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azombiewritesTitle: A Twin Investigation
Rating: PG
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
AU: Scientific Paranormal Investigations
Main Characters: Ezra, and the rest.
Summary: A set of teenage twins decide to make life a little difficult for Ezra Standish.
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Spoilers: None
Status: Complete
Total Word Count: 23,773
"You what!?" Chris Larabee yelled at the doctor that stood above him.
Doctor Levine looked around at the group of men who stood behind the intimidating man and saw anger that equalled the blond man. He began to stutter and took a deep breath instead. He was a doctor for Christ sake, he knew what he was doing. He didn't spend all that time at medical school for nothing. He earned three times as much as this man, he was the one in charge not this arrogant, violent, cold looking . . .
"Uh, I gave him a sedative to help him sleep." he answered obediently.
"I asked you not to!" Chris continued to yell.
"I'm a doctor and I decided that he needed some rest."
"What you are is an idiot!"
"Chris." Vin took his arm and led him away from the doctor before he physically assaulted him. He then pushed him down into the chair that sat beside Ezra's bed.
"Apparently he checked himself out earlier when he should have stayed overnight for observations. This time he's staying." Levine continued.
"I'd get out of here if I were you." Buck warned him. "Chris isn't the only one who's angry."
The anger began to leave Chris' face once the doctor had left the room. He had asked them not to give Ezra anything that would make him sleep, he'd told them there were reasons for his request. He rubbed his face in frustration. What if she showed up in his dreams again. They won't be able to wake him up if he begins to choke like he did the last two times he was asleep.
******
Ezra stood in darkness, he blink his eyes but still saw nothing. The events that had occurred to bring to this place were now a blur. He turned slowly and the darkness began to break, it allowed some light to enter his mind and he saw the walls that surrounded him. He was in a building. He could make out shapes in the growing light; machinery. This was where Jacinda died. Dirt, he had to look for dirt and his best place was to go downwards. He remembered seeing a set of stairs in the confined space where Jacinda was buried.
He made his way towards what he thought was a large door, it was the only door he could see. Maybe in her own way Jacinda was showing him where she was. He moved slowly and quietly, he didn't want Jasmine to show up, not now. If she did, he could kiss his own butt goodbye. He knew he wasn't sleeping normally, they had drugged him without his knowledge. He looked upwards as he walked and saw the large broken windows that lined the walls. There were walkways that traversed the area above him. He didn't like the look of them.
He continued on until he reached his destination. Ezra opened the door and found the steps he was looking for. He took them one at a time. He stopped when he stood on a soft piece of dirt. She was here, he could feel her presence. Ezra got down on his knees and began to dig, the dirt clung to his fingers and he could feel the nails breaking. He didn't care, he had to find her. He stopped when he felt the earth move beneath him.
"Aw hell not again."
******
Chris stood up when he heard the muttered words and leaned over Ezra. The ex-criminal was lying on his right side. The injuries stood out clearly on the pale face and the bandaged back was visible to his searching blue eyes. He placed a hand on the exposed back as he heard Josiah's spoken words. He was praying again. Chris couldn't understand the muttered words but they weren't meant for him.
"It's happening again and we can't help him." Chris growled.
******
Ezra Standish wasn't a coward, he also wasn't stupid, and he wasn't like the people on television. The man wasn't dumb enough to wait around to see what was being born from the dirt he was sitting on. As soon as the skeleton hand began to appear, he ran. The Southerner ran for his life. He made it as far as the top of the stairs. Something grabbed him by the ankle. He screamed, he couldn't help it, he was scared shitless. Ezra kicked out with his free leg but the only response was a thin voice calling his name. He kicked again using all the strength he could muster. The leg was free. He continued up through the doorway and entered the warehouse. Fearful green eyes searched for a way out, they couldn't find one.
"SHIT!" Ezra yelled into the blackness that had returned. "Shit, shit, shit!"
What the hell was he going to do now, there was no way out and no one to help him. He was on his own; again. Pain began to fill his head and back. Something wasn't right. His breathing was becoming too fast and he could feel his heart pounding in his ears. He couldn't stay here, he had to either find somewhere to hide or find a way out. Ezra didn't think the latter was possible but he wasn't willing to give up. He reached out to find to feel his way around but what he felt was cold and moving. He screamed a second time.
He moved backwards, quickly, too quickly, his feet tripped over something and he landed hard on the floor. A piece of machinery dug its way into his back and he had to bite his tongue against another scream, this time though it was going to be one of pain and not fear. Ezra rolled over onto his stomach and began to crawl, this made him feel like a hopeless coward. He got up onto his knees then the balls of his feet. He knew what he'd touch was looking for him. He had to hide, he couldn't risk it finding him again. He couldn't see enough to find somewhere to hide.
A noise to his right caused him to turn in its direction. He moved away from it. His head hit something low causing him to grimace in pain but he managed to keep any noises escaping from his mouth. Ezra felt around it and made out a small square shape. He pushed himself into it without making any sounds and settled himself in for what he hoped wasn't a long wait.
******
Chris and Nathan tried to hold Ezra down, he was struggling against their grip and talking at the same time. Both men recognised the profanity but didn't smile, at the moment it wasn't funny, maybe later. Chris jumped when Ezra screamed and used more force to keep him on his side. Nathan didn't want him tearing out any of his stitches.
