Chapter 11. Too Many Decisions.
Gavin looked around at his gathered friends and family. He wasn't sure what to do. There was a chance he could find out about his family through blood tests. But he could also find trouble and danger with that. He didn't know who killed his family or why.
He looked at Erza's concerned face, her brow wrinkled in worry. "What do you think?" He asked her softly.
"I think...," She paused to consider the options. "I think I would do it if it was me, even knowing there is risk or danger, I would try finding out what happened and why," she said. Both Aria and Lyla nodded their heads in agreement.
Mrs. Johnson bit her lip as she spoke up. "I'm not sure. I don't want my baby to take such risks by himself," she said, teary-eyed at the thought.
Erza spoke up and rubbed her back reassuringly. "He won't be by himself. He has me by his side. I'm not going anywhere." She declared, a fierce determination came from her voice.
Gavin smiled at her. She was a fierce, loyal friend and partner. "I'll do it, hand me the tablet," he said, as he reached out to Dr. Aliza for the tablet to sign his consent to do the blood tests.
"Great, I'll have a nurse come in right away to draw some blood and see if we can't figure anything out from it," she said as she took the device back and quickly left the room.
"I don't know about y'all. But I'm exhausted. I think I want to try sleeping a bit," Gavin said in-between yawning as he rubbed his eyes. His body may have recovered enough for him to be awake, but he still felt beyond exhausted. Erza smiled. It was nice to see that he was still the goofball she loved after that terrifying transformation and display of ferocity. She had to admit it to herself. She was worried that he might not be himself when he awoke after that.
The nurse came in with a tray and placed it next to Gavin's bed. She smiled warmly at him as she placed the tourniquet around his left arm. "Alright, now you're going to feel a pinch," she instructed as she slid the needle into the vein at his arm. She popped a vial into the slot and it filled quickly with blood. "Alright, I'll have this over to the lab and we should have preliminary panel back in a few hours, but the ancestral search can take a few days." She removed the tourniquet from Gavin's arm and left the room.
He felt powerless to fight the changes in his life. But he made a promise to himself. He would find the truth. And he would protect Erza no matter the cost.
A knock at the door drew his attention away from Erza as a man in a black suit walked in with a police officer right behind him. Erza stiffened slightly as she watched them.
"Ah, good you're finally awake. I am detective Burns. I have a few questions about what happened that night that I need you to answer." Detective Burns introduced himself as he walked towards Gavin. He placed a recorder on the table nearby and flashed his badge at Gavin. Erza stayed by his side as the others stepped back to allow the two men to walk in.
"I don't remember much, but I'll answer what I can." Gavin said.
"Good. Now start from the beginning and explain what led up to three men being killed." The detective said as he pulled out a note pad. "One by a gunshot to the head, and two with severe lacerations."
So, Gavin gave his tale. He started from when they saw the news report that evening about kidnappings and assaults happening in Tristane. He explained how worried they were when Aria and Lyla didn't answer their phones, so they went over to check on them just in case.
"So, just because they didn't answer the phone, you decided to dress for war and go investigating yourselves?" Detective Burns asked. Gavin gritted his teeth at the tone that Detective Burns had.
"What's the problem? If we hadn't gotten there when we did, Aria and Lyla would be dead or missing like the other shifters in the city." Gavin demanded. He hated when he felt on the defensive. "Obviously you haven't done anything about the ongoing attacks on shifters in this city and others." Gavin shot back at the detective.
If they found out and put an end to the group responsible, then this would never have happened, and Gavin wouldn't be here with gun shot wounds.
Detective Burns raised an eyebrow as he took note of the hostility in Gavin's tone. "The problem, boy, is that by all reports, you killed two people." Burns' tone was flat and unemotional as he stated the facts.
"If we weren't there, these two wouldn't be here talking right now. So you can back off." Gavin snapped dismissively at the detective. Erza stiffened as she felt his body tense under her arms. That was not a good sign as his heart rate increased on the monitor.
"What's the matter son? Feeling a bit defensive?" Burns asked as he continued pushing. "It's my job to find the truth and determine if the lives lost was due to self defense or murder." Burns pointed out.
Erza stepped forward, her eyes glowed yellow as she glared at him. "I already gave you, my statement. There is nothing you need from him." She snapped defiantly at the detective. Her mana flared out around them in hues of brown and yellow as she challenged the detective.
Detective Burns raised an eyebrow at her hostility and took note of it. "Standard for shifters to lash out when under stress?" He questioned Erza before he turned and continued with Gavin. "At what point did you call 911 before entering?" Erza growled low in warning as the detective continued his questions.
Mr. Johnson stepped up and calmly interjected. "Do we have to do this now? Obviously, the studio was attacked by three men, and these two saved their friends by going over."
