THE UNKNOWN- 43

The Unknown

-43-

    Nicholas was lying down helplessly, groaning in pain. He had been trying his best to leave the same spot but all had been abortive. He had silently prayed to God to save him from what he had gotten himself into. The end was here already, he knew and breathed a long breath.

    He could hear shouts of the officers who must be jumping fences to catch up with him. Just then, he turned his head and saw that the gate of the house he was inside was open. He sat up with all the strength he had and hurried to the gate. He looked sideways before he ran out.

    He still held on to his arm, where he was shot as he kept going. He could see bushes around and quickly made his way into the bush. He just kept on going without looking back to know if he was still being followed by the officers.

    This time, Prince Edward and Osmond had been arrested already and Anthony had been saved. Craig was just standing near the fence where he shot Nicholas, putting a call through to the hospital. He wanted some officials to come around to take the sample of the blood.

    He took a deep breath and looked back. He saw Doris standing by one side, looking at him. She really looked worried as she stood there, wondering what would be Nicholas’ fate now.

    “Doris, come.” Craig waved at her.

    She nodded and walked up to Craig. “At least I have shot him and this blood sample too will help us in our investigations.”

    Doris nodded. It was obvious that she was unhappy.

    “Doris, what’s wrong? You don’t look happy at all. Is because I shot The Unknown?” He asked.

    “Yes!” She exclaimed as she looked into his eyes. “I’m not happy with that, Craig. Though I may not know who he is, but know he has been helping us get evil people. If not for him now, would we have gotten Anthony outta here? Many cases that he guy helped us.”

    Craig smiled. “But I acted according to the law. I was meant to arrest him, if he’s even found by our guys, he will still be arrested. So, what’s there to worry about? Are you telling me if you were to be the one, you would have left him?”

    Doris stared for a moment and turned around, walking away. “Nick is The Unknown, right? And you know?”

    She didn’t bother to wait, she just kept going angrily.

** ** **

    Nicholas had passed through the bush till he got to another road. He had taken off his shirt and tied it around his gunshot wound. He was only on singlet when he stopped a taxi that would take him to Stella’s place.

    As he entered, he reached for his mobile phone and dialed her number to be sure if she was at home. After he had confirmed, he stared at him arm again and cried. He knew he had lost so much blood already. He was weak and was akready turning pale.

    Soon, he was dropped at the front of Stella’s building and he rushed inside to knock the main door. Stella almost collapsed as she saw him before her in blood. He knew she was a Surgeon, she could handle his situation perfectly.

   “Nick?” She called his name with surprise.

** ** **

    All the men already gathered round Craig. They had reported that they traced the blood drops but couldn’t find The Unknown again. Craig shrugged, at least he had shot whoever it was already and through that, he was sure the person would be caught soon.

    The hospital officials had taken the sample of the blood also and were on their way to carry out some tests on it. Craig and his men also left for the hospital to drop Anthony off and probably wait for the blood result.

     Doris was still deep in thought about Nicholas.

** ** **

    “Who did this? How did it happen?” Stella began to question him.

    “It was Craig that shot me. Anthony was kidnapped again and I went to help him, he was also around with Doris and their men but he saw me when I was trying to escape and shot. I was nearly caught today.”

    “Just come inside.” She took him to the guest room and rushed back to her room to get some equipment that she had. She didn’t have all but she could work with some to save Nick’s life first.

    She began her treatment instantly, disinfecting the wound before she would remove the bullet. Nicholas was still in total pain then until the bullet was removed and she began the treatment on the wound.

    “You have to take some injections, Nicholas. I’ll just rush down to the hospital to get some injections and some drugs that you’ll use. Hope you’re better now?”

    Nicholas managed to nod. “I’ll be back.” She bursted out.

** ** **

    News had already spread that The Unknown was shot already. Announcements and warnings too were made that any hospital that just got a patient who was shot should report to the station so as to know if it was The Unknown.

    They had thought he had no other place to get his treatment but a hospital. Craig and Doris had left the hospital after they were told they would get the result of the test the following day. Craig had been studying Doris’ mood. She didn’t look cheerful like before. He was getting sure that Nick must be The Unknown.

    He also had a conviction that if Nicholas wasn’t found in any hospital, he would be treated by Dr. Stella in Doris’ place. “A time to visit Doris’ place.” He had thought.

