Last But Not Least

~9~

Chase POV

***

I stared in shock at the screen in front of me, arms shaking, as I began to try to process everything in front of me. I had a deadly virus injected in me because of this Douglas Davenport guy when I was only two.

My vision blurred as I dropped to my knees, mouth agape as my hands began shaking at my sides. The screen turned black and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to comprehend everything and try to sort it out in my boggled brain.

I felt a panic attack coming along amd I barely mumbled "help" before the shock and pain came crashing down on me. I felt panic erupt in my whole body as I pulled my knees to my shaking body, rocking back and forth as the pain kicked in.

I would've concluded that I was having another burst of pain but all I could think about was the virus and panic. My brain exploded with fear, thoughts, confusion and questions but I couldn't control the panic and pain I felt.

My eyelids were drooping because of the pain. My body screamed in protest and with every movement I felt like I was being shot in the same place over and over. I squeezed my eyes shut and fought the pain, whimpering as the panic only grew the more I fought the pain down.

One sentence kept repeating itself in my brain: I was gonna die. I was gonna die. I was gonna die. I was gonna die. I was gonna die. I was gonna die. I was gonna die.

I was about to give up right there. I was fully prepared to collapse to the floor, closing my eyes as pain overrode any thoughts I had containing hope or belief of survival. I was ready to die. But, as I slowly made my way to the floor, a familliar and frantic voice cut through my mind, shattering every wall of pain and building up a new one of concern.

Chase? If you can hear this I'm in trouble. Someone kidnapped me and I don't know where I am. Please help me!

Bree.

I opened my eyes and shot straight up, ignoring the head rush and the panic still lingering in the back of my mind as I set to work. I cringed slightly as I minimized the tab I was just in and began searching for Bree's signal so I could go help her.

You know you're probably gonna die today. A voice said in the back of my mind. You know even if you save her, nothing will be worth it. Your life is ending. And you cannot stop it.

I bit my lip as my finger hovvered over the button to find my sister. I shook my head and pressed it. How could I have second thoughts? Bree is my sister! And no matter whether I die or not, I will always put my family first, always.

I got the location and smiled in content as I held my finger out, the flashdrive appearing from my index finger as the coordinants synched to the flashdrive. I felt hope and happiness in my chest as I took it out after a second.

I heard a ding and turned my head to see Mr. Davenport and some guy that was vaguely familliar run in, panting and out of breath with sweat beaded on their foreheads. I raised my eyebrow in confusion.

"Chase... Bree... trouble..." Mr. Davenport choked out, his face pale and his breathing labored and loud. I ignored it.

"Yeah, I know." I responded, returning my attention to the cyberdesk. "I just tracked her signal on the cyberdesk. All I have to do is sync it to the Davencar and we can go get her back."

"That's ma boy!" The man suddenly blurted out, his face immediately turning red as he attempted to become invisible, his vision narrowing on the ground in embarrassment.

I simply shook my head as Mr. Davenport began to explain. "This is my bro-cousin Douglas. Douglas Davenport."

My shoulders tensed and I became uneasy as I heard the name. Douglas Davenport. Douglas. The Douglas. I got in a fighting stance and backed up a bit, glaring at him as best I could as I tried to step away from him, letting out a small growl as I backed up cautiously.

"You!" I yelled, showing no mercy as I spoke. "I know what you did! You injected ME with a deadly virus and I'm gonna die soon! Because. Of. You. Who are you? Are you with the government? Huh? Huh!"

He seemed startled by my sudden outburst but I could tell by the way he avoided eye contact and the way he bit his lip that he felt guilty, and it was quite evident. I snarled. "Listen Chase I-"

"So you did do it?" I asked, less angry but more of confused as I blinked back a tear. "Why? What did I ever do to you? Who are you anyways?"

"Chase-"

"Mr. Davenport I need answers!" I shouted, the vein in my forehead popping out. I took a deep breath as Mr. Davenport replied.

"And we can explain!"

I was taken aback and I dropped my stance, giving him a confused but sad look as I looked my father straight in the eye, a tear beginning to blur my vision the more I tried to blink back the tears. "You... you knew about the virus?"

His face turned crimson as he opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "You knew about the virus?! Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you try to prevent it?" I paused. "That's why you've been so distant lately isn't it?"

He nodded slowly and I filled myself with anger towards him as I spoke, my voice loud and stern as I poured my heart out. "That's why? That's why. Okay. Okay, that's why. You never told me about this deadly virus so you think it's alright just because you were looking for a cure?" I chuckled. "For the past month, I've done nothing but sulk and kick myself because I thought you were mad at me. I thought I did something that made you mad and I felt guilty, every second of every day you treated me like I did something unforgivable! You know, you could've told me! You could've done something so I would've been aware! You could've hired doctors to help you with your search! But what did you do instead? Instead, you took one month to treat everyone like garbage, especially me, whilst you, alone, searched for the cure to a deadly virus, without even telling me!" I exhaled and rubbed my temples.

I looked at Mr. Davenport and his face made a piece of me feel really guilty. His eyes were large and scared, almost as if I was about to kill him or something. His whole body was shaking out of fear and I could tell by the look on his face that he regretted everything he did. But he still did it anyway.

"Chase, I-"

"No." I interrupted quietly, trying to calm myself as I headed towards my capsule. "Just stop. You made me feel like... like garbage for a month while you ignored me so now I'm returning the favour." I felt my mission suit materialize around me and I smiled slightly, before glaring back at my 'father'. "I'm going to go get Bree. Because unlike you, I'm willing to fight for my family. Not fight my family."

I walked out of the room and heard Douglas shouting at me that I had so little time and I shouldn't do something this dangerous while I have one foot in the grave. Why does he care anyway? He gave me the virus anyway.

I grabbed the keys to the Davencar and slammed to door to the house shut as I walked over to the garage, my mind making me regret what I did.

He was trying to help! Granted he did make you feel horrible for a month but he was trying to SAVE you! It's the thought that counts! He gave up Davenport Industries for you, and you go and yell at him? What a son you are. You don't deserve his love or your bionics.

I bit my lip as I stood right in front of the shiny black car, feeling the pain erupt in my skull again. I dropped to my knees and quickly began massaging my temples as I slammed my eyes shut, gripping onto the car for dear life. The pain subsided slowly and I stood back up, regaining my composure, the words stinging my head like a fire. You don't deserve his love or your bionics.

Was it true? Did I deserve my bionics and his love? Did I just ruin my relationship with my father over a month of guilt? Most people deal with years of guilt and they forgive whereas I went through a month and yelled at him. What is wrong with me?

I shook my head and unlocked the car, the lights blinking as I whipped open the door and slid inside, closing it behind me. I put the keys in the ignition and I put the coordinants in the system as I inserted my flashdrive, smiling as the car revved it's engines and took off, four words bouncing around in my head:

Do you deserve anything?

Anything?

~~~