No Pulse Inside of Me
Chapter 51
Tammy’s POV:
Matt’s been pacing since we got here. I’ve never seen him so on edge. It’s been five hours since we got to the hospital, and we haven’t heard a word about Jimmy. Zack showed up 10 minutes after we got here. Matt called him on the way. I’m trying hard not to cry. Crying means he’s gone, and I just don’t think anyone is ready for that. No one has even said a word to each other while we have been waiting. I don’t know about them, but I’m pretty sure if I tried to talk it would just be a sob. Instead I’ve just been sitting here, waiting, watching Matt pace as Brian squeezes the life out of my hand.
Finally Johnny came through the door separating us from the operating rooms. Matt immediately ran up to him in a panic. “How is he? Is he okay?” he asked, hope and desperation thick in his voice. “Calm down. He’s stable, and in the ICU right now.” Johnny explained. I watched everyone visibly relax a little, but not completely. We still didn’t know who did this. “The bullet made a clean path through, but a quarter inch to the right, and it would have hit his spine, and paralyzed him.” he explained further. Matt nodded, and for the first time since we got here, sat down. “ Um,” Johnny started scratching the back of his neck, “The last thing he said before passing out was…” he trailed off, and hesitated. He looked worried. “Spit it out.” Brian told him. “Dave.” he said as everyone’s eyes got wide. That’s impossible. He was blown up with the rest of them. Unless they got out somehow.
Matt bolted from his chair, the rage on his face very clear. I jumped and clung to Brian when he let out a growl, and kicked the chair across the room. “How is that fucking possible?!” he half yelled, and half growled. “I don’t know, but apparently we didn’t take care of them when we thought, and now they’re back.” Johnny said. This isn’t good. What the hell are we suppose to do now? We can’t keep watching our backs for the rest of our lives. Of course with Disturbed out there who knows how long the rest of our lives will be. “What are we going to do?” Brian asked Matt. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself before he spoke.
“First I’m going to send out a mass e-mail, and let everyone know they’re alive, and still rouge,” he started to explain, “Johnny I want you to fake Jimmy’s death.” he said getting a confused look from everyone. “Death certificate, obituary, even a fake head stone to put on the property. I want Dave to think he succeeded in killing Jimmy. Make him think we’re in mourning, and off our game. It’ll hopefully throw him off, and trick him into thinking he has the upper hand.” he said. Johnny nodded before Matt continued. “They want to play these fucking games, we’ll play these fucking games. We won’t be waiting on them this time.” he said an evil smile forming on his face. “Fuck that. We’ll make them think we have no idea who did this, and draw them out.” he said as I watched more smiles form around the room. “It’s time to put an end to this once and for all.” he mumbled out.
That’s great, we’ll work out all the details later, but right now I want to see Jimmy. “Can we see him?” I asked Johnny. “Yea, but one at a time. He’s still recovering from the operation, and isn’t awake yet.” he said. I decided to let the guys go first. Matt bolted down the hall as soon as Johnny opened the door, and the rest stood around anxiously waiting for their turn. I was going to talk my way into staying. Well maybe not so much as talking my way into it, but more of not giving Dr. Gnome a choice. Jimmy didn’t leave me, I’m not leaving him.
It took all I had not to break down as soon as I walked into that room. Seeing him like that, pale and hooked up to all those machines. He was suppose to be up, laughing, and fucking with everyone. “What are you doing?” Johnny asked when I pulled up a chair next to the bed. “Getting comfortable.” I said sitting, and lacing my fingers with Jimmy’s. “Tammy you can’t stay.” he said softly. I smiled a little. “Make me leave.” I told him. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “If I let you stay, I’m going to have to let Brian stay.” he argued. “And?” I asked. Sorry stubby, I’m not budging. “And Brian can never stay out of the way.” he said getting frustrated. I tried to hold in my smile at his frustration, but it was hard. “So don’t let him stay.” I said turning my attention to Jimmy. “Easier said than done.” I heard him grumble as he left the room.
I heard a soft chuckle next to me as I watched the door close behind Johnny. I smiled wide, and turned to Jimmy. “You’re awake?” I asked a little excited. He cracked open one eye to look at me with a grin. “Yea. I’ve been holding that in since you told him to make you leave.” he whispered. “How long have you been awake?”