"What's happening?" Buck asked as he rubbed his temples. Ezra's scream had caused his headache to begin to return. JD had explained to him what had happened and why they were here. He hadn't remembered how he had gotten knocked out, his last memory was trying to get to Ezra when he had been thrown across the room. Apparently, the same thing had happened to him. He was lucky though, he'd only been knocked out. There was no concussion and no stitches needed. Ezra hadn't been so lucky.
"She's with him, Jasmine." Chris spoke as he shifted away from Ezra's struggling form. Even his strength wasn't enough to hold him down. Chris lifted his eyes to look at Nathan when Ezra suddenly stopped fighting against their hold. Nathan quickly checked the Southerner to make sure he was okay. Chris visibly relaxed when Nathan nodded that Ezra was okay.
******
The silence was killing him, he felt like shouting just to prove to himself that he hadn't gone deaf. Ezra had no idea how he'd been waiting but he wanted it to end. He still feared getting out of the box, she could be waiting for him. No, he wasn't going anywhere until the daylight drove the darkness away. But will it, he was afraid that it wasn't going to come. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, maybe when he opened them it would be daylight again. He waited for what he thought were several minutes and opened his eyes again. The darkness had faded away, someone had listened to him.
Ezra stuck his head out of his hiding place, there was nothing, no ghosts and no people. He crawled out of the confined space and stood up. The bones in his spine cracked as he stretched it. He looked around his surroundings and smiled when he saw something he recognised. He now knew where to find Jacinda's body. There was hope for both of them.
******
Chris stood up from his seated position when he heard Ezra groan, the movement that came from the inert form caused him to smile. Ezra was finally waking up. He gripped his shoulder so the ex-criminal wouldn't roll over onto his back and smiled when Ezra began to fight him.
"Stay still Ezra." Chris warned him. "Your back, remember."
Ezra's eyelids fluttered open and he looked up in confusion. His vision cleared to reveal Chris Larabee standing over him. Hospital again. He groaned at the thought. "Not again."
"Sorry Ezra, would have taken you home expect the idiot gave you something to make you sleep." Chris grimaced at the expression on Ezra's face, the Southerner was actually smiling. "It's alright, I know where Jacinda is, and I know where to find her body." Ezra smiled. "She took me there."
"That's great, where is she?" Chris asked him.
Ezra was about to tell him when Jasmine appeared at the foot of his bed. JD was there, his head lying near his covered feet. She held a knife in her hand. The colour drained from Ezra's face as the smile fell from his expression.
"Do you want to help Jacinda or your friend?" Jasmine asked him with a hint of humour in her voice.
"Shit." It was becoming a familiar word for Ezra.
"Ezra?" Chris leaned over to block Ezra's vision but the Southerner moved away from him, he was staring towards the end of his bed. "Is she here?"
"Say nothing!" Jasmine ordered him.
"No she isn't." Ezra looked down at the hands that were still holding him and he pushed them away in frustration.
Chris took Ezra's physical reaction as an answer, Jasmine was here and obviously, Ezra was either too scared to admit it - Chris doubted that - or she was threatening him in some way.
"Relax then Ezra, there's nothing to worry about." He hoped that Ezra would look up at him to see his expression, it would tell him that he knew she was here but Ezra refused to look at him. He continued to stare at what Chris knew was Jasmine Simmons. He placed his hands back onto Ezra's form and frowned when he felt tremors go through his body. "Ezra it'll be okay."
"Like hell it will be." Ezra growled at him.
"It will be Ezra." Jacinda surprised everyone with her presence, including her twin sister.
The younger twin by three minutes grabbed her older sister and pulled the knife away from JD. The young man still hadn't woken. Ezra winced at the profanity that came from Jacinda's mouth. She began to struggle with Jacinda.
"Get out Ezra. Now!" Jacinda ordered him. "Help me to help yourself."
"Bitch! Let go of me!"
Ezra didn't have to be told twice, he still wasn't stupid. "We gotta get out of here Chris. Now!"
Ezra pulled the covers aside and ignored his lack of clothing, it wasn't the time to worry about the two women in the room, and embarrassment wasn't the issue here. He took the long jacket offered by Chris and began to move. He was out of the room while Chris was still yelling at the others to get out.
Again, Ezra ran for his life, but this time he had somewhere to go and something to do.
******
Chris stared at the large warehouse that stood before him, his six men were standing beside him. They were surrounding and supporting the ex-criminal that was being haunted by a young woman who had obviously suffered some sort of mental illness while she was alive. Chris turned and looked at Ezra, he could see the tension and fear that were being held by the handsome Southern features. He knew this was something that Ezra didn't want to do but he had to, he had no choice.
"Are you ready?" Chris asked him.
"No, but let's do it anyway." Ezra smiled but the fear still showed in his green eyes.
Chris nodded and moved towards the door. His men followed him. Ezra wasn't allowed to stray too far from his protectors, they had no intention of allowing him to be hurt again. Ezra was grateful for what his friends were doing for him. He'd never been supported in such a way during his entire life. The attention tore at his heart but his was grateful for the tear, it would allow the blackness of loneliness and betrayal to leave his heart.
Ezra stopped at the doorway into what he knew was Jacinda's tomb, the fear gripped his heart. The tightness in his chest made it difficult for him to breath. He had to do this, he had to help Jacinda. His fear was for her, if he failed her, she would stay in the cold soil for eternity. He couldn't do that to her. The Southerner felt a hand on his shoulder and he actually jumped high enough for his feet to leave the ground.
