Forever Knight

CHAPTER ONE

Fallon dragged her feet, shuffling and scraping them across a weathered black tar rooftop that had become her private sanctuary. She reveled in the cold which kept everyone else away. Standing near the edge, she cradled the phone in her hand, staring at the number on the screen she swore she would never call. She pressed send.

You have to meet me, Fallon said, shivering as she spoke.

Get this straight. You don’t tell me anything I have to do.

Please! she said, her voice cracking.

How did you get this number?

I.. I just…It’s not important. I need to see you.

What if my wife answered? Or one of my kids? You’re messing with the wrong person.

I would have said I had the wrong number. I’m not trying to cause problems for you. I just need to see you.

Silence.

Please. I won’t bother you again, Fallon said, tugging at her lashes until several mascara crusted hairs clung to her fingers.

She listened as he exhaled heavily, still not saying a word. Pushing the phone closer, her hair tangled in the antenna. She waited, afraid to speak before he responded. The words, stuck in her throat, choking her as she counted the seconds in her head.

Are..are you still there? she asked, hopeful for a response.

He cleared his throat.

Where? he said.

40 Adler Place. On the roof. I’ll be waiting.

I’ll be there in an hour.

Fallon paced the roof, phone in hand, checking the time every few minutes. Her heart pounded as her fingers fiddled with the teddy bear charm dangling from the antenna. Sweat beads gathered in her barely there cleavage, despite the cold wind that whipped her straw-colored hair against her reddened skin. Her stomach felt sick at the thought of seeing him again, but she needed him. She needed money. Finally, the door swung open and she watched as he strutted through.

You’re here, Fallon said, her voice shaking.

Yes. Thank you for stating the obvious. You said it was important. It better be. That was really stupid of you to call me at home, he said, looking around.

I’m glad you came. Thanks for meeting me.

Good view. Makes everyone look like an ant. Insignificant little bugs so easily crushed, he said, half ignoring her.

We need to talk.

So talk.

It’s my sister. Her hospital bills. They’re really high and I can’t pay them anymore.

That’s too bad. Why call me? he said, tightening the belt on his windbreaker.

You know why. I can’t get that kind of money from anyone else.

That’s not my problem, he said, pulling a cigar out of his pocket.

Without her treatment, she’ll die. Don’t you care?

I’m not giving you one cent, he said, striking a match.

You have to! If you don’t, I’ll...

You’ll what? What are you going to do? You’re nothing. A nobody.

I’ll tell everyone. They’ll all know your secret, Fallon said.

Nobody is going to believe you, he said, exhaling rings of smoke in her face.

Fallon backed away, covering her mouth and choking. She cringed, staring at the orange glow. Watching as he stood there, puffing away on a fat stogie, barely glancing in her direction.

I have proof. I can prove what you did, Fallon said, trying to keep her distance.

You have nothing!

Please! I need the money!

You’re pathetic.

Don’t do this! Didn’t I mean anything to you? Ever?

We had some fun. And now, now we’re done, he said, flicking the cigar off the roof.

You’ll be sorry. You’ll be the one with nothing!

"You’re kidding, right? Do you really think you can blackmail me into giving you anything? You make me sick. You’re nothing more than common gutter trash. I’m leaving."

You can’t! I mean it! I’ll tell everyone!

You’re nothing but a used up junkie whore, he said, grabbing Fallon by the shoulders and shaking her.

She twisted her body, writhing and thrashing, trying to break free. She kicked him — hard. He squeezed her tighter, holding her in the air like a rag doll. She clamped down on his arm, biting hard as she could. His grip loosened. She dug her nails into his flesh. Deeper and harder until he winced. Blood dripped from his cheek as he threw her to the ground.

You stupid bitch! I’ll never help you now.

Clawing and grabbing at his pants, she struggled to breathe as he kicked her away. She sucked in hard, grabbing her stomach as she staggered to her feet. Standing defiantly in front of him, she looked up and stared him in the face.

Who are you to judge me? she said, her voice cracking as she spoke.

We both know the answer to that question. Now get out of my way. I’m done talking to you, he said, shoving her to the ground.

Come back here! You can’t do this to me!

Who’s going to stop me? he said, casually walking away.

I’m pregnant!

He paused for a moment, then turned to face her.