“Not long. I think I was slowly coming to as people were coming in and out,” he explained closing his eye, “I didn’t fully wake up till you…” he raised our hands, that were still laced together, a little. I nodded even though he couldn’t see with his eyes closed. “But I’m still tired, and going back to sleep.” he said shifting a little. “Don’t tell Johnny I woke up.” he added with a grin before falling back to sleep. I chuckled, and laid my head next to his shoulder. “I won’t.” I whispered before drifting out myself.
Third Person POV: Three Days Later:
Jimmy was well enough to go home, and at least stay in the infirmary for the rest of his recovery. Matt had every thing planned out. He knew Disturbed was watching them. “Comfy Jimmy?” Tammy asked him as he lay in the casket they would carried him out in. “Hell yea. This things better than my bed. Can we just bury my mattress when we get home?” he asked looking to Matt. “I think it’s a little too big.” Matt said with a grin as he closed the bottom half of the casket. Jimmy wouldn’t be in there long. They were having a fake funeral today. Jimmy will get out once they carried him in, and they would bury an empty casket. Jimmy loved the idea of faking his death. He couldn’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they see him just before they die. The only thing he wasn’t looking forward to was not being able to leave the house for awhile. Not that he needed to anyway. He still has a ways to go before he’s 100 percent.
Matt closed the top half of the casket. Jimmy had a small oxygen tank inside if he needed it, but he should be out of there before that time comes. The Berrys grabbed the handles on the left, Brian and Zacky on the right. “Don’t fucking drop me.” Jimmy's muffled voice came from inside when they lifted him. “We’re not going to drop you.” Brian reassured, shaking his head. “Maybe if you weren’t such a fat ass you wouldn’t have to worry about that.” JB said as they walked down the hall. “Fuck you. That’s all muscle bitch.” Jimmy said. Matt chuckled from the front of the casket. Him and Johnny were in front, while Tammy walked behind. “Time to shut it up.” Matt said just before stepping outside.
Their allies stood by their awaiting vehicles as they loaded Jimmy up into the hearse. All dressed for mourning, all knowing what’s going on. The Berrys climbed into the hearse, JB driving, and the rest in the limo behind them. Everyone piled in their cars, and they made their way out of the hospital parking lot. “Open this thing up. I’m starting to get claustrophobic.” Jimmy said pounding on the inside. Matt reached back, and opened the top half of the casket. Jimmy propped himself up a little, and took a deep breath. “Thanks.” he said tilting his head back to look at the Berrys. “Welcome.” they said, Matt giving JB a look cause he didn’t do anything. “Habit.” JB mumbled focusing on the road. They drove down the drive as the gate opened, and parked. “Sorry.” Matt said as he closed the top half again. Everyone got out, and carried Jimmy into the house as they did walking out of the hospital. They stopped at the infirmary, and Jimmy got out. Brian helped him into a bed as Shadz closed up the casket. “You still want to trade this out for your mattress?” Shadz asked as they picked up the empty casket. “No I changed my mind on the way home.” Jimmy said with a grin. “He got claustrophobic, and cried like a baby.” JB said. “I didn’t cry. I’m kicking your ass as soon as I can.” Jimmy threatened as they started to leave the infirmary. “I’ll be waiting.” JB called back before they walked out to the backyard.
Disturbed sat off in the distance. Dave watched with a smile through binoculars as Avenged Sevenfold laid their brother to rest. It was only a matter of time in his mind before they all were six feet under. Saving Tammy for last. With her gang no longer around, he would finally be able to finish what he started. “Did you get into their security?” Dave asked Mike over his shoulder. “I’m trying, but I’m not going to lie, The Rev’s a fucking genius.” Mike said as he typed away on his laptop. “It’s only a matter of time.” Dave said looking through his binoculars again. “Fuck!” Mike cursed from the back. “What?” Dave asked turning is attention back to him. “His security just crashed my computer.” Mike said. He turned his laptop, so Dave could see. He narrowed his eyes, and the corner of his mouth began to twitch as he watched a cartoon version of Jimmy dancing around mooning the screen, the words Kiss My Ass across the top.
