30. Chapter 30
Chapter thirty
Alex
Alex frantically yelled for Hoko and Galen to help him as he helplessly watched the scene unfolding on the living room floor. Fuck, he couldn’t return to his body. Would he be stuck in his astral form without Hoko to guide him back?
“What happened, Galen?” asked Hoko, as he opened his eyes.
“Not sure,” said Galen. “Alex’s body violently went into a seizure and broke yur physical contact. Turned him to the recovery position on his side. Still not responding.”
“How long were we gone?” asked Hoko.
“Two hours. Was afraid to break the connection.”
“Two hours? Alex’s abilities are certainly different from Ditta. We shouldn’t have been gone so long.”
Galen and Hoko reached to secure Alex’s head and body as he started having another seizure.
“How’s this happening, Hoko? He’s invulnerable.”
Hoko replied this was a spiritual crisis, and he had no idea how it would affect Alex. He told Galen they had found Danyal and suspected Alex didn’t want to return to his body. Hoko said they must bring Alex back, or there could be permanent damage.
Galen knelt next to Alex’s body and shook him by the shoulders. “Alex, ya have to come back! Please come back! Can’t do this unless ya return. Ya can’t abandon us!” yelled Galen with tears pricking his eyes, cradling Alex’s head to his chest. With that, the seizures stopped.
“I knew you missed me,” said Alex softly.
“Thank heavens,” said Hoko.
“Not that I mind waking up in a man’s muscular arms, Galen, but could you loosen your grasp so I can breathe?”
“Fuck ya, arsehole!” yelled Galen as he pushed Alex away. “Ya nearly died!” he exclaimed as he stood and stormed down the hallway, slamming his bedroom door behind him.
“I’m sorry to have worried you and Galen, but I couldn’t find my way back into my body. I saw and heard everything happening floating above the room, but couldn’t do anything to reenter my body.”
“So, what changed?” asked Hoko.
“I don’t know. When Galen was holding me, I was suddenly drawn back.”
“Did you learn any other vital information?” asked Hoko.
“Yes, I did. The Sons of Enyaluis aren’t bluffing. They have a bomb prepared to detonate in Harrisburg, PA. We have to act now!”
“I’ll reach out to Ryo, and we need to formulate a plan.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Alex.
“No, Alex. You need to rest. You’ve just been through several seizures. I’ll ask Dr. Donalds to come to check on you.”
“I’m fine.”
“We’ll see. Do you know who’s not fine, Alex? Galen. He really panicked when you didn’t immediately return. You two have been through some traumatic events together and have developed an intense bond. Don’t underestimate his suffering; remember what it was like for you to see him lying unresponsive in a hospital bed.”
Alex vividly remembered that helpless feeling and said he would talk to Galen as Hoko got up to walk toward the elevator. He took a deep breath before walking down the hall and gently knocking on Galen’s bedroom door three times.
“Can we talk, Galen?”
“Bugger off!”
“Fine, I’ll say what I have to say through the door…I’m sorry for being flippant about scaring you. I’m scared shitless, and I don’t want to go through this ordeal without you. Sherlock needs to have Watson to succeed, so please forgive me. I’m doing my best in a horrible situation.”
“Yu’re still an arsehole,” said Galen as he opened the door to look at Alex.
“Yes, I am, and it’s not one of my endearing qualities.”
“No, it’s not,” said Galen as he took his right hand and grabbed Alex by his shirt to pull him closer, looking directly into his eyes. “Scare me like that again, and ya don’t have to worry about the enemy kicking yur arse. Will do it personally.”
Alex placed his right hand on Galen’s, grasping his shirt. “I’ll do my best, Galen. But if you haven’t noticed, I can be a little reckless. That’s why I need you to keep me inside the guardrails.”
“Don’t get paid enough,” said Galen as he gently pushed Alex back out of the doorway. “Sit yur arse down on the couch until the doc can check ya out. Ya need fluids. Once yu’re hydrated, ya better tell me everything ya observed down to the last detail.”
“Yes, sir. Dr. Donalds is on her way. I also need to thank you, Galen.”
“Eh, for what?”
“I don’t know if I would have found my way back into my body without you. You were the anchor pulling me back. Without you, I don’t know what would have happened. Thank you for caring,” said Alex as he leaned forward to hug Galen.
“Not much would happen,” Galen whispered into Alex’s ear, “only the world falling into chaos and destruction.”
“Thanks for reminding me; no pressure,” said Alex as he held Galen tighter.