That night, Remy walked Deana back into her apartment. “I’m a little curious about this Jim guy.” He said while walking up the stairs with her.
“He’s really nice and a little strange. But he means no harm. I’m afraid to know how he’ll react with you here.” She seemed worried as she stumbled for the key to the apartment.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be extra nice, how about that?” he flashed her his obedient smile.
She shook her head but smiled at his puppy face. Opening the door, she didn’t know what to expect. Most of the time when she came home, he was asleep somewhere or up and cleaning something. This time, he was actually relaxing on the sofa watching television. “Hey Jim.” She said casually.
“Hi Deana!” he got up when he saw Remy walk through the door. “Hi, I’m Jim, nice to meet you.” He wasted no time greeting the stranger.
“I’m Jeremy but everyone calls me Remy.” He glanced at Deana, who didn’t seem bothered by Jim’s friendliness. She actually looked relieved.
“Are you her co-worker?” Jim asked.
Remy looked at Deana for help, not knowing if he should tell Jim the truth. “Actually, I’m.. uh….”
“He’s my boyfriend.” Deana didn’t want to have to lie to Jim. She tried to say it as casually as possible.
“Oh. I see…” Jim said shortly before taking his seat on the couch again. “Lucky guy.” He muttered under his breath.
Remy and Deana gave each other strange glances. She motioned him to follow her into the room. When she got to her bedroom, she closed the door behind her. “Oh my gosh, you have no idea how scared I was!!” she let out deep breaths.
“Don’t be ridiculous, he doesn’t seem crazy. Actually, he was pretty friendly.” Remy thought about the first encounter.
“Yeah, well, that’s the strange part. Sometimes he’s as normal as can be and sometimes he says things…well, it makes you think otherwise.” She whispered.
He shrugged “I don’t think so. But anyways, its getting late. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She nodded “Okay, I’ll walk you out.” They started for the door.
“What? Afraid he might stab me with a butcher knife?” he opened the door and jumped back because Jim was standing at the door with a little knife and apple in both hands. Remy let out a gasp of surprise and slowly calmed himself down. “You scared me.” He said.
Jim smiled coolly “Really? That’s good…hey, you want some apple? I was going to cut one up right now.” He said it more brightly.
“No, its okay. Maybe Deana will want some. I have to go home now. It was nice meeting you Jim.” He said politely as he squeezed away from him with Deana close behind him.
“Likewise.” Jim said with a smile.
“See what I told you?!” Deana whispered. She opened the front door for Remy “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She said softly.
“Okay.” Remy reached over to give her a kiss on the cheek. His eyes wandered to the figure still standing in the hallway. The knife in his hand was slicking through the apple slowly. A chill ran down his spine when the two guy’s eyes met.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. She turned around and saw Jim walking back into the kitchen.
“Nothing. Be careful.” He said slowly before leaving her. She gave him a reassuring smile before closing the door behind her.
“Nice guy.” Jim commented without looking up at her.
“Yes, he is.” She said firmly.
“Deana, will you miss me when I die?” his question gave her goose bumps.
“Why do you ask that?” she wondered what was going through his head.
“Curiosity?” he looked up and raised an eyebrow at her.
“Well, I would miss you very much. I enjoy your company here.” She said honestly.
“I see…so life would be duller without me here? You would be sad?” he asked.
She nodded slowly “Yes, it would be…” she wasn’t sure what he was trying to get at but she tried to answer as honest as possible.
“That’s all I wanted to know.” He took a bite of his sliced apple and threw the rest into the trash can.
“Why did you do that?”
“I only like a little taste. The rest is useless because it’s the same flavor and there’s just nothing new about it anymore.” His words symbolized something that she had no idea of.
She shrugged her shoulders “Such a waste of a good apple.”
He smiled crookedly “Not really.” He walked by her and whispered to her “Good night, sweet angel.” It was a nickname that he often called her but for some reason, this time it sounded like he was condemning her.
