Something Is Wrong

Ian pulled away from the kiss and breathed heavily, he was shy but the reason for breaking the kiss was unsettling feelings in his heart. He was a little disturbed. Not knowing the cause was also making things worse.

The older frowned at the action but still followed the gaze of the younger. Being a great observer Ethan was seeing those changes throughout their date. The younger boy was not very much interested or maybe distracted for some reason. Voicing his thoughts Ethan smiled at Ian and held his small hands.

“what’s wrong sweetheart, why are looking like you are worried about something?” he asked holding those delicate small hands and caressing them with care.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I am not myself today. I... I just have a bad feeling that’s all” replied Ian leaning in Ethan’s chest. That big muscular chest was safe heaven, those clam heartbeats were playing his favorite music, and hands around his small body were acting as a shield but why was he not pleased with all this?

“can we go home, I just want to see mom,” Ian asked timidly after a while, not wanting to cancel their date and hurt Ethan’s feelings. Ethan smiled before nodding and stood up taking Ian with him. Smiling he landed a kiss on Ian’s forehead and started walking towards their car. Ethan made Ian sit and buckle his belt before he went to his own side, he started the engine and held Ian’s small hand in his. Ian remained quiet all the way back home. He was tired and his mind was exhausted, wanting to rest and only rest. Hand clasped in a caring grip he closed his eyes for the rest of the journey.

…..

Parking their car near the sidewalk, they saw Mr. Williams coming out of his own car parked in their garage. He waved his hand at them and they both smiled in response. Gathering, they all went to the main door talking about the day. Mr. Williams was feeling giddy, secretly holding a piece of jewelry in his hand, a pendant to be exact. He was going to give Hannah a surprise.   

There was no response after their third try of ringing the bell. Mr. Williams and Ian had visible frowns on their faces. They shared a look and both wanted to remain positive.

“Maybe she is asleep,” said Ian, and Mr. Williams agreed without wanting to think of other scenarios. Taking out his own keys they entered the house only to back away when a strong punch of stench hit their faces. Ian gaged and Ethan pulled out a kerchief from his pocket to cover his nose. He held Ian close and they all entered again with covered noses. Ian was panicking, his whole day was gone thinking something bad was bound to happen and still he was not ready to face that bad. How can he if he can’t even imagine what bad was served in front of him. Similar for Mr. Williams, the smell and the quietness of the house were unsettling to the senses.

Ethan was observing everything, a little lobby running towards the main living area was looking normal except for a few things scattered around like some broken glass, instead, the living room had all the surprise for them. The stench got strong with each step they took in, then it caught his attention. That smudgy, disgusting, blackish green spot where the smell was spurting from. The smell of some dead body was present in the air. He was about to say his thoughts when suddenly his hand was left at his side and he saw Ian running to the corner of the room.

“Mom!!!!” he heard the boy scream at the top of his lungs, gaining his consciousness back he scrambled his way to her body. Both Mr. William and Ian were having tears in their eyes and they were shaking her to gain her back but it was no use.

The first thing in his mind was to call an ambulance and so he did before he called his father. Mr. Smith was shocked listening to the incident and promised to meet at the hospital in a while. The second thing he did was to hold Mr. Williams who was not thinking straight or maybe wasn’t able to. He held his shoulder and made him stand up on his feet. Mr. Williams was crying and it was a hard sight to see. He hugged him and rubbed his back before whispering.

“uncle please, I have called the ambulance. They will be here soon you have to gather yourself up please.” He pleaded and glance at Ian who was crying nonstop while his hands were caressing his mother’s face. Mr. Williams hiccupped in response.

“Please uncle, look at him, you know how he gets. You have to think about him. I need your help” he said pulling away from the hug. Mr. Williams snapped out of his trauma hearing about Ian. he knew how Ian can get sick if he is not taken care of in situations like these. He stumbled and went to Ian to hold him. Ian looked at his father with his wet chubby rosy cheeks and cried harder.

“nothing is wrong Ian, why are you crying. Look the ambulance is coming ok. I want you to be strong please son.” He held his son and Ethan came on the other side. Ian cried hiding his face in Ethan’s chest. He wasn’t ready for his mother to leave him in any way. He cried and cried until he can’t. Everything went in a blur after that. The ambulance took Hannah to the hospital, they all followed the ambulance, afterward were assigned to Hannah and a team of doctors was ready for the treatment. The police were called after the doctor declared an attack. Inspector Martha investigated the crime scene and also talked to the family members. She had her share of her inquiry before she left for further proceedings.

It was almost midnight; they were all waiting in the waiting room for any news regarding her health. Ian was asleep half body in Ethan’s lap hiding his face in his chest and Mr. Williams had his lower half on his lap. He was worried for his son and his wife as well. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were also waiting sitting near them on the bench.

