Part 45 (2/2)

Marisa started to run, and Jack's eyes narrowed. At first he thought she ran the wrong way but then he realized the impact had spun the cars around almost one hundred eighty degrees.

Marisa's hair fanned out as she raced away. She ran down the hill, and Jack smiled as he thought of the little girl in the picture.

She'll be okay.

Jack coughed and could feel the cold gla.s.s against the side of his face. He looked over at Prescott's car, and he could see Jennifer slumped over the steering wheel.

She's dead.

He watched as Marisa disappeared in the distance.

Fool's bargain.

He closed his eyes.

”JACK, JACK!”

Someone stood next to the driver's side of the car and beat on the window.

Jack's eyes slowly opened. Replacement pulled at the door with all her might. Her eyes were huge, and tears poured down her face. Jack lifted his head. He coughed, but no blood came out. Replacement ran around the car so she could crawl onto the seat. Her hands hovered over his broken body.

”Jack, what can I do?” she pleaded.

”Marisa...ran...down.”

Replacement looked back, and he could see Kiku standing there.

”Kiku? Kiku, what can I do?” Replacement begged.

Kiku lowered her eyes.

Tell her.

Replacement's hand touched his head. ”I'm going for help. Don't you give up. d.a.m.n it, Jack, please don't leave me.”

”Alice...” Jack swallowed. ”Thanks.”

”Please?” Replacement begged.

Jack stopped and just looked at her. He could make out little gold flecks among the emerald green in her eyes. His eyes started to close but he forced them open and drew in a ragged breath.

Replacement turned and bolted. Her legs were a blur as she raced away. Her arms pumped, her feet kicked up, and he knew she was giving everything she had trying to save him. He knew she couldn't. She never looked back.

”I love you,” Jack whispered.

His breathing became shallower. He looked over at Kiku, and she had her gun in her hand; it shook.

”Are you suffering, Officer?” Tears hung off her long lashes.

She can end this. End me.

He looked over at Jennifer's body.

I'm not afraid to die. I'm going to. It would be quick. Painless.

”I'm good.” He managed a wink.

”You're in pain.”

Pain. I'm suffocating. I can't feel half my body, and the parts I can I wish I couldn't.

”Pain and me, we're old friends.” Jack coughed.

”Shall I tell Alice?”

”If I die.”

Kiku nodded.

”Take care...of her...” Jack coughed, ”from a distance.”

Kiku started to weep.

Jack Stratton closed his eyes.

Very good hands Jack's eyes fluttered open, but he couldn't see. The light was so bright he had to shut his eyes again to let them adjust. He listened and heard a faint beep from some machine on his left. He felt sheets underneath him. The smell of antiseptics and medicines reached his nose, and his stomach churned.

Hospital.

Slowly, he opened his right eye. Marisa was asleep in the chair next to the bed. Her hand lay on the rail of his bed. Her cheeks were much thinner, but...

She's alive.

Jack gave up on thinking. There was a dull pain behind his eyes, and he could only imagine what it would feel like if he wasn't on whatever pain-killer they'd used to numb him.

He was covered in tubes and wires. When he tried to open his mouth, he realized some tube was even down his throat. The realization brought a quick panic, but his fatigue overrode his pain.

With considerable effort, he slid his hand over to b.u.mp Marisa's. Her eyes lifted like a sunrise, and her chest rose as she inhaled. Her lips pressed together, and the corners curled up as she closed her eyes again and settled back into the chair. Jack lifted his finger and rubbed it against hers. She gasped and sat bolt upright. He tried to smile, but the movement hurt his throat.

”JACK.” Marisa jumped up and leaned close to him. ”Don't move. Don't move. Doctor! Doctor!” She ran out into the hallway. He heard a crash in the corridor and running feet.

”Is he awake? JACK.” Replacement sprinted into the room.

She ran so fast she didn't stop in time, and slammed into his bed. If it wasn't for the pain medication, Jack was certain he'd be crying like a baby as he felt a numbed ripple course through his body.

”Alice,” Marisa snapped.

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