**************
Virginia came home that night to Freddie sitting up waiting for her. He was wearing his sky blue robe with yellow stars sewn on to it. He quickly got up when he heard the rattling of the keys “Where have you been? Have you any idea what time it is?” he placed his hands on his slender hips as he used the motherly tone on her. She smiled but didn’t respond. “Hello! I’m asking you something.”
She looked at him and narrowed her eyes “My parents passed away years ago. I don’t think I want one at age 27.”
“Well! How do you expect any respect when you come strolling in at 2am. I was worried sick! Too busy making out with your boyfriend?”
She was in no mood for his teasing “Look, just because you can’t stand the fact that I have fun with another male besides you doesn’t mean you have to tease me like that!” she looked angrily at him.
He dropped his head and let out a sigh “I’m sorry. You’re right, I am jealous of Jeff. He’s seen you more often then I have and I live with you. I promise, no more jokes.” He put up three promise fingers indicating that he was serious.
“Freddie, you’ll always be my best friend.” She reached to him and hugged him dearly.
“Just a best friend?” he asked.
She pushed him away “What? Isn’t that enough?” she laughed “Okay, what do you want to be? I’ll let you be whatever you want.”
He raised his eyes “Anything?”
Virginia narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously “What are you thinking about now?”
“Nothing…” the biggest grin crossed his face as he skipped over to the couch and sat down.
“Hey, I wanted to ask you.”
“Sure, anything, my special friend.” The grin still plastered on his face.
She shook her head with a smile “Be serious. What’s going on with you and Jo?”
He wrinkled his forehead “What do you mean? She’s one of my girls.”
“I sense something between you two.” She was quick with her judgment and most of the time it was correct.
“Like what?” he seemed more interested.
“You guys are getting along and she’s been your shadow for the past few weeks.”
He chuckled “Look who’s jealous now?” he quickly put up his hands to surrender from her evil glare “Okay, that was the last joke, I promise! Jo and I are getting along? So?”
“Do you have any special feelings for her?” she wondered if Jo would be the one to change him to a heterosexual.
“None more special than a man in a wet t-shirt and jeans.” He said without thinking.
“What?” Virginia shook her head unable to swallow what he just said.
“She’s a good looking man.” He shrugged his shoulders making light of the situation.
“She’s a GIRL!!!” Virginia replied “It’s no use talking to you, you’re never serious.” She began to get up from the couch when she felt a hand pull her back down. “Ow!” she landed roughly on the couch.
“Okay, what’s the meaning behind these questions?” he asked more seriously.
She tilted her head “I just think that you’ll find…a different kind of happiness in women that’s all.”
“Well, maybe I’m not ready?”
Her face beamed in the dim light “You mean you thought about being straight again?”
Freddie shook his head “Its not something that you can suddenly change overnight, Ginny.” He gave her a sarcastic look “Anyways, I don’t think Jo would be the person to change me.”
“Really? Then who would?” she was curious. They’ve never had that conversation before because he would always talk about a cute guy that he met somewhere.
“I don’t know…I’ll tell you when she comes along.” He said.
“You promise?” she still had hope that the girl would be Jo.
“Cross my heart and hope to die.” He made a cross symbol with his hand over his heart.
She smiled “That’s good enough for me! Okay, gotta sleep now. Long day tomorrow.”
“Why? Where are you going?”
“On a date.” She winked secretly.
“Oh, there you go again! Teasing me. Is it Jeff again?” he chased after her into her bedroom. She shook her head as she reached for a rubber band to tie her hair back. “It can’t be Remy?” he grabbed a little clip from her jewelry box to clip back the strands of hair that fell from her face. “Don’t tell me its Michael!” Virginia shook her head vehemently “Oh my gosh, its my baby brother…isn’t that the most adorable thing ever??” he gushed “My best friend and my little brother. Now that’s a match made in heaven.”
“Stop! Its not Michael and its not Jeff, okay?” she said firmly.
