Henry Stickmin: Secret Criminal (Mr Henry Toppat Book 1)

Chapter 16- Wait (A Distant Life series)

I chose to delay my leave until Charles felt better. He still holds an important part in me. 

His fever has returned. That wasn't a good sign. I sent him to a nearby clinic which prescribed him more medicine with advice from the hospital. If his condition gets worse he will have to be sent back to the hospital.

He stayed at my place during this duration of his continued illness. I didn't do anything much. I just sat by his bed in the guest room as he slept, trying to decode that dream... that horrible horrible dream. Sorry, I meant to write nightmare. That's a more suitable word. 

Charles came to visit me at the hill, but he was stabbed by some kind of shadow. Its evil laughter is stuck in my head, tormenting me. I didn't get why it wouldn't go away. I figured it would be sick and tired of me by now. 

I may not be the best cook, but I needed to make some porridge for Charles to eat. It shouldn't be too difficult to make. I took some rice from a container and got to work. I remembered that Charles didn't like food that was too plain, so I threw in some fish and egg I found in the fridge. Looking into the fridge, I knew it was about time I go grocery shopping.

Wait. Time to wait for the food to cook. Isn't that what life is sometimes about? Sometimes you wait for something to happen or you have no choice but to wait for something to come, but I was always told by Galeforce that I should make opportunities happen, instead of waiting for them to come. 

"I'll be back soon to cook. Wait for me." Rachel left through the secret entrance. 

I sat on the sofa, trying to block out what I had just done, but I also wanted to know what caused me to fly into such a rage.

It had been 2 hours, but she wasn't back yet. Naturally I panicked. 

I went out in my search, trying to keep myself as hidden as possible, especially when I passed by police officers. Eventually, I found her. I don't want to say how. It was risky and scary and I was freaking out in every way possible.

I came across a very long abandoned alleyway, something like where out headquarters is located. I'm pretty sure she was somewhere nearby. I quietly made my way down the narrow pathway, trying not to make a sound. It was dark as a lot of sunlight was blocked out.

Soon, I heard some voices, and saw Rachel in there. She was asleep and tied up. I widened my eyes, and immediately reached for my knife hidden in a holder under my shirt.

Long story short.. let's just say..

I don't remember a spot of that room not covered in blood.

After I was done with the mass elimination, I looked down. The walls and ground were all stained with the red liquid. Some even got on Rachel.

We couldn't stay for long, so I took her in my arms and ran off. I was just... panicking.

Suddenly, I snapped back to the present. I was still standing in the kitchen in front of the cooking porridge. It was almost done. Just as I was rending to it, I heard the sound of footsteps.

Turning around slowly, my instincts came on, and I surveyed my surroundings carefully, thinking there was someone hiding in the house.

But then, I heard coughing.

Charles walked out from behind the wall out of my small guest bedroom. He saw me in a defensive position, and got a bit confused.

Just as he was about to speak, he coughed and lost his balance, falling to the ground.

Panicking, I ran towards him, kneeling down to check in him.

"I-im fine.. Henry." He reassured me, but I wasn't so sure.

As we ate, another memory returned to me. It was that time Rachel ended up sick too, and I took care of her like she was my own family.

Thinking about it, it really felt like she was my true blood related family. Then came the day we fell apart.

I sighed softly, dipping the spoon into the porridge again. Maybe we would not have split apart if I had went over the government offer with me. I was too excited that time. You know, people have changes of heart.

Maybe the whole reason we are not getting along anymore was because of me.