Frankie rushed out to look for Annie. He found her sitting outside the hospital. She got up to run but he caught up with her. "Would you stop running and listen to me?" he asked.
"You lied to me!" she shouted. "You knew I was Simon's daughter! You knew what a horrible person I was! And you knew about how complicated my relationship with the sisters were! But you... you...you didn't tell me!" she yelled. "Why did you hid everythign from me?"
He placed his hands firmly on her shoulders in an encouraging manner. "I wanted you to have a fresh start in life." he gentley said. "You weren't able to chose your parents (Simon), you couldn't chose your friends (the sisters), but I want you to be able to chose your future." He tried to explain to her.
Annie was touched by his words. A tear escaped her eyes as she thought about how wonderful he was. "I don't deserve all this kindness." She said pushing his hands off her shoulders and turned to walk away..
"Look at me!" he ordered pulling her back. She refused to look at him but he forced her to. "Look at me. We can't change the past but we can change the future. The future is what we make of it and I'm not letting you slip away from me." he said hugging her tightly.
Being held in his warm embrace, she was unable to say anything as tears came down her face. After a few seconds of standing still as if she was paralyzed in her decision, she gave him a slight push to get out of his arms. Swiftly, he pulled her closer to him and forced a passionate kiss on her. She tried to pull back but found herself wanting to be in his arms and embrace forever.
After the kiss he looked at her sternly. "Even if you don't choose me in the future, I want you to know that I'll be right here for you, right now and forever."
"I'm sorry. I can't. Not right now." She said slowly releasing his grip from her arm. Frankie watched with heartbreak as she pushed his hands off her arm. His hands finally fell off hers. With a forlorn expression in her eyes, she ran off in tears.
At the same time, Marcos was standing in the nearby bushes. He was coming to the hospital to meet Frankie for police business when and heard their conversation and hid away. When he saw Annie run off, he followed her.
~ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ~
THREE DAYS LATER...
Joey stirred as she opened her eyes. She struggled to see where she was at. Her head was in pain. She notices a male figure by her bedside. SHe tries to see who it is but the figure reminds her of both Stephen and Nicholas. She trembles trying to sit up because her whole body aches. She looks around wondering what happened because all she remembered was heading for the mountain side and now waking up in this cold room.
The male figure wakes up and looks at her. He smiles noticing her up. "Thank heavens you're ok!" he says excitedly and hugs her.
She smiles at him and looks dazed. "How long have I been ummm... sleeping or unconscious?" she asked.
"A few weeks." He replies enthusiastically because she's finally up.
She chuckled and rolled her eyes at him. "What day is today?"
"It's January 4, 1997." He replies.
She looks around the room. "Where is..." She starts to ask but he cuts her off because he knows who she's looking for.
"I'm sorry." He says with a sad tone. She stares at him puzzled at why he's acting so strangely. He hands her a video tape. She stares at it wondering what it meant then looks at the video. A strange feeling took over and a rush of cold air ran through her spine. She drops the video tape with sudden fear.
He picks it up for her again. "I'll put it into a VCR for you." He said walking to the TV and VCR.
She shakes her head in a combination of fear and confusion. "What happened? What is this?" she asked.
"Watch and I'll explain more if you don't understand." He replied letting out a deep sigh before putting it in.
* : * : * BEGIN VIDEO * : * : *
Hi Joey, babe. I'm sure you can tell it's me Stephen. (He flicks his hair back and nervously wipes the sweat off from the tip of his nose.)
By the time you watch this video, I've already left your side. (He chuckles trying to laugh). You probably think I did this to prove that I loved you more than Nic. (He shakes his head). But I didn't. I did this because I love you and... (he paused for a moment) and I know Nic also loves you. I've learned that I don't need to prove I love you more than him or anyone else because love cannot be measured.
(He looks at the palm of his hand and then back to the camera lens.) I used to think that living without you was the hardest thing in the world, but as I watched your feeble body laying on the small bed in critical condition, I realized that I didn't want you to die. I wanted you to live a happy life, whether it was with me, Nic or whoever else. (He starts to tear up)
Don't cry, babe. (He said choking back his own sorrow) I know you're hurting deep inside as you watch this because I know you loved me too. But I also know a part of your heart now belongs to Nic. Since you couldn't choose who you loved more, I decided to help you. (He chuckles) Actually in a way the heavens helped you because they knew I was never good enough for you. They knew that (He says pointing up) so they made it possible for me to be here for you right now.
