Shift: 3rd Gear [4000 RPM]
#4 of Shift
Shift: 3rd Gear [4000 RPM]
I stared blankly for a minute, seeming to not process the sight. Everything was numb for a while but as my feeling started coming back I felt... Betrayed. Hurt. Sadness. Regret. What the hell was going on???
I snapped out of it to drop the gun and run to the wreck. I brushed the shards of glass out of the window, not caring about cutting myself. I reached in and as soon as I touched Trevor's arm he moaned in pain. "Trevor, can you move your legs?" I saw him visibly strain but his legs had movement so I knew his back wasn't broken. I proceeded to, at his chagrin; pull him painfully out of the window. I knelt to the ground with his legs resting on the ground.
I looked over his broken body, there were many cuts but they were shallow. However he was bleeding profusely and it didn't seem to be clotting properly. He winced every time he drew a breath so I knew his ribs were probably broken, but since he wasn't coughing blood that proved his lungs weren't punctured. From the glazed look in his eyes I knew he was pushing himself to stay awake. "C'mon Trevor, stay with me now." I snapped in front of his face. Suddenly I saw his tears. He was crying and the labored breathing just made him hurt more.
I pulled my cell phone out and called the hospital. I told them our location but I had to hang up so I could carry Trevor's body to the side of the road so the ambulance could see us. I knew it was going to be a few minutes and I needed to wrap some of the wounds. Luckily trackside medics taught me a few things to save my own skin in a wreck; I never thought I would have to use them on Trevor.
I took my favorite Crush shirt off and ripped the pink cloth in shreds with my claws. I wrapped the largest cuts first on his arms and noticed his wrist was dislocated. He must have held onto the steering wheel while he wrecked and the wheels jerked it out of place. I didn't want to risk messing it up further so I left it alone for the paramedics to deal with. While I was wrapping him up I wanted to demand answers but I knew he was too out of it to answer anything. In the distance I heard an ambulance. My crude bandaging will save some of his blood; most of it was left in the car and all over me.
I saw flashing lights against the tree leaves and I set him down as straight as possible on the asphalt. I stood up and walked out into the road waving my bloody arms in the air, wincing and realizing the glass from the window really cut my forearms up badly. The vehicle's brakes grew hot as it came to a stop behind the Cobra; the paramedics rushing out with a stretcher.
"His legs are moving so I don't think his back is broken but I think some ribs are." I told them. The stretcher was laid flat on the ground next to him as they gently lifted him onto it, putting a neck brace on and strapped him in.
"He is my best friend, please let me go with him!" I pleaded; they nodded at me and motioned me to sit in the back. When I got in a honey badger nurse gasped.
"Sir! Your arms are cut to ribbons!" I looked down at my arms and saw many open slashes under my fur. "Let me wrap them until we get to the hospital." She said. Getting a small tub and put it under my arms for the blood to drip and got some peroxide to pour over my arms. I hissed as the wounds sizzled to sterility. The pressure of the bandages wrapping around them offered an odd sense of relief.
I looked up and thanked her but then redirected my attention to Trevor. They already had him tubed up as the ambulance was rounding corner after corner. I knew we were in the city now and it won't be long. At the moment I didn't care about the cars. The Cobra is locked and was fitted with two different security systems and the Corvette... Isn't drivable. All I cared about at the moment was Trevor. Even though he did something really stupid I still cared about him more than any car.
I... I do care about him. I care about him a lot. It took me seven years living with him to realize it. It was my turn to cry now. I could lose him. My adopted brother might be... Gone. My head rested in my paws as I started breaking down. Smearing our combined blood all over my blue tipped hair. The nurse tried comforting me, but I couldn't hear her. I didn't realize we stopped until she started nudging me out of the open rear of the ambulance. I looked up and Trevor was already taken out. I jumped out and wobbled a bit; I attributed that to the blood loss. Running to catch up with the stretcher, I pushed past the doors and caught up with them.
Doctors stopped me before I could enter the operating room. When I realized I had to stop my senses returned so I fainted right there.
"Why didn't you tell me!!!?" "THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL CHRIS!" "Why didn't you tell me before... I thought-"These voices in my head were yelling. At me? I can't see, everything is black. Is that... Shadow's voice? Why is he so angry? Is this a-
I bolted up in the bed. Checking my surroundings, it was a hospital room. It was a dream after all... Upon refocusing my blurry eyes I saw that Shadow was asleep in a chair next to my bed.
"Sh-Shadow?" My throat was dry, but it was enough for him to wake up. He stood up quickly and leaned over to hug me.
"You scared me to death; I saw you covered in blood and... I thought you were dead. I came in with your Dad and Parker. They are outside because only one person is allowed in here at this hour. I'm just so happy you're going to be okay." I returned his hug, wincing at the sharp pains in my forearms but enjoyed the moment anyway. Looking at a clock on the wall behind him, it showed that it was 5 am.
"How is he?" I whispered, still hugging the wolf.
"He got out of the ER about two hours ago. He had tons of stitches and the doctors told us he had a severe concussion and heavy blood loss. They aren't sure if he has brain damage or not." Shadow said flatly. He sounded annoyed at Trevor, but I guess he was mad at him for stealing and wrecking my new car. Oh yeah... My car...
"What about the car?" I asked, almost afraid of the answer to come.
"Ah, well lucky for you the car is still fresh out of the factory and the repair costs are being covered. Other than a thrashed roof and broken fiberglass along the right side it is still in okay condition." He seemed happy about sharing the news with me. I was upset but relieved. I still wanted to know why Trevor did that.
