Shadows | A Forever Fan-Fiction - Sequel to Lights

Chapter Twenty-Five: Another Day

When I got back to Jo's, she had already left for work, leaving the house buried in a stifling silence. In the kitchen, Dr. Morgan's briefcase lay half-opened under the table. I picked it up carefully, not wanting to destroy anything else. I opened it up fully and pulled out the first folder I could see.

Patient files. A few x-rays that displayed a nasty rib fracture at multiple angles.

I moved on to the next folder. Thankfully, this one was somewhat rewarding. It has a few printed articles on the Maverick, and a couple of maps with whole city blocks cordoned off on dark blue marker. Hideouts? Places controlled by the Maverick? Areas full of stockpiled weapons? I didn't know. I set it aside and briefly skimmed over the articles, a frown slipping over my face. Now, why hadn't he just shown this to me? Was he being valiant again, and trying to keep poor little Lights away from danger? Pah, he could at least tell me.

I rolled my eyes, flicking through the papers once more. I stowed them away, carefully returning them to the state they were in before is moved them, and took out another folder. Suddenly, I heard the front door open, and two pairs of incredibly cheerful voices wandered down the hall. Jo, and Dr. Morgan. I turned around and opened my mouth to say something when they walked in, but I paused. They were standing very close to each other, and... and holding hands, which was very un-Jo-like.

For a few seconds they didn't notice me. They stood on the doorway, talking for a moment, until I coughed into my hand. They both froze instantly, moving to look at me and turning a light shade of fuchsia.

"Lights," Jo said quickly. "I thought you went out."

"Clearly you did," I mumbled politely, trying to mask the thin layer of disapproval in my voice. "Sorry. I would have go finished running my errands if I'd known you and-"

"It's nothing like that," she cut in smoothly, pulling her hand away. "It's fine."

"But, um-" I started to continue.

"Are you looking through my briefcase?" Dr. Morgan demanded without waiting for me to finish.

"No," I replied immediately. "I mean... maybe." I suddenly felt like a child caught doing something wrong in front of her parents. My cheeks flushed and I stuffed the papers into my pockets. "I can explain-"

"That certainly isn't necessary," Dr. Morgan replied icily, as though he could sense my dissent. "Lights, may I speak to you?"

"You already are," I pointed out sarcastically. "But yes, you can speak to me in the hallway behind a closed kitchen door." I crossed my arms and stepped past the two of them and into the hallway. Dr. Morgan followed me, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click. We stood there in silence for a moment and I watched him uncomfortably.

"Why were you looking through my briefcase?"

"Because Lucas says that you don't work at the morgue."

"I-"

"I went and checked, Doctor Morgan." I sighed and glanced up at the ceiling. "Look, I'm not trying to... It's not that... I just think that you're being unfair to Jo. Do you understand the danger that we're in?" I looked him straight in the eyes. "Last night, Adam came." I explained to him what had happened, and he closed his eyes, sighing in turn.

"I knew this would happen," he grumbled quietly. "That's why I lied to you. I just don't want anyone to get hurt."

"Yeah?" I asked. "Really? Because I don't think that starting a relationship with Jo is going to be good for that mindset. If you get to keep your life, then I get to keep mine. We are in this together. Adam has it out for both of us. And... when he tripped up when he was talking about my mother last night..." I glanced uneasily at the ground. "I don't know what to think."

"I see," he replied. "You harbour ambivalence towards me because I don't want anyone to get injured."

"C'est la vie! This is life. People get hurt, people die. We can't help it." I shook my head. "But you think that alone, you won't hurt anyone? That won't happen. My mother has been taken. Again! So please, inform me again about why I shouldn't help. Inform me of why I can't lead my life normally, of why I must live behind iron bars and locked doors, when I have the key in my hands."

He was silent, the protest dying on his parted lips.

I felt a wave of sorrow slosh over me carelessly, like dirty water being spilled over a clean tablecloth. I leaned back against the wall. My voice softened. "Go and be happy with Jo, okay? But don't forget what is happening. If you have to leave again, and you hurt her, I won't forgive you this time, and I certainly won't forget." I snatched up my phone and keys from the table by the doorway and stepped outside before he could respond. I felt bad for killing the mood, but I didn't want Jo to end up the way she did last time. I blinked back tears, anger, regret. A thousand unsaid words pressed on the edges of my mind. I wanted to go back to work. I should have been selfish, I should have taken Duvall's offer. I should have, I would have, I could have. But it was too late. I had burnt that bridge, and there was no turning back now.

Eliza, and Sujai, and Rayes... The three people who I probably actually liked in that hospital. Rayes, who'd given me so many opportunities at a future, a career in surgery. Eliza, who was amusing and cheerful, who knew how to crate the perfect blend of sarcasm and kindness to cheer someone up. Sujai, who was a total brown-noser to his superiors, but somehow supportive.

For a moment, I thought of Duvall, too. Duvall, who was a pain in the arse. Duvall, who had made me do all of his paperwork. Duvall, who'd tried to take a shot for me. I would never see him again. Part of me was relieved. The other part was desolate and cold.

I took out the papers in my pockets unhappily. My sorrow was dulled briefly. One of the sheets had Nicholson's home address and phone number, along with a list of known associates. I smiled to myself and turned to the traffic-filled road, raising my hand and waving for a taxi. Suddenly, I had purpose, hope. I sighed as I clambered into the taxi, a wave of displeasure overturning my brief joy. So, the game was on. Very well. I would play, even if I had to play alone.

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