Fire in the Firehouse 20

The time in the chapel seemed to stand still. Mitch wanted the power to stop time, if it was a real power. He needed more time to make things come together. His mind told him to stay in the chapel, closer to God. Closer to where he might come to a conclusion. But his heart told him his loyalty lay with his wife. But he felt strongly he couldn't step foot in there right now. She'd easily sense there was something wrong. And the babies would feel tension their first few moments into the world.

Mitch gathered himself up as best he could and began to troll around again. He'd stop every so often and glare out a window, feeling the warming sun on his face. He'd look down at people going about their lives. He envied them. They seemed so happy and content, here he was lost, miserable and hiding a deep secret. His world now was closing in on him. He felt almost claustrophobic. Like the air he breathed was being taken away from him.

He gazed around him, he was in control of his senses, but was in a dream state. Once confident he was alone he spoke softly through soft tears. "Where is this all going? How'd I get myself into all this? Why didn't I realize all this before settling down? big question is where I go next with of this?" Mitch sat back in the chair he'd seated himself in. He breathed in the cool air around him while taking a deep breath, which was labored and cut off by heavy sighs. It seemed to take away some of the inner pressure he was feeling, but found it right there waiting for him as he regained his normal breathing.

What made matters worse, he had borrowed time and he needed to make an appearance in the delivery room before Trish jumped to conclusions. Assuming that was her nature. He couldn't recall. It was things like this that made it all make less sense. Why were there so many missing links? How was it he knew more about this alleged fantasy reality than his own?

As Mitch gathered himself and began heading back to his wife, it hit him. Where the hell was his family? How and why would they not be here on this special day? Especially with his Mother's personality as it was. This made no sense. He began running up and down the hallways, answers escaped him. Maybe if he ran fast enough he could catch up. That just sounded silly-didn't it?

An older nurse was quick to spy this activity on a security camera. There'd be none of this bullshit on her shift she thought. She was an angry, miserable, overweight woman that no man really wanted. And it was her mission in life until she died to make the lives of others as miserable as her life was. She grabbed the phone in a haste and called security. She was going to stop this lunatic no matter the cost.

Meanwhile a page echoed the halls of the hospital. Trish was having complications and needed to be rushed into surgery. The page sounded urgent, but no details given. Doubt was beginning to mount the mother-to-be wasn't going to pull through. Mitch didn't need to be told this. His powers served him well. This only added to his confusion. He'd heard the page for security as "Nurse Ratchet" had failed to switch over to the privacy setting. Mitch's world was closing in around him. He searched frantically for an escape. Escape from the impending encounter with security, and God knows what else. The young man was losing his bid for freedom, his escape from this nightmare. 

Finally the handsome young man found a set of stairs that lead to the roof. He grabbed the door, and emergency exit, immediately setting off an alarm. This was certain to alert the entire staff. Soon orderlies, nurses, and others were in pursuit. Anyone that had a moment to spare were in pursuit of this man. The more time that passed, the more of a threat he seemed to others. The last thing he heard over the PA was another call for more doctors. Trish was going to die, he was certain. 

Mitch reached the roof, looked over, and contemplated his demise. "This ends today! No more running. No more loss, no more hurt, anger, pain." The world seemed to flow in slow motion. He noticed so many things in these final moments. Birds flying about, people rushing home to loved ones. The only thing that made sense, somewhat, he was still in San Francisco. He watched people caught up in traffic, no doubts cursing they hated being in this jam. He saw two little boys, giving him a glimpse of what life would be like for his twins. For one fleeting second he contemplated running more, maybe getting away. Maybe he could find a way to redeem himself, for his sons. His heart was breaking. He felt his energy drain. His soul was wracked nothingness. His palms were drenched, his heart pounded in his ears. The fear and adrenaline consumed him. What a way to die. 

A loud creak over his shoulder confirmed his suspicions, his pursuers had caught up. They saw the sight before them. One young lady screamed, having seen her last boyfriend kill himself this way. She fell to her knees screaming, pleading with Mitch not to do this. They could help him. He had a set of twins that needed him. Especially in light of the fact their Mom wasn't going to make it. Mitch paused, his own feelings falling by the wayside. He hesitated, mind flooding over with emotions and guilt. How could he do this? To himself and the ones he loved and loved him. 

