V3 Chapter 43 - I'll need to remember it

To be rational and think of consequences can be the makings of a Great Leader and tactician.

But when rationality, fear and desperation conflict with the right thing to do, those who can overcome the former and choose the latter are called heroes. 

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GEORGE STACY POV

It was a usual day at work, and while I was driving around in my patrol car, I heard a dispatch call that reported a gunshot being fired. The call reported that a young boy was found shot at the site and is being transported to the hospital.

Hearing the call I quickly turned the wheel and drove towards the hospital. After a 10-minute drive, I arrived at the hospital, parking the car and getting out quickly. I made my way towards the door where I found an officer at the doorway.

Making my way over, recognising the person I asked

"Henry, what's the situation?"

Seeing my appearance Henry was startled and asked

"Captain Stacy? What brought you here?"

Surprised by his lighthearted tone, I could not help but question if he knew about the shooting dispatch call,

"What's with that question? I heard the dispatch and decided to take a look, tell me what happened?"

"Oh, that! It's nothing serious," said Henry as he waved his hand with a smile.

Seeing him brushing over the matter in such a joking tone had me annoyed, raising my voice I could not help but reprimand him

"Since when a boy being shot in broad daylight become a light matter, Officer Henry? If you do not start answering my questions seriously, you will have to face some serious disciplinary actions!"

Perhaps realising the gravity of the situation he hurriedly saluted

"Sir, yes sir. I apologise."

Taking a moment to organise his words he continued

"According to the female witness, who was also a victim of the incident, it was a supposed mugging and apathetic attempt at sexual assault; the armed suspect attacked the female only to be interrupted by the brave boy who came to the rescue." 

As his words devolved into praise for the boy I interrupted him 

"Do not commend him; It's not brave. It's stupid to face an armed criminal like that."

Making a face he said

"Whatever you say, captain."

Letting go of his tomfoolery I spoke

"So what happened?"

"After an altercation between the boy and the armed man, he fired his gun in the heat of the moment." Henry continued the story before I interrupted.

"What do you mean by the heat of the moment? How did you reach that conclusion?"

"Yes, sir. According to the witness, as soon as he fired the shot and saw the boy fall, he panicked and made a run for it without looking back. She said he freaked out after the shot was fired," said Henry as he finished his report.

"Who's the boy? Is he alright?" I gesture for him to lead the way as I asked.

"We have yet to ID him, but according to the doctor, who also happens to be the female victim, he is unconscious but out of danger," said Henry as he led me through the hospital corridors.

"Who is the doctor again?" I asked surprised at the words that came out of his mouth.

"Doctor Christine Palmer, she was the lady that was being mugged, as soon as the attacker made a run for it she applied emergency first aid to the boy, preventing any major blood loss, they've taken out the bullet and should've stitched him up by now,"

spoke Henry as admiration dripped from his words.

"So fast?" I, too, was surprised at this speed as it hadn't even been half an hour since the incident.

In response to my question, Henry spoke with a voice filled with excitement

"Doctor Palmer, the victim/witness of the incident, boarded the ambulance with him and performed the surgery in the ambulance on the way to the hospital; you should've seen the look on the faces of all the staff when they pulled him out of the ambulance. It was just awesome."

"Yeah, Yeah, I got it; let's just go and see him." I stopped him before he went into full chatterbox mode.

"Alright, follow me."

As Henry let the way, I followed him to a room where the boy was unconscious, and I was in for a surprise I was not expecting.

Opening the door to the room, I laid my eyes on the figure that lay unconscious on the bed, immediately recognising the familiar visage.

'Sigh~, it just had to be him...'

Letting go of a breath I looked at the bed, confirming what I saw was correct I turned to Henry and said

"No need to ID him anymore."

"Why? You know him, Captain?" asked Henry surprised at my reaction.

"Yeah, I know him alright. You stay here I'll go to the reception to fill in the details and call his parents." I replied sure of his identity.

"But your face says there's more to the story, anything you wanna tell me about?" asked Henry as he elbowed me lightly.

Tired of his antics, I said, "Move along, Henry, if you don't wanna lose your paycheck."

"Hey hey, that's tyranny. At least tell me his name," questioned Henry, urgently following after me.

"Ryan Angelo. Why you ask?" I questioned his sudden enthusiasm with the boy.

"I have a feeling I'll need to remember it," Henry said.

"Why?" I asked just to be sure.

"I don't know, it's just a feeling," said Henry as he tapped his chin thinking deeply.

Looking back at the boy on the bed and thinking about the speculations I had about him in my mind, I unconsciously muttered out loud.

"Yeah, maybe you're right."

"Woah! You just..." came Henry's surprised voice, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Not a word Henry, not another word."

I brushed Henry out of my face as I walked out to make a call to Richard.

'I hope Richard won't freak out too much.' 

Letting my thoughts drift, I made my way through the hospital corridors.