Twisted Saga ReGenesis (Book 3 of 3)

Chapter 19- A Second Chance

With heavy eyes, a sluggish response from a heart monitor sounds beep near the bed. A sense of confusion surrounds the patient lying in bed when people rush over.

"Huh, what's going on?" A crackly voice wonders out loud, trying to focus.

A woman's soft voice answers to try to comfort any qualms.

"It's going to be okay, son, you're going to be fine. You're in the hospital. You've been out for a while now."

Once his eyes finally figure how to adjust to the sight of fluorescent lights, Josh turns his head to see his mother and Pops by his side.

"Mom, Pops, but how? You're supposed to be dead. Wait, am I in Hell?"

A chuckle from Pops makes him feel more discombobulated.

"Lord, no boy, you're in the hospital like your mom said. You and the other two hooligans breathed in moxson gas or something or other."

"No, Punk, they breathed in Carbon Monoxide gas from a fracture in Paula's kitchen stove. That stuff filled the house and caused you boys to die nearly." His mother divulges, relieved that her son is awake.

His mind races back to everyone he believes he left behind.

"Wait, Gwen, the kids, I gotta get out of here and down to Carolina."

Both of his parents are caught off guard by the statement. They stare at each other, trying to figure out what he means.

"Help me up. I have to check on my family!" Josh yells, ready to rip off the cords on his chest and the IV in his arm. His mother runs out to get a nurse to keep him from injuring himself.

"I need a nurse now! My son is up and trying to rip off his stuff!"

A couple of nurses rush into his room to settle him down. When Josh sees them, he freaks out.

"Don't touch me. I need to get out of here. I need to check on everyone." He says again, ruthlessly staring down the hospital staff.

"Who are you trying to get ahold of, dear? Maybe we could make a call for you, but first, we need you to calm down." One of the nurses tells him.

Josh huffs, dropping his hands into his lap.

"My wife, Gwen, and any of our kids!"

Everyone in the room stops dead in their tracks when they realize Josh isn't kidding.

"Wait, son, you're only seventeen. How old do you think you are?" His mother asks with her hand over his.

"Old enough, now quit screwing with me and tell me where they all are. I need to check on them!"

The nurse explains what is going on with Josh's mind.

"I've seen this a few times. The trauma from the mind attaches to what he's dreamed about, and to him, that's reality. Give him a little while, and it'll all settle, I promise." She says to his parents.

"Sweetie, it's going to be alright. You are only seventeen; I have the paperwork to prove it. No need to be embarrassed, so relax. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Josh thinks on his feet to prove he's right, and they're the ones who are crazy.

"Yeah, get Momma C for me if she's alive since I'm only seventeen! She would know about certain things."

Susan, Josh's mother, takes his statement to flip it on its head. Walking out of the room, she goes down to where Momma C sits with James.

"Hey Paula, could I borrow you, please? Josh is awake, but he swears he's got a family and stuff. Could you try to talk some sense into him?"