“Then who is it?? Please tell me, if you don’t I won’t be able to sleep tonight and I’ll keep you all up and nag you til you tell me!” he begged and whined like a little girl.
She rolled her eyes “What’s tomorrow?” he looked blankly at her. “What do I do every year on this day?”
He shook his head “Don’t know.” He gave up without even guessing.
“What kind of friend are you?” she asked sarcastically “I have a date with my parents.”
“OH!! That’s right!! I almost forgot.” He looked apologetically at her “I’m sorry, Ginny.”
“Don’t be. Its not your place to remember.”
“Can I come with you?”
She looked at him strangely “You don’t like cemeteries. Anyways, they’re MY parents.” She was overprotective about her past. Barely anyone knew about it and she intended to keep it that way. She promised her parents that the only person she would bring to see them is her husband and kids.
“I know you get weird about that kind of issue. I just wanted to see if you would take me that’s all.” He shrugged it off.
She smiled “Maybe one day when I take my husband and kids there. You’re the next closest to them.” She patted him on the shoulder “Okay buddy, time to sleep.” She pulled him from the bed and pushed him lightly out the door. “Good night.”
“Sleep tight.” He smiled as she closed the door behind her.
Chapter 20
Virginia Chan – Vivian Leung
Jeremy aka Remy Hung – Julian Cheung
Jeff Lai – Louis Koo
James Lee – Dicky Cheung
Virginia was up early that morning, she planned to spend a longer time at the cemetery with her parents. She normally comes just to tell them what’s been going on in her life. She dropped by the 24 hour florist shop about 30 minutes away and got two bouquets of white roses for her parents. The sun was barely rising as she reached the cemetery. Her eyes wandered up at the long stairway that led to the top of the hill. The cemented walkways were a perfect parallel to each row of gravestone. She had long memorized the where the grave was, holding tightly to the bouquet. She finally approached their graves.
Smiling as she gave both a quick nod. She knelt down and placed the flowers on each grave. “Hi mommy, daddy.” She wiped down the pictures of her parents that were on the gravestone. “Its that time of day again. I know I don’t come see you as often as you would probably like. But its better than not coming huh?” she giggled as she pushed up her sunglasses closer to her nose. “Nothing’s been going on much. I made some new friends, helped some more people.”
Her eyes wandered around to see if anyone was there, when the close was clear she turned her attention back to her parents “Remember that friend I told you about? The one that moved in with me? You know, the homosexual guy named Freddie? Well, I suspect that he might be turning straight soon. Didn’t I tell you? He was straight at one time but things changed in his life and so he claimed to be gay. Personally, I think that he was never gay to begin with….but then again, that’s probably what I wanted.”
“I made this new friend named Jeff. He’s a police officer in the suicidal department. Yeah…we have a lot in common as you can see. He’s great. Very sweet and I never knew that guys could have such a love for nature. You know what we did yesterday? We went to the beach and watched the stars and wave crashing onto the shore. Yeah, sounds romantic right?” Virginia sighed “Then why don’t I have any feelings for him?”
She continued on telling them about Remy, Jo and Deana. It took her over an hour but Virginia always took her time when she saw her parents. When her bottom began to ache from sitting on the cemented ground, she shifted her position “Well, I would love to stay and chat but my butt is really hurting. Same time next year?” She stood up and bowed three times to pay her respects. “Oh, and I promise that I’ll bring him and my kids one day so you could meet them.” Smiling one last time before she left the place.
Feeling calmer after seeing her parents, she decided to go for a walk down the street before it starts to get busy. She never appreciated the city life until there was no life, especially in the morning. Although the silence could never be replaced, she nodded as an elder man pushed a cart of fried fish balls up near her to sell. “Miss, would you like some fresh fish balls?”
She smiled gently “No thank you. Its too early to have heartburn.” She joked.
“How about a free one then?” he looked genuine as he pulled out some ready made for her. “Here you go, on the house.”
