Spun (Kings of Chaos 1)

“Is still being handled.” His face darkens.

They haven’t found them. My disappointment is brief. Wizard might be waking! “I’m ready to go.”

A weight settles on my chest as we travel to the hospital. Is he waking up? How will he react? What if this is a false alarm? I’m hopeful, yet guarded. There’s so much going on I can’t take another blow. I haven’t even dealt with the complete destruction of my car or the attack on Breezy. Guilt slams into me like a Mac truck. I’m so worried about Wizard, I haven’t even asked about him. He was hurt on my watch, because of me. By the time we reach the parking lot, my stomach is a mess. I place a hand on my tummy and breathe through my mouth.

“You okay?” Dad asks.

“Just a lot. Is Breezy okay?”

His face softens.

Please don’t say it.

“He’s going to be okay. No one told you? We called and left a message.”

“I was asleep. I should’ve asked sooner. God. He was hurt because of me and I couldn’t even been bothered. What does that say about me?”

“There’s a lot going on right now. You need to keep your head about you. We don’t know how deep this corruption runs. We’re going to be cleaning house. It might get worse before it gets better. I need you to stand strong, you understand? You’re an old lady. People will be looking to you as an example and for guidance.”

“I know, Dad. I get it,” I say, thinking of all the times I brought my burdens to old ladies in the past.

“See that you represent The Kings of Chaos the way it should be.”

There’s a scolding buried in that message. I’m acting like a newbie. I gather my strength and compose myself. I’m Wizard’s old lady and the daughter of Hulk. I have a legacy to live up to. I’ve been through lockdown situations before. The 45ers are small time. We have them by numbers alone. This won’t last long, and when it’s done, we’ll come out on top. I let the words become my mantra as we move into the hospital and I hold my head high.

Our presence is strong in the hospital. I see members everywhere. It gives me peace of mind. They’re showing up for Wizard in a big way. Stone has always been on top of things. If he trusts them, I do too. Odds are, he’s been waiting for this to play out. There was no surprise in his voice on the phone earlier.

We take the car to the third floor. The elevator comes to a halt with a mocking ding that sounds like the starting signal for the most important race of my life. My palms are sweaty and my muscles are tense. I focus on the KOC emblem on the back of my father’s vest as I follow the path he makes down the hallway.

He stops at the door and knocks.

It swings open to reveal three prospects who are due to get patched in at the end of the week. They’ve proven their loyalty, so I understand the logic of placing them here.

“How about we let her have time with her old man?” Dad says.

“Yeah, of course, Hulk.” They walk out.

My dad lingers. “His brain activity and pulse spiked. One of the prospects said he thought he saw his fingers move. The doctors have been in and out monitoring him. They’re encouraged. We’ll be around in the hallway. We wanted to give you a little time alone.” He shrugs.

It’s nice seeing him as a father figure. I reach out, grab his hand, and squeeze.

The corners of his lips flicker upward. He pats my hand and takes his leave.

I pull up a navy blue chair and hold Wizard’s hand. “I hear the Wizard is ready to come back from Oz. I have to tell you we missed you, and we’ve had no shortage of action. Fuse finally went off the deep end. I don’t know the details, but I think he had something to do with your accident.” I continue to talk to him about everything that comes to mind. Suddenly, his arm twitches. I release his hand and stand up. “Gage, can you hear me?” I whisper.

He moans. His eyelids flicker and he blinks rapidly.

I press the call button and pick up the phone to the front desk.

“Front desk.”

“Gage Carmody is waking up from his coma.”

“We’ll get someone down to you right now.”

Uncertain what to do, I wring my hands as I wait. The guttural sounds coming from his throat are alarming. Is he in pain? “I’m right here next to you. Can you hear me?” I grab his hand.

He twitches. His eyes open, but the expression in them is vacant, as if he sees something in the distance.