For What It's Worth

Chapter 5 : Painful Realities

Noah played on his laptop with his headphones on. He loved the loud, banging, sonorous neo-soul music whenever there were no individuals around. At least he didn't have to occasionally apologize for not hearing when being called. But in a moment, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, it was excruciating and very painful. He took out his headphones and laid on his back, looking at the ceiling.

He usually felt pain whenever his sister got into trouble. Although he was never fond of her when they were younger, he still stood up for her in front of the bullies that taunted her even though he did the same secretly. “Goddamn it! What has Ava done again?” He whispered and winced at the same time.

He reached out for his phone while massaging his chest with his left hand. His face identification was not responding, so in the meantime he turned to his game. He had lost to his twitch rival, Alchemy. He frowned, the pain reducing, his left hand leaving his chest. He unlocked the phone with his password and saw five missed calls. Four from his dad, one was unknown. He listened to the voicemail. The victim wasn't Ava this time. That's if he got the name right before entering a panic attack.

The voice of his dad ringing in his ears, your mother is in the hospital. Are you okay? I need you here now. We need to be close to each other.

He took a deep breath, drinking a cup of water to help him calm down. What kind of accident? Why was she the only one to get hurt? He asked himself, as a piercing pain left him breathless. He struggled to play the other voicemail. He tried to cram the street address as he mumbled it thrice. Shouldn't he have been with her when it happened? Why should she be hurt and he isn't? Where's Ava? He had so many questions so he dialed his number.

He flinged his striped jacket over his polo and grey trousers, grabbed his phone and credit card and hurried down to the car. He had barely installed his seatbelt before he drove off. “Leave a f*****g message!? Where does he keep his phone for christsakes!” He bellowed, still on top speed to the hospital address. He tried his number again, this time his hands were fidgeting on the steering wheel. He hoped he would answer.

“Finally, dad. How badly injured is she? What happened? Why is she the only one that is hurt? Where's Ava?” Noah demanded as he continually sped down the road.

“Son! Noah! It's too many questions.” Hunter said very solemnly.

“Then answer them dad!”

“Your mother is dead.” Hunter let out like someone holding water in his mouth.

Noah gaped at his screen. He was stuck on his seat and his hands were glued to the steering, so that even when the car, coming towards him horned, it had to take the left, swerving on time because Noah was indeed lost.

“Son, Noah, are you okay?” Hunter asked concernedly in fear.

Noah pressed the brakes abruptly, resulting in his car making a screeching sound and halting almost immediately by the side of the road. Then he was sure that it wasn't a dream. His heart was thumping fast, in fact it could be heard if anyone sat around him. He was sweating profusely, suddenly the car looked liked a tight space. He started gasping for air, claustrophobia had set in. He pressed his seatbelt button weakly and with his last strength opened the door and fell out. He coughed loudly and spat with his knees on the ground.

“Noah! Noah! Talk to me! Where are you?”

The screeching sound made him afraid. He lost his wife. Losing his son would be extremely terrible, he might not be strong enough to accommodate two deaths and a pale daughter in hospital in one day.

“Dad, I'm okay.” Noah said, in struggling breaths.

“ I'll send a car to you right now. Don't drive again. Send me your location.”

“That won't be necessary, I can handle myself.” Noah said, choking between his words.

“This is not a time to act tough, I need you alive, hale and hearty. The people that did this to your mom can be on to you, please!!” Hunter persuaded pleadingly.

“What do you mean did this to her? You mean it wasn't an accident?” His mouth produced a bitter grin, “but you said she was in the hospital, how can she be dead so fast?” Noah said, sobbing. His voice was inaudible because his sniffing was more.

“That was an hour ago, she was declared dead on arrival.”

“Where were you dad? You should have protected mom?” Noah declared.

“I need you here man. We can talk about it all day, but I need you here.”

“I don't know where I am. I'll share my location with you right now.”

“Okay please do. I'm sending a car to that location right now!” Hunter said emphatically.

“Thanks dad.”

“I need you safe, just hang on.” Hunter said.

“What of Ava? Was she caught up to?”

“No, she's fine, just touched a bit, but it's nothing. She's receiving treatment as we speak.”

“Dad, you have a lot of explaining to do. What did you get into? I know for sure mom would never have been the target!”

“Noah, they are coming to you in a black audi sport car. Hang on, they'll be here any moment from now.”

“They had better come quickly but know you have some explaining to do, dad” Noah hissed, and ended the call.

Hunter heaved a sigh of relief and prayed his men got to Noah before the capos did. He clasped his hands in a way of contrition when he noticed Ava's eyes glinted open.

“How are you doing, Ava?”

Ava observed her surroundings, it was like she wasn't sure what brought her there or the events that led to where she was. She tried to juggle her memory and then, boom, “where's mom?” She asked as soon as she remembered.

Hunter hissed and put his head down. He exhaled and took a seat, “Your mom is dead my dear, those bastards killed her.”