She didn’t want to decline so she took it “Thank you.” She ate one ball and reminisced about her childhood. Living in the orphanage, she would always crave for cart foods, but could never sneak out early enough to get them. She really admired those people, they would always come out to set up early and pack up late, just to make a living.
She walked past an alley that she vaguely remembered. Her eyes wandered up and saw two male figures talking. She turned away and did a double take on the shadows. One of them looked like Jim. She decided to go see herself as she walked softly down the alley. When she got closer, she knew it was Jim. He handed the other guy some bills and in return the guy gave him a brown paper bag. She didn’t confront him until the other guy disappeared down the alley. It seemed that Jim was waiting for him to leave too as he turned the opposite way just to see Virginia staring back at him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, concealing his surprise and anger.
“Not for the same reason you are.” She replied just as coolly. “What is that?” she nodded to the package in his hands.
“None of your business.” He walked on and passed by her.
“One call to the police and you will be back in there.” She threatened.
He turned around to face her “How did you know I was in jail?” he asked angrily. His eyes suddenly softened “Oh, I know. Its that boyfriend of yours…what’s his name? Jeff?”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” She said calmly “I hope that is not anything illegal.”
“Nothing that should matter to you.” He said icily, his eyes glaring back at her.
“Jim, what happened to you? You were so much happier in high school.” Her voice soothing as she talked to him.
He looked away from her, trying to hid his emotions again “That was a long time ago. Being a doctor yourself, you should know that feelings can change as well as people.”
“Maybe so, but the Jim that I knew was a better person than the guy standing in front of me today.” she had a way with her words to make it appear to be neutral and it always gave her patients a sense of safety. Even though she knew it would probably not work with Jim.
“Is that what you say to all your patients?” he snickered, still avoiding her eyes.
“You’re not my patient.” She said firmly “Unless you want to be?” her tone was teasing this time, hoping that it would break into his rough exterior.
He shook his head “It’s too late Ginny, you can’t help me.” It was the first time he referred her by her name. “No one can.”
She approached him until she was a feet away “I’m not asking to help you, I’m asking if you can let me help you.”
He looked at her, she noticed it was brimming with tears “I’m not sure if I can make that decision.”
“Why not?” she reached to touch his arm, he quickly pulled back. But she was quicker as she took a hold of his hand and sandwiched it between hers. “Even if you just need someone to talk to. At least let it out.”
He glanced down at their entwined hands “You wouldn’t be touching me if you knew I had AIDS.” He said slowly, expecting her to let go of his hand.
Her eyes closed as she looked down painfully. She hoped more than anything that it wasn’t bad news. The poor guy has been through so much as it is. She gripped on his hand even tighter “I could care less what you have.” Her own eyes welled up in tears as she spoke softly “I’m sorry.” She whispered.
He smiled at her as he wiped the tear that cascaded down her face “You were always the nice one to me. But now, I have another person. I should be very happy, I’ve met two angels before I die.”
Her eyes wandered away and set on the package in his hands “What is that?” she tried again.
Jim’s eyes hardened “Just some things to keep my pain away.”
“Cocaine?” she asked softly. Knowing that it was a type of speed, making people feel painless and delusional.
He nodded “Quick perception, as always. You have any idea what it feels like to have AIDS?”
She shook her head “But I can imagine.”
“No, you can’t.” he shook his head and pulled away from her grasp. “Its like a slow and agonizing death. There’s no cure, no miracles...no one has ever lived over 6 months. All your organs began to deteriorate and it shrinks until you are down to just plain skin over bones. I long stopped taking medication for it because I know its useless. All it does it pull your life a little longer…maybe another month or two if you’re lucky. I just want it to be painless.” He held up the package and smiled “This is my savior.”
“Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked, her eyes dripping of fresh tears. He shook his head “How about Deana?” she knew he liked her.
“Deana?” he said softly “Don’t worry about her. She’s got Remy…I’ll see her before I leave.” his eyes dazed over as he began to walk away from Virginia. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t.” she nodded as she watched him walk away.
