When we finally pull into a space in the hospital’s garage, Dorian looks to me with sadness etched in his beautiful face. The sight pains me and causes the storm behind my own eyes to calm instantly. What could be troubling him? What has Aurora told him?
“My love, I am so sorry,” he murmurs, quieting the car’s engine.
“Dorian, what is it? Just tell me,” I whisper.
Dorian closes his baby blues and turns his head away as if he is physically pained. When he returns his gaze to me, they are dark and solemn. I’ve never seen him so shaken, so affected, and it frightens me.
“There’s been another incident. Another victim,” he finally says. “The killer has returned.”
Chapter Seven
There’s no worse feeling than knowing that you are directly responsible for someone else’s pain. But when it is someone you love that is suffering, and you can’t do anything but sit back and watch, that is truly unbearable. No one deserves to die, especially because of me. They didn’t ask for this life; I didn’t ask for it either. But as I run down the long corridor of Memorial Hospital towards the Emergency Department, there’s no way I can shake the guilt. I caused this.
“Jared! Oh my God, what happened?” I shriek, running into his arms. He cradles me into his large biceps, holding me close to his chest. His heart is racing, and I know my dear friend is in immense pain. Though I’m well aware that both Dorian and Aurora are watching us intently, I don’t care. I can’t. Jared needs me and I don’t care how it looks.
“Gabs,” he chokes out hoarsely. I feel his trembling lips in my hair, and I squeeze him tighter. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I look up at my frightened friend. “Just tell me. What happened?” I whisper. Dorian still has not informed me of the latest victim and seeing Jared so shaken is making me think the worst. I usher him over to a row of blue plastic seats.
“We all went out last night. I drank too much. I stayed over at Aurora’s though I know I should’ve come home. I was so fucking stupid! When I pulled up this morning, I could tell something wasn’t right. I don’t know, Gabs…I just don’t know what to do. ”
Jared takes a moment to collect himself, clearly overrun with emotion. Only then do I notice James speaking to a woman at the front desk, flailing his arms wildly. I look back at my distraught friend, placing my arms around him. His eyes are glossy and drained. “We don’t know what happened to her! It’s like she had a stroke or something. She was just lying there in the floor, her eyes wide open. But she can’t talk, she can’t move. What the hell, Gabs! Something happened to my mom and even the fucking doctors are clueless!”
I whip my head around to look back at Dorian with wide, horrified eyes. As always, Dorian is perfectly poised and controlled, though I know he is secretly livid. I give Jared another squeeze before jumping to my feet and pulling Dorian down an empty hallway.
“You know what happened to her, don’t you?” I whisper fiercely.
“Yes,” he replies coolly. How can he be so calm? Just minutes ago, he was furious and remorseful. Bipolar much?
“So it’s him? Whoever is after me went after Tammy?”
“Yes.”
“Then why is she still alive? Why did he leave her like…that? Frozen?”
“She was petrified,” a singsong soprano interjects. Aurora. “He petrified her so he could suck information out of her. We must’ve pulled up before he could finish the job.” Aurora looks to Dorian and is suddenly filled with regret. “I’m sorry, Dorian. I watched him like you said. I had no idea his mom was in danger.”
“I fucking told you! Get control of yourself! How weak and stupid can you be? I’m sick of your shit, Aurora! I swear, if you don’t get it together, I will kill you myself,” he seethes nastily. He’s furious with her, though I’m not sure why. She tried to do everything he’s asked of her.
“Dorian, it’s not her fault. Just calm down,” I say soothingly, trying to diffuse the situation. Aurora looks five shades paler and on the brink of tears. I can’t help but feel bad for her. “She tried her best to help.”
Dorian looks to me, the remains of contempt etched on his face. He really is angry. “She did nothing but help herself to that boy.”
I sigh and shake my head, unsure of what any of that has to do with Tammy’s predicament. I can’t deal with their complex relationship right now. All I care about is helping my friends.
“Look. Enough about that. Can you help her? Can you fix their mom? Please?” I plead.