Matt’s been pacing since we got here. I’ve never seen him so on edge. It’s been five hours since we got to the hospital, and we haven’t heard a word about Jimmy. Zack showed up 10 minutes after we got here. Matt called him on the way. I’m trying hard not to cry. Crying means he’s gone, and I just don’t think anyone is ready for that. No one has even said a word to each other while we have been waiting. I don’t know about them, but I’m pretty sure if I tried to talk it would just be a sob. Instead I’ve just been sitting here, waiting, watching Matt pace as Brian squeezes the life out of my hand.
Finally Johnny came through the door separating us from the operating rooms. Matt immediately ran up to him in a panic. “How is he? Is he okay?” he asked, hope and desperation thick in his voice. “Calm down. He’s stable, and in the ICU right now.” Johnny explained. I watched everyone visibly relax a little, but not completely. We still didn’t know who did this. “The bullet made a clean path through, but a quarter inch to the right, and it would have hit his spine, and paralyzed him.” he explained further. Matt nodded, and for the first time since we got here, sat down. “ Um,” Johnny started scratching the back of his neck, “The last thing he said before passing out was…” he trailed off, and hesitated. He looked worried. “Spit it out.” Brian told him. “Dave.” he said as everyone’s eyes got wide. That’s impossible. He was blown up with the rest of them. Unless they got out somehow.
Matt bolted from his chair, the rage on his face very clear. I jumped and clung to Brian when he let out a growl, and kicked the chair across the room. “How is that fucking possible?!” he half yelled, and half growled. “I don’t know, but apparently we didn’t take care of them when we thought, and now they’re back.” Johnny said. This isn’t good. What the hell are we suppose to do now? We can’t keep watching our backs for the rest of our lives. Of course with Disturbed out there who knows how long the rest of our lives will be. “What are we going to do?” Brian asked Matt. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself before he spoke.
“First I’m going to send out a mass e-mail, and let everyone know they’re alive, and still rouge,” he started to explain, “Johnny I want you to fake Jimmy’s death.” he said getting a confused look from everyone. “Death certificate, obituary, even a fake head stone to put on the property. I want Dave to think he succeeded in killing Jimmy. Make him think we’re in mourning, and off our game. It’ll hopefully throw him off, and trick him into thinking he has the upper hand.” he said. Johnny nodded before Matt continued. “They want to play these fucking games, we’ll play these fucking games. We won’t be waiting on them this time.” he said an evil smile forming on his face. “Fuck that. We’ll make them think we have no idea who did this, and draw them out.” he said as I watched more smiles form around the room. “It’s time to put an end to this once and for all.” he mumbled out.
That’s great, we’ll work out all the details later, but right now I want to see Jimmy. “Can we see him?” I asked Johnny. “Yea, but one at a time. He’s still recovering from the operation, and isn’t awake yet.” he said. I decided to let the guys go first. Matt bolted down the hall as soon as Johnny opened the door, and the rest stood around anxiously waiting for their turn. I was going to talk my way into staying. Well maybe not so much as talking my way into it, but more of not giving Dr. Gnome a choice. Jimmy didn’t leave me, I’m not leaving him.
It took all I had not to break down as soon as I walked into that room. Seeing him like that, pale and hooked up to all those machines. He was suppose to be up, laughing, and fucking with everyone. “What are you doing?” Johnny asked when I pulled up a chair next to the bed. “Getting comfortable.” I said sitting, and lacing my fingers with Jimmy’s. “Tammy you can’t stay.” he said softly. I smiled a little. “Make me leave.” I told him. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “If I let you stay, I’m going to have to let Brian stay.” he argued. “And?” I asked. Sorry stubby, I’m not budging. “And Brian can never stay out of the way.” he said getting frustrated. I tried to hold in my smile at his frustration, but it was hard. “So don’t let him stay.” I said turning my attention to Jimmy. “Easier said than done.” I heard him grumble as he left the room.
I heard a soft chuckle next to me as I watched the door close behind Johnny. I smiled wide, and turned to Jimmy. “You’re awake?” I asked a little excited. He cracked open one eye to look at me with a grin. “Yea. I’ve been holding that in since you told him to make you leave.” he whispered. “How long have you been awake?”