I'm sorry I couldn't save you before but I truly hope I've save you now. Please live a good, healthy, and happy life for yourself. Not for anyone else, not even Nick If he ever mistreats you, leave him. Don't do anything you don't want to do anymore. Please take good care of yourself.
I have to end this video now. I love you and I'll always be with you, in your heart. (He says with a smile as he wipes his last tear away and reaches to turn off the camcorder).
* : * : * END VIDEO * : * : *
Joey is bewildered and looks at Nic. "What was that all about?" She asked worriedly. "Where's Stephen!" she asked in a panick. She couldn't believe Stephen left her. Why would he leave her? He never left her! Did he go to jail? Did he try to kill Annie and got caught by Frankie? Where was he? Tears were now collecting in her eyes.
Nic sniffles letting out an apologetic sigh. "The doctors said you needed another heart to live." He says slowly. Joey touches her heart. Now she understood what Stephen meant when he said he'll always be with her in her heart. Tears that were already wielded in her eyes started to stream down her cheeks as she shakes her head.
Nic continues, "He sacrificed his heart to give it to you because it was compatible." he finished.
"You're lying to me!" Joey cried. "Stephen's just mad at me because I couldn"t decide." she cried. She cared a lot about Stephen and at one point she was madly in love with him.
Nic tried to comfort her. "I'm sorry if I could have replaced him, I would have but... but..." he stuttered lost for words. "I'm sorry." He cried embracing her into his arms.
Joey cried. "No Stephen's just mad at me." She said in denial of his death as she leaned on Nic's shoulders crying. "He can't leave me. he won't ever. He promised to take care of me forever." She cried.
Nic felt her pain and would do anything to take it all away but he knew only time could heal this pain. He let her cry drenching his shirt full of tears. Afterwards when she was ready he explained everything.
* * * * (FLASHBACK TO EARLIER THAT WEEK) * * * *
"I don't believe anyone can protect her but me." Stephen replied then chuckled again. "What if I killed you so she could have a heart?" He asked.
"That's not wrong. I already gave her my heart, so it's hers for the taking." Nic replied meaning he already loved her so much.
Stephen smiled. "You really amuse me." He said with a genuine grin. Nic smiled also. "But I'd have to kill your brothers too because they'd come after me if I killed you." Stephen continued now with a glare on his face.
Nic was stunned by his words and gave him a shocked look. "Goodbye Nic." Stephen said pointing the gun at the unarmed Nic.
"Stephen, what are you doing? You know that you're heart is the one compatible with Joey's not mine." Nic said in confusion. "Why are you..." he said then realized what Stephen was trying to do. He wanted Nic to shoot him or do something that would kill him so he could sacrifice his heart for Joey since the doctors won't use a living person's heart. "I'm not going to kill you!" Nic suddenly shouted and got up from his chair.
"You're smarter than I give you credit for." Stephen chuckled realizing Nic understood his intentions. "At least I know Joey?s in good hands." He said pointing the gun back at himself.
?NO!? Nick shouted and leaped forward but Stephen shoved him off and jumped back. "Please do me one last favor and give her that tape." Stephen said pointing to the videotape on her hospital table then pulled the trigger to his head.
* * * * (BACK TO THE CURRENT SITUATION) * * * *
Joey was still in denial. "NO!" she said shaking her head. "He won't leave me! He's always said he'll take care of me. He'll never leave me!" She shouted in more pain again. She didn't want to believe such a thing had happened.
Nic pulled her close to him and embraced her as he said, "I know you didn't choose me. I know you love Stephen but I don't care. I know you might think everything is wrong right now but please." He said as she lifted her head to look at him. "PLEASE give me a chance to love you and show you how right everything can and will be. Please." He asked with sincerity.
