Infinity Chapter 101 - Times Up

[itztigress3]

Chapter 101 – Times Up
POV:  Zac
Word count: 3359

2:35 am

  The sound vibrated in my ears and at first, I thought I had been shot and I was dying. Yet, my fingers pulled the trigger again and I could see the blood begin to drip from his mouth. I pushed him off me and laid there on the cold ground. Ian was lying beside me coughing and sputtering, I wasn’t sure where those shots had been but obviously they were not in me but I felt my abdomen anyway. No bullet wounds.

I turned and saw the baby blanket laying a few feet away and a fresh reminder occurred of him sinking that knife into her but I could not leave my daughter laying there. I kept the gun in my hand and got up, moved over to the blanket and carefully picked her up. Something felt off though, the blanket wasn’t wet, there should be blood. I moved the blanket and found staring at me a doll.

It wasn’t Isabella. It wasn’t my baby!

I looked to where Ian still laid, he was no longer sputtering, no longer coughing and even in the dim light I could tell he was dead. I dropped the doll and ran inside, not caring about the blood on my shirt.

“Emily!” I screamed.

I took the steps two or three at a time and I knew I opened the doorway too hard, it slammed into the dresser behind it and stuff collided with the floor. I stopped mid-way because Isabella started crying, then Alexander. I could not describe the relief I felt when Emily sat up clearly confused and turned the light on. They were all ok, he hadn’t killed them. She came to me quickly and her hands felt so warm on my face, wiping away tears of relief that my wife and children were ok and they were alive.

“Zac? Are you ok? What the hell happened?”

I couldn’t describe the feeling of having our children crying and her warm hands on my face. Warmth meant life.

“Dada.” Alexander whined.

I just fell against Emily who thankfully caught me. Alexander stood beside me, whining and patting my leg but I was aware he did not need this blood on him. But, I couldn’t ignore that both of them were upset, Isabella was still crying as well.

“Um…Zac…baby…why are you covered in blood?” she asked.

“Ian had…He…Where are the agents?”

“They should be outside.”

Knowing that they were all very much alive and OK, I pulled away, holding her arms to steady myself really.

“Get them calmed, especially her and I’ll fine the agents.”

“You will tell me where the blood came from before you do anything else.”

“It’s Ian’s and you need to change shirts before picking her up.”

I turned and left the room, closing the door so Alexander couldn’t follow. I was aware that leaving her with them both was probably not good, Alexander would cry for me for sure. But, this was more important at the moment. I called for the agents and when none replied, I called Agent Stewart and Rodriquez, but no one answered so I called Eliza who answered on the third ring.

“Emily?” She asked.

“It’s Zac. I don’t know where anyone is but Ian’s in our backyard dead.”

I heard the audible gasp. “Ian’s what?”

“I would rather not explain everything right now but Eliza I need someone here, I can’t find any of the agent’s and no one came when the shots were fired.”

“I’m on my way.”

I hung up and waited by the gate, within 30 minutes she was there followed closely by the other two. I told Eliza to check on Emily and she was fine. Alexander was unfortunately awake but he was ok with toys and helping her with the baby, she was hoping that he would lay back down. I stayed downstairs because my clothes were covered in blood. I watched the agent, many more than we had here before. They were running back and forth and setting up lights, taking pictures, and investigating. I sat in the kitchen letting the warm house warm me back up. About 4:30, Agent Stewart pulled a chair up and sat down.

“Where is your wife and children?”

“There in our bedroom. Where were your agents?”

His head bowed and I just knew the answer was bad.

“There were three here and two were found down by the gate dead. The last one never showed up, so agents went over to his house. He was found there. We suspect that Ian killed him first, he’s got a badge on and the shirts we usually wore here.”

“Is he..I mean I know but…”

“He’s dead. We see one exit wound but no second one, so an autopsy will determine his exact cause of death. Can you walk me through what happen?”

“Is it ok..can..I mean can Emily sit here with me also?”

