The Darker Shade

The Darker Shade: Chapter 7

Chapter 7...

"Where is he?!" She shouts down the halls. The nurses respond "Ma'am where is who?" "My son, where is he? I need to see him now!!" I walk around the counter "Elizabeth" I speak in a low voice. She freezes at the sight of me taken a back, trying to make the connection "You... what are you doing here?" A single tear streams down her cheek "I was there." I whisper. "I wanted to..." interrupted by one of the doctors "Mrs. Morgan, hello I'm Dr. Watson." He looks between us both and I step back allowing them time to speak. She covers her mouth in shock as he speaks. Her distress evident as her eyes peer towards me, she looks back to the doctor and nods as he stands with her and takes her to where he lies.

I sit for hours in the waiting area. A part of me unsure why I'm even still here, I stand and look to where his room is. A small window allowing me to see inside, her head is laid over him her hand in his, her fingers caressing each of his as he sleeps. With a quick glance she looks up and our eyes meet I step back, knowing I don't belong here. As I go to make my exit I stop at the nurses' station to give them my information, I request that they submit the bill directly to me. The nurse nods with smiles as she takes it all down. She assures me that the billing department will contact me as soon as he's released. I give a half smile and walk away pressing for the elevator. "Why were you there?" I hear Elizabeth speak, my back facing her I remain in silence. "Why, Hyde?" the doors to the elevator open and I walk in, turning I respond "Does it matter at this point?" She looks at me with tear filled eyes as the doors shut. I arrive at my street too fucked up to walk into my building. I roll the keys in my hand and turn, crossing the street to go to the bar. The bartender smiles when I sit at the corner stool "Whiskey and capful of water, right?" "Yes, but no water. I need to feel this." He looks at me with a face of confusion but follows my order. He grabs the bottle of Jack and places a glass down in front of me as he pours I say "Leave the bottle." I swig back a few contemplating what occurred today.

The rim of the bottle clink on the emptiness of the glass resounds a hollow echo much like that of my withering soul. The bartender approaches "Sir, its passed 3am this is last call." With my elbows slumped over the edge of the bar I reach for my wallet and throw a few bills on the counter. Several horns blare as I cross over and back to my building. Ignoring the noise I wave them off murmuring under my breath "You want me, take me" I unlock the door to the building and swerve up the stairs, my drunken state making me wonder why Linc decided to get me a place that caused so much walking. I attempt to stroll up each step carefully to not fall back. Soon reaching my floor I see someone at a distance slumped in front of my door. Her hair flowing over her arms as they rest on her knees. She lifts her head when she sees me. She begins to speak and I remain still "I wondered around for a while, I thought what the hell does he want? Why won't he just let me be?" she asks as she stares into midair. "Nothing makes sense, not my life or my worth, but he..." She trails off her tears fall as her eyes meet mine. "He's become all of it. He makes all the sense in the world despite..." Once again she stops but this time she looks at me and I can see her hatred, her angst. Without her realizing her silence only confirmed my unasked question, leaving me with very little to mention. She stands and wipes off her backside "I should go." She steps passed me and I grab her elbow, our bodies side by side. "When did you know?" I ask with a murmur. She sighs and reflects my same question from earlier "Does it matter at this point?" I look at her as she pulls her elbow from my grip, walking away. She says quietly in the distance "Thank you" her voice a whisper when I look back and see she's gone.

There's a thud... he looks down to her... her face buried in vomit... he cringes holding his knees to his chest. She looks like she's asleep, but he can't tell. He turns to lie down on the floor beside her, his arms wrapped tightly around his legs as he stares at his mother until darkness soon fills his eyes.

A tear falls from my eye as I open them, anger percolating. A whistle escapes my lips as I realize it was another nightmare. The haunting fills me, flashes of my father and mother, each memory worse than the last. A linger of hate, they never wanted me. No one did. The abandonment was all I knew. I'd adjusted my life to thinking this was my normal, this was my reality. I accepted it for what it was and now it all comes to question... Could I abandon my offspring and leave on to him the same destiny as my own?

The morning seems clear as I take my keys and walk out of my place. I receive a call from Mrs. Moore's office once more. "Mr. Hyde." Her voice is somewhat nasally "I'll need your email address so that my contacts may reach you regarding the manuscripts. They have a few lined up and are interested in your expertise." I smile "That's fantastic Alexis." She clears her throat "I prefer, Mrs. Moore." I laugh chastely "Of course you do. I'll contact you in a bit with all you need from me." "Great. And Mr. Hyde, Friday don't forget." I roll my eyes "Yes, I'll be there." I hang up not knowing exactly what she thought I'd discuss. I didn't really do the therapy thing and had no intention of revealing my life to a fucking stranger. I purchase two coffees and a few pastries before entering into the hospital. Feeling assured of what I was ready to do I get on the elevator and press for his floor. The doors open and I walk passed the nurses' station. "Umm... Sir" I stop in my tracks, "Yes?" It was the same nurse from yesterday "He's not there." "What do you mean he's not there?" She stands from her seat "He was discharged this morning." I run my hands over my face and into my hair exasperated. "Where did he go?" the nurse shakes her head "I'm sorry sir, I can't disclose that information." Slamming my hands on the desk I leave and take the stairs rushing down. I hail a cab and give the driver her address, telling him to hurry. I splay my fingers through my hair in fury, maybe even fear. Hoping I haven't lost my only chance at a family.