Only Time Will Tell

1916

Edward felt the adrenalin rush through his veins as he dragged the unconscious man to his Ford Model-T. Using all his strength to get him just high enough in the air to get in the automobile. He took a small moment to catch his breath after doing so before he collected his self once again knowing that he had to get him somewhere quick for treatment. The problem was he couldn't exactly take him to any hospital because it wasn't guaranteed they'd treat an Indian there. It would most likely just be a waste of time and put the man's life in more risk than it already was.

What's an Indian doing in Chicago anyways?'

Edward couldn't help but wonder but he didn't ponder too much on the thought knowing that after the man comes to he'll have plenty of time to ask him questions. For now he needed to priorities his safety.

So, in a last moment decision, Edward headed back to his own home in Sawyer avenue. His parents had enough money that they could call a doctor to their home and they'd have no choice but to look him over. Of course, Edward was going with this under the assumption that his parents would allow him to do that. Thankfully his father wasn't home yet and he knew his mother was a compassionate enough woman to not want to turn a dying man away after Edward had already brought him to their door step.

Those reassuring thoughts didn't stop Edward from mentally panicking while driving home. Thankfully Douglas Park wasn't too far from where he lived and he'd make it in a few minutes. Honestly it had taken him longer to drag the man from the lagoon to his automobile. Once he made it he parked the car as close to the front gate of his home as possible trying to minimize how much he'd have to drag the man over the concrete.

Edward rushed out the vehicle and headed straight up the steps of the house. He had left the door unlocked when he left so he thankfully didn't have to waste time on trying to unlock the door. The moment he got inside he bolted for upstairs to his parents bedroom where his mother was most likely to be.

"Mother! I need your help come down quick!"

He screamed hearing her shout something back in confusion but he didn't pay too much attention turning back to go get the man out the automobile. Knowing the cold air wouldn't be good for him after having just been submerged in water.

Once he got outside he opened the back door and wrapped his arms under the man's own locking them in front his chest before taking in a deep breath and hauling him up. Doing his best to not let too much of his body drag on the ground afraid that he could be injured on other places on his body that Edward couldn't see. Though the man was only wearing some torn trousers giving Edward a pretty clear view of his body and Edward couldn't see any visible injuries. Granted it was dark and there was still the chance of internal damage. He had to have been beaten around quite a bit seeing as his clothing seemed to have been torn off to this extent.

By the time Edward had made it to the threshold of his home his mother was already by the door in her nightgown watching worriedly.

"Edward? Who is that man? What happen to him? Why is he unconscious?"

She fired off questions left and right but seemed to at least be a little more relieved to know Edward wasn't the one hurt. Edward couldn't really answer her though because it was already taking all he had to just carry this man. Dear God, how much did the man weigh? It seemed to all be in muscle too. Edward vaguely wondered if all Indians were like this. He wouldn't know he hasn't really met one in person before and only knew them from description of their physical traits.

Edward didn't bother trying to answer his mother's questions instead focusing on getting the man on the couch first. He let out a large breath of air when he was finally able to put him down. His mother let him catch his breath first before demanding what happened.