Kevin became more nervous as they got closer to the treatment facility where Abigail had spent the last week and a half. He didn’t really believe Frank when he said he knew where Abigail was, but it was becoming obvious that Frank wasn’t bluffing. He just prayed that the police were prepared for this move. He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if anything were to happen to Abigail.

“We’re almost there. I bet you’re looking forward to seeing Alison again.” Frank said.

“Of course I am.” Kevin replied.

“You better prepare yourself, because this is going to be the last time you see her. Better prepare yourself for saying goodbye.” Frank said.

“You really think I’m going to let you any where near her?” Kevin asked.

“Oh, I know you’re going to. You won’t have a choice.” Frank replied.

“Do you even realize that the facility is heavily guarded for the safety of their patients?” Kevin asked.

“I’m well aware of that and I’ve taken care of it.” Frank said.

This time Kevin hoped that Frank really was bluffing. If he really did have people working for him, anything was possible.

*******************

Two hours later, tons of people were crowded into Abigail’s room. The other guys in the group along with their bodyguards, members of their management team and family had all flown out to Florida. They all looked exhausted and she knew they must have had a long night. But they all remained upbeat and positive for Abigail’s sake. They kept ensuring her that everything was being done to ensure that Kevin remained unharmed.

“Brian can I talk to you alone for a few minutes?” Abigail asked.

“Of course.” Brian replied as everyone filed out of the room. “What’s up?” Brian asked once they were the only two left in the room.

“Did Kevin tell you what I said to him?” Abigail asked.

“No, I don’t think he told anyone why he came back to the tour so soon. But you don’t owe me an explanation at all Abigail. That’s between you and Kevin. It’s really no one else’s business.” Brian replied.

“Well I feel like I do owe everyone an explanation. I guess I kind of freaked when he told me that Frank was free once again and in hopes of preventing Kevin from getting hurt further, I asked him to leave me alone. I even told him that all he has done was hurt me. I can’t imagine how alone and hurt he must be feeling right now.” Abigail admitted as she tried to prevent tears from falling.

“I’m sure he realizes that you were just under stress and you didn’t mean it.” Brian tried to reassure Abigail.

“This is all my fault Brian. If I’d asked him to stay, he wouldn’t be in this predicament.” Abigail said as she finally broke down in tears.

“Abigail, this is not your fault. You have got to believe that Frank would have tried to get at Kevin no matter where he was. He believes that Kevin is the only person that has access to you.” Brian said.

“I should have never gotten involved with him in the first place. I knew my past was something that needed to remain hidden, but I went and got involved with some one that lives their life in the public eye anyways.” Abigail said.

“Abigail, whatever you do, don’t beat yourself up for getting involved with Kevin. The two of you love each other very much and I know Kevin wouldn’t trade that for the world. You have to believe that once this whole ordeal is over, you’ll be able to move on with your lives. It is possible for the two of you to have a happy life together. I truly believe that Abigail.” Brian said.

“In my heart I know that Brian, but I have all these voices in my head telling me otherwise.” Abigail said.

“With some more therapy, all the doubts should disappear.” Brian said reassuringly.

“I hope so.” Abigail said. At this point, she just wanted to disappear with Kevin and have a normal life. But she knew it would be a great struggle for her and Kevin to achieve any kind of normalcy in their relationship again.

********************

Two officers had been situated approximately fifteen minutes from the facility and had just radioed in that the bus was on its final approach. There was only one way to access the facility, and they wanted some fore warning before the bus arrived. Within five minutes, all of Kevin’s friends and family were moved into Abigail’s room, which was heavily guarded for everyone’s safety. Dr. Steep hoped this would keep Abigail’s mind occupied and she would be unaware of what was really happening outside. In the same amount of time, the forty police officers took their positions. When the bus initially drove up, they wouldn’t be able to notice anything out of the ordinary. There plan was to wait until Frank was off the bus and they had a clear shot before they took him down.

********************

Kevin felt sick to his stomach as they drove up to the facility and everything appeared to be normal. He feared that Frank would be able to just walk right into the building and apprehend Abigail. He would of course do his best to prevent that from happening, but he was only one person. He said a silent prayer as the bus stopped in front of the building.

“Get up.” Frank said, as he stood up and pulled out the gun he had brought.

Kevin felt helpless as he looked up at he gun pointed in his direction. There was no way he was going to be able to put up a fight as long as Frank had the gun in his possession. He followed Frank’s commands and stood up. What choice did he have? Abigail’s safety now rested in god’s hands.

“This was the way I knew it would be. Now I want you to get off the bus first and I’ll follow behind you. Then we’ll proceed into the building and you’ll show me where Alison is. Do you understand?” Frank explained.

Kevin nodded as he descended the first step trying to will him self against loosing consciousness. He needed to stay focused for Abigail’s sake. As soon as Kevin set foot on the ground, Frank grabbed a hold of his shirt and planted the end of the gun in his back. “That’s just to remind you not to try anything stupid.” Frank stated.