Joey hesiitated as she thought of Stephen's sacrafice. She felt it would be wrong but at the same time nothing was right at that moment. Stephen did tell her to give Nic a chance so she nodded and fell into his embrace. She wanted everything to be right and good. She wanted to go home. With the sudden thought of home, she became worried for her sisters.
"Where are my sisters?" she asked flinching from Nic. He gulped unsure of what to tell her. Slowly he told her everything that happened while she was in a coma. Joey was so petrified she almost fainted. It was all too much.
~ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ~
Meanwhile Annie was at the grave site Frankie had prepared for Simon. Frankie knew Annie would want her father properly buried so he did it while she was in a coma with her amnesia. Annie stared into the picture of her father crying.
"I remember that you jumped up from your seat to save me when I crashed into the mountain." Annie cried. "I don't care what anyone thinks about you. You're my daddy and you loved me. I'm sorry daddy. I love you. It's my fault you're dead!" she yelled hitting her head on his tombstone.
Marco suddenly came out to stop her from hitting her head. "Killing yourself won't solve anything." He said holding her back.
"Why should you care!" she shouted shoving his hand out of the way.
"Because I do care for you and consider you a friend." he replied sincerely.
Annie stared at him for a moment then looked away. Guilt overcame her for the way she treated him. She realized she wasn't scared of him when she had amnesia. She was really only scared of facing what she did to him. "I'm sorry I was just a horrible person to you." she said jerking away from him. "I used and dumped you like a piece of meat. It was wrong of me." she said apologetically.
"It's okay. I've forgotten about it." He said. "You shouldn't treat yourself this way."
Annie shook her head. "It doesn't matter anymore." She said softly. "Nothing actually matters anymore." She said shaking her head and looking to the ground.
"You matter!" Marco shouted and held her firmly. "You matter a lot." He said softly. Annie stared at him in shock then quickly pushed him away. "I'm sorry." Marco said realizing what he did.
"It's okay." She said feeling awkward since she realized Marco still had feelings for her.
"I know you love Frankie, why won't you just accept him?" Marco asked.
"Because I don't deserve him. He's a good guy, on the right side of the law, with a good heart." Annie said sadly. "I'm a bad girl, on the wrong side of the law with an evil heart."
"You're none of that." Marco said coming closer to her. "You're wonderful and you deserve better." Marco said coming closer to her with a strange look in his eye that gave her goosebumps all over her arms.
Annie backed away. He was scaring her now because it seemed like he still wanted something to happen between them. "I don't deserve better." Annie said.
"If you don't want Frankie how about me?" he asked. "I'm not such a good guy. I'm the bad cop." He said patting his chest.
Annie shook her head "I don't want you or Frankie." She said softly as she tried to walk away from him.
Marco pulled her back and pulled out a gun. "Then how about I get rid of Frankie?" he asked with an evil grin as he shifted the gun and shook his head. "Come with me." He said in a demanding voice. Annie struggled to get free but he refused to let her go.
~ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ~
LATER THAT DAY... in Nnadia's room
Joey was sitting next to Nnadia's bed. She was still weak since she just woke up from her coma. Nnadia refused to look at her and was instead staring at her own hands. "Ling jei jei." Joey called her. "Ling jei jei please look at me." She begged.
Nnadia looked around the room as if desperately searching for something then looked back at Joey with a smile. "Cho Yee." She said recognizing Joey. "I promised to take you home. Don't worry, this is one promise I'll definately keep. " She said then looked at her hands again as she hummed their childhood song.
Joey shook her head. "I only want you to be okay again." She cried.
Nnadia finished humming and looked at Joey again and unexpectedly started realizing who she was. She realized what happened three days ago. She held onto her head screaming at the recollections of all the events that took place.
"Ling Jei Jei! Are you okay?" Joey asked struggling to help her.
Nic entered her room at that point. "What's wrong?" Nic asked hurrying over to them.
Nnadia stopped screaming as she saw Nic. Seeing him brought memories of Ekin into her mind and now she was clouded with the memory that she killed him and Louis. She started thinking and wondering about the images in her mind.
Leon had recovered from his short coma but was still too weak to walk. He entered the room in a wheel chair. He noticed Nic and immediately said, "I'm sorry." As the nurse pushed him towards Nnadia's bed.