"You alright Ezra?" Josiah didn't allow his hand to fall from Ezra's shoulder, the younger man needed all the support he could get.
"I just want it to be over Josiah, she doesn't deserve this. Not to be buried in a place like this." Ezra told him.
"She won't be for much longer Ezra." Josiah strengthened his hold.
Ezra nodded. But I have to get to her first. He grimaced at his own thought and saw the flash of concern cross Josiah's rugged features. He replaced it with a smile, he didn't need his friends to become anymore worried, they were already worrying enough as it was. Ezra took a deep breath and silently groaned at the pain that raced through his back. I really must stop helping people.
The first step was the hardest, his friends gave him courage but not enough. The nightmare he had kept replaying itself in his mind. There was something here, he knew that but what he didn't know was what. And it was that lack of knowledge that scared him. A part of himself didn't want the others here, what if they got hurt. The other half wanted and needed them close to him. It was the latter part that had won the argument.
Once his eyes adjusted to the darkened bowels of the large building Ezra looked around. His gaze wondered over his friends and towards the back of the building. The door that he had entered was there. That was the direction that he intended to take but something else had other ideas. The sudden chill reached him as he took another step towards Jacinda. Something moved in the corner of his vision, he turned to find nothing. It was playing with him. Whatever it was, it was playing with him. Another flash of total blackness caught him by surprise. He turned and jumped away from the vision before him.
An evil side of Jasmine was standing in front of him, her face was full of anger. Her hair was a mess, the blue eyes were now red. If this was hell then Ezra was in it. The eyes that were glaring at him had murderous intentions. Ezra - his common sense having left him already - and again lacking in stupidity ran. He left his friends and the ghost of Jasmine Simmons behind him. He ran for the door that hid Jacinda.
"EZRA!" Jasmine screamed. "YOU SON'OF'A'BITCH!"
"That's putting it mildly." Ezra muttered as he ran.
The door was suddenly in front of him and so was Jacinda. Ezra jerked to a stop and fell onto his haunches. He began to crawl backwards. His mind wondered where his friends were, he hoped the silence that came from them didn't mean that they had been hurt. Jasmine quickly moved towards him, her hands grabbing at his clothing, the long finger nails scraped against his skin.
"Ezra!" It was Chris' voice, then more hands grabbed him. "Ezra it's me! Chris." he struggled to hold the ex-criminal still but he didn't have Ezra's street experience. He felt the back of Ezra's head slam against the side of his nose, the pain told him that it was broken. He then felt an elbow force the air from his lungs. Before he knew it, another fist split his lip open.
"Ezra!" Buck and Vin grabbed both of his arms before he could do anymore damage Chris Larabee but the smaller man kicked out at them. Both legs hit their intended targets.
Once the weight was off him, he stumbled to the door. The dampness on the front and back of his shirt told him that he was bleeding again. The stitches had been torn from his back and deep scratches lined his chest and stomach. He thought he heard his friends screaming for him to stop but the blood pounding in his ears made it difficult to make out the words. He couldn't stop, he had to reach Jacinda before Jasmine redirected her anger towards his friends. The elder sister would come after him then his friends would follow him down into the depths of the warehouse.
He heard a scream, it was full of terror. He shook violently at the sound but he wouldn't allow it to stop him from succeeding. A strong force grabbed his shoulders and threw him, he felt as though he had been in the air for minutes but his flight finally ended. He yelled out in pain as his back hit the dirty floor. Ezra blinked the tears of pain from his eyes and saw the box that he'd been hiding in the night before. He thought of how he had hidden himself from the danger. His fear had gotten the better of him. The thought of his fear made his stomach turn.
Ezra pushed himself up onto his knees and clenched his teeth. He didn't hesitate but started walking back to the door that would lead him to Jacinda. Arms tore at him and he turned to fight. Buck and Josiah were staring down at him.
Anger was evident on both of their faces. What the hell did I do?
"Where?" Vin asked him. Ezra nodded towards the door. "Let's go then!"
Ezra found himself being dragged by the two men to the door. Just as he thought he was about to make it Vin was pulled from his grip. Ezra didn't have a chance to see what happened. Josiah pushed him towards the door then stood in front of him. He then heard Josiah's grunt as he opened the door. Ezra closed it behind himself then turned to the stairs. The small room was dark and was he unable to see the stairs beneath him. He fell. Ezra knew that if he survived this he would be covered in bruises from head to toe. He felt the damp earth as soon as he hit it. He also heard Jasmine. She was here with him.
"I won't let you find her."
"Your too late, I know where she is." Ezra smiled at her. He knew the smile wasn't his usual best but these were
different circumstances. He was allowed to falter with his poker face, he was only human after all.
"I won't let you find her!" Jasmine growled as she moved closer to him. "You won't find her. You'll die first Ezra Standish."
"I . . . " Ezra started when he felt the earth move beneath him. "Aw shit!"
He backed away from the movement as quickly as he could. His eyes stared into the darkness but he couldn't see anything. His first thought was to run but he'd suddenly become stupid, he had to stay and see what it was. A warmness started to run through his body, it drove the chill that he'd been feeling for the last few days away. It also brought a comfort that cloaked his heart like a thick blanket.
"Jacinda." he whispered.
He ignored Jasmine and began to dig with his bare hands. The dirt gathered around his knees and feet. His body waited to be torn from his position while his hands continued to dig.
"NO!!"