She walked back to where her car was parked. Her steps were slow as she thought about her friend. He was after all a friend, despite the fact that they haven’t seen each other for years. It was always heart wrenching to hear about a terminal disease. She sat in her car but didn’t turn on the engine. She wanted pure silence but it was useless with the traffic growing outside her car.
She wiped her tears away and turned the key in the ignition. Suddenly her face froze, he said he was going to see Deana before he left. There was something in the way he said those words that made her break down in a cold sweat. She quickly dialed Remy’s number, it rang five times and the voice-mail picked up. She tried again and again “Come on…pick up!” she whispered frantically. “Shoot!” she threw the phone onto the seat next to her and drove off to Jeff’s home.
When she got there, she pushed the doorbell endlessly until someone opened the door. “Can I help you miss?” the butler asked.
She pushed her way through “Is Jeff home?” she asked.
“I’m here.” She spun around to Jeff’s voice coming from the stairwell. “What’s wrong, Ginny?”
“I need to get a hold of Remy now!” she said hastily. She ran up the stairs to where he was and pulled him by the hand “We have no time to waste, come on!” she dragged him by the hand and pushed him into the passenger seat of her car.
“What’s the matter, Ginny? I’ve never seen you so frantic.”
“It’s a life and death situation, I will explain when we find Remy.”
“He’s probably out with Deana.” Jeff said as he tried to dial his friend’s cell phone. “Hello?”
“Jeff?” Remy asked on the other side of the line.
“Yeah, where are you? Ginny’s been looking for you.” He glanced at Ginny, who was staring at him wide eyed.
“I’m out with Deana, why?” he sounded casual.
“Here, you talk to Ginny.” Jeff gave Virginia his cell phone.
“Remy? Make sure Deana doesn’t get out of your sight.” Virginia said.
“Yeah, she’s right here. What’s the matter? Why are you sound so nervous?”
“I just talked to Jim this morning. He said something about seeing Deana before he leaves. He has AIDS.” She said. Jeff’s head shot over to her while she nodded at him.
“He does?” Remy didn’t sound surprise nor concerned. “That’s too bad….hey!” he paused for a minute “Did you hear that shot?”
Virginia looked confused “I didn’t hear a gunshot….” She looked at Jeff worriedly.
“I didn’t say THAT…” Remy emphasized “Hong Kong is so beautiful from up here…”
She heard the dial tone “Remy??! Remy!” she yelled into the phone.
“What’s wrong??” Jeff began to worry himself.
“He’s got them both…” she said slowly “I don’t know what he’s planning for them. Remy was trying to hint to me…something about shot and Hong Kong being beautiful from up here?” she searched her mind for a clue.
“Maybe he’s talking about a rooftop? Or a hilltop? Let me give a call to my department and send out some guys to check out the hilltops and buildings.”
“There’s too many to check them all.” Virginia shook her head vehemently.
“Well, what are we going to do?? Watch them die??!” he yelled. Just as he blew up, he realized that he was yelling at her “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
She shook her head “I understand. Come on we have to think….shot and some place where you can see Hong Kong. Where’s the highest building in Hong Kong?”
“I know, turn left!” he pointed to the next street light. He led her to the industrial building that was 79 stories high. They parked in the red zone and got out of the car. Their eyes wandered up but it was too far to see with the naked eye. “Come on, lets ask the people inside.” She followed him as he asked the security guard “Did you see three people walk in here? Two men and a girl?”
“Mister, there’s hundreds and thousands of people walk in here.” The guard didn’t look interested as he began to walk away.
“It’s a life and death situation. The guy is about this tall..” she measured up to herself remember that Jim wasn’t any taller than her. “The girl has big rounds eyes and the other guy has a baby like face with a dimple…and the girl has a dimple too.”
The guard seemed to rethink of his answer and suddenly his face lit up “I did see someone to the guy’s description…and maybe the girl…Oh, yeah, I think it was them. They went on the elevator, to what floor…I don’t know…” he didn’t have to finish because the other two were already rushing to the elevators.
