I'm The One (A Van Halen FanFic)

18

      { August 5, 1978; Great Bend, Kansas}
"Erik?!" I practically screamed. Anger immediately seeped through my pores.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm calling from the prison, so I don't have much time-"
"Good. What makes you think I wanna talk to you?"
"Ed, please, I want to be civil. I heard Mary was missing and-"
"Yeah, she went missing a month ago. A little late to tell me you've heard."
He sighed. "Ed, look, I just wanted-"
"Erik, honestly, I don't give a fuck what you want. You're wasting my time and yours, because I don't want to speak to you. Also, I have to keep the line open in case Mary or the cops call me. So, please, leave me be. Do I need to remind you of why I don't want to speak to you?"
"No, but Eddie-" And then the line cut out. I slammed the phone back on its hanger and downed the rest of the vodka.
I stumbled back to my bunk and fell asleep.

"Eddie...Eddie...wake up." A sweet, soft voice whispered. I opened my eyes slowly and saw Mary through a blurry haze.
I reached up and smiled, taking her face in my hand. "Mary...you're back."
She frowned. "Well...not entirely. But hopefully soon."
I frowned too. "But...but, you're right here. I...I can feel you." My eyes started to water. "Mary, please, no more games. I need you."
Mary placed her hand on top of mine and I burst into tears. I have never felt as much agony and mental pain as I did right now. It wasn't even this painful when I couldn't find her that night she vanished.
Mary kissed my hand and stood up. I grabbed her shirt, which was the same one she was wearing the night she disappeared.
"Eddie," she said softly. "Let me go. I need to go."
"No." I whispered. My fist clutched to her.
"Ed, if you don't let me go you'll never see me again. Please, let me go."
With a weep, I let go of her shirt. She gave me a faint smile before walking out of sight. I lay in bed, stunned, breathing heavily.

"Ed, dude, wake up!" Alex yelled in my ear, shaking me awake.
"L-let go, Mary." I mumbled through my sleepy thoughts.
"Wha-what? No, it's Alex, man. Wake up. It's about Mary. Hurry."
Hearing her name woke me up and I jumped out of bed. The rest of the guys and Seth sat in front of the TV.
"Mary Randall's body was found unconscious in a dry river bank around 1am this morning. Police took her to the hospital. Unfortunately, she's barely clinging on to life at the moment. Around 3am this morning, Mary passed on for about 2 minutes, but luckily doctors were able to revive her. She is undergoing surgery as we speak for several stab wounds, causing her unconscious state. We will update as soon as we can about Ms. Randall."
My mind was racing. On one end, I was ecstatic. My Mary had been found! Unconscious, yes, but alive. On the other hand, I was sadden and angered. Stabbed? Barely clinging to life? I sat down on the floor and tucked my head into my lap. Last night's dream...had it been a prediction? A coincidence? Or...more grim...had her spirit visited me to assure me that she might be okay. But that doesn't make since. Let go. She told me to let go. Why would she want me to let go of her? I figured that it must've been a dream.
"Ed, do you want to go up and see her?" Al asked me, his hand on my shoulder.
"I can't. I have a show to do."
"Well, I mean, we could try to see if one of the guys from the other band can fill in."
I sniffed. "Let's wait and see her condition. I-i don't want to be on a plane and then get there and find out she's..." I couldn't even finish my sentence. Tears choked me up. I looked up and Seth was looking at me, tears down his cheeks.
"Seth, why don't we send you to Nevada!" I suddenly thought.
"I dunno, Ed. The last time she saw me she didn't want to be around me. Besides, why don't you want to go?"
" I do want to go Seth, but I can't play a waiting game. Besides, maybe her seeing you first would make her realize you still love her and want her to be okay."
"Well, I would like to see her..." He thought about it for a few minutes.
"Yeah, all right," he said, finally. "I'll go."
So we arranged a flight for Seth and he was off to Nevada. I really wanted to go, but my own selfishness sent Seth instead, just in case something went wrong, and I could actually keep my sanity.