Not my problem.

Fallon trembled, sitting on the cold, hard ground, watching as he turned and left. She pushed the hair from her face and wiped the tears that were clinging to her chin.

You know it’s yours! Everybody else will know, too! They’ll all know what you did! Your wife! Your family! Everybody! You’ll be sorry! she screamed before standing and stepping to the edge of the roof.

Look at them down there. Walking around like mindless little drones. Running their errands. Pretending everything is okay. They walk right by people like me. Never look us in the eye. Like we’re diseased or something.

She pushed the hair out of her face again as the wind fought her.

We’re just like you! We weren’t always like this! Fallon shouted.

She wiped her nose with the back of her hand, then looked down at her bony fingers.

I wasn’t always like this. I had a family. Friends. Boyfriends. I wasn’t always…this. I had parents to take care of me and my sister. I love her, but I can’t take care of her. Not anymore. I can’t give her what she needs. It’s too much. Jess. The baby. It’s just too much.

Fallon squinted her pale eyes to shield them from the sun’s harsh rays. Tears dripped down her hollowed cheeks and fell to the ground. She shivered, but refused to close the denim jacket which hung loosely over her skeletal figure. She welcomed the cold as it rushed through her, numbing the pain and emptiness.

She wiped her eyes and called the only person who could help her now -- Michael. Even though he was only eighteen, and her sister’s boyfriend, he was the only one there for her when their parents died. The only one to stay with her in the hospital when her sister, Jess was fighting for her life. They developed a bond. One that defied all logic.

Meet me on the roof, Michael. It’s about my sister.

Did something happen to Jess?

No, not yet.

What do you mean not yet? What did you do? Did you drag her into your drama, Fallon?

No, I would never hurt her. I love my sister.

Then what is it?

Nothing. Everything. It’s complicated.

I don’t have time to play your games today.

I’ll explain everything when I see you.

Tell me now, Fallon. She’s my girlfriend. If something’s wrong, I have a right to know.

I can’t. Not yet.

Why did you call me then? This is so typical of you.

I need you to help me. Nobody else would understand.

Understand what? Is this about you or about Jess?

You have to say yes. Please say yes, Michael.

Say yes to what? I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about, Fallon. You’re not making any sense.

Everything will make sense soon.

What’s going on? Tell me!

Fallon was silent.

I don’t have time for your drama games!

I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.

Stop talking in riddles and tell me what’s going to happen to Jess!

I can’t talk to anybody else.

I’m hanging up.

No! Don’t! Please, Michael.

I still don’t hear you saying anything!

She’s gonna need you. Jess is gonna need you.

What the hell is going on, Fallon? What aren’t you telling me?

I tried, but he said no. He said no.

You’re not making any sense, Fallon. Who said no?

He was my last chance. I’m sorry. I can’t do this anymore.

Do what? What are you talking about?

Jess. I can’t take care of her anymore.

She’s your sister. She needs you.

Since our parents died, I tried taking care of everything. I really tried, but... I can’t do it anymore.

I’ll help you. Tell me what I can do.

There’s a life insurance policy. I took it out months ago. Before everything got..well, you know. It’s enough to take care of Jess for the rest of her life.

Don’t even joke like that.

I’m not. I’m serious, Michael.

You’re not thinking of doing what I think, are you?

It can’t look like suicide.

You’re talking crazy. This is just more of your typical Fallon drama. Isn’t it?

There’s no other way.

You can’t be serious.

I...

You’re serious.

Michael…

Fallon, please!

I have no choice.

Let’s talk about it.

There’s nothing to talk about.

Think of your sister! Jess needs you! She loves you!

That’s why I have to do this. I’m sorry.

She can’t handle losing someone else! There’s got to be another way. We’ll talk. Whatever you need. Please, Fallon. We’ll figure something out.

It’s too late. I wish things were different. I really do. If you knew everything…

Whatever it is, it wouldn’t change how I feel about you. Or how your sister feels. We love you.

I know you believe that, but it doesn’t change anything. Everything is falling apart. This is the only way.

Remember after the crash. Remember how we were there for each other. When Jess was in the hospital and we were all we had. My parents were dead. Your parents were dead. We pulled together and we made things work. Jess never would have survived if it wasn’t for you.