Chapter 21
Virginia Chan – Vivian Leung
Freddie Lam – Nick Cheung
Jeremy aka Remy Hung – Julian Cheung
Jeff Lai – Louis Koo
Deana Chu – Ruby Lin
James Lee – Dicky Cheung
Jim yanked the cell away from Remy “Tsk, tsk, tsk…that was a very bad thing you did.” He smiled crookedly and stood up. Bringing his hands up in the air as his face fell back, he spun around in circles and took a deep breath. “Isn’t the air more fresh up here?” he looked down at Remy, who was tied up to a pole that was built into the rooftop to secure the building. Jim walked closer to Remy “You will regret ever trying to hint to your friends. If they do figure out the clues and find you, I will kill them too. And now you will be the cause of their deaths.”
“Jim! Please, don’t do this.” Deana begged, she was tied to another pole across the way.
Jim’s face softened as he walked over to her “Don’t touch her!!” Remy cried out.
“I’ll touch my girlfriend whenever I want.” He said slowly, his eyes burning into his face. But they quickly softened when he turned back to Deana “Sweet angel…you are so beautiful.” He smoothed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Don’t worry, this won’t hurt…we’ll be together again.”
“Jim…no, please…why are you doing this?” she was desperate to keep him talking.
“Why? Because of HIM!!!” he pointed to the sky “You want me to die? Giving me a terminal disease? Well, I’ll tell you this, if you want me to die, I’m taking all that I can with me!!” his voice roared over the top of the building.
“Terminal disease?” Deana asked softly.
“AIDS.” He said shortly as he turned back to her. “Some jerk decided to rob me one day and when he realized that I didn’t have any money, he shot some kind of substance into my body. When I went to go test it, it was proven to be HIV cells….soon it turned to full blown AIDS. I was going to tell you about it but your idiot guy friend over there had to walk in. It’s always nice to carry a gun, don’t you think?” he patted to the metal weapon inside his belt. “You never know when you have to use it.
“Please…don’t kill him.” She begged, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
“Sweetie, don’t cry..” Jim said as he wiped the tears away from her face. “He won’t die, I’ll make him live…I’ll just take YOU with me.” His crazy smile forming again. He looked down at the gun in his belt as he pulled it out slowly. “It won’t hurt.” He whispered as he leaned in closer to her face. The gun pointing to her left temple, he heard her whimper from fear.
“NO!!!” Remy cried as he used his strength to break away from the ropes tied around him.
“SHUT UP!!!” Jim turned around and pointed the gun at him “Or you’ll be paralyzed for the rest of your life.” He threatened.
“Please don’t kill her…kill me if you have to…” he begged.
“You would like that wouldn’t you? Be the hero so poor Deana will never forget you? I’m on to your little scheme.” Jim said smartly. He pulled back the notch behind the gun, his finger on the trigger.
“I love you, Remy…” Deana whispered as she closed her eyes ready for the shot.
“You what?” Jim asked as he pulled the gun away from her head. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear the elevator door make a ‘ding’ sound.
“Jim, no!!” Virginia cried out with Jeff by her side. He pulled her back when she tried to run to Jim.
“He’s got a gun.” Jeff whispered.
As if her voice brought him out of the trance, he pulled the gun back up at Deana’s head. “You found us…I guess I underestimated your intelligence, Ginny.”
“Jim, please don’t do this. You will regret it.” Virginia said.
“Regret? What is there to regret?” he moved the gun from her head as he waved it around. Jim moved closer to the center of the rooftop. He walked to the ledge and looked down. “Ever thought about jumping?” he asked for no one in particular.
“Every day of my life.” Ginny said, her voice serious.
It seemed to catch his attention “You do?” he sat down on the ground and leaned the gun against his face. “Tell me about it.”
