Drake, Mr Claire, and Max screamed together. Everything happened so fast and before anyone could react the bullet had landed. But surprisingly the bullet did not hit Monica.
It was Max...
Max who was closest to Monica received the bullet on his left shoulder. He grunted as he staggered backward with his hand on his shoulder.
Chris who had just arrived with the backup from country S was shocked to see the sight before him.
"BROTHER!" He screamed as he rushed towards Max. Monica fainted due to shock while Chris rushed to support Max.
Mr Claire came to carry Monica while the rest of the team secured the building and awaited further instructions. Chris held the half conscious Max out of the building with Mr Claire and Monica following after.
They quickly exited the building rushing off to the nearest hospital. Max lost a lot of blood so he fainted on the way to the hospital.
After 30 minutes drive, they pulled up at the hospital and both Max and Monica were sent to the emergency ward.
Mr Claire called to inform his wife and Martha that Monica was safe and Everything was alright but Martha wouldn't be at peace if she didn't see her child.
Chris also informed his parents of Max's condition but apart from his Mom who was really worried about Max, his father was rather neutral saying his son would be okay.
An hour passed by silently and there was still no news from the doctors. Drake has already taken care of the gangs they held captive but none were willing to talk. It was as if they feared the 'big boss' more than they feared death so all Drake could do was continue his interrogation. It also came as a surprise to discover the the Middle aged survived and is currently on the run.
After a few more hours, the doctor in charge of Max operation came out with a worn out face. "The kid is safe you can rest assured. He lost a lot of blood but we were lucky to have a suitable blood group for him so give him some time and he will come around " the doctor spoke to Mr Claire and Chris before excusing himself.
Monica was also okay after the tests. It was only due to dehydration and shock that she fainted so Mr Claire could breath a sigh of relief.
Around 9am in the morning, Monica woke up to find herself in a strange and unfamiliar room. "Where am I??" She questioned herself while sitting up but was met with a stinging pain in her head.
"Ahhhhh" she cried in pain. Martha who rushed over to the hospital before the sun rised was woken up by Monica's movement.
"Monica dear...are you alright??" Martha asked as she supported Monica while feeding her water.
"Mom..."Monica called out as she rushed into her Mom's embrace in tears. She was very scared back then and she missed her Mom so much. Although she acted all tough outside, she was constantly screaming for her Mom to save her on the inside.
"Its okay dear...Mom's here" Martha comforted her while patting her head.
As if she just remembered something, Monica suddenly withdrew from her Mom's arms with worry on her face.
"Mom...Max...how is Max doing??...is he okay??" Monica questioned Mom with a face full of worry and fearfulness. It was the very first time she saw someone been shot in her presence and not to mention that someone is her best friend.
At first it she was frozen in shock not sure what to do in the face of danger, but when Max pushed her aside and received the bullet on his shoulder she felt her whole world spinning before she lost consciousness.
"Don't worry dear, Max is fine. You can see him later when you are strong alright..." Martha said before she left to get breakfast for Monica.
Max on the other hand woke up to see his angry but loving brother sitting in front of him. He was so glad he saw one of the people he loves so much even though he was up for some scolding.
"Brother..." Max started with a pleasing and bitter expression on his face. "Brother my shoulder aches a lot. Could you pass me a glass of water my throat is quite sore" Max changed his painful expression to that of someone who was in so much pain. He knew the kind of person his brother is so he tried to use his injury to his advantage.
'Sigh...'
Chris let out a long sigh in defeat as he helped Max have his water while making sure that he was comfortable.
Chris was there with him through out, from the time he took an injection to late afternoon when Max was strolling at the garden. The hospital was not very huge unlike the ones at country S but it was still resplendent with a unquiet feeling to itself.
Its strctures contains some marks left behind from the passage of time but is was also very wonderful. The garden was beautifully decorated for patient to relax and enjoy the splendid view not to mention how fresh the air was.
Monica who has been waiting to see Max since she woke up rushed towards the garden after knowing his whereabout and a go ahead from her Mom. She rushed happily through the crowd and quickly arrived by Max and Chris' bench.
"Monica..." the two brothers immediately got to their seats and assisted me to sit on the bench.