Chapter 13

Morning came all too soon for Nick. He wasn’t ready to go face the reality of his situation. His nurse walked in with a cheery smile on her face and a tray of food in her hands. Nick groaned, not wanting to eat the nasty hospital food. “Morning.”

“Morning…”

Nick pushed his tray aside and began thinking about what would happen when they were released from the hospital. Would they be back to finish the job? Nick shook the thought off, taking in a shaky breath. “Mr. Carter are you okay you look sorta pale?”

“Yeah, fine.”

The nurse gave him a questioning look and walked off.

Nick was surprised to see Brian wheeled in. He looked rather apprehensive to Nick, and this scared him.

“Hey,” Brian greeted Nick with a weak smile.

“What’s wrong?” Brian asked.

“Nothin…I was just thinkin about what you said last night.”

Brian gave Nick a look of confusion. “Oh yeah…. Well Nick I didn’t mean to scare you…. I just wanted to know.”

“Well yeah, but they haven’t been found. What if they come back!?”

“I dunno…. it isn’t something I have given much thought Nick.”

“Well we should Bri it’s a big possibility!”

“Sorry I just don’t wanna worry about it right now.”

Nick turned his head away and frowned, suddenly tired. “Rok, I wanna get some sleep.”

“Sure Nick lemme get my nurse…”

“When do you get to start walking?”

“My doctor says he wants to start this afternoon.”

“Oh alright, maybe I will come see you later.”

Brian didn’t respond, instead let his nurse take him back to his room. First he turned his TV on, but then rested his head onto his soft fluffy pillow and shut his eyes.

Howie and AJ sat in Howie’s room talking. The high pitched ring of the phone drew their attention to the nightstand. “Hello,” Howie asked non-chalantly. At first there was breathing, loud breathing. Howie bit his lip, his face paling the same shade as his blanket. “Hello?” he asked, his tone rising a notch in frustration.

“It ain’t over boys. I’ll be back, I can promise you that!”

It only took a second for Howie to recognize the eerie voice. He dropped the phone; his breath coming in short gasps.

“Howie, man you okay? Who was it?” AJ asked urgently, the concern evident in his shaky voice. Howie drew a trembling hand to his mouth. “Rob…oh God AJ they’re back!”

AJ sat stunned for a few moments, taking it all in. His mouth agape and his face paling. “Are—are…uh, are you sure it wasn’t some prank?”

“No.” Howie stated without hesitation. “I know his voice. It was Rob….what’re we gonna do?”

AJ slapped the nurse call button and waited impatiently for the nurse to arrive.

“Yes boys?”

“We need to speak with the police, now!”

“Excuse me? Very well, I’ll be right back.”

“D? Will you be okay alone? I wanna go check on the guys.”

“Yeah. Hurry back though. Okay?”

“Sure.”

AJ walked off towards Kevin’s room. He slowly opened the door and crept in. Kevin was asleep. He then headed towards Nick’s room and silently walked in. He inspected Nick then walked to Brian’s room. AJ opened the door and peered in. Brian was asleep, but the TV was on. He shut it off and made sure Brian was okay before going back to Howie’s room.

“They’re on their way,” Howie informed AJ.

“Everyone okay?”

“Yeah, they’re all asleep.”

“Good.”

A few minutes’ later two police walked in. they sat and talked with AJ and Howie. Howie explained what Rob had said on the phone. Guards were being hired to stand in front of each one of their doors. Once the police left Kevin walked in. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Howie and AJ exchanged looks. “Kev…they’re back.”