Cole
"Can I have a word with you outside Mr Hendricks?".
The doctor overseeing Oscar's care signalled for me to follow her, concern plastered all over her face.
Looking at Oscar once more, I shuddered at the glare he was giving me before looking back at the photos left behind for him. Sadness. He looked so broken whilst looking at them.
Even though he'd never forgive me, I felt horrible for what I had done. Blinded and manipulated by my father all because he saw Oscar as a failure. He truly believed Oscar became weak for bringing a child into the world and letting her live a normal life. But little did he know, that he'd prove to be stronger than all of us.
"Is everything ok?" I asked the doctor once the door separated us from Oscar.
"Yes and no. So first off his observations are looking good. Blood pressure, saturates and respiratory rate are at good numbers. He of course has been in an induced coma for some time, so it will take a while for things to get back to normal. May I ask, is he normally this non-compliant?".
Looking through the glass window, I watched as Oscar glared at one of the nurses yelling at him to stop poking him with needles.
"Unfortunately, yes. He's one of the most stubborn people I know. But I know he's just very agitated because he hasn't seen his daughter and pregnant girlfriend in so long. When it comes to them, he won't stop until he sees them".
The doctor looked at Oscar nodding at what I told her.
"So what's the bad news?".
The doctor looked down at her notes before looking back up at me.
"So there are many tests we will need to conduct on him, but I have noticed that he is struggling to do certain things like picking up a pen, holding a spoon and many other fine motor skills. I know he has been in a coma for some time and things like that are to be expected, but I have to know if anything else has happened to him. I am aware of the fire, but is there anything that has yet to be disclosed to us?".
No wonder Oscar was getting frustrated if he was struggling to do basic things.
"Yes. He said someone tried suffocating him whilst he was still in his coma. Could that cause complications?".
"Oh gosh! Are the police aware? But yes. Suffocation starves the brain of oxygen. It is too early to make a diagnosis as we need to do some tests, but from what we have seen, we have reason to believe that Oscar has some brain injuries due to that. It is not going to be an quick process, but with your support I think we will see recovery in the foreseeable future. My biggest concern is seeing him on his feet. He has also made it very clear that he wants to get out as soon as possible, but I urge you to try and talk him out of it. He is not in the right state and we want to ensure that he becomes stronger before leaving".
Fuck.
Oscar is going to lose his shit. Another minute away from his family and the bodies will start piling up.
"Yes, the police are aware" I lied.
"And I don't know. We're not on great terms. I think I'm the last person he'll listen to".
The doctor tilted her head and frowned.
"Put everything aside for his sake. I know he wants to see his family, but he is very weak and needs time to recover. Please, try and make him see sense. We will start the tests in an hour. For now, try and persuade him".
The doctor walked to the door and gently opened it up calling for the nurse who was trying to get through to Oscar. But he was having none of it.
"We will be back in an hour. If you need anything, press the call bell".
"Thank you doctor".
The elderly woman smiled at me before leaving with the nurse.
God watch over me.
"Fucking hell! What are you doing? Are you trying to die?".
I rushed over to Oscar who was frantically trying to pull his cannula out and take off the ECG wires.
"No, I'm trying to get out. Help me, now" he demanded.
I watched him try to grab the wires, but he couldn't grasp them. He cried out in frustration as his fingers trembled trying to wrap themselves around the thick wires. But he couldn't.
The doctor was right, he couldn't use his basic fine motor skills.
"Fucking work!" he shouted as he slammed his hand on the wall in hopes of getting it to work normally.
"Dude, stop. Don't make me call the doctor back to sedate you".
Oscar stopped fighting with himself and glared at me.
"Once I get off this bed, I will kill you".
"How? You can't even pull off some wires" I snapped back but instantly regretted it as Oscar looked at me with a pained expression.
"Sorry" I mumbled and looked down at my hands.
Oscar stopped fighting and stared at his much thinner body.
"I have to get out. I need to save my family from Brian".
Oscar suddenly started flailing his legs about as if he was actually about to try and get out of bed, but he was in no state to do such a thing.
"No. Oscar, you are staying here until you recover. How the hell are you supposed to take on Brian if you can barely do anything for yourself. I know you hate me, but I am not letting you leave nor am I leaving until you have recovered. However, I have a proposal for you".