Ezra heard the scream, he hoped that it wasn't going to be followed by a physical attack. He didn't care, somehow Jacinda had given him the strength to release her from her grave. He attempted to keep going but something pulled him away from the shallow grave and forced him down into the dirt. Ezra's nostrils and mouth instantly began to fill with the damp mixture.
"If I go Ezra, you will be coming with me." Jasmine warned him.
Ezra heard the words and he understood them. Jasmine knew she was losing, it was her final attempt at trying to stop him. Ezra began to struggle even more but the pain in his body and lack of oxygen entering his lungs weakened his attempts to free himself from his impending death. He used his hands to push himself upwards but the force became stronger. The light behind his eyelids began to flicker on and off. He had to do something or he would die.
"Ezra!" A voice called out to him in the darkness. It was familiar but the owner of the voice wouldn't come to him. "Ezra!"
It drifted away from him. His last thought was something grabbing him. He no longer had the strength or the life to fight it.
"Get him out now!" Chris ordered Vin and Nathan. "NOW!"
Chris ignored his own injuries and began to help lift Ezra's body out of the dirt. They rolled him over then waited while Nathan checked the Southerner's condition.
"He's not breathing. Get him out of here!" Nathan lifted the limp legs while someone took Ezra's upper body.
"Vin keep looking for the body." Chris ordered him.
The two men stumbled up the stairs into the daylight that caused their eyes to squint in protest. Nathan allowed Ezra's legs to fall to the floor. Chris was more delicate, he laid the ex-criminal down. Nathan pushed him out of the way and ripped open Ezra's already torn shirt. His experienced hands then tilted the slack head back and opened the mouth. He had all intentions of administering CPR.
"SHIT!" Nathan swore. He rolled Ezra onto his side and forced his fingers into Ezra's mouth and began to remove the dirt that had filled it. "His mouth is full of dirt."
"Can you clear it?" Chris asked him.
"Trying to."
Chris jerked his head up when he heard a scream, it was female. "Jasmine." He twisted his head to find JD and Josiah hovering over them. "Go and help Vin. I think he's found her."
Ezra began to cough then breath freely. His body lurched as his lungs received the air that they had been deprived of. His eyes opened revealing the intense but confused green orbs. Ezra blinked and smiled at the beautiful vision before him. Jacinda was dressed in a flowing white gown. Her wavy blonde hair floated around her angelic features.
"Thank you Ezra Standish." Jacinda smiled at him. "You have freed me."
"Ezra?" Nathan looked down into the face of the man at his feet. Ezra was staring at something. He lifted his head and fell back when he saw the young woman standing before them. "Chris." he used his hand to get his attention.
Chris looked up to see what Nathan was talking about and caught a glimpse of white before it disappeared. He turned back to Ezra when he heard the Southern accent.
"Goodbye Ezra." Jacinda began to drift away from him.
"She's safe now." Ezra murmured before he closed his eyes.
"Where's the dirt gone?" Chris questioned Nathan. A shrug was his only answer.
"Found her." Vin's voice caught both men's attention. They looked up and saw the dirt that covered his hands and clothing. Josiah and JD came up behind him, both were in the same sort of condition.
"Safe." Ezra told them. "She's okay now."
"What about Jasmine?" Chris put a hand against Ezra's forehead and wiped the hair away.
"Gone, not here anymore. Can't feel her."
******
Ezra lay on the couch that sat in the middle of Chris Larabee's home. He'd been there for most of his three-day stay. His eyes were closed in an effort to fall asleep. He knew he would soon, the amount of alcohol he'd drunk was lolling him towards a peaceful slumber. His friends were being loud, obviously too drunk to see that Ezra was trying to sleep. He had tried often to recall the events of the days that led him to this situation of staying at Chris' home. Ezra remembered Jasmine and Jacinda but not a lot of everything else. The remaining members of SPIT7 had repeatedly told him what had happened but by the next morning, he had forgotten most of it. Nathan knew their wasn't a physical reason for the lack of memory, it would be more emotional than anything else. The Southerner smiled at the argument that had begun. Voices were raised, sarcasm thrown, insults caught and returned.
"I'm tellin' ya. I got the biggest bruise, that bitch threw me against a wall." Vin's voice was loud and slurred. "My back is black and blue."
"Nearly broke my ribs, two of them are cracked." Josiah retorted in a heavy tone.
"Don't know what the hell you two are talking about!" Chris growled at both of them. "I got my nose broke, my lip split and a rib in my chest cracked."
"That doesn't count." Buck told him with a winning smile.
"Why not?!" Chris stood up and over Buck Wilmington.
"Ezra did that." Vin's smile was almost as large and long as the others.
"Southern Bastard." Chris said with a chuckle. "Certainly knows how to throw a punch." he rubbed the bruised area around his eyes.
"I died." Ezra muttered.
Everyone stopped and looked towards Ezra then each other. The silence was uncomfortable. The ex-criminal hadn't said a lot after what had happened, he'd said that he didn't remember much. They knew why, he'd been drunk most of the time since they'd brought him home. They knew the alcohol was an attempt to stop the memories and it seemed to be working. None of them had known what really happened at the end, there wasn't an explanation for it, sometimes there never was. They accepted that as part of their job. But they thought Ezra was having trouble with it.
"Shit. He always wins." Buck complained.
Ezra put out his hand. "I believe that fifty dollars is mine gentlemen." his own face grew into a smile.
