For Coby

The Three of Us

I couldn't breath. I lifted a hand toward my throat. There was a tube. I didn't know what was going on. I looked around with my eyes, scared to move.

"Ashley Brightman"?

I stared. But saw nothing.

"Ashley, if you can hear me, you are going to be okay. You are at St. Bailey's hospital. I am Sgt. James Kelly, head of the Brooklyn Police Department. I am here with Deputy Bryan Hayes. We want to ask you a few questions".

I nodded. "What happened"...

"We arrived at your apartment after a noise complaint, when we noticed your door was opened but there appeared to be no lights on. Then we discovered you on the floor, having being fatally injured, we located the nearest hospital for your recovery. After searching the apartment, we found no trace of evidence leading to why we found blood in the kitchen. And... An unknown body on the floor. Do you have any further details you'd like to share with us"?

My eyes started to tear up. "The body... That was my sister, Megan".

"We are very sorry for your loss, but do you have any details about the suspect"?

I sat up, and saw that I was in a hospital bed, with tubes running all along my arms and stomach. The policeman where just as I imagined them. The suits they wore didn't have guns. That was the first thing I noticed.

"It was a man". I couldn't tell them it was a demon, from experience I knew they would think I was crazy. "He was my boyfriend". That was true in the least. "He always hurt me, and if I didn't do what he said, he told me he would kill my sister". That part was only half the truth.

They nodded agreeably. "Does he have a name? Or do you know his appearance? Or where he is? This will help us locate him".

I sighed. "His name is Coby. He has dark hair, dark eyes and he's"... I paused. "Very dangerous", was all I could add. "I don't know where he is".

"Thank you Miss Brightman, we will do everything we can to catch him. In the meantime, you are safe here". The policeman gave me a soft pat. As they opened the door to leave, I heard a women's cry to come in.

"Ashley! Oh my goodness! Excuse me, that's my daughter in there"! That was mom. I was so relieved Coby didn't get her too. I couldn't see her until she walked in. She didn't look like normal. She had an old shirt on, and baggy pants with her hair tied up in a headband. She didn't look happy.

"Ashley. Honey. Oh my goodness". She slowed down until she got to my bed, then she hugged me as lightly as she could. "I didn't know what happened to you. You didn't answer my calls... I got so worried. I tried calling Megan to come but she never"...

I looked at her. She stopped. I shook my head. This was the saddest I had ever seen my mother in a long time.
We hugged for what seemed like hours.

She sniffed as she let go of me. "Okay, well, I'm just glad your safe". She started to walk out. "I have to go fill out some paperwork, you rest, I'll be back soon with some food". She smiled.

After a couple of minutes alone, I knew Coby didn't know where I was. I thought about what happened to him. I looked at the giant blue tube running into my stomach. I thought about the chances of me still being pregnant.

The door opened again. I looked to see who it was. It was Dr Tully.

"Ashley... God, you look bad"...

I smirked at him. But I knew he was just saying that since he was surprised. I would be too if I was him.

"How'd you know I was here"? I wondered if he really did care about me, enough to visit me in the hospital.

He sat on one of the chairs the policeman did. "Your mother called me, when you didn't answer her, thinking you where with me. I got worried when we still couldn't find you". We? He was looking for me too? "The policeman just told your mother and I everything".

"Oh. Thanks... For not giving up on me". I smiled.

After we looked at each other for a few silent minutes, he spoke up again, "Where are you going to stay, once your better? I just want to make sure your close enough, if you ever want to talk".

I hadn't thought of that. I would usually stay with Megan whenever I got sick, but this time I couldn't do that. "I would like to stay with my Mom, but I don't think it would be the best time, especially since what happened with Megan"... I trailed off.

"Well, I know it's kinda weird but, you could crash at my place? My brother just moved out, so it might look a little messy. Just until you get back on your feet". I looked at him, a bit confused. He blushed, "Oh, no, it's not like that, I, uh, I have a girlfriend, it won't, uh"...

I laughed. "Sure, that would be fine, Dr Tully".

"Brandon. Call me Brandon". He brushed his dark brown hair from his eyes. I smiled. "Well, I should probably get going. You rest now". Jokingly, he shook a finger at me, then left.

Good. He's gone. I thought you where actually flirting with him, now wouldn't that be funny?

I froze. I couldn't see him. I didn't know how long he was there. Did he find out what I told the policemen?

"Coby"? A cold breeze fluttered by on my shoulder. He was right there.

Too bad your getting all this medicine... It isn't good for the baby.

I put a hand on my stomach. We both didn't know if the baby was still alive.

Once you get better, I'm taking you and the baby out of here, so we can live a normal life. The three of us.

"Coby, enough with this. You know I don't love you. I'm not even pregnant, you can't tell that I"-

The door opened and Coby vanished. I could hear him laughing nearby.

It was a nurse. She was holding a clipboard, "Hello Miss Brightman, how are you"?

"I'm okay, I guess". I hoped she wouldn't ask me what had happened.

"Well, I have some big news for you". She couldn't stop smiling. What was going on, was I getting out early?

"Congratulations Miss Brightman, your pregnant".