** ** **

    Stella had returned with the injections needed. She continued her treatment and set up a drip also for Nicholas. Thereafter,  Nicholas slept off. She stood by the bed and stared at him without blinking. The guy had been through a lot already.

    She pulled the bed cover up properly and got out of the room to pack his bloodstained shirt and all she had used away. When she was through, she went to Nicholas’ place to get some of his clothes and to tell Henry about Nicholas.

** ** **

    “He was shot just because of me again.” Anthony cried before his mother.

    Vivian snifled. “Don’t cry again, Son. At least, we thank God you got out of the hands of the kidnappers. Just be patient.”

    Anthony swallowed as he drifted closer to his mother. “Mum, do we know thus person?” He asked frankly.

    Vivian chuckled. “How would we know him? We don’t.” She replied.

    Anthony looked away, wondering on why he had always been around to help them. He didn’t know! “Anthony, why did you ask?” She enquired.

    “He has always saved both of us from one trouble or the other, Mum. He always help us everytime, Mum. And the scent is always there!”

    Vivian recalled. “Forever Mine perfume?” She said out of her subconscious mind.

    “Yes, Mum.” He replied.

    Vivian threw a gaze at him. “Don’t let me think that way today, Anthony.”

    Anthony sighed. “But he already got shot. Why do the officers wish to arrest him? He’s been helping them in diverse ways but they have just been reciprocating him badly, mum.”

    “Anthony, please stop!”

** ** **

THE  DIARY.

    It was a thing which King Dennis had no choice on, even though he was the King. He knew he had to remarry since his wife was gone already. He was getting tired of his Kingdom already with their taboos for the King on the throne.

    He hadn’t gotten over his wife, he was already being pressured to get another wife according to the Kingdom’s rule. Harry had been acting like a good brother since the incident happened. He had been visiting the King  often in his room to encourage him about life and not to make him worry.

    King Dennis already started liking his brother again. He had given him the job of getting him a new wife since there was a limit for him to be on the throne without a wife. Harry had promised to get him a wife he wouldn’t regret ever having – Katherine.

    Soon, the day came for him to take another wife and Harry presented Katherine as he had thought within himself. Katherine was shocked that she ws brought to King Dennis by Harry himself. She didn’t know what was really happening to him, if he had brain issue or he was pulling some annoying stunts.

    It was that day Katherine became King Dennis’ new wife. Harry knew what he was doing surely.

** ** **

    Craig had stepped out after Doris when she said she was already on her way home. He wished to be at their place and possible visit Nicholas to know if he’s truly at home or not. “Can I drop you off?” He asked her.

    Doris looked back at him and was short of words. She didn’t want to and on the other hand she didn’t want him to feel she was still annoyed he had to shoot The Unknown. “Are you through with the Prince’s case? I thought you said you’d be around so that you won’t let him be bailed like the other day?”

    Craig smiled. “I just thought I could relax a bit at your place, I’m just tired.”

    “So, the Prince?” She asked.

    “He’ll be sorted out later. I’m sure he cannot be bailed like that, this is his second coming to this place and even the Boss won’t allow that.”

    “Alright, no problem. Let’s go.” Doris said to Craig.

** ** **

    That would be the second time Stella would be checking on Nick after she had treated him. She prayed he wouldn’t be so much affected that he wouldn’t be able to continue with his operation.

    As she went to sit down, a thought that sprung her up came to her mind again. What if Craig thinks he’s here? At least she was a surgeon and he might suspect that he was with her. She remembered the bloodstained shirts and materials she had used which were outside and rushed outside to remove them from the waste bin.

    After she had done that and got to the living room, she met Nicholas. She was she shocked to see him on his feet, holding on to his gunshot wound. “Stella, I think I should go.” He said.

    “Go? Where? That is not possible Nicholas. You’re still under medication! You might get infected!”

    “But Craig might suspect I’m here because of your profession. Just let me go and you’ll be checking on me to treat me.”

    “No, Nick. I really don’t want you to leave. If your wound gets infected it’s very dangerous. By the way, I wish to put you under close supervision.”

    “Craig is the issue, you know too. I don’t want to out you into trouble, your license is as take if I’m found with you.” As he was talking, he was still feeling great pain around the wound.

    “No, Nick..” She hardly finished her statement when Nicholas slumped. “No..” She scremed as she dropped the packed materials and bloodstained shirt for him.

    Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was Craig and Doris.

…continues..

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