********************

The army of police officers observed from a distance as Frank escorted Kevin into the building. He was doing a good job of ensuring that Kevin’s tall body shielded him. There was no way they could get a clear shot if he proceeded as he was and they had been able to confirm that he had a weapon. This situation was becoming more complicated than they had anticipated. They would have to watch the situation unfold and wait for the word to proceed from one of several officers that were located in key locations.

*********************

As Kevin and Frank entered the building and Kevin realized that Abigail’s room was just through the large double doors and four doors down the hall, he felt weak in the knees. He was at a loss for what to do next. He wasn’t sure there was anything he could do at this point to ensure Abigail remained safe.

The woman at the front desk smiled nervously at Kevin and said, “It’s good to see you again Mr. Richardson. Is this a friend of Abigail’s?”

“Yes, I’m here to see Abigail. Come on Kevin, show me the way.” Frank said, digging the gun deeper into his back as a reminder not to try anything stupid.

From their vantage point in the lobby, only the woman sitting at the front desk could see that several officers had quietly entered through the front door and were preparing to make a move. The plan was to try and get Frank away from Kevin and apprehend him. They quickly moved and one officer was able to take hold of one of Frank’s arms, but the other officer struggled with the hand that Frank held the gun in. What happened next, happened so quickly. Two more officers moved forward to help apprehend Frank and when they had almost wrestled the gun out of Frank’s hand, it went off and a bullet pierced Kevin. There was no way for them to tell where the bullet had penetrated as Kevin fell to the floor.

******************

Abigail screamed when the sound of a gunshot could be heard. She tried to run for the door and it took six people to stop her and convince her that it was best to stay in the room until they were told that the situation was under control.

Abigail tried to remain calm as she sat on her bed, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. She prayed that Frank had been the one to take the bullet, but with her luck, Kevin was the one that had been injured.

********************

Fortunately, there was only one shot fired, and they were able to apprehend Frank quickly and he was immediately placed in an armored truck, which had now left the property. As soon as Frank was secured in the truck, several paramedics rushed to Kevin’s side.

The police officers had instructed Kevin to stay where he was until the paramedics were able to get to him. He still remained conscious, but he wouldn’t have been able to move if his life depended on it. As he lay on the floor, he felt excruciating pain where he had been shot in the side. He tried to cover the wound with his hand, but he knew that wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding. Just as the pain in his side started to escalate and he started to feel drowsiness overcome him, he felt himself being moved onto his back. He tried to focus on the three paramedics that were now at his side.

“Kevin, can you hear me and see me?” one of the paramedics asked.

“Yeah. But my vision’s a little blurry.” Kevin replied. The pain he felt as they examined the wound was almost too much for him. His vision started to go black as they worked to examine and clean his wound.

“Stay with us Kevin.” The same paramedic said, as he noticed that Kevin was beginning to loose consciousness.

“Abigail. I need to see Abigail.” Kevin said with increasing difficulty.

An officer that stood in the lobby radioed for Abigail to be brought out into the front lobby. All the police officers and staff were aware of what had happened, so now came the difficult task of informing Kevin’s friends and family. Dr. Steep proceeded into Abigail’s room and said, “Abigail, will you come with me.”

“Can the other guys come with me?” Abigail asked, fully aware that the other members of the group were just as worried as she was.

“All right, but they’ll need to stay back.” Dr. Steep agreed. The five people followed Dr. Steep out of the room and down the hall. Dr. Steep paused at the doors and said, “You should all be made aware that Kevin has been injured. The paramedics are looking at him right now and he’ll be transported to the hospital shortly.”

Brian and Nick had to catch Abigail to prevent her from falling to the floor. “Come on Abigail. You need to be strong for Kevin right now.” Brian said.

With help from Brian and Nick, Abigail entered the front lobby and ran to Kevin’s side. “Oh my god Kevin. I’m so sorry.” Abigail said as she grabbed his hand and buried her face in his neck. After a few seconds she looked into Kevin’s eyes and said, “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Kevin said with even more difficulty. Breathing was becoming more difficult and talking was almost out of the question.

“We need to get Kevin to the hospital. Would you please step out of the way?” one of the paramedics asked as they prepared to move Kevin onto a stretcher.

Abigail backed into Brian’s arms as they moved Kevin’s body. She started to cry when she saw him wince in pain. “Will you be coming with us Abigail?” one of the paramedics asked.

“Can someone else come with me?” Abigail asked.

“There is really only room for one additional person in the back of the ambulance. Someone else can ride in the front though.” A paramedic responded.

“Brian, you go with her. The rest of us will follow in the van.” Howie said.

“Then lets get a move on it.” The paramedics said as they moved Kevin towards the ambulance. As soon as Kevin was loaded into the ambulance, Abigail situated herself by his head and she simply stroked Kevin’s cheek until they got to the hospital. With much determination, Kevin willed himself to remain conscious. He concentrated on Abigail’s hand as it stroked his cheek and gently brushed through his hair.