly bleeding claw marks on my hips with a cotton swap. It’s cool to the touch so he must have put that cream on it. Once they are clean he bandages them up. Satisfied, his face now travels to my own, eyes fixated on the bruise. I put down the shirt and stay still. He gently rubs his thumb across it, similar to how Slaiden did only with a softer, more compassionate touch. Despite the gentleness, I still flinch back. Cal slightly frowns at this, brows furrowed. Rolling the unused cigarette with his lips again, he wets a cotton swab with ice and cleans the dirt away from it and the rest of my face. “Nothing I can do for the bruising, you’ll just have to let it fade.”

I just nod as he sits back, taking in his work. Cal then looks over at Gavin and gives a nod in satisfaction. He then gathers up his stuff and gets up to go put it away. I give a sigh out of exhaustion, tired and sore all over. I sit down on the couch and rest my head back. I let my eyes shut to relax. I don’t get to long though because Gavin get’s my attention.

“We’re sleeping here tonight. You should call your house and tell them you’re at a friends’ house.” He says as he glances at his own phone.

“What? Why? Why can’t I go home?” I say with surprise. I just want to go home and curl up in my own bed.

“Cuz I don’t want a certain someone to show up when I’m not there.” Gavin whispers with edge as to not let Cal overhear.

“Oh…alright.” I say in understanding as I fish out my cell from my capris on the floor. I decide to just send a text due to the late hour. Once again I lie about being over Tina’s and that I’d be home sometime tomorrow. Once it’s sent, Cal returns with some blankets.

“Alright freeloaders, time for bed.” He says as he tosses them onto Gavin’s lap, not at all concerned about his condition. Gavin gives a grunt in displeasure, glaring at Cal’s smirking face. He then points to me. “You young lady will be spending the night in my room.”

“She’s what?” Gavin says with edge, not liking Cal’s suggestion…not that I am either.

“Easy papa bear, I’m bunking with you tonight. Can’t have you dying on me now, otherwise who’d pay your ever growing tab? C’mon Harley, I’ll show you to the room.” Cal says with a grin, enjoying irking Gavin. I get up and go over to him. He casually puts his arm around my shoulder as we turn around. Slyly he comments for my ears only, “The fucker trusts my hands completely when it comes to his life but not to keep them off a fine young woman such as yourself. No trust, no trust at all.”

I actually crack a grin of my own, laughing. Cal is a pretty decent guy, not as rough as I first thought. His laid back personality reminding me bit of Conner and Gil only more sarcastic then goofy.

“See there, got ya to laugh. Feeling better already.” Cal says as he opens the door to his bedroom. He steps inside and goes to the closet. I step in and look around. It’s definitely a guy’s room, dirty carpet, crumpled bedding and half open drawers. Also Cal seems perfectly fine about me being in here to see whatever I want about his life, the interesting reading material lying around on the floor is proof enough. Cal turns around and throws a clean sheet onto the bed for me to sleep on followed by an extra blanket. “Just lay the sheet over the bed.”

“Thanks…for everything Cal.” I say with a genuine smile, thankful that he helped us out and didn’t ask questions. I could finally relax my pained body even if it was in some other guys’ bed.

“You’re welcome. I’d do anything for Gavin, we’ve saved each other’s ass so many times it’s become normal for us. I may act aloof and unsympathetic but I do care about him. It’s just how we communicate.” Cal says, habitually rolling the cigarette with his lips.

“You guys are close, that’s all that matters.” I say as I cover the top of the bed with the clean, well cleaner, sheet. I then sit down, getting used to the feel. “Well I’m going to sleep, my body is pretty sore. Good night.”

Cal just nods with a knowing look and turns back to the door. He grabs onto the door knob and stops in the door way with his back to me.

“Sweet dreams princess.” He casually says over his shoulder, shutting the door behind him.

Giving another sigh in exhaustion, I lay back into the bed. I pull the blanket on top of me and close my eyes. I relax my muscles, trying to block out the throbbing pain in my lower thighs and stinging feeling on my hips. I have a major headache too but it will fade with sleep. I clear my head of the horrible events of tonight, not wanting to think about Phil or the party and definitely not Slaiden. Bad memories aside, sleep eventually finds me.

-------------------- ( Third Person POV ) --------------------

“Alright start talking.” Cal says in a serious tone as he sits on the couch with two bottles of beer next to Gavin, his laid back demeanor gone.

Taking the beer and twisting off the top, Gavin clinks bottles with his old friend. “Don’t ask, don’t tell, remember?”

“This isn’t a normal off the record case that you usually have. The fact that you brought her here tells me that. I can tell by her body that she’s one tough chick. The sight of you two tells me something big went down…I’m mean, the girl’s barely out of high school by the looks of her, what can you two possibly be mixed up in? While you got the shit beat out of you, she got the rougher end so start talking. Now.” Orders the usually carefree young man.

Gavin is silent for a moment, considering what to say. “Damn. He never shows interest when I’m here but the time I bring a friend, he’s all ears. Nothing ever gets by him, he just chooses never to say anything. Should I clue him in? Would Harley care?...fuck it, he’ll never ease up if I don’t.” Letting out a sigh and taking a long sip of his beer, he responds. “You wouldn’t believe it, hell I barely believe it and I was there.”

“Try me, I’ve seen and heard some weird shit in my day.” Cal says, taking a sip of his own and lighting his cigarette. He offers one to Gavin but he declines. “Hell, you were there with me for most of them.”

“This is much bigger than the time where we saw that André the Giant like guy lift that Toyota and hurl it into that liquor store and take us and Vinnie on in the parking lot.” Gavin says as he sips his beer.