“Yes, Eliza can go up and sit with the children.”

He called her and she came inside and went up-stairs, a few minutes later Emily came down. She had changed clothes but she handed a bag to him.

“I got blood on my clothes when he came up-stairs.”

He laid the bag down and she sat down.

“Are they ok?” I asked.

“Isabella is asleep in the crib and Alexander was asleep on the bed, he stirred a bit when I got up but settled back down.”

I looked at the agent and told him what happen, I could see the horror in his eyes when I told him what he’d done to the doll that I thought was my baby. I concluded my story with what we were presently doing. Emily hadn’t heard a thing up-stairs.

“Was there a reason why you didn’t know Isabella wasn’t in the crib?”

“When I woke up it was dark in the room, I saw Alexander but I didn’t see her.”

“She was between me and Alexander.” Emily said.

“I saw the doll in the crib and thought it was her; I didn’t realize that the doll was in the crib still. When I realized the doll was outside I went up-stairs and when I slammed our door into the dresser it woke them up. Odd that hearing my kids crying would be music to my ears.”

I felt Emily’s hand on my back.

“We’re going to need for you to come down and make a formal statement. I know you want to change first and if Emily can get you clothes then you can here. I’m sorry I can’t let you up-stairs Mr. Hanson.”

Emily looked pissed off at that but she got up and went up-stairs, she returned about five minutes later and I went to the bathroom down here, an agent stood outside. I washed off and changed into something warmer.  I was almost done when I heard Casey’s voice, evidently Emily had called him. I stepped out with the agent by the door and Casey gave me a reassuring smile.

“They’ll be safe with me Zac.”

“I know Casey.” I said.

Emily was ready to go so Casey went up-stairs to sit with them. We had gone through this before with David and Adam. I had killed someone and it didn’t matter he tormented me for more than a year. I was not formally arrested but I did have to ride alone with two agents, Emily followed in her car.

I expected something quick but they were just being relentless, asking the same questions 10 different ways. I clearly defended myself and yet these assholes were treating it as if I just randomly shot him. I was getting frustrated and ill. I kept asking for my wife and they kept saying no, but around ten Clayton Jones walked into the room without even knocking, declared himself my lawyer and ended the interview.

“Clayton?” I asked.

“I will say this, your wife does not have red hair but that woman is on fire this morning. She called the office and refused to take no for an answer. Made them interrupt my meeting.”

“I didn’t think I would need you.”

“Well, she told me in not so subtle details what happen. You do. Therefore, I know you’ve been over this a billion times. Run me through it.”

I went back through the same story again, not leaving anything out. He asked very few questions and only to clarify the whole doll issue such as where it came from and how it was there. I explained about Penny being over at the house.  I liked that his questions weren’t accusing.

“Ok. Sensitive subject, is the man in your yard the one that kidnapped you in February?”

“Yes. To answer your question before you ask, yes he’s the one that assaulted me too.”

“Ok. Let me get you out of this place. Sit tight.”

He left the room and I sat there. Logically, no jury in the world would find me guilty of murder, he’d told me multiple times that he was going to kill my son, my wife and then he stabbed a doll that I clearly thought was my daughter. The agents returned and again we went over the story. But, Clayton prevented the bullshit questions of me wanting to kill him just because crap. As a result, it was close to one before they finally relented and let me go with a warning not to leave the country. We had obligations to Disney world for their festival, I couldn’t change that. Clayton and I walked to the front and Emily, god bless her, looked pissed off. She came right to me and she said my bear hugs were nice, but right now hers felt awesome. I was glad to feel her arms around me.

“Are you ok? The jackasses here wouldn’t let me anywhere near the back.”

“I’m fine Emily. Calm down.”

“They wouldn’t let me back and I called Clayton when they refused to tell me shit. They are not pinning this crap on you.”

I smiled and held her for a moment. “I think I want Taco Bueno and then I want to see Alexander and Isabella.”