Oscar stopped his madness and looked at me with a sceptical expression.
"You have the audacity to make me a proposal? I think the fuck not. I am getting out today".
"Listen to yourself. Brian tried to kill you. You can barely use your hands, you'd be giving him what he wants. It would be easy for him to kill you. But right now you're in the best position. He probably thinks you're dead. Stay here, let the medics do their work, heal and get strong, but in the meantime let's make Brian's life hell, all from your bedside. And Brian will not hurt Sofia nor Eleanor. He loves that little girl like his own".
Oscar growled lowly at the mention of Brian loving Sofia, but that's what I wanted. I wanted his anger directed at the man who did this to him and not the anger at the fact that he couldn't use his hands.
"What I'm trying to say is that we should taunt him. Send him messages, signs and actions that you are alive and are coming for him. Let's make everyday a constant nightmare for him, make him live in fear that the man he tried to kill is out for his blood. He'll probably be pissing himself every second of the day. In the meantime, you will receive professional care in order to get you strong and once you are, you can take revenge and get your family back".
Oscar's frown disappeared almost in an instant as he realised that I was onto something. I know he wanted his family back almost instantly, but this was a case of the hare and tortoise story. Slow and steady always wins the race.
"Get a piece of paper. I have a message I want you to write on my behalf. And I want it delivered to the safe house he has probably taken my girls to".
My lips quirked up into a smirk, almost identical to Oscar's and instantly jumped up to start phase one of Oscar's revenge.
******************
Brian
Taking a sip of my whiskey, I stared out the window smirking at how swiftly everything was coming together.
Oscar was dead, Sofia knew the truth and the mafia would soon be mine. The only obstacle that was in the way was Eleanor. I should have known she'd react this way. She had been fiery from the very beginning.
Oscar had never been brought to his knees. But Eleanor was the only woman he bowed before. With his baby inside of her, she had become unstoppable.
Even though I knew he was dead, I was concerned by how adamant Eleanor was about him being alive. Even though no body had been found, I had to find a way to convince her.
There was a strong feeling inside of me that if Eleanor realised Oscar was dead, then she'd give up this mafia queen shit.
Maybe I could go and threaten one of the coroners to convince Eleanor one of the burned bodies was Oscar's.
I was still shocked by Eleanor's earlier outburst. I didn't expect to be slapped, but I had to remind myself that she was grieving the loss of the love of her life.
She was currently sleeping in Sofia's bed with Sofia snuggled up against her stomach.
This gave me time to plan my next move and start making plans with other mafia organisations. Many heard of Oscar's death and that's when deals starting flooding in.
People offering me large money for Sofia, Eleanor and even the unborn baby she was carrying. But that was the life of the mafia. They're leeches, power hungry bastards who want to send off powerful messages.
But none would take my baby Sofia away from me. No-one would. And originally I would have said the same for Eleanor, but she was starting to irritate me. She was getting in the way of my plans and now had the mafia in her hands when I wanted it to be in mine.
Maybe it's time to start making some arrangements if she carries on this way.
Suddenly one of the guards barged in unexpectedly making me jump and spill some of my whiskey on the cream carpet.
"Fucking idiot. What do you want?".
Peter looked down and apologised quietly, but almost instantly looked up and placed an envelope in my hand.
"What's this?" I questioned whilst putting my glass down on the mantelpiece.
"We found it taped to a tree about 2 minutes away. It's addressed to you".
Feeling uneasy about the situation, I ripped open the envelope and examined the few words on it.
What the fuck?
My heart stopped. My body trembled as everything I believed to be true, was now the opposite.
I am coming for you Brian.
I knew exactly who this was from. No-one else knew our safe house location.
"Who could this be from?" the clueless guard asked. None of the guards knew of my betrayal.
"I'm not sure. But we need to move. Load the cars. Be ready in 15".
Gulping down the rest of my whiskey, I scrunched the paper up and threw it into the fire.
He heard and felt everything. He knew of my betrayal and now he was back for revenge. And from knowing him for years, I knew he would not stop until he got it.
Opinions on Cole?
And will Oscar save Eleanor and the baby before Brian's sadistic plans fall into place? Or will Eleanor catch onto him before he strikes?
I'm at a complete loss. 1k reads already? You guys are actually awesome. Thank you!