The End
Part One | Part Two | Part Three
Master Fan Fiction List
Rating: PG
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
AU: Scientific Paranormal Investigations
Main Characters: Ezra, and the rest.
Summary: A set of teenage twins decide to make life a little difficult for Ezra Standish.
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Spoilers: None
Status: Complete
Total Word Count: 23,773
"You what!?" Chris Larabee yelled at the doctor that stood above him.
Doctor Levine looked around at the group of men who stood behind the intimidating man and saw anger that equalled the blond man. He began to stutter and took a deep breath instead. He was a doctor for Christ sake, he knew what he was doing. He didn't spend all that time at medical school for nothing. He earned three times as much as this man, he was the one in charge not this arrogant, violent, cold looking . . .
"Uh, I gave him a sedative to help him sleep." he answered obediently.
"I asked you not to!" Chris continued to yell.
"I'm a doctor and I decided that he needed some rest."
"What you are is an idiot!"
"Chris." Vin took his arm and led him away from the doctor before he physically assaulted him. He then pushed him down into the chair that sat beside Ezra's bed.
"Apparently he checked himself out earlier when he should have stayed overnight for observations. This time he's staying." Levine continued.
"I'd get out of here if I were you." Buck warned him. "Chris isn't the only one who's angry."
The anger began to leave Chris' face once the doctor had left the room. He had asked them not to give Ezra anything that would make him sleep, he'd told them there were reasons for his request. He rubbed his face in frustration. What if she showed up in his dreams again. They won't be able to wake him up if he begins to choke like he did the last two times he was asleep.
******
Ezra stood in darkness, he blink his eyes but still saw nothing. The events that had occurred to bring to this place were now a blur. He turned slowly and the darkness began to break, it allowed some light to enter his mind and he saw the walls that surrounded him. He was in a building. He could make out shapes in the growing light; machinery. This was where Jacinda died. Dirt, he had to look for dirt and his best place was to go downwards. He remembered seeing a set of stairs in the confined space where Jacinda was buried.
He made his way towards what he thought was a large door, it was the only door he could see. Maybe in her own way Jacinda was showing him where she was. He moved slowly and quietly, he didn't want Jasmine to show up, not now. If she did, he could kiss his own butt goodbye. He knew he wasn't sleeping normally, they had drugged him without his knowledge. He looked upwards as he walked and saw the large broken windows that lined the walls. There were walkways that traversed the area above him. He didn't like the look of them.
He continued on until he reached his destination. Ezra opened the door and found the steps he was looking for. He took them one at a time. He stopped when he stood on a soft piece of dirt. She was here, he could feel her presence. Ezra got down on his knees and began to dig, the dirt clung to his fingers and he could feel the nails breaking. He didn't care, he had to find her. He stopped when he felt the earth move beneath him.
"Aw hell not again."
******
Chris stood up when he heard the muttered words and leaned over Ezra. The ex-criminal was lying on his right side. The injuries stood out clearly on the pale face and the bandaged back was visible to his searching blue eyes. He placed a hand on the exposed back as he heard Josiah's spoken words. He was praying again. Chris couldn't understand the muttered words but they weren't meant for him.
"It's happening again and we can't help him." Chris growled.
******
Ezra Standish wasn't a coward, he also wasn't stupid, and he wasn't like the people on television. The man wasn't dumb enough to wait around to see what was being born from the dirt he was sitting on. As soon as the skeleton hand began to appear, he ran. The Southerner ran for his life. He made it as far as the top of the stairs. Something grabbed him by the ankle. He screamed, he couldn't help it, he was scared shitless. Ezra kicked out with his free leg but the only response was a thin voice calling his name. He kicked again using all the strength he could muster. The leg was free. He continued up through the doorway and entered the warehouse. Fearful green eyes searched for a way out, they couldn't find one.
"SHIT!" Ezra yelled into the blackness that had returned. "Shit, shit, shit!"
What the hell was he going to do now, there was no way out and no one to help him. He was on his own; again. Pain began to fill his head and back. Something wasn't right. His breathing was becoming too fast and he could feel his heart pounding in his ears. He couldn't stay here, he had to either find somewhere to hide or find a way out. Ezra didn't think the latter was possible but he wasn't willing to give up. He reached out to find to feel his way around but what he felt was cold and moving. He screamed a second time.
He moved backwards, quickly, too quickly, his feet tripped over something and he landed hard on the floor. A piece of machinery dug its way into his back and he had to bite his tongue against another scream, this time though it was going to be one of pain and not fear. Ezra rolled over onto his stomach and began to crawl, this made him feel like a hopeless coward. He got up onto his knees then the balls of his feet. He knew what he'd touch was looking for him. He had to hide, he couldn't risk it finding him again. He couldn't see enough to find somewhere to hide.
A noise to his right caused him to turn in its direction. He moved away from it. His head hit something low causing him to grimace in pain but he managed to keep any noises escaping from his mouth. Ezra felt around it and made out a small square shape. He pushed himself into it without making any sounds and settled himself in for what he hoped wasn't a long wait.
******
Chris and Nathan tried to hold Ezra down, he was struggling against their grip and talking at the same time. Both men recognised the profanity but didn't smile, at the moment it wasn't funny, maybe later. Chris jumped when Ezra screamed and used more force to keep him on his side. Nathan didn't want him tearing out any of his stitches.