“You think its easy to sit down and hear people tell tragic stories about their life? To hear them tell me that life is useless and they want to end it more than anything in the world?” she tried to step closer to Jim, but Jeff held her back. She turned around to face him “I’ll be okay.” She whispered and pushed his grasp away from her arms. She walked closer to Jim until she was about a yard away “Do you know what’s more depressing than seeing those sad faces that comes through my office?”
Jim shook his head “It can’t be that bad…”
“What’s more depressing is the fact that I can’t help them.” His head tilted thoughtfully as he listened to her words “Despite the fact that I’m a shrink, no matter what I say, how well I say it. Their final decision will always be theirs. I’m more than honored to say that 99% of my patients do not look for death after they finished talking to me.”
“How about that 1%?” he asked.
She smiled “There is always an oddball out of a bunch. I hope that you are not one of them.”
“I thought you said I wasn’t your patient.” He looked at her suspiciously.
“You’re not…no one is. I call them patients, but they are in truth people that just want someone to talk to. To understand what they are going through, the pain and suffering. I just know that whatever you decide of this situation, it will not be a good one. Maybe because I’m a pessimist…I tend to think of the worse scenario. I just hope that whatever you decide, it will be the best for you. Think for yourself before you think for others.” She said slowly trying to get him to understand.
He looked away for a while before his eyes wandered meeting with Deana’s. Her face was smeared with tears. He turned to Remy, who’s eyes were glued on Deana’s. “Why is it that when I’ve found love, its taken away from me?” he asked.
“It was never yours to be taken away.” Virginia said calmly. There was a moment of silence but it was quickly broken when her cell phone rang. Without losing eye contact with Jim, she pulled it from her purse and answered it “Hello?”
“Ginny! Where have you been? You said you were coming home at 10 and now its almost 2pm!” Freddie’s voice scolded over the phone.
“This is not a good time, Freddie.” She said calmly.
“What’s going on? Where are you?” he sensed the uneasiness in her voice.
“You tell him where we are and I’ll blast everyone’s head open.” He shook the gun at each of them threateningly.
Virginia’s eyes were fixated on Jim’s as she answered Freddie “I’m out with Jeff. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Jeff? Again? Why are you always out with him. Are you sure you guys aren’t dating? If you are, just tell me so I won’t bug you. You know Ginny, I feel like we’re drifting apart…” he babbled on as she tried to get a word in edgewise.
Her eyes lowered to the ground “Freddie, life is too short to miss out on love. I feel like I’m on top of the world when I’m with him. I’ll see you later.” She hung up the phone without letting him say goodbye. She prayed internally that he got her secret code. They once promised each other in a time of danger, if they got a chance to talk to each other. The code would be ‘Life is too short to miss out on love.’ Her second clue was the second line, which she hoped that he got.
“Looks like you got your hands full, Ginny.” Jim said sarcastically, not picking up her cue to Freddie. Jim took a deep breathe as he stood up, the gun still tight in his hand. “Have you had enough lecturing? Because I had enough listening.” He walked closer to her while she took a few steps back “Did you know that whatever you had to say to me was useless? I don’t listen very well, strange…my mom always told me that but I didn’t believe her until now.”
“I don’t believe you.” Virginia said daringly.
“Really? Then why are you stepping away from me?” Jim said, his eyes looking at her menacingly.
She immediately stopped “It’s a natural reaction.” She said casually.
“Fear, you mean?”
Virginia nodded “Everyone has it. Even you, despite your gun and threats, I know you’re afraid of death. Everyone is.”
“Don’t try that on me again. I told you, I’m not listening.” He said slowly as he shook his head at her.
“Don’t lie to me Jim. I know damn well you are listening, if not it wouldn’t bother you so much. Because you know my words make sense, you are just in denial.” She smiled when he dodged her eyes “Even if you don’t want to listen to me, listen to Deana.” She turned her head to look at Deana.
Jim smiled “My sweet angel.” He walked closer to her.
Jeff’s heart was beating so fast when Jim was in front of Virginia, he prayed that he would not have to witness her death. He let out a sigh of relief as he snuck up behind Virginia “Ginny, you okay?” he asked with concern.
