Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 24

When Elliot woke up and discovered that he had lost his leg, he was devastated. Axel left the room to give the Greens some time to themselves, to console Elliot. He stood outside the room leaning against the wall, next to Stanley and Johnson. Johnson had just arrived from Stirling in the morning with Margaret.

Even from the outside of the room, Axel could hear Elliot's screams and cries, Jane's sobs, Margaret's occasional shrieks, but Robert was nearly inaudible.

'Did I sound that bad... sometimes?' asked Axel softly.

Stanley and Johnson glanced at each other and looked at him surprisingly.

'Worse,' replied Johnson with a twitch at the corner of her mouth; Stanley nodded in agreement.

Axel returned a small smile at them.

'I'm sorry for being difficult,' said Axel quietly.

He saw that they stared at each other, surprised again; this time at his sudden apology.

'We are just doing our job,' said Stanley firmly, but gently.

Axel nodded that he understood their duty. He used to hate them, following everywhere that he went. But he was starting to get fond of them.

Robert appeared at the door.

'Axel, there you are... come,' Robert beckoned Axel into the room.

Axel obliged and he walked slowly up to Elliot. When Axel saw the stump on Elliot's leg, his heart tightened. Elliot's face was wet with tears as he watched Axel walked up to him; but he seemed to have calmed down.

'I'm so sorry,' blurted Axel and he broke down.

He had been wanting to let it off his chest desperately. Elliot just nodded; he was crying too.

'Seems like we will be stuck in the house together for a bit,' said Elliot.

They both broke into a smile amidst the wet eyes and faces.

Robert cleared his throat, 'Elliot would need to stay here for a week before he can be moved back to Stirling,' he explained. 'Axel, MaxPol has arranged a safe house for us just outside the hospital. It will be protected with enchantments and MaxPol will be guarding it at all times.'

Axel nodded that he understood. He would just follow orders and not create any inconvenience for anyone. He had created enough mess.

The city of Xeliq had caught hold of the attack and the city was abuzz with Axel's case. It did not help that everyone knew that Axel was in Xeliq. Reporters stood outside the hospital, waiting to catch a glimpse of him. Some had slyly sneaked into the hospital as visitors and were caught hanging around the corridor of the hospital wing where Elliot was.

Axel would keep Elliot company like how Elliot used to do when Axel was hospitalized. Axel tried to think of jokes, create casual conversations but it was so difficult for him – Elliot had made it so simple the last time. But Axel did not need to think hard. Elliot could think of one-leg jokes even at his current state, keeping Axel amused instead.

The safe house was on Stellar Street, off Antares Road, just a block away from the hospital. Stanley explained that MaxPol had a few safe houses all around Xeliq. The one at Stellar Street would be the most convenient for them as they would need to go to the hospital often to visit Elliot.

A few MaxPol were stationed outside the house. Axel could recognise Sergeant Beatty and were introduced to Sergeant Larson and Constable Riley. Stanley and Johnson remained as the MaxPol on duty in the house.