“Done and done. Casey said Alexander was missing you quite badly. He packed us a bag and the kids and said we were staying with him for a few days, there processing the house.”

“That’s fine.”

She drove and we swung by the restaurant and then went to Casey’s. She parked in the garage and I seen my truck.

“Why is my truck here?”

“He drove it over because of the car seats.”

“Is Robert here?”

“No.”

We got out and went inside, Alexander ran down the hallway yelling my name, and I scooped him up and held him tightly. Inhaled his familiar little baby scent, which oddly smelled like baby powder, but I loved it anyway. I carried him to the front and just held him, Isabella was laying on a pallet kicking and swatting at the toys hanging above her but when she heard my voice talking to Alexander she started getting whiney. I sat down with her in the floor, aware that Casey was staring at me.

“Ok, someone tell me what the hell happened.”

Emily sat him down. I barely listened as she filled him in on what was going on. I was more focused on enjoying the fact that both of them were fine. He hadn’t touched either of them. Isabella was alive and babbling and kicking, Alexander was alive and talking to me non-stop in a language only he understood completely.

“So, Ian’s dead?”  He asked.

“Yeah. I guess the FBI wants to blame me.” I said.

“Oh hell no, they’re not doing that. I have seen what the bastard done to you and your family and there is no way in hell there going to blame
this on you.”

“Well, duh, my wife won’t allow that.” I said.

“Speaking of, your wife thinks its lunch time. It’s near naptime too for the two year old. Isabella cool?”

“She ate at 12:10.” Casey said.

“Ok.”

Emily unpacked the bags and then we sat down and ate lunch, Alexander sat in his high chair but it had to be beside me. Isabella sat in my lap.  When we were all done Casey looked at us, I should call everyone but I really didn’t feel like it. He was the only one that knew.

“Take my room, the bed’s plenty big enough and I assure you the sheets are clean. You both look like zombies. If they wake up I’ll get them but lay down with them. Alexander needs a nap and little Bells is dozing off there.”

“Bells?” I asked.

“Got a problem with it? I get called Asey.”

“Don’t make it stick.” I said.

“Don’t worry. I’ll also call people and tell them what happen and where you are.”

“Ok.” Emily said.

We changed diapers first and then lay down in his room; it did feel familiar and safe. I couldn’t deny that having Alexander curled up beside me felt nice. Knowing they were all ok and alive was a great feeling. Isabella drifted off quickly with Alexander not far behind her, Emily was awake a little bit longer but I waited until they were all asleep before I let myself fall asleep.

It was Emily that woke me up about 5:30; she was sitting beside me on the bed.

“I know you’re tired but I also know you don’t need to sleep all afternoon.”

“It’s ok. Did Casey tell everyone?”

“Yes and I’ve spoken with your parents and brothers. I asked them to give you today at least, because you looked a shell-shocked earlier. I also told them about the long stay at the stupid station, which your parents were livid about as well. So, they all agreed they’d come see you tomorrow. Although, it took convincing for your parents.”

“What about Robert? Emily that’s his uncle, I killed his family member.”

She laid her hand on my thigh. “Robert is downstairs playing with Alexander and Isabella. He knows what happened and he came to me to find out exactly what went down. He doesn’t blame you Zac.”

I sat up and laid my head on her shoulder. “Why do I feel so bad about it?”

I felt her lips against my temple and her arms around me. “Because it doesn’t matter who it is or what they did, there still human. He was evil and did a lot of wrong and he felt no remorse but you aren’t him. You have a subconscious that while validated knows it’s still wrong.”

I sat there against her for a little bit. She had a point there, as evil as Ian was he was still another person and I had felt bad after Adam, despite knowing he was going to kill us both.

“Have you heard anything from anyone?”

“Eliza called about 4:30 to check on us, she apologized for the way her bosses acted. But, like I told her that wasn’t her fault. She said that if we didn’t feel comfortable without an agent then she would come here tonight.”