"What's happening?" Buck asked as he rubbed his temples. Ezra's scream had caused his headache to begin to return. JD had explained to him what had happened and why they were here. He hadn't remembered how he had gotten knocked out, his last memory was trying to get to Ezra when he had been thrown across the room. Apparently, the same thing had happened to him. He was lucky though, he'd only been knocked out. There was no concussion and no stitches needed. Ezra hadn't been so lucky.
"She's with him, Jasmine." Chris spoke as he shifted away from Ezra's struggling form. Even his strength wasn't enough to hold him down. Chris lifted his eyes to look at Nathan when Ezra suddenly stopped fighting against their hold. Nathan quickly checked the Southerner to make sure he was okay. Chris visibly relaxed when Nathan nodded that Ezra was okay.
******
The silence was killing him, he felt like shouting just to prove to himself that he hadn't gone deaf. Ezra had no idea how he'd been waiting but he wanted it to end. He still feared getting out of the box, she could be waiting for him. No, he wasn't going anywhere until the daylight drove the darkness away. But will it, he was afraid that it wasn't going to come. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, maybe when he opened them it would be daylight again. He waited for what he thought were several minutes and opened his eyes again. The darkness had faded away, someone had listened to him.
Ezra stuck his head out of his hiding place, there was nothing, no ghosts and no people. He crawled out of the confined space and stood up. The bones in his spine cracked as he stretched it. He looked around his surroundings and smiled when he saw something he recognised. He now knew where to find Jacinda's body. There was hope for both of them.
******
Chris stood up from his seated position when he heard Ezra groan, the movement that came from the inert form caused him to smile. Ezra was finally waking up. He gripped his shoulder so the ex-criminal wouldn't roll over onto his back and smiled when Ezra began to fight him.
"Stay still Ezra." Chris warned him. "Your back, remember."
Ezra's eyelids fluttered open and he looked up in confusion. His vision cleared to reveal Chris Larabee standing over him. Hospital again. He groaned at the thought. "Not again."
"Sorry Ezra, would have taken you home expect the idiot gave you something to make you sleep." Chris grimaced at the expression on Ezra's face, the Southerner was actually smiling. "It's alright, I know where Jacinda is, and I know where to find her body." Ezra smiled. "She took me there."
"That's great, where is she?" Chris asked him.
Ezra was about to tell him when Jasmine appeared at the foot of his bed. JD was there, his head lying near his covered feet. She held a knife in her hand. The colour drained from Ezra's face as the smile fell from his expression.
"Do you want to help Jacinda or your friend?" Jasmine asked him with a hint of humour in her voice.
"Shit." It was becoming a familiar word for Ezra.
"Ezra?" Chris leaned over to block Ezra's vision but the Southerner moved away from him, he was staring towards the end of his bed. "Is she here?"
"Say nothing!" Jasmine ordered him.
"No she isn't." Ezra looked down at the hands that were still holding him and he pushed them away in frustration.
Chris took Ezra's physical reaction as an answer, Jasmine was here and obviously, Ezra was either too scared to admit it - Chris doubted that - or she was threatening him in some way.
"Relax then Ezra, there's nothing to worry about." He hoped that Ezra would look up at him to see his expression, it would tell him that he knew she was here but Ezra refused to look at him. He continued to stare at what Chris knew was Jasmine Simmons. He placed his hands back onto Ezra's form and frowned when he felt tremors go through his body. "Ezra it'll be okay."
"Like hell it will be." Ezra growled at him.
"It will be Ezra." Jacinda surprised everyone with her presence, including her twin sister.
The younger twin by three minutes grabbed her older sister and pulled the knife away from JD. The young man still hadn't woken. Ezra winced at the profanity that came from Jacinda's mouth. She began to struggle with Jacinda.
"Get out Ezra. Now!" Jacinda ordered him. "Help me to help yourself."
"Bitch! Let go of me!"
Ezra didn't have to be told twice, he still wasn't stupid. "We gotta get out of here Chris. Now!"
Ezra pulled the covers aside and ignored his lack of clothing, it wasn't the time to worry about the two women in the room, and embarrassment wasn't the issue here. He took the long jacket offered by Chris and began to move. He was out of the room while Chris was still yelling at the others to get out.
Again, Ezra ran for his life, but this time he had somewhere to go and something to do.
******
Chris stared at the large warehouse that stood before him, his six men were standing beside him. They were surrounding and supporting the ex-criminal that was being haunted by a young woman who had obviously suffered some sort of mental illness while she was alive. Chris turned and looked at Ezra, he could see the tension and fear that were being held by the handsome Southern features. He knew this was something that Ezra didn't want to do but he had to, he had no choice.
"Are you ready?" Chris asked him.
"No, but let's do it anyway." Ezra smiled but the fear still showed in his green eyes.
Chris nodded and moved towards the door. His men followed him. Ezra wasn't allowed to stray too far from his protectors, they had no intention of allowing him to be hurt again. Ezra was grateful for what his friends were doing for him. He'd never been supported in such a way during his entire life. The attention tore at his heart but his was grateful for the tear, it would allow the blackness of loneliness and betrayal to leave his heart.
Ezra stopped at the doorway into what he knew was Jacinda's tomb, the fear gripped his heart. The tightness in his chest made it difficult for him to breath. He had to do this, he had to help Jacinda. His fear was for her, if he failed her, she would stay in the cold soil for eternity. He couldn't do that to her. The Southerner felt a hand on his shoulder and he actually jumped high enough for his feet to leave the ground.
