NUMB

14 - Is Magnus gone?

A/N

I can't believe it's been a month of not updating this story. Days went by so fast! I'll try to be regular now, as much as I can.

P.S. Shocking revelations coming up ahead. 😉

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The bright red light of the operating room kept reminding Valreen of the events that led to this situation. That it wasn't just a nightmare. Every second felt like a lifetime as he paced through the hallway of the hospital, sweeping his shaky hands through his hair and praying that he wouldn't lose another son. Tears kept soaking his wrinkled face as his mind flooded with unanswered questions. Why would Asmodeous attack his own son? How could they lack in providing Magnus security? Why were night ghosters hell-bent on ruining Alec's life and everyone present in it? Who was their mastermind?

There were so many questions with not even a single answer to them while the man who did nothing but fell in love was battling with death in the operation theater. All this for what? As much as he wanted to talk to Alec, force him to talk about his past, he knew that wasn't right. It took years for Alec to trust him, let him be his guardian, and in no way would he ruin the relationship they built over the course of the last ten years.

"Mr. McHenry!?" A voice broke his chain of thoughts and he turned, only to notice the FBI and NYPD officers rushing towards the OT, including Alec whose mouth fell open as their eyes met. "What the hell happened!? H.. how!? Is Mr. Bane all right?" Victoria asked.

"I have no answers to your questions, Miss Stewart," Valreen said in a shaky, strangled voice. "All I know is that I want those bastards behind the bars or else...." He trailed off, his eyes boring into Victoria's, hoping that she took the hint and stay out of their way if their police fail to catch the night ghosters as soon as possible.

"We're trying our best, Mr. McHenry," Victoria said in a desperate tone. "But you need to tell us how it happened."

"Your best is nothing till now!" He snapped, then sighed and rubbed his face. "I apologize but you need to catch those bastards before somebody else does coz' if that happens, I don't need to tell you the way this would end."

A flash of fear crossed over Victoria's face and she lowered her gaze, knowing that the reputation of the FBI was in line with this case.

"What does that supposed to mean?" Elijah asked and Victoria and Emmanuel exchanged looks.

"I'll let you know later, Elijah," Victoria said in a low voice, then turned towards Valreen. "Mr. McHenry, I understand you're devastated right now but-"

The door to the OT opened catching everyone's attention and they rushed towards the doctor who was giving orders to a group of nurses.

"Doc! Doc, is he alright? There's nothing to worry about is it!?" Valreen's heart raced as he tried his best not to break down.

"You're his...?"

"Guardian. He's fine, right?"

"I'm sorry, sir. We can't say anything right now. The bullet is way too in and he had internal bleeding as well. We're still trying to remove the bullet, his chances of survival are very low but we'll try our best. Nurse, call doctor...."

The doctor's voice faded as Valreen fell back on the cold chair, gripping its hand rest as his mind filled thousands of negative thoughts. No, Magnus could not die, he was strong, he would survive. He had to because if that was Asmodeous's bullet that pierced his heart, the old man would die a thousand deaths every second till he took his last breath.

"Mr. McHenry? Are you listening? Mr. McHenry?"

"M... Magnus... he can't die, no..."

"Mr. McHenry, Mr. Bane always said that he'd been through hell, and I'm sure he's strong enough to survive it." Elijah tried to reassure. "We all understand it's not the right situation for questioning but..."