Infamy

Justice and Perseverance

Ryan left the hospital, adorned with bandages from the various cuts and gashes he received from the shattered windows. He was accompanied by Izzy and Carrie, who walked him to their car. Carrie gently guided Ryan into the passenger seat.

"You don't need to treat me this gingerly," Ryan mused, "I can move just fine, it's just a couple of cuts."

"Well I'm not taking chances," Carrie replied with no amusement.

"Daddy why are you hurt?" Izzy squeaked.

"Iz, this is the fourth time you've asked," Ryan smiled, "I was fighting bad guys."

"Did you beat him?" Izzy asked with a intense look, well, at least as intense as a five year old could get. Ryan hesitated for a moment, they didn't catch him, but Ryan gave Izzy and accomplished smile.

"Oh I got him good," Ryan said with gusto. Izzy smiled.

"Good job Daddy," Izzy stated with a thumbs up. Once the car was out of the hospital parking lot, Carrie began driving out of the city.

"Why were you near that Elementary school in the first place?" Carrie asked shakily, Ryan knew she was holding back her emotions.

"I was visiting Cole's grave when...when...." Ryan began but he froze as he recalled the event is his head.

"When what?" Carrie gulped. Ryan shook his head profusely.

"Not now...Later..." Ryan muttered. Carrie threw a quick glance of concern at Ryan and then nodded. She remembered Ryan asking a policeman if they found anything at a grave. She wasn't concerned at the time, but now she recalled the man stated the only things there was some blood.

Once inside their house, Carrie put Izzy to bed. When she came back out, she observed her husband sitting on the couch with his right hand across his forehead.

"We can talk now..." Carrie muttered, she sat down next to Ryan and grabbed one of his right hand in comfort, "What was at Cole's grave?"

Ryan was silent for a moment, then he let one word slip out of his mouth, "Cole."

Ryan felt Carrie's hands tighten around his hand.

"So he is alive..." Carrie whispered, "We have to tell your boss..."

"Hold on...That's not all..." Ryan mumbled in anxiety. Carrie halted and listened as Ryan began divulging the situation, "Cole is the reason Sam is dead. He claims to have the power to control people's dreams and effectively mindwash them. He was so serious, I don't know if he is crazy or if he is telling the truth...and he...he said he wanted me to chase him..."

Carrie merely stared at Ryan with her mouth slightly hung out, she was trying to figure out what to say.

"The gunfire went off," Ryan gulped, "He said I should go help him...He was behind that shooting...I shot him in the foot to immobilize him, but it seems someone was there to retrieve him..."

"Ryan," Carrie uttered, "Cole is dangerous...he needs to be caught..."

"I know," Ryan nodded darkly, "I have to catch him..."

Carrie threw herself at Ryan, wrapping her arms around him; he was startled at first, but then he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'll make sure to be safe..." Ryan chuckled lightly.

"Yeah, sure," Carrie replied sarcastically, "That's not you...play your game...just come back in one piece..."

"I promise...you and Izzy are everything...I can't let y'all be hurt," Ryan smiled, he let go of Carrie and she followed suit. He looked at her in the eyes, "I'm tired, let's call it a night."