“Not long. I think I was slowly coming to as people were coming in and out,” he explained closing his eye, “I didn’t fully wake up till you…” he raised our hands, that were still laced together, a little. I nodded even though he couldn’t see with his eyes closed. “But I’m still tired, and going back to sleep.” he said shifting a little. “Don’t tell Johnny I woke up.” he added with a grin before falling back to sleep. I chuckled, and laid my head next to his shoulder. “I won’t.” I whispered before drifting out myself.
Third Person POV: Three Days Later:
Jimmy was well enough to go home, and at least stay in the infirmary for the rest of his recovery. Matt had every thing planned out. He knew Disturbed was watching them. “Comfy Jimmy?” Tammy asked him as he lay in the casket they would carried him out in. “Hell yea. This things better than my bed. Can we just bury my mattress when we get home?” he asked looking to Matt. “I think it’s a little too big.” Matt said with a grin as he closed the bottom half of the casket. Jimmy wouldn’t be in there long. They were having a fake funeral today. Jimmy will get out once they carried him in, and they would bury an empty casket. Jimmy loved the idea of faking his death. He couldn’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they see him just before they die. The only thing he wasn’t looking forward to was not being able to leave the house for awhile. Not that he needed to anyway. He still has a ways to go before he’s 100 percent.
Matt closed the top half of the casket. Jimmy had a small oxygen tank inside if he needed it, but he should be out of there before that time comes. The Berrys grabbed the handles on the left, Brian and Zacky on the right. “Don’t fucking drop me.” Jimmy's muffled voice came from inside when they lifted him. “We’re not going to drop you.” Brian reassured, shaking his head. “Maybe if you weren’t such a fat ass you wouldn’t have to worry about that.” JB said as they walked down the hall. “Fuck you. That’s all muscle bitch.” Jimmy said. Matt chuckled from the front of the casket. Him and Johnny were in front, while Tammy walked behind. “Time to shut it up.” Matt said just before stepping outside.
Their allies stood by their awaiting vehicles as they loaded Jimmy up into the hearse. All dressed for mourning, all knowing what’s going on. The Berrys climbed into the hearse, JB driving, and the rest in the limo behind them. Everyone piled in their cars, and they made their way out of the hospital parking lot. “Open this thing up. I’m starting to get claustrophobic.” Jimmy said pounding on the inside. Matt reached back, and opened the top half of the casket. Jimmy propped himself up a little, and took a deep breath. “Thanks.” he said tilting his head back to look at the Berrys. “Welcome.” they said, Matt giving JB a look cause he didn’t do anything. “Habit.” JB mumbled focusing on the road. They drove down the drive as the gate opened, and parked. “Sorry.” Matt said as he closed the top half again. Everyone got out, and carried Jimmy into the house as they did walking out of the hospital. They stopped at the infirmary, and Jimmy got out. Brian helped him into a bed as Shadz closed up the casket. “You still want to trade this out for your mattress?” Shadz asked as they picked up the empty casket. “No I changed my mind on the way home.” Jimmy said with a grin. “He got claustrophobic, and cried like a baby.” JB said. “I didn’t cry. I’m kicking your ass as soon as I can.” Jimmy threatened as they started to leave the infirmary. “I’ll be waiting.” JB called back before they walked out to the backyard.
Disturbed sat off in the distance. Dave watched with a smile through binoculars as Avenged Sevenfold laid their brother to rest. It was only a matter of time in his mind before they all were six feet under. Saving Tammy for last. With her gang no longer around, he would finally be able to finish what he started. “Did you get into their security?” Dave asked Mike over his shoulder. “I’m trying, but I’m not going to lie, The Rev’s a fucking genius.” Mike said as he typed away on his laptop. “It’s only a matter of time.” Dave said looking through his binoculars again. “Fuck!” Mike cursed from the back. “What?” Dave asked turning is attention back to him. “His security just crashed my computer.” Mike said. He turned his laptop, so Dave could see. He narrowed his eyes, and the corner of his mouth began to twitch as he watched a cartoon version of Jimmy dancing around mooning the screen, the words Kiss My Ass across the top.
Notes
I wouldn't kill Jimmy. Are you crazy? That's just asking to be lynched by an angry mob, or burned at the steak.
And the games begin....
I would be interested in a rewrite if that’s what you feel like you wanna do. I would read the new version too, even though I don’t find anything wrong with the original.
9/27/19