FORCES OF THE UNDERWORLD (STORY 8)

THE WHITE HORSE

John lay in the backseat of the truck in a pool of his own blood. Glass embedded in his knuckles and a deep wound in the back of his wrist. The colour had drained from his face.

"Oh my God, John!" Zack checked his pulse. It was faint. "Jessica get in. We need to get him to the hospital." Zack rushed to the cargo bed. He pulled back the cover and removed a first aid kit. Returning to John he bandaged him up as best he could to stop the bleeding. However, the white bandage was soon dyed dark red. Zack jumped in the drivers seat and sped away yet again.

Pulling up outside the hospital Zack spoke to Jessica. "We don't want too many questions. Go in as if you aren't with us. Get your head fixed up."

Jessica touched the back of her head that had been split open by Sarah and winced. "I will. I'm so sorry about all this. I hope your brother will be okay."

"Me too. Get going, kid."

Jessica nodded, got out the truck and headed towards the hospital.

Zack jumped out himself and lifted John's unconscious body out the car. "I need help!" he called out. "Can anyone help?"

*****

John woke up in the hospital feeling woozy. He looked at his hand that was now wrapped in fresh bandages. He'd tried to kill himself. Olivia's death was still plaguing his thoughts, but suicide hadn't even crossed his mind. Not until he was sprayed in the face by Jessica. Then suddenly he was so overcome with grief he'd lost all reason.

"How are you feeling, young man?" A doctor was stood at the end of the bed.

John looked up at him. "I think there's something very wrong with me."

"What makes you say that?"

"My brother had to stop me from killing myself, today. I had no control. What if it happens again, doctor? What if the grief takes hold again? I couldn't stop myself. I'm scared."

The doctor was both puzzled and concerned. He had been told that this man had been in a fight. Now it seemed there was a lot more going on.

"It's John isn't it?"

"That's right, doctor."

"Okay John. I will look into getting you some help. Right now I need you to rest."

"Okay, doctor. I'll do my best."

*****

Zack stood outside the hospital holding his phone to his ear.

"Me and Alice will pick you and Jessica up, Dubois told him. "What did you tell the doctor?"

"I told him I'd found John. That there'd been a fight and I didn't see what happened."
"Good... Hang on. Alice wants to speak to you."

"Is Jess okay?"

"She'll need stitches in the back of her head..."

"Oh God!"

"...But she's fine. Your daughter's a tough girl."

"She'll be the death of me."

"Can I speak to Dubois again?"

Alice sighed. "Sure."

"Yes, Zack?"

"The police have been called. They want to speak to me."

"Okay. We won't be long. We'll sort this out."

*****

John woke up covered in sweat. He sat up, his eye...