The Mystery Writer

Lost

When Darcy picked herself off of the sidewalk, she headed straight for a major highway with the idea that she could grab a taxi or at least find out where she was at. She fought through the cold and was freezing by the time she did slide into a taxi. How grateful she was for the heat that welcomed her. As soon as she named her destination to the cab driver, she brought her light jacket up over face, trying to stay hidden as much as possible. The last thing she needed was for the cab driver giving testimony that she had been out so late at night and looking so shabby in a light jacket. She could only imagine what her face must look like.

The first plan was to get security footage of her in JT's apartment. However, the plan was dashed when the security officer refused to hand over the footage. From the apartment complex, she raced over the Channel 4 news' office building and attempted to get the security footage from the conference room. To her dismay, the cameras had been turned off during her earlier confrontation with JT. Darcy was beginning to realize that JT had been conniving while he played his part very carefully.

With both ideas having quickly been put to no use, Darcy was at a loss for what else she could do. She had no proof that JT was blackmailing her except for the numerous emails and texts that she had received from JT that had gone unanswered. However, those texts and emails could easily be turned against her. The only power she held was the capability of leaving the reality project as the host reporter. That might just hurt the company, and JT, although indirectly. However, that would make her look guilty of whatever the media would portray her as.

'It would protect Leo's privacy and get the cameras out of his home.' That thought alone fueled her in the direction of Leo's house. There was still hours before the sun rose or even hours before it was decent enough to return to a sleeping house. No, she planned to head towards Christine's camper where she would try to get a few hours of rest and think of other ways to get out of the mess she was in.

Stumbling in the familiar direction of Leo's home, she began to get lost in her tangle of thoughts. It was a long walk back, but she wasn't in any rush. She could barely feel how cold it was anymore. She smiled at thought of returning to the place that had almost become like home. It was almost an hour later when the place came into view and exhaustion had begun to settle into her bones. She wanted to smile and feel relief at the sight of Leo's front door, but she couldn't find the energy. Her eyes barely registered the door opening and a petite, older woman was coming out.

“Darcy? Is that you? Where have you been?”

“Mrs. James.” Darcy again wanted to smile, warmth momentarily flooded through her veins.

“You're freezing, dear! Hurry inside.” Mrs. James tried to rush her, but her mind was becoming cloudy and unsure. It felt too much like a dream to see the woman she thought so much of as a mother.

“But Mrs. James. What are you doing here? You shouldn't be up this late.” As she spoke, condensation swirled around her face and distracted her. The cold breeze quickly blew it away.

“I was worried about you and Leo. They said you were missing and they've been looking for you for hours. Leo received a call from Roman, that good, gentle kid. He said you went missing and they've been gone ever since.

Darcy pondered Mrs. James' interesting words. Why would Mrs. James be worried about her? Wasn't she upset or even angry with her? Maybe she secretly thought that Darcy was a no good gold-digger. Oh! Maybe the headlines already came out and she was announced as JT's girlfriend. The thought sickened her and she heaved. The effort made her weak and bend over knees at the effort of staying upright.

“There there. Lets get you in bed and under the covers.” Mrs. James helped her to the bedroom but Darcy hesitated at the door. She stared at her name which had been hanging from her door since she arrived. She couldn't help but to feel that this was her home now as she had no where else to go after she left. The thought of being homeless made her weep loudly. “Come on, it will be ok.”

Mrs James finally convinced her into the room and into bed where she was tucked tightly into covers. Only after Mrs. James left with the excuse she had to make a phone call did Darcy really let loose. Her tears forced her into a light, but terrible sleep.

It felt as though she were in a subconscious state, unable to move or respond to anything around her. She could sense and hear the others in the bedroom, but her mind was befuddled that nothing seemed to make sense.

“She isn't well, Leo. She was outside and she very well could have hypothermia.” Were they talking about her? She felt as though she had just fallen asleep, but had never fully lost consciousness. A hand grazed her forehead and although she longed to see who the hand belonged to, she couldn't open her eyes long enough to find the owner. She felt panic rise in her when she couldn't find the energy or the will to move.

“Darcy? Don't go to sleep. Can you hear me, Darcy?” A painful rattle forced the smallest of groans from her, but otherwise she didn't or couldn't respond. “This is what we are going to do. Mom, draw a warm bath but not too hot. Roman, call a doctor. Any doctor and make sure they get here fast. I'll pay whatever the cost.”

Darcy suddenly felt as if she were floating and the feeling must have gave her the will to open her eyes, because she saw blurs of colors and motion. It was like a movie that was fast forwarded to the point you could only see glimpses of what was occurring. She had the strange sense that she was dreaming while being conscious.

After being placed into the warm water, it felt as though a million tiny needles were prickling her skin. She groaned again, this time in discomfort at the feeling.

“Bare with it a little longer, dear.” Mrs. James encouraged her, holding her hand. It seemed like ages before the water began to turn cold, but she could feel her senses come back alive. Exhaustion hit the hardest as her head lolled against the tub and it made it harder for her to stay awake. Every few minutes Mrs. James would tap her wrist to get a response out of her. Sometimes it took a little more convincing.

