The Walks of Life

Chapter Six

"Lloyd!" Aira yelled as she shook him frantically.

Lloyd almost couldn't hear her. She sounded distant. His shoulder exploded with pain. He could feel a stickiness on his clothes. Was that blood? He could hear sirens begin to wail and people yelling. He managed to open his eyes just long enough to see the assassin leap away from a watchful perch then he slipped back into unconsciousness.

*********************************

Haden ran --as quickly as anyone can while holding a baby--into the hospital lobby. His Grandpa Morro and Grandpa Garmadon were already both there; as well as, Jacqueline and Xavier.

"What happened?" Haden demanded as he ran up.

"We aren't quite sure," Garmadon said worriedly. "There was a bomb blast in a downtown building. Your father and mother were on the roof of the building that blew up. Miraculously they both survived."

"The building blew up?!" Haden asked incredulously.

"Clouse and Alita ran into themwhile they were out and someone tried to shoot one of the four," Morro continued the story. "Your parents went after them."

"Excuse me,"A female nurse interrupted. "Are you Haden Garmadon?"

"Yes?" Haden answered.

"There is a call for you on line one," the nurse explained. Haden looked at his grandpa's skeptically.

"I'll take Aiden," Jacqueline offered.

"Thankyou," Haden said, handing his son to his sister.

Haden walked quickly to the nearest phone and hesitantly picked up the receiver. He hit the line one button and waited.

"Hello?" A female voice said from the other end of the line. "Haden?"

"This is he," Haden answered slowly.

"I put my life on the line for your family tonight," the voice said. "You owe me one. You'll know when I need to collect it."

"Delilah?" Haden asked with sudden recognition.

"They can't know I let them live," Delilah said. Haden could've sworn she sounded scared. "They are hurt but alive. It saved my neck and theirs. I'm sorry I couldn't do more. Don't forget it. I'll let you know when I need you. Deal?"

Haden wasn't sure how to respond. It sounded like Delilah actually had made sure his parents lived. He went with his gut.

"Deal," Haden responded carefully. He didn't get another response. Delilah had hung up leaving a confused Haden on a dead receiver.

Haden hung the phone on its hook and walked back towards his family. By this time, his other siblings had made it to the group, including his Uncle Wu.

"Who was on the phone?" Garmadon asked.

Haden shrugged in response and held out his arms for Aiden.

"No!" Julia exclaimed. "I want a turn. I need someone to cuddle. Why don't you go see mom and dad. I'll hold Aiden for you. We will come up shortly."

"Wow, you didn't even act shocked about Aiden," Haden pointed out.

"I have a feeling everyone else was shocked enough for me," Julia shrugged. "Besides, Xavier called and told me earlier."

Haden smiled at his older sister. She was always looking out for him even though he much taller and bigger than her. She always knew how to make him feel loved.

"Thanks," Haden said with great sincerity. She and Kyle still hadn't been able to have another baby after the miscarriage. Holding Aiden meant a lot to Julia.

Haden hurried up the stairs and to the nurses station. The nurse pointed him to room 202. He slowed down as he reached the door. He suddenly felt nervous and he wasn't sure why.

"Haden?"

"Mom," Haden walked into the room quickly.

Aira was sitting in a chair next to a hospital bed. She looked pretty beat up herself, but Haden felt a surge of emotion when he saw his dad.

Lloyd was unconscious. He had tubes and wires coming from every which way. The biggest wound that Haden could see was on his shoulder. It was more the fact that he didn't have most of his shoulder.

"Oh my gosh!" Haden wailed. "Dad!"

"He is going into surgery in a few minutes," Aira wiped her eyes. "He is most likely going to need a shoulder replacement surgery."

"But-but what about his movement?!" Haden asked incredulously. "He is the Green Ninja! And what about-"

"Shhhhh, Haden," Aira said gently. "At least he didn't loose his arm. He should regain full motion with a replacement surgery. I don't know how that girl did it but she kept him intact till I got there."

"What girl?" Haden asked skeptically.

"We can talk about that later," Aira said firmly. "What's important now is-is your Dad and his health."

Haden walked over to his mom and wrapped his arms around her. Aira began to cry. Lloyd looked as pale as a ghost. What if-? No. He couldn't think that way.

"By Ninjago!" A voice gasped from the door.

"Dad," Aira held out her hand to her father. Morro walked over to her and hugged her tightly.

"Are you hurt?" Haden asked her worriedly.

"No, something pushed me out of the way."

"Ma'am," a nurse said from the doorway. "We need to take your husband."

Aira let out a shaky breath and nodded. Morro led her from the room leaving just Haden. Haden reached out and grasped his father's hand. He almost imagined that Lloyd squeezed his hand back.

**********************************

"Stupid, stupid!" A man yelled angrily. "How did they survive, Delilah?"

"Does it matter, Robert? They weren't the target!" Delilah spat back.

"You missed your target!"

"That's the first time I've ever missed a target and you know it!" Delilah shouted angrily. "I would've had him if there hadn't been an interruption!"

"You had better get him next time!"

"You know I will," Delilah hissed.

We sprang into some action pretty quickly in this book. It wasn't originally intended. It just sort of happened. Comment and vote! I LOVE reading your guy's comments! -LL_19