“Ian is dead. He can’t hurt us.”

“Yes, but Glen isn’t.”

“Has he sent you messages today?”

“Dozens actually, they started when we got here but I didn’t see them until a little while ago. Casey found our phones in the diaper bag. I told her I would speak to you first.”

“Casey’s alarm system is just as good as ours. I think we’ll be fine.”

“Ok. Well, do you want to go downstairs?”

“Not really, but I need too. Um…how did Robert feel about me being asleep in Casey’s bed?”

She giggled. “He joked about it but understood and like Casey told him, you weren’t alone and he wasn’t in here except when he got them.”

I sighed and finally got up and went with her downstairs, Robert was playing peek-a-boo with Isabella and she was kicking her feet and grinning, so happy. Alexander was talking to Casey until he saw me and then he just abandoned him mid-sentence.

“Well, I see how he is.” Casey feigned being offended.

I picked him up and tickled his belly, getting a grin and a giggle.

“Well, he’s still a little worried about daddy. Nothing major.” I said.

Robert turned and looked at me and I felt it, Ian was his Uncle, his family member. I’d never met or seen Adam’s family but Ian’s was right here in front of me, he got up much to Isabella’s disapproval but Casey quickly took his place and she was fine.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah, my side hurts a bit from being hit but I’ll make it. I don’t…”

He put his hands on my shoulder. “You don’t owe me anything Zachary. You don’t owe my parents or my family anything. Ian broke into your home, claimed to have killed your wife and son and he even stabbed a doll you felt was your child in front of you. I’m not stupid I know that if you had let him leave, he wouldn’t ever stop. Casey said he was even threatening to start going after Taylor and Isaac’s children. He deserved it Zac. You don’t owe us anything.”

“Yeah, wanted me to go with him and it dawned on me that without them he had nothing on me but my parents, brothers and sisters and their families.”

He smiled. “If the FBI gives you issues then I’ll tell them you did the world a favor.”

Alexander was just clingy so I sat down with him and toys and Emily sat behind me for about forty minutes.

“So, Casey, is the kitchen still set up the same?” She asked.

“You are a guest and you are not cooking.”

“Guest? No you’re confused. I’m family and if I say I’m cooking then you’re not saying shit.”

“In that case, good luck because I have no idea what is even in the kitchen.”

Emily sighed and got up. “I’m sure I can find something suitable.”

She went to the kitchen, we could hear the doors on cabinets open and close, and the fridge and freezer, evidently she found something that she could fix because before long the sounds of pans rattling around occurred.

“Do you need any help?” Robert called.

“No.”

We kept the kids entertained and out of the kitchen, until she had everything done and she had found pork loin, green beans, whole red potatoes and even made tea. Alexander ate very well and Emily got to finish before Isabella started showing signs of being hungry too. Emily chose the rocking chair and since Casey didn’t bring her shawl over she used a blanket to cover up. We finished up and Casey chose to clean the kitchen up. I sat with Alexander and because I know hearing from Emily is different than hearing from me, I called my parents and siblings to assure them I was ok. Mom and Dad were more worried and I promised them we would come over and I’d tell them what happened, since I was headed there I just made it a family gathering and everyone agreed to meet at Mom and Dad’s.

“Are you still going to Epcot?” Robert asked.

“Yes. I have already told the FBI. It’s a contractual obligation; I can’t back out this close. Therefore, we leave tomorrow afternoon but we’ll have to go home to pack.”

“While you’re at your parents I’ll have Eliza go with me to pack for everyone. She’s going also.” Emily said.

“I’m glad she is.”

When Casey was done, he took Isabella again and played and entertained, it was nice. We took the guest room when we went to bed, pulling the crib in for Isabella and letting Alexander sleep with us. It took me forever to fall asleep and I woke up once from bad dreams but I felt Emily’s hand over him and I settled back down. Maybe a few days at the happiest place on the earth would help me.