Waking Nightmares(Lined Bullets)- A GMD Fiction

Chapter 7: Losing Someone

       The next day seemed to leave us before it even began.
       Though Able and I went to his parents' funeral, our day was not one of depression, though I will not withhold that we did shed some tears. Afterwards, I took Able to the old park where Ash, Colette and I had had our own adventures. It was a chilly and misty day, but that was barely a blip on our radar. As we walked near the trees and stayed out of proximity of human feet, Able asked a question that had seemed to be bothering him since he woke up that morning.
       "Basil," he said hesitantly. "May we go to the alley? Where my parents died?"
       "Are you sure you're up for that? We could always wait another day."
       "No. I'm ready. Besides, I have some flowers to place there."
       And so, we left for the alley, but I couldn't help feeling apprehensive. Something wasn't right and I couldn't put my finger on it.
       When we reached the alley, Able froze for a moment. He continued to a moderately clean spot slowly as if he might awaken the dead if he went too fast. Then he gently lay the flowers in that spot and stood there a second.
       Suddenly, a harsh unnatural breeze passed by us. We both looked around quickly and Able ran to my side.
       "Basil," he whispered harshly. "What was that?"
       "I'm not sure, Able, but stay close."
       There was another breeze, closer this time. I whipped around to the source... still nothing. I looked again for anything, but this time I was struck hard under my jaw line and flew across the alley. Able let out a scream and hit the ground beside me.
       I stood up quickly, blood trickling down my neck. I brought my arms up in a defensive stance and strained to hear my attacker. I couldn't see him. The hits became more rampant until I had cuts and scrapes and bruises covering my body and my shirt had fallen to shreds.
       "Able," I called out. "Able please go and hide."
       I leaned hard against a wall. Whether or not Able obeyed me was a mystery and for now it didn't matter.
       "Come out where I can see you," I yelled out to the open. "Unless you consider yourself a coward!"
       A voice came from behind in a mocking laugh.
       "Me, a coward," the voice asked, coming closer. "Basil, I believe you know me better than that."
       I turned slowly to the voice. There he was... alive, breathing, and was threatening me and Able.
       "Rattigan," I said as my eyes widened. Rattigan gave a toothy grin and came closer.
       "My, my Basil. You look like you have seen a ghost," he said as his smile grew more menacing. "Maybe you should sit down!"
       I did my best to block the attack, but I was knocked to the ground again. He advanced towards me, and I scrambled back to my feet only to be hit again. Suddenly, a young voice came from across the way.
       "Why don't you pick on somebody your own size, you giant rat," Able yelled. He had a bent piece of metal in his hand and looked like he was ready to throw it. Rattigan slowly turned away from me and focused on Able. I lifted myself up and yelled for Able.
       "Able, don't!"
       Able then threw it, but it zipped right past Rattigan's ear. A smirk grew across his features as he grew closer and closer to my godson. Able never moved, never flinched. Rattigan was only a mere millimeter from where Able was standing when there was a thin whistle in the air. Before anyone could really comprehend what was going on, there was a sharp clang and Rattigan was holding his head in pain. I stared at Able for the longest time. How could he have timed that so well. He smiled and ran over to me. Then, out of nowhere, his leg was grabbed and he was dragged back into Rattigan's grasp. He let out a shriek as he hung upside down in Rattigan's firm hold.
       "No child has ever dared to call me that and send an attack my way," Rattigan breathed lifting Able so that his eyes met Able's frightened ones.
       In a sudden burst of energy and strength, I ran at Rattigan with all my might. I fought with him until he dropped poor Able on his head. Then, I scooped him up and ran until Rattigan leapt in front of us. He knocked Able of my arms and pulled out a small pistol. I froze, mind and body alike. I couldn't see a single way out... not without Able or I getting further injured. It was colder by the moment as I breathed out my frustration, ignoring any and all taunts coming from the insidious rat before me, so that I could formulate a plan. Suddenly, it came to me in a flash and began to take form in my mind's eye. There were some risks, but I had to at least make sure that a bullet never touched Able. I lightly knocked the gun away and began pushing against the gun with my own strength. I knew very well that Rattigan's strength, even when I was at full health, far surpassed my own.
       "You're not going to be the hero this time, Basil. You will not win, you will FALL!"
       He pushed me down and took aim.
       BAM!
       The pain shot up my leg as I fell to the ground. I dared not to look down at my wound in fear of fainting. I writhed in pain, and sweat covered my brow. The blast from the gun had awoken Able from unconsciousness and as I tried unsuccessfully to get my bearings I heard him yell my name. I whipped around to find him being carried away by that horrendous fiend.
       "You sewer rat! "
With no time for comprehension, he had me by the neck and slammed my back against a wall. I struggle for a moment until he tightened his grip on both me and Able. The young child was losing consciousness again. Suddenly, the pain from my leg began to spread across my frame. I cringed as Rattigan dropped me on the ground and walked away with Able.
       "I assume that the poison is working through your system by now. Unfortunately, I am on a tight schedule and won't get to enjoy your demise first hand. It looks like I'm the victor this time, chum."
And he was gone with my Able. I couldn't move without a searing pain spreading throughout the entirety of my form. What can I do now? I was stuck with no ability to move and nowhere close that I could possibly reach in time. I had failed... and I lost Able. I lost... my son, and had failed his parents.
       I thought of any possibility of getting to somewhere before I was gone. Toby! Mr. Holmes' dog had always been faithful to me, even when I couldn't make a sound, he could hear me. I weakly brought two of my fingers to my mouth and whistled as hard as I could. It was very weak, but soon enough, I heard Toby bounding towards me. He whimpered when he saw me, and quickly scooped me up onto his nose. He waited for a place to go, but I wasn't sure where to go. Dawson was most likely already at his clinic and that was too far.
       "Somewhere safe, Toby," I whispered. "Somewhere safe..."
       Toby proceeded with caution as to not jar me at all. He came to an abrupt stop, but I couldn't comprehend anything anymore. The pain was unbearable and I was soon going to lose consciousness. Then, I heard a voice from below that must've stopped him.
       "I know you," he said to Toby. "Who is on your nose?"
       I was lowered down and the last thing I heard was a gasp.
       "Great Scot! What happened to you..."
       Then I was enveloped into darkness.