"Like I told you, we called 911 on our way over with concerns and requested a welfare check." Gavin replied. He kept his eyes locked on the detective as he answered his questions.
"So why would you continue into the studio, armed with a shotgun, and two pistols, instead of waiting for the proper authorities to arrive?" Detective Burns asked him.
Gavin scoffed as he glared at the detective. "So you mean to tell me, if you had reason to believe that your friends were in danger, and you arrive to their door kicked in and bullet holes in the hallway, that you would refuse to enter and would calmly wait?" Gavin's voice dropped an octave as he turned the tables with the questions.
"We took notice of the situation and proceeded with caution. It wasn't until we arrived near the top of the stairs, heard Aria cry out in pain and saw her on the floor, bleeding from a head wound that we began to act." Gavin continued as he glared at him.
"By acting, you mean killing three armed men?" Detective Burns replied.
Aria stepped up, rage distorting her features as she listened in to the interrogation. "What's your problem? All our injuries are well reported as is the call Erza placed for the welfare check. So what seems to be your problem?" Aria demanded as she glared at the detective.
Detective Burns glanced at Aria's bandaged body and took note. "The problem is that three people are dead, regardless of what happened," he responded.
Gavin nodded. "Unfortunately, it led to that when the fight happened. They refused to retreat. They opened fire on us first, then everything happened so quickly." Gavin replied, though he lied about who shot first as he glanced at Erza.
"Yet you shifted and killed the remaining two in mere moments?" Burns inquired.
Gavin nodded. "Now that I have no memory of. All I know is what Erza told me. I didn't even know I was a shifter until that night." Gavin's voice softened as he admitted that to the detective.
"Ah, so you've never had someone train you, teach you, or explain to you how to control your animal shift?" Detective Burns jotted down some notes.
Gavin nodded. "That's correct. But again, I stress. Had we not acted, Aria and Lyla would be dead right now." Gavin reminded the detective as he growled low in frustration.
Dr. Aliza walked into the room and announced. "His heart rate is high enough, this interrogation is over, Detective." Her tone was grim and authoritative as she glared at the detective.
"I'm not done with my questions doctor." Burns protested as he tried to walk around her. This time Erza, Aria and Lyla stepped forward to block his path. Each of them radiated barely controlled fury..
"He saved our lives; you have no right treating him like a damn killer." Aria snarled out as she locked her eyes on the detective.
"Yeah, I would be dead right now if he hadn't shown up to check on us, so back off!" Lyla shouted at the man as she took a step forward.
"You heard the doctor. This is over." Erza declared as she refused to let him walk around her. She meant what she promised. No one would hurt her beloved again.
Detective Burns gritted his teeth as he turned off the recording device. "Fine, but I will be back later for more answers." He declared and he put the device in his pocket. As he turned to leave Mr. Johnson's eyes narrowed as he noticed a red anarchy pin on the lapel of his suit.
That symbol, why is it so familiar? Mr. Johnson pondered to himself as he watched the detective leave the room in a huff.
At some point after the interrogation from the detective, his parents, Lyla and Aria, left the room. Only Erza stood by his side while he slept. She'd barely eaten or slept for the past two days, only exhaustion made her pass out a couple of hours earlier in the afternoon.
Erza heard his gentle snoring as she went to stretch out on the cot the hospital provided. The door opened, and Mr. Johnson walked in with a tray of food and set it next to her. "I know you haven't slept or eaten anything since he got here. So, you need to eat, child," he said gently as he heard her stomach growl at the smell of warm food. He gave her a grin of victory as her own body confirmed his statement.
Erza smiled appreciatively as she pulled it over to her while she sat up. On the plate was some serious carb food. Mashed potatoes, some pasta with red sauce, and some garlic toast. Enough for a food coma. "Thanks, Mr. Johnson. I feel like I'd pass out eating all this food," she said in appreciation, her voice quiet and tired. Now that Gavin was awake and out of danger, all the exhaustion from the past few days washed over her at once.
Mr. Johnson laughed good-naturedly, as he smiled down at her. "You know, Gavins' mom and I always noticed the way you two are around each other. So sweet and honest. I thought this was going to happen a long time ago, honestly. We sure are glad to see you two finally be honest with each other and yourselves," he said gently as he took a seat next to the cot.
Erza blushed and shuffled around her food on the plate. "I never imagined we'd be dating. If you'd asked me a week ago, I'd have said no way in hell," she chuckled and took a bite of food. She almost moaned at how good warm, hot food felt on her stomach. Her stomach rumbled loudly in protest from the lack of eating as she finally started to chow down on the food.
Mr. Johnson nodded in understanding. "Love is funny that way. We can be blind to what's most obvious at times," he said. "Just take good care of him," he said as he stood up and headed out the door.