She nodded, her hands were shaking from the close encounter. “Yeah..” she muttered.
Jeff took a hold of her hands to calm her down “Who called?”
“Freddie.” She said shortly “I hope he got my hint.” Her eyes wandered back to Jim and Deana.
“Do you have anything to say to me?” Jim asked sweetly.
Deana’s eyes dug into his “Why do you have to do this? You never answered my question.”
“You said that you would be said if I was no longer around. Life would be sadder without me. Well, you know now that I have to die soon, I don’t want to leave you here by yourself.” He explained.
“I’m sorry that this happened to you, if I could trade places with you I would. I mean that truly. But Jim, it didn’t happened to me…it happened to you. Someone once told me that they believed everyone’s spirit will go to heaven after they die. It’s just a matter of when and how. Some people die from car crashes, a gunshot or murder, illnesses. We’ll all see each other in heaven. I don’t think its my time to die or anyone else here. If you kill us, you will be punished by God. Please don’t do it. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, dead or alive.” She whispered.
His eyes weakened “Why are you so good to me? What have I ever done to deserve you?”
“No one deserves anyone. Nor do they should be deserved. We have met because of fate. Believe it or not, you are a positive influence in my life. When I first met you I thought there’s a chance for everyone because you realized that death wasn’t the answer. But now, I’m disappointed. You’ve chosen a path that you’ve already gone by.”
“I’m sorry…” he said, his own tears falling from the ground.
Suddenly, the stairwell door burst opened and Freddie came through, completely out of breath. He saw Virginia and smiled as he ran to her, embracing her in the tightest hug “Ginny, God you’re okay. I got your hint and I was so scared….”
“I’m okay, Freddie.” She returned his hug “You came by yourself?”
“No, the cops are coming too…they’re here actually.” He nodded to the elevator “They should be here any second.
“Would you look at this? A party!” Jim announced happily as he waved the gun in the air. Right when he said that the elevator doors opened and out came about 15 policemen as they gathered around the group with guns pointing at Jim. He smiled at the group. “I’m not giving up."
“Don’t do anything!” Jeff commanded. He pulled out the badge that he normally carried around in his pocket.
“Lai Sir, he has a gun!” one of the officers recognized Jeff.
“Do as I say!” he yelled. With a wave of the hand he motioned for them to back away. They reluctantly did as he said.
“A man with power, I like that.” Jim admired. He turned to Virginia “You’re a very lucky girl.” He said slowly.
She stared at his hand with the gun “There’s no bullets in there, are they?” she noticed that he never once pulled the trigger to show that it was real. She was just guessing but seeing that a smile crept on his face, she knew here guess was correct.
He shifted his head to the left as he smiled at her “Is there anything that you don’t know?” he said as he pulled up the gun and opened the barrel showing no bullets inside. He dropped the gun to the ground.
“If you never planned to kill anyone, why did you bring them up here?” Virginia pressed. He was one of the most peculiar people that she’s ever met.
He shrugged his shoulder “Just for fun.” He looked over at Deana as he backed away towards the ledge “Bye, my angel. I’ll see you in heaven.” He blew her a kiss and turned back to Virginia “Ever seen a person fly?”
Her eyes widened as she realized that he was about to jump “No!!” she ran towards him but she was too far to catch him. She reached the ledge in time to see him sailing towards his death. Jeff and Freddie were close behind her.
“Jim…” Deana whispered as tears fell from her face one last time. Her eyes wandered to Remy. Seeing him safe, she had to smile with relief.
“I love you..” he lipped out the words to her as the cops untied his rope. The other policeman had helped her with her own ropes. When they were both free, he ran to embrace her “Oh God, I’m glad you’re alright.” He whispered.
“Me too..” her eyes wandered to where Jim jumped off. She closed her eyes and hugged Remy tighter afraid that if she let go, he would leave her forever.
SIU BING LIBRARY