Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The team escorted the Mayor to Yan Sum Hospital for a checkup. Chuck wanted to make sure he had no broken bones or strange substances injected into his body before the police took over for questioning. After an hour of probing and blood test, they concluded he was only dehydrated and suffered from slight malnutrition, otherwise he was okay for any normal daily activities.
The doctors advised Mayor Chan to stay in the hospital for at least one day. The team surrounded his little room while he graciously thanked them “I was prepared for death, I had no idea why I was kidnapped and who did it. He kept me blindfolded during the whole journey. I don’t know how to thank your team.” He smiled at Chuck, who he guessed was in charge.
“You can thank my lovely niece.” Chuck placed an arm around Erin's shoulder as he moved her closer to the bedside “She was blind due to the same man’s kidnapping but thankfully her senses were strengthened.”
“My uncle is just being humble. If we didn’t get a tip, we might have not found you.” Erin said.
“You are all very humble.” The Mayor smiled broadly, he was just glad to see normal people “What is this team called? I’m certain you are not FBI’s.”
Chuck laughed “No, we are no where compared to the FBI.”
“That’s because we’re BETTER!” Becca exclaimed. The team laughed while the Mayor smiled at the forward girl “We’re called the P.R.A. which stands for Private Rescue Agency. Look us up in the yellow pages.”
“Honey, I don’t think we’re in there yet.” Mia laughed.
“Well, you should be!” The Mayor exclaimed, “I will make a call into the head of security.” The group exchanged knowing smiles as they nodded politely “Have you found the kidnapper?”
Ted shook his head “Not yet. He’s a tricky little bastard. Each time we get close, he seems to be one step before us. It was as if he has a helping hand and he knows what we were thinking.”
“That’s because he’s been getting ideas from our little jailbird friend.” Erin voice toughened at the thought of Reina.
“Reina?” Darren asked.
Erin nodded “That’s how he found me.”
“So you’re his target?” The Mayor asked curiously.
“You could say that.” Chuck replied for Erin “It’s quite complicated and not to mention personal. But you were only a pawn in his little game of chess, he wanted to use your power of attorney to sign a marriage certificate.”
“It sounds difficult.” The Mayor nodded “We’ll I’m just glad it’s over.”
“Sir, I don’t think it’s over.” Doug shook his head sympathetically “He made a slip this time, I don’t think he’ll let it happen the second time. But don’t worry, we’ll make sure there won’t be a second time!”
Erin arched her ear towards the door and Ted followed her direction. Ethan was standing there quietly not wanting to disturb the meeting “Ethan.” Ted greeted as he waved him in.
“Hi guys. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Mayor Chan needs his rest. I’m going to have to shift you guys out.” He waved his hand to the door with a grim smile.
“I guess we should let you rest.” Chuck said to the tired man “There are bodyguards hired from the police force standing outside this room. Call them if you see anything strange.”
“Thank you. All of you.” He added with a nod.
When the team trailed back to Erin’s room, Chuck received a call from Joe. They had a new mission “Team, we’ve got a problem.” He noticed Erin’s arched brows “Erin, I want you to stay here.”
“Maybe I should stay with her.” Ted offered.
“No, we need you.” Chuck replied firmly.
“Don’t worry, the hospital has staff and security all around. She’ll be okay here. I’ll stay with her until one of you comes back.” Ethan suggested.
Becca snickered “What are you going to do if TK comes? Bore him to death with your psychology talk? I think it’s better if a trained agent stays with Erin.”
“I’ll be fine.” Erin insisted with a smile “Ethan can keep me company. You guys go ahead.”
Mia nodded at Ethan “If she looses a strand of hair—”
“You’ll have my neck.” He finished “Yes, yes, I know the routine. Don’t worry, I took an aikido class back in college.” He smiled assuring them.
“Very well, I guess we have no choice. Team, let’s go.” Chuck nodded. He gave Erin’s shoulder a squeeze “Be safe.”
She nodded “I will.”
After they left, she turned to Ethan “I guess it’s just you and me.”
“I’m sorry.” He joked while escorting her back to his office. He glanced behind his back and then closed the door. His face went pale when he saw TK sitting in his chair behind the desk. A gun in his hand as he waved to Ethan to sit down.
Erin noticed Ethan’s pause “Anything wrong?”
He wanted to warn her but knew the gun TK was waving playfully would not be as kind. Ethan led her slowly to the chair “Nothing. I just thought of something I had to do tonight. It doesn’t matter, have a seat.” He said casually.
She nodded and sat down on the chair he directed her to “Maybe we could start the session now?”
Ethan turned his head towards TK who nodded with a grin, he pointed the gun at Erin and widened his eyes threateningly. Ethan stuttered as replied “Ye…Yeah…that’s a great idea.”
“Should I lie down on your couch or just sit here?” Erin asked, she knew he didn’t have a preference but felt it was polite to ask.
“Let’s have you lay on the couch.” He replied and helped her over to the long couch. His heart was beating fast while he could almost feel the gun being pointed behind his back “I’m going to try something different on you.”
Erin nodded “I’m open to new ideas.”