“He's here.” Following Leo into the bathroom came a middle aged man who placed a medical bag down on the floor. He then knelt at the side of the tub to check Darcy's eyes with a flashlight. Then he moved on to her other vitals.

“That bath worked. If the water had been too hot then you could have sent her into shock. Take her wet clothes off then redress her in loose clothing like a robe or something over sized. Once she is back in bed, call for me immediately.” After the doctor rose to his feet, Mrs. James turned Leo out of the room as well.

“Go bring me one of your sisters. Hurry.” Mrs. James forced the hesitating celebrity from the bathroom. Abby, one of Leo's elder sisters, was quick to enter the bathroom to help her mother. They were able to work quickly together to remove Darcy's clothes and replace with a long, faded night gown and a robe. It wasn't long before they had Darcy back in bed and the doctor called for with Leo right behind.

“Darcy. Darcy?” She laid in bed as she fought to open her eyes or to respond. The only thing she wished for was sleep. The doctor gave up on a response as he began an IV bag, attempting to get fluids started before checking her vitals once more.

“Why isn't she responding. Doctor?” Leo seemed closer then ever, though his voice was merely a whisper.

“She is exhausted, Leo. Give her time and when she is ready, she'll wake.” Mrs. James attempted to give comfort.

“It will just take time. Let her sleep but you'll need to constantly monitor her. Call me if you have any more questions or for anything.” The doctor took his leave after one more check on Darcy's vitals. Mrs. James escorted him out, allowing Leo to have alone time with her.

 _____________________

Leo James had never been so afraid in his life. Countless minutes ticked by as he stared at Darcy. It seemed as though his breathing stopped as he waited for Darcy's chest to rise, telling him that she was still breathing. It was the little glimmer of hope that kept him attached to her bedside.

While he waited for her to regain consciousness, he recalled how they had met. He could laugh now if only things weren't so serious. Darcy Wren was not the reporter he had assumed she was when they had bumped into each other months ago. He could not have imagined how much energy Darcy would have, but after getting to know her he found that she was so much more than another reporter out looking to demolish his reputation for her gain.

When had she begun to change his opinion and outlook on life? When had he started thinking positively of the talents he carried? How had she ingrained herself into his life in so little time? Why did he care so much about her well-being now? He wanted to pace the room with the questions that she constantly had him thinking about. He couldn't bare to move from the bedside, however.

It felt like days had passed before his mother returned with soup and crackers. Lunch time didn't seem appealing to him and he turned up his nose at the idea of eating while Darcy was still unconscious.

“Everything will be fine, Leo. You'll see.”

“After everything that has happened?”

There was silence that spanned between his mother and him. He didn't want the negative thoughts to mix with the positive ones that Darcy had brought him. They came unwanted, still. None of this would have happened if she hadn't been forced to stay with him. Because of her close proximity to him, she was now feeling the effects of what life around him was like. She would feel the brutal front of the media and the strategic warfare for selfish gain.

These thoughts didn't stop him from wanting her in his life. Everything seemed to be so much better when she was there creating memories, the good and the bad, with him.

“She is strong. I've seen her fighting spirit. Have a little faith.”

His mother retreated back to the living room when he didn't respond. There was a small herd of young adults sitting vigil now and she always felt the need to take care of any and all of Leo's friends. Max and Christine had joined Roman, Ken (who was sporting a fresh bruise to his right eye), Abby, Bethany and Chloe who were doing their best to not seem nervous about the whole ordeal.

Leo recalled when Roman had called him, explaining that Darcy had gone missing. He had been worried about distancing himself from Darcy, but when he received that phone call it seemed as if the world had gone black. There was only a small tunnel that would lead him back to the light and that was to find Darcy. Then when his mother called him about Darcy's arrival at his house, the black world had seemed to have gotten a little lighter.

Thinking about it now, he probably shouldn't have raced home the way he had. It was unsafe. Reckless. He was relieved to find her safe, though cold as ice and pale white. Panic had welled up inside him over and over as he tried to think of what to do for her. He only became calmer when she improved little by little.

It was close to dinner time and Leo was pacing the room as he considered calling the doctor again. Shouldn't she be awake by now? A stir of movement from her caught his attention and he was immediately by her side. Her eyes blinked. Open. Closed. Open. Closed.

“Darcy?”

Her head turned slowly before her eyes narrowed in confusion. He wondered what went through her mind and what nightmares had tortured her since she fell into unconsciousness. Did she recognize him? Then she opened her mouth as if to test her ability to speak.

“Bathroom.” Her voice was barely above a whisper and cracked at the effort. He could see her eyes tear up at the effort.

“Ok. Ok, wait one moment.” Leo raced to the bedroom door, pushing it open as fast as he could before calling for his mother. He had gone back to Darcy, pulling her carefully into his arms just as his mother and Chloe came running into the room. Mrs. James was frozen, tears falling down her cheeks though a bright smile glowed on her face. Chloe, meanwhile, reached for the IV stand and pushed it steadily behind Leo and Darcy as they entered the bathroom.

  Once Leo placed Darcy upon the throne, he left her in his mother and sister's care.