“Really? Damn that was one of my top 5’s, took forever to patch Vinnie up, that shit head…..but if that’s so then I want to know what trouble you’ve gotten into without me…damn I was replaced by a chick.” Cal ends with fake sulking.

“You haven’t been replaced, idiot. No one could replace your dumb ass.” Gavin reassures him with a small laugh before getting serious again. He takes another long sip before continuing. “The thing with Harley was unexpected. I didn’t even know she was involved until last week and this whole mess started last month…*Sigh*…are you sure you want to know? I can’t guarantee your safety after getting involved, if only partially, Cal. I’m serious, this is scary shit.”

Losing the humor from his eyes as he leans into the couch, Cal answers. “Lay it on me, bro. Danger doesn’t scare me, no matter what the kind. Cal Corrigan faces it daily and he’s hasn’t died yet.”

Gavin is silent for a moment, striking up the nerve. With another sigh he asks one simple thing. “Do you believe in demons?”

Cal arches an eyebrow, as if not understanding. He takes a long drag of his cigarette before replying. “Are we talking inner personal, painful memory type demons or Anti-Christ devil like demons?”

“Anti-Christ.” Gavin simply responds, his face void of expression.

“Well…put it this way, it wouldn’t surprise me if they exist. Blame it on all those ghost hunter shows but I’m no skeptic but nor am I as religious as my old man was, God rest his soul.” Cal says, taking the detective seriously.

“I never believed in that sort of stuff until recently, until I saw him with my own eyes.” Gavin adds as he swirls the liquid in his bottle around.

“Him? As in a demon him?...Fuck, are ya telling me a demon did this to you?.....And the girl?” Cal ask, eerily calm about the topic as he exhales a cloud of smoke.

Gavin remains silent but that is all that is necessary to confirm it.

“Now I’ve got to hear it. Everything.” Cal says as he stares at the blank TV across the room, brows furrowed with a hard gaze.

Gavin looks over at his best friend. While his face is stoic, behind his eyes are a deep appreciation for the young man next to him. The one man that has seen him at his worst and at his best and never thought anything different of him. Who would always have his back and listen to what he had to say. Knowing that Cal would actually take him seriously, Gavin starts from the beginning. “It all started a few weeks back when we responded to a call about a murder vic at a local bar…….”

An hour, three cigarettes and four more beers later Gavin finishes the horrific truth. “And then we came here. That’s what’s happening. Think whatever you want about it but I’m lucky to be alive right now with all that blood I lost.”

Cal’s face is solemn as he sits there in silence. He kills his cigarette in the ash tray and puts a fresh one in its place but doesn’t light it. He looks at his buddy of sixteen years once ready to comment. “Damn…unbelievable…simply unbelievable. But I believe ya, damned if I don’t. That Slaiden guy really did a number on you. Good thing you woke up, otherwise you’d be dead in that kid’s lawn with Trisha taking your picture..…and poor Harley, I feel for the girl… I also respect her for saving your ass like that, giving up something so important to a woman. I’d be pissed if one of my sisters did that but at the same time, it shows she has compassion for our fellow man, something not many people have now a days. Risking her neck to save others she doesn’t even like…And to see her still going, damn that’s courage if I ever saw it…..Do you still think she’s what Slaiden wants?”

“It’s only a theory. The only thing I have to support it is that he hasn’t killed her yet, not even tried to. He could be waiting til the end, once this is all over and he has to be sent back. But based on the way he looks at her, I can tell that he has a deeper interest then just a good fuck before he leaves. It makes me sick, Cal, that I, Trisha or Louis can't help her. She’s trying to save us, as messed up as that is. We are running out of time too, the list is almost complete from what Slaiden said.” Gavin replies as he takes one last swig of his third beer that night, welcoming the light headedness and numbing of pain.

“Well then you and Wonder Woman in there better step it up. I’d hate to see a demon do you in…maybe something will come to you after you sleep if off like princess. Never know, the mind works in mysterious ways.” Cal adds as he gets up, grabbing a nearby blanket. He walks over to the Lazy-boy and reclines it. Lying back, he gets comfortable.

“Yeah, sleep will do me some good. Thanks again…and for listening.” Gavin mumbles as he lays down on his back, cushioning his head on a worn out pillow.

“Anytime. Just don’t die on me tonight, I don’t want to clean up the mess. Blood before breakfast is not how I like to start my day.” The man three feet away mumbles as he rolls on his side.

“Good Night, Doctor Dick.”

“Sweet dreams Officer Pussy…or is it Detective Pussy now?”

“Shit head.”

“Love you too honey.”


~`~`~`~`~` ( Author Notes ) `~`~`~`~`~

Wow, long chapter. Took forever but I feel it was worth the effort. I had to add a little humor into the mix so this chapter wouldn’t be so serious or bland. I feel adding Cal made Harley and Gavin’s recovery more interesting then my first idea of a hospital scene. It would’ve been too hard. Writing for the effect of ER or House just wouldn’t do justice to the origianlness that I’m going for. All in all, I’m happy with it and I hope you loyal readers are too. I already know exactly what the next chapter is going to be.

Like I mentioned earlier, I’m going back to my university on Friday, so don’t expect the next chapter for about two weeks which is a rough estimate. While it pains me to do so, seriously I’m almost tearing up right now, updates will be less frequent. BUT I WILL CONTINUE AND FINISH!!! AND MAKE A SEQUAL!!!

Thanks for all your support, AFF readers, this summer. You made it worth it!

Stay Tuned!

Please Review! :D