Waking Nightmares(Lined Bullets)- A GMD Fiction

Chapter 15: Lost and Found

(Byron's POV)
I made eye contact with Basil. He nodded when I asked if he would be okay and I left with Angelina and the children. We got out of there quickly, but when I turned to go back for Basil, the motorcar had been set ablaze and shook the factory. Rubble began to fall.
"No," I shouted.
No, I thought. No, no, no. He can't be gone.
"I'm so sorry Byron," Angelina said as she gave my shoulders a squeeze. "He shouldn't have had to go like that."
I shook my head.
"No, no you'll see. He'll walk out of there any minute with a stupid grin on his face, explaining his ingenious plan of how he escaped by the skin of his teeth."
I stared at the factory for the longest time, waiting... waiting... he never came. What was at first shaking my head in defiance was now in disbelief.
He... he was dead? I fell to my knees. I had no more strength within me. The death of my brother was the final blow.
He said he would be okay... but his smile was so sad... did he know?
Suddenly, a larger series of explosions erupted from the factory and more flames were created. I got up and ran towards the factory. I can make it. I could go in and save Basil.
Three hands held me back; one of Able's and both of Angelina's.
"What are you doing," I cried. "We can save him. Just let me go."
"Stop it," yelled little Able. "Just stop it, Uncle Byron. Don't you see? Basil is gone."
Realization hit me swiftly. Able had been sitting there watching me break down while his new father was just killed. I stopped my struggling, turned towards Able, and embraced him.
"I'm so sorry Able," I said through our tears.
He and I sat there as the firefighters came, as the fires were doused, and as they searched for anything that could have survived.
I held him tighter as one of the firefighters came over to us to tell us of their findings.
"Mr. Byron, sir," he said in a startled tone. "You might want to come and see this."
I got up slowly, leaving Able with Angelina. The firefighter led me into the demolished factory and into the largest part of it, where the initial explosions had occurred.
Even though it was in ruins, I could still imagine where everything was. He was leading me right about where Basil had been before the rest of us had fled. We passed by a pile of rubble where a worm tail was laying limp outside of the pile.
"At least my brother's soul will not have to fret over that villainous rat ever again," I said.
"Actually," said the firefighter as we continued walking towards where I last saw my brother. "That's why I called you over. Come, follow me."
There was another large pile of rubble next to the wall, smaller than the one that covered Rattigan, but still covering something... or someone.
"Do we know who is under there?"
"No, sir. We have our suspicions, but we believed you would want to be the first to see him."
I walked over to the pile and began carefully taking off the rubble with the help of some of the firefighters. Soon, all the rubble was gone, revealing a lumpy tarp with scorch marks covering the entirety of it. I grabbed the part of it slowly, then ripped it off.
I was brought to tears at the sight of him. It was my baby brother, but he wasn't moving. He looked so broken and fragile... his body was smudged with soot, his sooty face streaked with tears, there was a large concussion right above his right ear, and his leg was trapped under some rubble that must've fallen before the explosions.
"Oi, give him some room, mates," the firefighter said. Then he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Just holler when your ready to leave."
I nodded ever so slightly as I knelt by my brother. I cleared away the excess rubble on Basil's leg. Then I slid him over closer and held him close, and wept. My tears fell down my cheeks and I clung to my brother's limp body all the tighter.
"I'm so sorry, Basil," I cried. "I should've protected you."
Suddenly, I felt something shift in my grip. I looked down, but he still didn't stir. Great, now I'm going bonkers.
Then it happened again. What in the...
"Basil," I asked quietly.
I kept my eyes locked on him, and then he groaned. Then, he gasped for air as if he hadn't breathed in forever.
Wait... he's breathing! He's alive!
"Help," I cried. "Someone help! My brother's alive!"
I turned my face towards my now breathing brother with a smile and tears in my arms.
"You're alive, Basil! You're going to make it!"
Soon, two firemice came over and assisted me in getting him to an ambulance and to a hospital. I rode along side Basil's unconscious body while other doctors took care of the children right outside the damaged factory.
*****
Doctor Dawson was already there, about to finish out his shift at the hospital clinic when we arrived. He ran after us and took control of the situation without a word.
I was left out of the room they put my brother, as the good doctor wasted no time in helping Basil.
I paced back and forth as Dawson worked on him. What seemed like hours must have only been ten to fifteen minutes when Dawson finally emerged from the room. I stopped my pacing and ran over to meet him.
"Dawson," I asked. "How is he?"
"It's hard to say really," he said. "Physically, his wounds should all heal over in about three months..."
"And?"
"He won't wake up. His mind is unresponsive, and I'm afraid it is because of that concussion of his. Without proper treatment right after a concussion, then falling unconscious, can induce a coma. I'm afraid that is what occurred."
"Well, what does that mean for him exactly?"
"There's a possibility he might not wake up for a while."
I stood there in shock. Hadn't he been through enough? I sighed and took a seat.
Suddenly, there was a ruckus coming from Basil's room.
"Where the bloody hell am I," yelled a voice.
"Basil," the doctor and I asked at once.
We ran over to the room to find Basil sitting up in his bed, awake but confused and groggy. He looked around and when he saw us he gave us a sheepish grin.
"Looks like I didn't die again," he stated bluntly. "Thank you for finding me Byron."
I nodded in acknowledgement then walked to his bedside and embraced him. It didn't seem like he knew what to do at first, but quickly returned it. He cringed a bit and I felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Are you alright," I asked.
"I don't believe I would be here if I was alright, Byron," he replied dryly. "But, I guess I'll live through it."
He let out a sudden groan and held his ribs. Dawson and I laid him back in the bed and sat by him. He grit his teeth and grimaced as he waited for the pain to pass.
"What's wrong Basil?"
"I... I think I might have shifted something... no... no... I'm alright. What happened to Rattigan?"
"Dead," I said plainly.
He nodded and seemed relatively passive about it. Suddenly, his eyes widened as took both me and Dawson to keep him from jumping out of the bed.
"Able," he cried. "Where's Able? "
"He's fine, calm down Basil," Dawson whispered.
He closed his eyes and relaxed. He breathed in slowly and put a hand to his head. Dawson got up quietly and came back a few minutes later with a sack of hot water. He placed gently on Basil's head, who sank deeper into the bed and sighed.
"Thank you, Dawson."
"Basil, I know you just woke up, but I believe that you really need rest. It's not good for you to strain yourself," Dawson whispered.
For once, Basil didn't fight, didn't grumble or fuss, or even try to push his limits with the doctor. In fact, I don't think he could if he tried. He looked utterly exhausted.
"Doctor's orders," he mumbled. And soon enough, he was asleep.
"Yes... quite so," Dawson said.
Then, he left and advised me to do the same. I got up slowly and as I reached the door, I turned back to Basil and smiled. I lost my brother and now he's been found... thank heavens.