Day Fifty-Two…
~~*****~~
[ At Dave's Police Precinct… ]
Dave couldn't sleep last night. He had been thinking about Abigail. He couldn't get her out of his system no matter how hard he tried. He didn't look good lately. His comrades noticed that Dave always had a sullen mood ever since he came back.
"Hey, Dude, are you alright? You are low-spirited again today. Why don't you apply for sick leave?" Dave's comrade approached him, tapping his shoulder.
Dave was spacing out at his desk while facing the computer. His mind seemed to wander off somewhere.
"I'm fine. By the way, what happened yesterday? I heard all our units were dispatched and mobilized yesterday?" Dave was out of the office yesterday so he wasn't able to join the team.
"Oh, yeah. Something big happened yesterday. Do you know the CEO of SYP Twilight Corp? The mighty Nathan Sparks?"
Dave's interest was piqued when Nathan's name was mentioned. "Yes, I know him. Why? Is your mission had something to do with him?"
"Yes, Dude! He went paragliding together with his girlfriend yesterday. But someone tried to kill them by shooting their parachute. Nathan Sparks was fine. But his girlfriend was in critical condition."
Thud!
Dave dropped his mouse when he heard that. He immediately stood up with his face filled with worries. He even slammed his table as he asked his comrade, "What happened to Abi? Where can I find them?"
His colleague was surprised by his reaction. "At Towerville's Hospital. Why?"
"I have to check on her!" Dave stormed out of his office, his face looking so grim and worried.
Riding his motorcycle, Dave rushed to the hospital to see Abigail. He was silently praying that she would be fine. His heart was pounding so hard. His colleague told him that Abigail was in critical condition.
'No. This couldn't be. Something bad happened to her once more. And I was not there to protect her.' Dave regretted every moment he wasn't there for Abigail.
A few minutes later, Dave arrived at the hospital. He asked the information desk regarding Abigail's room. The nurse refused to give him the details because Nathan forbade anyone from giving out Abigail's room to strangers.
Who knows if the killer is still looking for Abigail?
"Nurse Choi, please tell me where I can find Abigail Scarlett," Dave begged the nurse-in-charge in the administration area.
"I'm sorry, sir. But we received an order from the higher-up to keep our patient's information and room number confidential. We can't disclose her exact room number. Miss Scarlett's life has a threat," the nurse explained to Dave.
Dave picked up his police badge and his identification, showing it to the nurse.
"I'm a police officer. I am in-charge of this case. I need to see her." Dave was determined to find his way to Abigail's VIP room.
For safety purposes, Nathan ordered the hospital not to let anyone come to the VIP ward. Only authorized personnel, nurses, and doctors are allowed to enter. The threat to Abigail's life hadn't been completely removed yet. Aside from Madam Lu, they didn't know the other parties who were after Abigail's life.
"I'm sorry, sir. But we can't disclose the information even to the police unless you have permission from Mr. Sparks," the nurse insisted.
Dave was getting annoyed. He was dying to see Abigail but the nurses remained tight-lipped, keeping her room number from him.
"Where is Mr. Sparks? Tell him I'm here. He knows me." Dave was still trying his luck. The nurse hesitated for a moment. Nathan Sparks seemed moody today so they were afraid to talk to him.
"Uh, sir–"
Before the nurse could reply, a group of men in black passed by. Dave noticed the Sparks family's seal on the men's pin. They were Sparks Family guards, summoned by Nathan to watch the vicinity. They would also escort Nathan and Abigail as they transferred Abigail to the Syphiruz Medical Facility.
Dave immediately followed the men in black suits, hoping that he could see Nathan. When the team leader noticed Dave's presence, he blocked his path to confront him.
"Why are you following us?" The head guard questioned Dave in his authoritative voice.
"I'm a police officer. I want to talk to your Boss, Nathan Sparks." Dave was direct to the point.
The team leader frowned and eyed Dave from top to bottom and vice versa.
"Our Boss does not allow any visitors today," He promptly responded.
Dave was losing his patience. Why was it so hard for him to see Abigail? He felt like the gaps between them were getting larger and larger. Things had changed. Unlike before, he could freely see her whenever he wanted.
Dave clenched his fists, trying to control the rage deep inside his heart. "If I didn't accept that mission… If I hadn't left her… would things remain the same between Abigail and me?"
Dave was thinking of the what-ifs when someone called him.
"Uncle Dave!" A tiny voice of a child was heard from behind. Ethan was with his grandpa when he saw Dave talking to their bodyguards.
Dave's face brightened up when he saw Ethan. The little boy was like his saving grace in this period of time.
"Ethan…" Dave greeted him back.
The bodyguards gave courtesy greetings to Chairman Xu and their young master Ethan.
"What's going on here? Ethan, who is he?" Old Man Xu asked his grandson.
"Grandpa, he is Uncle Dave, my mom's friend. I think he is here to see her." Ethan introduced Dave to his grandfather. He was close to Dave because he was Abigail's good friend.
Old Man Xu bobbed his head and turned to Dave. "Abigail will be transferred to our facility today. You can visit her there any time. My son is preparing the transport."
"Chairman Xu, May I see her now? Please… I have to see her." The worries and concerns were evident on his face.
"Grandpa, go ahead. I will accompany Uncle Dave. He has the right to see her." Ethan said, glancing at Dave meaningfully. He moved closer to Dave and held his hand. Ethan guided him to Abigail's VIP ward.
When they reached the ward, they saw two men in black suits standing on guard. They were there to prevent strangers from entering Abigail's ward. This was part of safety and security.
Since Ethan was with Dave, the two guards stepped to the sides, allowing Dave and Ethan to enter the ward. Dave's heart sank seeing her in this current condition. She was unconscious and several tubes connected to her hand and nose. She was also wearing an oxygen mask.
Dave gritted his teeth and shut his eyes. He could feel the heaviness and raging fury in his heart. Who did this to Abigail?
"Uncle Dave," Ethan softly called his name while squeezing his hand. It was his way of comforting Dave. When Dave opened his eyes, he met Ethan's gaze.
"Ethan…" Dave couldn't utter a word since his emotions were unstable.
"Don't worry, Uncle Dave. My Dad will treat her. He will cure your friend. Your old friend is back…" Ethan tried to console him.
Confusion resurfaced in Dave's eyes. 'Why did Ethan sound so distant? Did I just imagine it?' Ethan didn't even mention Abigail's name just like how he used to.
"What do you mean my old friend is back?" Dave asked him.
"The real owner of this body is back," Ethan stated matter-of-factly, making Dave more confused.