"The surgery we did was ... to repair the broken bones on his left hand ... Never touch his left hand..."*"Everything alright?" She questioned slowly, dread seeping through her veins."I don't know" He looked up at her, fear evident in his features, "I can't feel it. I can't feel my hand."*"What do you mean?" Joan asked but she was already reaching for his hand. She held it in hers. It felt weird and it was a little pale."Joan, I can't feel my hand" His voice was rising in panic, "I can't feel you holding it, it's...it's...it's numb! It's like it's not there!""Hey, calm down." She said softly. She examined the hand but it was fruitless. She had not the first idea of what to do, "I'll call the doctor."She pressed the red buzzer and they waited. King stating at his numb hand, she staring helplessly at him.'He may never be able to use that hand again. It was broken really badly.'She inhaled slowly. How would she tell him that?The doctor came in soon enough."Is Mr. Johannson ok
Mrs. Michaels shook her head, "No, it's now or never. I don't care whatever happens to King Johannson. You're going with me on this trip whether you like it or not. King can go to hell for all I care and also this..." She eyed Alistair, "thing. You either go with me, Joan, or die."*"It's a pity you didn't die." A voice suddenly spoke up.Alistair.Mrs. Michaels glared at him, "I'm talking to my daughter, not some street outsider so you shut up, boy" She spat, "when your elders in every way are talking.""Mum!" Joan called exasperatedly.She ignored her."And what do you mean by it's a pity I didn't die. Do you plan to kill me?""Yes, it's a pity I didn't succeed the other time. I'll just have to try harder next time" Alistair licked his lips, "A blade will really suit on your neck, so smooth and slit-ready. What do you think?"Joan and her mother were aghast. Just how could someone speak that way!"You!..." Mrs. Michaels was in horror. He couldn't mean what he said, could he? He rea
He didn't know why; perhaps because of his situation and how lonely he felt lying in his hospital room, all by himself; but he cried, curled up into a ball, his body racking with sobs.He wept.He hadn't meant to hurt her or push her away but he had felt so weak and useless after finding out about his left hand.He just couldn't be there for her.*Alistair got the news first before any other person and he sat patiently waiting for Joan to wake.The over six hours sleep was exactly what Joan needed though when she woke, she still felt a little uneasy. She didn't know why but her heart felt a little distressed.Alistair was gazing down at her steadily when she woke."Hey." She whispered softly, sitting up and running her eyes while yawning."You feel better?" He asked, not taking his eyes away from her.She shrugged, "What time is it?""Past 9pm."She groaned, "Is it safe now to visit King? He must be so worried and he would think I'm mad at him and... Oh no, visiting hours are closed.
There was just something strange that she couldn't figure out.Everything, everything around her. Her mother, him...even King.There was something strange about them. Something strange going on behind the scenes and she felt like she was involved.*Joan and Alistair walked through the dark passages of the hospital after being allowed in. She placed a soft knock on King's door and pushed the door open when she got no answer."Be silent." She whispered to Alistair, scared that perhaps King was still withdrawn.She tiptoed to his bedside and peered down at him, jumping back and letting out a loud shout when she saw his eyes wide open."Joan?" Alistair called in alarm. He groped around for the light switch and flipped it on when he found it.Joan was standing wide eyed at a corner, King was sat up on his bed. His brows went up."What happened?"Joan shook her head, avoiding King's eyes."Where were you?" King spoke up, feeling glad and relieved that she came and that she wasn't mad at hi
Joan's eyes enlarged, "Where did you get that? I've never seen...oh...your family."He handed her the phone. She stared at him before turning her gaze to the phone. King peeped in.King's eyes bulged out while Joan let out a loud gasp when they registered what they were seeing.It was her mother, down on the floor of their sitting room, her eyes wide open and a stream of blood flowing from her chest.*"Joan, your mother is dead."Joan had not expected that kind of information when Alistair had said he had something deadly important to tell her though the look in his eyes had made her worried."What? What do you mean?""She's dead. She was murdered yesterday, gun shot wound to her chest."Joan stared blankly at him then chuckled, "You're kidding right? I just saw my mum yesterday afternoon and she must be in some country now.""She traveled?" King asked."She wanted me to go with her but we ran away and hid somewhere where I slept hours and then we came here. Since she hasn't come to
King and Joan both had incredulous expressions on their faces. The note fell away to reveal a picture.A man smiling widely, a woman by his side, also smiling and a young girl in the arms of the man.Joan took a shaky breath. The woman was her mother; the baby, she could recognize her two year old self; the man was the only stranger.That was her father.*Two hours later, the shock had not dissipated. Not even after Alistair eventually allowed her to see her home and she had cried endlessly. Things were just happening and except for King's recovery, they weren't good."We have to get you away, Joan" King said apprehensively, "what if he comes for you? What if he harms you? He killed your mother, he may try to kidnap you. You're not safe, we have to get you away.""To where?" Joan was apprehensive herself bit she tried to stay calm, "I have a feeling he's tracking us. I have not the first idea how to hide from normal people let alone criminals."King paced about the hospital room, run
King already made his choice. He was quite calm."Alistair, are you coming?"It took a long time before he grunted out a yes. He looked at Joan, deep into her gaze. She smiled at him. He felt eternally grateful to her.He turned back to his family."I'll come with you." King answered, "I'll take my girl and come with you."*The car ride to wherever the evil looking man was taking them was tense. The only thing keeping Joan calm was her heartthrob sitted beside her. They held hands. They were the only occupants of the car apart from the driver and a scary looking bodyguard. Alistair had said he had something important to discuss with his family. Victor, the big guy, had said he was going to follow them and so he trailed them in his car."They are my family." King whispered. He had been in a daze since."I noticed the resemblance." Was Joan's answer.Their eyes were the most giveaway. They all didn't have blue eyes but they all had the same eyeshape including Alistair. They were cat ey
Subconsciously, her hand searched for his and latched unto it when found.The action didn't escape Victor. He glanced at her to see her scared expression. He took a wild guess."You have me." He reassured, startling her. She turned her fearful gaze to his."You have me." He repeated, tightening his hold on her hand, "I won't let anything happen to you. I'm with you."*Before King woke from his induced slumber, the King's family were already in chaos. They were back in the mansion that Victor detested."Luca, bring her back!" Isla cried.It wasn't up to an hour since they arrived but they all felt like they had used up the last of their energy. Luca, the cause."You hear me!? You must bring her back! Where did you take her to!? Tell me!" She shook him roughly by the shoulders, tears falling miserably out of her eyes.Luca sat, watching her, seemingly unbothered.Isla regretted trusting him. She was much too naive. He had shown her so much care at the hospital, she actually thought he