It was difficult for everyone; Hannah wasn’t the one who you can see leaving your life without any solid reason. She was the jolliest and the funniest in the group of their friends. Back in the time when Camron and Hannah became friends, Camron was inspired by how Hannah had her spirits high. They met at the coffee shop and from that day they were both inseparable. The group they formed in their previous residence was more than twenty girls and they were all fans of Hannah because of her carefree attitude and great personality. She was witted, had beautiful features, and had a big heart. Camron was the only friend she was in contact with after the others left to peruse their futures. These both were each other soulmates. They talked and gossiped for straight two to three hours, had understood just like sisters, and had common interests just like best friends. They knew what was running in others’ minds and how it will affect them. Camron was feeling a great deal seeing her friend, her soulmate in that condition.

It was similar to Mr smith. He was also a friend of Hannah but they became friends after he got married to Camron. Hannah had her charisma which encouraged everyone around her. Mr smith remembered when Hannah helped him in his business matter back in the time when he was starting his own company. He was a newbie in the market, selling construction materials for other constructing companies. Inexperienced he was and was an easy target for the masters of the market. Hannah suggested that he should open a construction company instead of materials, that way the tables will turn and the materials supplier will come to visit him for bids and those masters of the market will have to follow the orders, and if not then they can always go for a substitute.

Cut to the present, he was glad he had a friend like Hannah, not only did they help in financing him but also she encouraged him to do better business. Hannah also worked for him without any salary when they just started and were low on budgets. He was very much grateful for her presence in his life. How can he manage to see if something happens to her, her enthusiastic personality, always funny remarks, and her great cooking? He can only pray for her health. Mr. Williams was his great friend and he would not want any pain for him regarding his love that he can’t even endure himself.

Ian stirred in his sleep and Ethan rubbed his back to make him sleep again but his eyes started to open slowly. Taking in the environment he slowly sat up straight catching Mr. Williams's attention. Mr. Williams smile at him and gestured him to sit beside him. When he did he straight away asked the question everyone was dreading to answer.

“How is mom, where is she dad?” he asked in his low hoarse voice. Ethan placed his hand on his back and smiled at him when Ian looked at Ethan.

“she is okay, the doctor said she will be fine but she has to rest and so do you,” Ethan said instead of Mr. Williams who was tongue-tied not knowing what to tell his son about his mother. The doctor visited them when Ian was asleep he said some very confusing statements about Hannah and it seemed that she was critical.

“h.how is she doctor?” asked Mr. Williams with his swollen eyes and scratchy voice.

“Mr. Williams, I don’t want to give any false hope. We are trying, she is critical. Her throat is being squeezed very harshly like someone wanted to break her neck but she survived the attack. Still, she is not in a good condition. We are trying our best, just pray to god” said doctor Roy and went for his office leaving a disheveled Mr. Williams who wasn’t even able to stand properly. Mr. Smith ran to his aid and made him sit on the bench near him.

“don’t worry Darcy, she will be okay. We are here with you okay?” said Mr. Smith and held his shoulders. Mr. Williams nodded, tears running down his eyes. He nodded knowing the seriousness of the words that doctor Roy has said to him. He wasn’t a kid who you can lull by giving him candy and telling him that everything is fine. He knew what was coming and he wanted to deny it at every cost. He closed his eyes before glancing at the sleeping boy in Ethan’s rams.

“Come on inni you have to eat something’ said Ethan snapping Mr. Williams out of his thoughts. He caressed his son’s head.

“he is right, go eat something. Your mother won’t be happy seeing you like this come on” said Mr. Williams and Ian stood up with Ethan. They both went to the cafeteria, the almost empty cafeteria. He made Ian sit on the bench attached to a table and told him to wait till he gets something. Ian nodded and waited for Ethan.

Five minutes in and a man sat beside Ian. Ian got startled and started to move away from the man. However, the man gripped his wrist causing him to hiss from the pain.

“what are you doing, leave my hand,” said Ian trying his best to get away but the grip got tighter on his wrist. He winced and looked around for Ethan but he wasn’t in sight.

“you should go to the one you belong to, the one who can cherish you in a true way,” he said, the voice sending shivers to Ian’s core.

“w.what…..what are y_” he was cut off when that man started again

“don’t go and make your life miserable, he is not the one you should play with. That thing is beyond control. He gets what he wants” the man was rambling now. Ian tried to lose the grip and wanted to shout when he saw Ethan in his sight. Ethan’s back was towards Ian so he couldn’t see him

“figure it out yourself,……… they sacrificed their lives to protect you,……………. don’t talk to those who can’t understand you. Mark my words he will get what he wants” the man said and stood up leaving Ian wrist that was now red due to the harsh grip. Ian stood up and ran towards Ethan. The older got startled seeing Ian in sweats.

“what's wrong Inni, what happened,” he asked following the eyes of the younger and finding no one. Turning his head towards Ian, he held his hand and asked again.

“Nothing, I guess I got scared of the dark,” he said scratching his nape. He should tell. That is what any sensible person will do but something stopped him and he went along. He got out of his thoughts when Ethan handed him a sandwich and a disposable glass of juice.

“eat up Inni, it will give you strength,” he said not saying the truth. Ian started munching on the sandwich thinking about the weird encounter he just had with a man. Unconsciously he draped his arm around Ethan’s and they both left the cafeterias carrying others some stuff to eat too.