"You alright Ezra?" Josiah didn't allow his hand to fall from Ezra's shoulder, the younger man needed all the support he could get.
"I just want it to be over Josiah, she doesn't deserve this. Not to be buried in a place like this." Ezra told him.
"She won't be for much longer Ezra." Josiah strengthened his hold.
Ezra nodded. But I have to get to her first. He grimaced at his own thought and saw the flash of concern cross Josiah's rugged features. He replaced it with a smile, he didn't need his friends to become anymore worried, they were already worrying enough as it was. Ezra took a deep breath and silently groaned at the pain that raced through his back. I really must stop helping people.
The first step was the hardest, his friends gave him courage but not enough. The nightmare he had kept replaying itself in his mind. There was something here, he knew that but what he didn't know was what. And it was that lack of knowledge that scared him. A part of himself didn't want the others here, what if they got hurt. The other half wanted and needed them close to him. It was the latter part that had won the argument.
Once his eyes adjusted to the darkened bowels of the large building Ezra looked around. His gaze wondered over his friends and towards the back of the building. The door that he had entered was there. That was the direction that he intended to take but something else had other ideas. The sudden chill reached him as he took another step towards Jacinda. Something moved in the corner of his vision, he turned to find nothing. It was playing with him. Whatever it was, it was playing with him. Another flash of total blackness caught him by surprise. He turned and jumped away from the vision before him.
An evil side of Jasmine was standing in front of him, her face was full of anger. Her hair was a mess, the blue eyes were now red. If this was hell then Ezra was in it. The eyes that were glaring at him had murderous intentions. Ezra - his common sense having left him already - and again lacking in stupidity ran. He left his friends and the ghost of Jasmine Simmons behind him. He ran for the door that hid Jacinda.
"EZRA!" Jasmine screamed. "YOU SON'OF'A'BITCH!"
"That's putting it mildly." Ezra muttered as he ran.
The door was suddenly in front of him and so was Jacinda. Ezra jerked to a stop and fell onto his haunches. He began to crawl backwards. His mind wondered where his friends were, he hoped the silence that came from them didn't mean that they had been hurt. Jasmine quickly moved towards him, her hands grabbing at his clothing, the long finger nails scraped against his skin.
"Ezra!" It was Chris' voice, then more hands grabbed him. "Ezra it's me! Chris." he struggled to hold the ex-criminal still but he didn't have Ezra's street experience. He felt the back of Ezra's head slam against the side of his nose, the pain told him that it was broken. He then felt an elbow force the air from his lungs. Before he knew it, another fist split his lip open.
"Ezra!" Buck and Vin grabbed both of his arms before he could do anymore damage Chris Larabee but the smaller man kicked out at them. Both legs hit their intended targets.
Once the weight was off him, he stumbled to the door. The dampness on the front and back of his shirt told him that he was bleeding again. The stitches had been torn from his back and deep scratches lined his chest and stomach. He thought he heard his friends screaming for him to stop but the blood pounding in his ears made it difficult to make out the words. He couldn't stop, he had to reach Jacinda before Jasmine redirected her anger towards his friends. The elder sister would come after him then his friends would follow him down into the depths of the warehouse.
He heard a scream, it was full of terror. He shook violently at the sound but he wouldn't allow it to stop him from succeeding. A strong force grabbed his shoulders and threw him, he felt as though he had been in the air for minutes but his flight finally ended. He yelled out in pain as his back hit the dirty floor. Ezra blinked the tears of pain from his eyes and saw the box that he'd been hiding in the night before. He thought of how he had hidden himself from the danger. His fear had gotten the better of him. The thought of his fear made his stomach turn.
Ezra pushed himself up onto his knees and clenched his teeth. He didn't hesitate but started walking back to the door that would lead him to Jacinda. Arms tore at him and he turned to fight. Buck and Josiah were staring down at him.
Anger was evident on both of their faces. What the hell did I do?
"Where?" Vin asked him. Ezra nodded towards the door. "Let's go then!"
Ezra found himself being dragged by the two men to the door. Just as he thought he was about to make it Vin was pulled from his grip. Ezra didn't have a chance to see what happened. Josiah pushed him towards the door then stood in front of him. He then heard Josiah's grunt as he opened the door. Ezra closed it behind himself then turned to the stairs. The small room was dark and was he unable to see the stairs beneath him. He fell. Ezra knew that if he survived this he would be covered in bruises from head to toe. He felt the damp earth as soon as he hit it. He also heard Jasmine. She was here with him.
"I won't let you find her."
"Your too late, I know where she is." Ezra smiled at her. He knew the smile wasn't his usual best but these were
different circumstances. He was allowed to falter with his poker face, he was only human after all.
"I won't let you find her!" Jasmine growled as she moved closer to him. "You won't find her. You'll die first Ezra Standish."
"I . . . " Ezra started when he felt the earth move beneath him. "Aw shit!"
He backed away from the movement as quickly as he could. His eyes stared into the darkness but he couldn't see anything. His first thought was to run but he'd suddenly become stupid, he had to stay and see what it was. A warmness started to run through his body, it drove the chill that he'd been feeling for the last few days away. It also brought a comfort that cloaked his heart like a thick blanket.
"Jacinda." he whispered.
He ignored Jasmine and began to dig with his bare hands. The dirt gathered around his knees and feet. His body waited to be torn from his position while his hands continued to dig.
"NO!!"