Ethan moved his eyes slowly over to TK who again gave Ethan a nod to hurry along “Everyone has a safe place that they go to when they are stressed out or sad. Do you have one?” Erin nodded with her eyes closed “Good, go there. Imagine there are no worries, no stress, no pain. Go to the place where you know you are happy, content and relax. Where the endless blue sky is above and the grass is perfectly green, where birds are singing in the distance and you are barefoot walking against the meadow. The grass tickling your feet as you giggle. Your hair billowing from the soft cool breeze, the sun is perfect, not too hot…Are you there?”
Erin let out a slow easy moan “Mmm.”
“Now tell me your biggest fears.” Ethan asked in a soft even tone.
“Losing people that I love.” She answered in a monotone.
“Who are those people?” Ethan continued as TK got up and pulled a seat next to Erin. He watched in amazement as Ethan had hypnotized her with his words.
“Shelly, Mia, Darren, Uncle Chuck, the rest of the team…and especially Ted.” Erin smiled at the thought of Ted “I miss Brad.” Her smile slowly faded.
Ethan was about to ask when TK spoke up “How about TK?”
“I would kill him with my bare hands if I see him.” Erin replied coldly.
“What if he was regretful?” TK asked when she was still in her deep stage.
Erin paused for a few seconds “It doesn’t matter, he killed Brad.”
“But he didn’t want to.” TK insisted “IT was Reina that wanted him dead, he was only pressured into doing it. He had no will to kill Brad. There was no reason.”
“Yes, he wanted the inheritance.” Erin replied blankly.
“No, he wanted to trace down the only connection he had to his parents. For years, he traveled the city alone and dug trash cans for food. He didn’t want to live in an orphanage so he hid behind alleys and shared dinner with the cats. His life was not any better than yours. You two are soul mates, he is the only person in this world that understands you. Ted is no comparison, he had a happy life, he had family that loved him. How could he ever feel the pain that you and TK shared? Even your sister Shelly was raised in a loving family. No one understands you, Erin.” TK finished.
Ethan eyed the guy carefully as he spoke, he said it so earnestly and it was disturbing the way he seemed to know what to say to hit Erin’s weak spot. Maybe writing his book on human sociology wasn’t a good idea after all, he never expected it to fall into the wrong hands. Erin didn’t reply right away “Erin, what are you thinking?” Ethan asked.
“You’re right.” Erin let out a short sigh “No one understands me.”
“But TK does.” TK added quickly. He knew she was at her weakest mind during hypnosis, it was now or never if he wanted to brainwash her “You should forgive him. Find him and let him apologize. He is earnest, you’ll see.”
“Maybe.” Erin concluded.
Ethan wanted to break her hypnosis and warn her to run while he held TK down. But the guy appeared to know what Ethan was thinking as he waved the gun at his face again “Don’t try anything funny.” He warned in a whispered voice.
By this time Ethan was perspiring as he quickly nodded “I have to take her out. She can’t be hypnotized for too long. It weakens the mind.” He lied.
TK nodded as he got up “It better work, Dr. Chan. If not, you’ll be getting a lot of visits from me and my friend.” He nodded to his gun. He got up and hid the gun behind jacket. He walked over to the door and before he left, he turned to Ethan “I mean it, no funny business. You try something and you'll find yourself saying farewell to your pretty little Mia.”
Ethan nodded vigorously as TK left, he finally let out a sigh of relief. He turned to Erin “Snap out of it, Erin.” He snapped his finger near her ear and her eyes snapped open.
She let out a yawn “That was tiring.” She shook her head “Am I suppose to feel dizzy?”
“Just a little.” Ethan replied “Do…do you remember what you said?”
“Am I supposed to remember?” Erin asked with a laugh “Because I don’t.”
He let out a sigh of relief “How do you feel though?”
“Tired.” She sighed “But better, emotionally I mean. I feel lighter like the weights have been lifted from my shoulders. Although I have the sudden urge to forgive someone, but I’m not sure whom.” Her brows knitted together as she pondered the feeling.
“That’s a normal reaction.” Ethan said quickly “You let out all your fears and worries so you feel light as a feather and want to keep the peace with everyone.”
“That makes sense.” Erin nodded “But I still hate Reina for what she did.” She got up on her feet “I guess TK wasn’t all to blame.” She smiled at Ethan “Thanks for the session.”
“Anytime, I’m glad it made you feel better.” Ethan was reluctant as she began to walk towards the door “Let me walk you back, Erin.”
She shook her head “No, I want to try it on my own. I’ve memorized the hallways and corridors around here. If I get lost, I’ll just call for a nurse.” He watched and gave her a head start before following her. He kept a long distance just to see if she can indeed do it on her own. A few people bumped into her and they quickly apologized when realizing that she was blind. Erin smiled and continued on her way feeling the doors. Her fingers moved across the room numbers as she read them out loud “305…307….309.” she sighed as she finally got there. Using her hands as she turned the knob and opened the door. Ethan’s body washed over with relief. Erin halted as she turned slowly towards Ethan “I told you I could make it back.”
He was completely stunned “How…how did you…”
Erin laughed “My senses are out of control.” She nodded to him “I’m safe now. You can go do your stuff. I’ll be fine in here.”
“Okay.” Ethan reluctantly returned to his office. But before that, he went to the reception area and asked that a candy striper was assigned to watch Erin and make sure she was never alone. The girl promised and Ethan felt more at ease.