Nic turned away from Leon. He was unable to respond. He was angry. He was mad he couldn't be by his brothers' side before they died because he was at Stephen's side since Stephen shot himself that same day and was dying too. He didn't even know about his brothers' death until hours later.
There was a moment of silence until Ada came in a little later sitting on a wheelchair pushed by a nurse. Joey limped over to Ada and hugged her. Ada smiled, "I went to your room but I was told you came down here." Ada said. She was able to talk now but very slowly.
"I was worried for you and Kristy too but Nic told me you'd be down here." Joey said and looked around. "Where's Kristy?" she asked.
Ada closed her eyes and thought about what happened three days ago. "She's... she is..." she was saying but was cut off when a nurse pushed Kristy's wheelchair in.
Joey quickly hugged Kristy also. "Are you okay?" she asked in deep concern.
Kristy nodded, "I'm ok." She responded. "Luckily Nnadia Jei called the doctors in time or else I'd be dead now." She replied looking at Nnadia.
"What do you mean?" Joey asked. "How did she know to call the doctors in her condition?"
* * * * (FLASHBACK TO EARLIER THAT WEEK) * * * *
Kristy's heart could no longer be broken it was dead, inside and out. First Joey is in a coma, Ada is paralyzed, Louis died and now Nnadia was crazy. She couldn't move and fell to the floor. She felt a pain hit her heart and started shaking.
Ada panicked. They had sent the nurses out. Nobody could call for help except Nadia who looked too crazy to realize what was going on. Ada tried her best to call Nnadia. Her lips wouldn't move. He tongue wouldn't respond.
Nnadia looked at Kristy laying on the floor. Her eyebrows curved as she saw her lay there twitching. Suddenly a flashback of Ada wounded on the boat entered her mind. She thought she was 9 years old again on the boat and Ada was wounded on the head trying to save her. Instead of seeing Kristy lay there on the ground, she saw a 10 year old Ada.
Nnadia ran to the door of the hospital room pounding and screaming. "My sister is bleeding!" Nnadia screamed. "Please help her, please help her." She cried.
The police officers watching over her room opened it and one of them quickly informed the doctors who took action immediately. Luckily Doctor Ruth was walking towards the room feeling uncertainty towards Kristy's condition. He and Doctor Lim talked about Kristy's reaction if Louis or Nnadia were to die and realized Kristy wouldn't be able to take the stress which would result in a negative reaction.
Soon Doctor Ruth entered the room accompanied by the doctors and nurse the police officer had called and lift Kristy to an operation room where she was treated immediately.
* * * * (BACK TO THE CURRENT SITUATION) * * * *
As Kristy and Ada finished telling their story of the events that took place they looked at Nnadia and saw her smiling at them. This alarmed everybody in the room, including Nic who were wondering why she had such and expression.
Her face was not full of happiness or sorrow. She was just smiling at them. It was obviously a smile with nothing behind it, no emotions at all. Everyone was silent. Nnadia continued to think and remember everything as she was becoming more conscious and not feeling mentally unstable anymore.
Joey was distraught. She looked to Nic for moral support. Nic held her to comfort her but even he didn't know what was going on. Suddenly Nnadia spoke up. "Do you know how many people I've killed?" She asked.
Everybody wondered why she asked such a question. Leon was pushed closer to her bedside then he let his nurse leave the room. Nobody responded so she told them. "I've personally killed FIVE people I HATED with all my heart and soul" she emphasized on the word five and hated.
Leon looked at her and held onto her hand. Nnadia turned to him and smiled a genuine smile unlike earlier and continued. "I wanted to get you all home and kill the people that caused our life so much pain that I forgot we even had a life." She said. "Or at least what's left of it." She chuckled.
They didn't know what to say. Nnadia now looked completely sane. "I don't regret what I've done because they deserved it, each and everyone of them. But he sixth and seventh person." She said referring to Louis and Ekin. 'Where are they and what happend to them after I shot them? Are they still alive?" she asked with fright."
~ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ~
Copyright © Nov. 2, 2003
IiI Sorrow IiI
All rights reserved.