Ezra heard the scream, he hoped that it wasn't going to be followed by a physical attack. He didn't care, somehow Jacinda had given him the strength to release her from her grave. He attempted to keep going but something pulled him away from the shallow grave and forced him down into the dirt. Ezra's nostrils and mouth instantly began to fill with the damp mixture.
"If I go Ezra, you will be coming with me." Jasmine warned him.
Ezra heard the words and he understood them. Jasmine knew she was losing, it was her final attempt at trying to stop him. Ezra began to struggle even more but the pain in his body and lack of oxygen entering his lungs weakened his attempts to free himself from his impending death. He used his hands to push himself upwards but the force became stronger. The light behind his eyelids began to flicker on and off. He had to do something or he would die.
"Ezra!" A voice called out to him in the darkness. It was familiar but the owner of the voice wouldn't come to him. "Ezra!"
It drifted away from him. His last thought was something grabbing him. He no longer had the strength or the life to fight it.
"Get him out now!" Chris ordered Vin and Nathan. "NOW!"
Chris ignored his own injuries and began to help lift Ezra's body out of the dirt. They rolled him over then waited while Nathan checked the Southerner's condition.
"He's not breathing. Get him out of here!" Nathan lifted the limp legs while someone took Ezra's upper body.
"Vin keep looking for the body." Chris ordered him.
The two men stumbled up the stairs into the daylight that caused their eyes to squint in protest. Nathan allowed Ezra's legs to fall to the floor. Chris was more delicate, he laid the ex-criminal down. Nathan pushed him out of the way and ripped open Ezra's already torn shirt. His experienced hands then tilted the slack head back and opened the mouth. He had all intentions of administering CPR.
"SHIT!" Nathan swore. He rolled Ezra onto his side and forced his fingers into Ezra's mouth and began to remove the dirt that had filled it. "His mouth is full of dirt."
"Can you clear it?" Chris asked him.
"Trying to."
Chris jerked his head up when he heard a scream, it was female. "Jasmine." He twisted his head to find JD and Josiah hovering over them. "Go and help Vin. I think he's found her."
Ezra began to cough then breath freely. His body lurched as his lungs received the air that they had been deprived of. His eyes opened revealing the intense but confused green orbs. Ezra blinked and smiled at the beautiful vision before him. Jacinda was dressed in a flowing white gown. Her wavy blonde hair floated around her angelic features.
"Thank you Ezra Standish." Jacinda smiled at him. "You have freed me."
"Ezra?" Nathan looked down into the face of the man at his feet. Ezra was staring at something. He lifted his head and fell back when he saw the young woman standing before them. "Chris." he used his hand to get his attention.
Chris looked up to see what Nathan was talking about and caught a glimpse of white before it disappeared. He turned back to Ezra when he heard the Southern accent.
"Goodbye Ezra." Jacinda began to drift away from him.
"She's safe now." Ezra murmured before he closed his eyes.
"Where's the dirt gone?" Chris questioned Nathan. A shrug was his only answer.
"Found her." Vin's voice caught both men's attention. They looked up and saw the dirt that covered his hands and clothing. Josiah and JD came up behind him, both were in the same sort of condition.
"Safe." Ezra told them. "She's okay now."
"What about Jasmine?" Chris put a hand against Ezra's forehead and wiped the hair away.
"Gone, not here anymore. Can't feel her."
******
Ezra lay on the couch that sat in the middle of Chris Larabee's home. He'd been there for most of his three-day stay. His eyes were closed in an effort to fall asleep. He knew he would soon, the amount of alcohol he'd drunk was lolling him towards a peaceful slumber. His friends were being loud, obviously too drunk to see that Ezra was trying to sleep. He had tried often to recall the events of the days that led him to this situation of staying at Chris' home. Ezra remembered Jasmine and Jacinda but not a lot of everything else. The remaining members of SPIT7 had repeatedly told him what had happened but by the next morning, he had forgotten most of it. Nathan knew their wasn't a physical reason for the lack of memory, it would be more emotional than anything else. The Southerner smiled at the argument that had begun. Voices were raised, sarcasm thrown, insults caught and returned.
"I'm tellin' ya. I got the biggest bruise, that bitch threw me against a wall." Vin's voice was loud and slurred. "My back is black and blue."
"Nearly broke my ribs, two of them are cracked." Josiah retorted in a heavy tone.
"Don't know what the hell you two are talking about!" Chris growled at both of them. "I got my nose broke, my lip split and a rib in my chest cracked."
"That doesn't count." Buck told him with a winning smile.
"Why not?!" Chris stood up and over Buck Wilmington.
"Ezra did that." Vin's smile was almost as large and long as the others.
"Southern Bastard." Chris said with a chuckle. "Certainly knows how to throw a punch." he rubbed the bruised area around his eyes.
"I died." Ezra muttered.
Everyone stopped and looked towards Ezra then each other. The silence was uncomfortable. The ex-criminal hadn't said a lot after what had happened, he'd said that he didn't remember much. They knew why, he'd been drunk most of the time since they'd brought him home. They knew the alcohol was an attempt to stop the memories and it seemed to be working. None of them had known what really happened at the end, there wasn't an explanation for it, sometimes there never was. They accepted that as part of their job. But they thought Ezra was having trouble with it.
"Shit. He always wins." Buck complained.
Ezra put out his hand. "I believe that fifty dollars is mine gentlemen." his own face grew into a smile.
The End
Part One | Part Two | Part Three
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