I’m not that person anymore. The one that helped you. Helped Jess. She’s gone. That person is gone.

I know you’re not the same. None of us are. It doesn’t matter. Whatever you’ve done, it doesn’t matter. We’re family now. There’s a bond between us that nothing can break. No matter what you’ve done.

That’s why I called you. You’re the only person that can help now.

Then let me help you.

Take care of my sister.

You’re the only family she has. Please, Fallon!

I’m sorry, Michael. One day, you’ll understand.

No, I won’t! And neither will Jess! She’ll never understand! If you do this, she’ll never forgive you.

I’m sorry.

Don’t do this! Please!

Protect her.

Michael heard a scream and then nothing.

Hello! Hello! Fallon? Fallon, answer me! Hello!

Her words echoed in his head. Protect her. Protect her. Over and over he replayed the last few minutes. Everything was moving at warp speed and somehow in slow motion. Nothing felt real anymore. Half in a trance, he shoved the phone in his pocket and ran up to the roof. He called her name as he paced back and forth searching for any sign of her. She wasn’t on the roof anymore. His body shook as his feet led him toward the ledge. He didn’t want to, but he swallowed hard and looked over. There she was. A crumpled body on a crimson stained sidewalk.

His first instinct was to race downstairs to be by her side. To hold her. Comfort her. But he froze. Motionless he sat and stared through hazy fluid-filled eyes. Dread and despair growing like a cancer in the pit of his stomach. Different scenarios flooded his mind. Reporters shouting, shoving microphones in Jess’s face. News cameras trying to exploit her emotions for the six ‘o clock news. Every scenario led to another bloodsucking media opportunist feeding off his girlfriend’s tragedy. He couldn’t let her come home to that. She couldn’t go through that. Not again.

It wasn’t long before a crowd was gathered around the body. Vultures, praying on the weak, the innocent. Hushed mumbles resonated back and forth. So many questions, but no answers. Nobody knew the girl. Or at least, nobody would admit it. Denim jacket, torn jeans and a graphic tee. She could have been anybody’s sister. But she wasn’t. She was Jess Knight’s sister.

Michael took one last look at the crowd surrounding Fallon’s body before staggering back to his apartment. The door, still half-open, reminded him how he absentmindedly ran out to save Fallon — again. But this time, he was too late. He took a few deep breaths as he tried to clear his mind, but the silence echoed in his ears, begging to be heard. He turned on the radio and cranked it up until the floor shook. Anything to block out the memory of Fallon’s broken body. More than anything, he wanted to erase the last hour, but he couldn’t stop replaying it. Like a scratched record, stuck on the same song, it resonated and reverberated in his head. The last time she would call for help. The desperation in her voice before she turned calm. One scream and then nothing.

Half in a trance, he glanced at the clock. His heart raced. Jess. Her dialysis. Fifteen minutes and she would be finished. Leaving the hospital and coming home to… He couldn’t let that happen.

Adrenaline rushed through him as he grabbed the car keys off the kitchen counter and sped over to Scion Medical Center. He blasted the radio as he weaved in and out of traffic, barely escaping two accidents. His heart pounded as he pulled into the parking lot. Two minutes to spare.

Calm. I have to stay calm. Can’t let her see me like this.

He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans, took a few deep breaths and was ready to see Jess.

CHAPTER TWO

At the corner of Adler Place and Second Street, emergency vehicles were spread out, lights flashing, blocking the passage of cars in all directions. Drivers honked, screaming obscenities as they wrenched their necks, trying to get a glimpse of what happened. The over sixties gossip crew was huddled together in front of the building doing what they did best — gossip.

All right, all right. Everybody get back. Anyone know this girl? Sergeant Hawkins said, surveying the situation.

No, officer. She must not be from around here. I know everyone from around here and I’ve never seen her before.

What are you talking about, Edna? She’s that girl. You remember. The one who lost her parents last year in that plane crash, George said.

Edna adjusted her glasses and leaned in to get a closer look.

Yeah, you’re right. Almost didn’t recognize her. Boy, she’s changed. Doesn’t look like the sweet kid I remember. The one who always played jumprope with her little friends. Must have got into drugs or something.

So, what’s her name?

Fallon. Fallon something, Edna said, scrunching her face