"Mr. Johnson," Erza called out before he reached the door.
He paused and looked back.
"What is it, Erza?" he asked.
"Do you know anything about Gavin's bloodline, heritage, or anything about his family?" Erza asked, as her eyes began to glow an ominous yellow. She doubted he knew anything but felt the need to ask while Gavin was asleep.
"I wish I did. I only knew what it looked like when we found them. Half a dozen bodies were scattered on the ground. We presume it was his mother that wrapped her body around him to try to protect him. But I can't know for sure. All we knew was we saw this child alone, too young to care for himself, and took him in and raised him as our own," Mr. Johnson replied sadly.
"Though I will mention this, since you are going to be the one by his side. Did you notice that symbol on the detective's lapel while he was here?" Mr. Johnson asked Erza as he leaned forward in his seat.
Erza paused mid bite and thought back. She recalled some weird pin on his lapels but didn't think much about it at the time. She nodded as she looked at him. "Yeah, but I didn't think much on it."
Mr. Johnson hesitated as he glanced at his son. Memories of that day came flooding back. The screams of the dying women and children, the explosions and gunfire that he would never be able to forget. His voice was quiet and grim as he spoke. "The last time I saw that image, it was on the back of the white cloaks the men who slaughtered Gavin's birth family wore."
Erza's face paled as she set the fork down and set the plate aside. "You mean, he could be with the people that did such horrible things?" Her voice was a hushed whisper as she glanced at Gavin asleep in his bed to make sure he didn't choose that moment to wake up.
Mr. Johnson shook his head tiredly as he spoke. "That I can't confirm. There are two options I can think of. Either one; he is part of that movement in secret and works with the police force to try covering their tracks up or something similar. Or two; he is a sympathizer with their ideals and philosophy. Either way would explain the hostile way he came at Gavin during that interrogation earlier."
Erza nodded in understanding. "Either way, you're saying we need to watch our backs."
Mr. Johnson nodded. "Precisely. Just watch your back alright?"
"I will do what I have to, to help him with this. More importantly, I'll protect him at any cost," she promised to both Mr. Johnson and herself.
"I know you will child. He has surrounded himself with a wonderful group of people," Mr. Johnson said with a soft smile on his face.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a short young woman rushed in. She had a red hoody on and jeans. Her long wavy brown hair fell down her back as she rushed to Gavin's bed.
"Gavin!" she cried out as she saw him hooked to monitors and equipment. She fessed over him as much as she could without waking him. Her eyes were glued to the monitors that showed his vitals stable and calm. Her body shook with held back sobs as she physically checked his condition.
"Tessa?" Mr. Johnson called out in surprise. "What are you doing here?" He asked her.
"I heard what happened from Mrs. Johnson and came as soon as I could," she replied as she noticed Mr. Johnson and Erza on the other side of the dimly lit room. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Erza on the cot.
Erza walked over and rubbed the young girl's back, her touch soft and gentle. "He's okay, Tessa. Worn out. But okay," she told her.
Tessa stiffened slightly and glared at the older girl. "I've stayed up the past two days worrying about him. It's your fault he's here in the first-place you bitch," she snarled at Erza and shrugged her touch off. Tears pricked Tessa's eyes as she thought of the pain he must have been in. All because he followed this girl into a dangerous situation.
Erza was stunned at the hostility. While she'd never been friends with her, she knew Tessa was close friends with Gavin and understood why she was worried. But not to this level of hostility.
Mr. Johnson walked over and cleared his throat. "She is the reason Gavin made it to emergency services Tessa. I'd lower your tone a few notches," he said, trying to defuse her anger.
"She's the reason he was put in danger. She's the reason he was hurt. He followed her into that studio without hesitating. He's so stupidly loyal like that. " Tessa argued as she looked between Erza and Mr. Johnson. Tears flowed down her cheeks at her raw emotions.
Erza bristled at this level of anger and said quietly, "If you want to argue and yell, we can take this in the hall. But do not wake him up," she growled low in her throat. Her eyes shone yellow in the dimly lit room.
"No, I'm sure that won't be necessary," Mr. Johnson said as he stepped in between the girls. The last thing he wanted was these two fighting or causing a scene at the hospital.
"Oh, I think it is necessary," Tessa growled. She refused to back down. Erza put her best friend in danger. He's in the hospital hooked up on all kinds of machines because of her. She wiped angrily at her eyes, clearing the tears as she glared at Erza.
Erza sighed and walked towards the door. "Then let's make this quick before he wakes up," she said as she waited in the hallway.
Tessa followed her, leaving Mr. Johnson in the room with Gavin. This kitty was going to have one hell of a come to God meeting.