The daily serial fictional based on Chicago's Boystown neighborhood: Boystown series by Danny Bernardo

Follow us    Twitter Twitter

24. Battered and Bloody

LaTrice's eyes widened as Dawn crept closer and closer to Tyler. Suddenly, the hairs on Tyler's neck stood on end and, as if granted the heightened awareness of a spider, he knew that he was in immediate danger. Without a glance backwards, he ducked down just as Dawn lunged forward to inject him. Cr

24. Battered and Bloody
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Digg Gmail Addthis Printer Friendly
 
LaTrice's eyes widened as Dawn crept closer and closer to Tyler. Suddenly, the hairs on Tyler's neck stood on end and, as if granted the heightened awareness of a spider, he knew that he was in immediate danger. Without a glance backwards, he ducked down just as Dawn lunged forward to inject him. Crouched low, Tyler fanned his leg around on the ground, knocking her backward.

He stomped on the syringe then brought his other foot down on her throat to keep her from running. The whole time, the mantra Hunter repeated when he trained Tyler to protect himself repeated over and over in his head: "Anything can happen." It was at this exact moment, adrenaline pumping, sweat dripping down his face, having LaTrice's (and almost his) assailant pinned down, that he was extremely grateful for Charlie's parents sending them a Kinect as an early Christmas present. The rounds of playing "Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth" truly paid off in real life.

"She's mine now. I have her all to myself," Dawn spat out.

"What are you talking about?" Tyler demanded.

"Nobody can get in my way. Mom... Ben... that little girl over there. They tried and I stopped them. Don't think I won't stop you too." There was obviously no reasoning with her, so he knocked her out, afraid that she'd try something crazier. A team of nurses ran into the room, alerted by the commotion.

"Call the police!" Tyler told them. "Doc here's gone crazy. Shot my friend here full of something. Talking about having done stuff to other people." One of the nurses ran and attended to LaTrice while another ran to call the police.

"Doctor... Ben... " LaTrice stuttered as they changed her IV.

"What's that?"

"That bitch. She... she did something to Doctor Ben."

As another team came in to roll LaTrice out for further care, Tyler texted Charlie about Ben. Charlie rushed over as soon as he got it, arriving right after the police had. Tyler was giving a statement about the incident to them in LaTrice's room. Another officer took Charlie aside.

"So there's an allegation of foul play befalling Benjamin Finn. I understand that he's your boyfriend?"

"Well, we're dating."

"And when was the last time you saw him?"

"Just a couple of hours ago, actually. We were sipping cocoa outside before his rounds. He was supposed to come over after, get breakfast."

"Could it be possible that he didn't actually come into work? That he might've taken off or... ?"

"Absolutely not. If that woman is as crazy as Tyler was saying... "

"Maybe there's something in his personal affects that could give us a clue. Would you maybe help us identify anything out of the ordinary?"

"However I can be of help, officer." The officer walked Charlie to employee lounge. Just as the cop was about to locate Ben's locker, Charlie heard a muffled groan coming from within one. He indicated it silently to the cop, who slowly approached it. Using bolt cutters cut off the lock, the locker door burst open and Ben's bloodied body slumped out.

"Ben!" Charlie cried out, running to catch him in his arms. The officer ran to get reinforcements, leaving Charlie holding the battered and bloody Ben in his arms. "Please be okay, please be okay... " he repeated over and over again between sobs.

"Charlie?" Ben groggily groaned.

"I'm here, Ben. The cops are getting help, you'll be... "

"Wait. I know what happened to Eddy."

###

Volume 4 is closing up this week. Catch up on what you missed here:

Volume 1 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

Volume 2 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

Volume 3 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five


###

Yes!! Get her!

by AaronHolland1 on Thu. Dec 20, 2012

As a part of our commitment to upholding a high standard of transparency, we wanted to let you know that ChicagoPride.com uses cookies to improve your user experience. We've updated our cookie policy to reflect changes in website tracking laws. By continuing, you agree to our terms and provide your consent to our use of cookies.
GOT IT!