I let go of Shadow and looked at my forearms. There were new bandages on them. I also saw that the blood was washed away. I immediately wanted to get up and talk to Trevor. I stood quickly, feeling sore but not as woozy anymore. Shadow protested but I padded out of the room slowly with him nearby, ready to give me support if I needed it. I walked out of room and saw Parker laid across my Dad's lap in a nearby lobby. Knowing that Trevor wasn't awake I decided to check in on Dad first.
"Chris!" My Dad called out. Parker stirred and sat up drowsily, his headfur was all messed up. I thought it actually looked pretty cute. My Dad got up and walked over to hug me tightly. "Oh, Chris, I was so worried about you. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Well my arms are sore but I'm alright." I replied. "Have you guys been here all yesterday too?"
"Yes, I was with you the first few hours but Shadow pleaded to see you. I told the doctors it was okay and he has been there for the past..." He glanced at the nearby clock. "6 hours now. You have been out cold since 5 pm yesterday."
"Well I am feeling much better now. So did they say when we could see Trevor?" I inquired.
"They said after he wakes up and they check on him we can see him. I still don't get why he did this." He scratched the back of his neck and Parker rose to his side, finally awake. He addressed Parker now, "Hey Parker, you know you can go home if you want."
"Your sons just got put in the hospital, why would I want to leave you in a time like this?" The fox chimed merrily.
I was about to say something when the honey badger nurse approached us. "Chris, you need to go back to your room, we need to check your cuts and make sure you're okay before you can escape like that." In a good light I saw that she looked to be an older woman, but a happy glow seemed to emanate from her. I also noted the slight British accent she had; she must have been from South Africa. Glancing at her nametag I saw that her name was Penny.
"Oh, sorry Nurse Penny. By the way, thank you for wrapping me up earlier." I indicated the bandages.
"Don't worry about it darling, now please, follow me back to your room. Chester, Parker, Shadow, you need to wait here for now while we check on Chris." With that I was led back to my room.
~12 hours and a few helpings of hospital food later~
"Mister Alpine, you can bring your family to Intensive Care now, Trevor is awake." Nurse penny told us in the lobby. I stood up and we all followed her through a maze of corridors to the ICU recovery wing. "Now please keep it to a dull roar, it is supposed to be quiet in here." She warned us.
We padded quietly to Trevor's room and strode in silently. He seemed to be asleep but opened his eyes slowly when he noticed us. Looking at him I saw many stitches and a special pillow made for his sensitive head. I saw patches of discoloration where deep bruising had occurred and a tight wrap around his ribs. But as my sight returned to his face I saw him crying again.
I opened my mouth to speak but found that nothing would come out. I resolved to walk over to him and hug him gently, so I wouldn't hurt him. After a minute I was able to say, "Please Trevor, never scare me like that again." I started tearing up with him. Just happy that he was safe.
He started talking but it was so weak I could barely hear him, "Can I talk to you alone Chris?" He asked. I turned around and relayed it to everyone and they respectfully left, mixed emotions in their faces.
After they left I was about to ask why he did it but he cut me off, "Wait, Chris, I need to tell you something." I stayed near him so I could hear his weak voice. "Actually, I need to tell you a few things. First off, I'm sorry I took your car and wrecked it. I don't know what came over me, I felt so... Jealous."
"But Trev-"He cut me off again, continuing.
"Jealous of Shadow." He said. I was stupefied.
"Why would you be jealous of Shadow?" I wanted answers; he hardly spoke a word to Shadow. Why would he be jealous of him?
"Because he has what I have wanted for the past seven years. I love you Chris. I saw how you looked with him, you are so happy and you love him so much. I just wanted to... To end it all I guess. That was pretty stupid and selfish of me, I know. I just..." He started breaking down. Sobbing even though I was sure his ribs were in splitting pain from it.
Thinking back, I was so blind. For the past few years I have been so focused on cars and racing I neglected Trevor. My adop- no, he IS my brother. And I care about him more than I ever realized. I started sobbing with him. I felt so ashamed of myself for putting him through this, being completely oblivious to his feelings.
"Trevor, I'm so sorry." I cried into his fur, my tears getting him wet around his collarbone.
"For what? You didn't steal my car and total it." He asked.
"I took you for granted, and I almost lost you. I realize how blind I was these past years, ignoring you and pushing you aside. This is all my fault." I admitted to him.
I felt his paw on my back, rubbing me softly. I looked up at him and he was trying to smile. "I forgive you." He whispered.
I don't know what happened, but the next thing I realized was that I was kissing Trevor...
Dammit.
Well now, it is time for the audience to participate instead of just being lazy fappers/car enthusiasts. I made 3rd Gear shorter than the first two Gears because I want YOU... To choose what happens next for our hero. PM me your decision and a brief explanation as to why you would want to see that next step.
Your choices are as follows:
- Chris pushes Trevor away and insists upon a friendship.
- Chris embraces what is happening and has a romantic relationship with Trevor, breaking things off with Shadow.
- Chris is in turmoil over his decision; so much that he tries to talk to Shadow and Trevor to be in a thee way relationship.
Now for those wanting car action, sorry but there wasn't any this chapter. 3rd Gear [8000 RPM] will definitely have serious car action in it no matter what you decide for our hero. Oh and also, I am looking for a good car that Parker would have and which one of his father's cars Chris will use while the Corvette is in the repair shop. Include in your message your choices. The secondary plot between Chester and Parker will also thicken with the next chapter (I didn't forget).