"Nurse Ratchet" kicked open the door, "You fools, capture that sonofabitch! The security officers and two off duty cops shot her a crazed look. She ignored them and thrust her obese body forward. She was determined to get the job done. Mitch was almost convinced to listen to reason until he saw her coming. He looked over his shoulder, saw the crying girl and made eye contact.

"You, the girl, I give you custody of my twins." The girl was taken aback by this. She wished she had time to talk all of this over with Mitch, maybe help save this young man, more so because his wife wasn't going to pull through.

Mitch took one more look at the sites around him. These would be the last things he'd ever see. Life as he knew was over, sad it had all come down to this. A man that had so much potential was finding his life's flame about to be extinguished forever. He'd often heard of people being in life and death situations having their lives flash before them and that's exactly what Mitch saw. He saw things from as far back as he can remember. So many things were spinning through his mind, at the same time he was aware of his own feelings in this very moment. It all seemed so surreal, so unnatural. 

Then he saw Colby. As real as the day was long standing in front of him. Actually, more like levitating. He stopped, his body shaking out of control. "Mitchell, give in. Come back to me. C'mon baby. I'm here for you. Just hear me baby." None of this made sense. Apparently no one else could see Colby. Was Colby a witch, too? How else could he levitate? This did little to make things any better.

Some of those watching knew what was coming as Mitch's body language was giving away his intentions. They stood back helpless watching this young man about to throw his life away. He was now more determined than ever to be with Colby no matter what that meant.

But, the more the people charged the young man, the more he felt cornered. He didn't intend for it to all go this way. He was just having a hard time coping with the fact that the life he'd known was somehow gone. All that mattered now was getting back to Colby. He'd seen him even if the others hadn't.

"Nurse Ratchet" yelled again. "Stop him you fuckin' idiots. I want this asshole to be committed. He ain't takin' no pussy way out!" Those after him were in pursuit faster than before. Mitch heard this and without another thought, over he went. The ground coming closer and closer, faster and faster. The end would be painful, but quick. Not even Mitch's powers could save him now. He had no active powers that could stop his descent. 

With a deafening splat, and a stomach-turning thud he met the ground below. He felt no pain. How was it he wasn't dead? He got up and walked away. Impossible, right? He looked around for Colby. Gone. But yet he felt his presence. His mind was numb by this point. He'd just fallen at least 100 feet or more and had gotten up without a scratch. Things made less sense than before. He looked up and stared into the faces of those that had been after him. They looked on stunned to see him run off. 

Mitch shot down a dark alleyway. He slightly chuckled, "Ha, witches and dark alleys. Where am I? On the set of Charmed?" He laughed. It felt so good to laugh. In fact, it felt so good he actually laughed that much harder. His body felt as though it were being healed. The sense of laughter filled his darkened soul and it felt like the best medicine he could imagine.

He looked for a way out of all this. His mind seemed more focused. He kept hearing Colby speak. He kept replaying what he saw before falling. He had to find him. Somehow he'd been given another chance. He was running as fast as he could. His breaths were labored, he was soaked head to toe in perspiration. But he knew Colby had come back to him and he had to find him.

Hours passed, blending into one. Mitch was starting to lose it again. Nothing made sense. Finally he saw a place he recognized, his home. How he knew it to be only made matters more confusing. He took out his key and entered the home. He was quick to head into the basement. He'd kept a hidden room from Trish. She'd never accept his witchcraft. She was too skeptical of too many things. He opened the secret passageway and sat down. He reached over from his spot on the hard floor and lighted a few candles and began chanting.

"Spirits long gone now come to me. Come to me in my desperate hour. I want you, I seek you, I need your power." With that he was taken to a place he'd hoped to be. He stared on and saw all he'd lost. Colby, Cory, Nick and even saw images of dead Marie. His life he'd known was back, albeit like a movie. He tried to talk to them but nothing happened. He heard an unfamiliar voice. 

"Mitch, Mitchell. You need to forget this. This was not real. Your reality is what you see now. You can't have this. It was never meant to be. You were caught up in an alternate universe. A spell went wrong and you got caught up in it. You need to realize you're not meant for this life. You need to get it together and be with your family." These words could be no more harsh. He was stunned, his breath kicked from his chest cavity. 

The spirit disappeared. He sat there trembling, soaked in tears and sweat again. His skin itched from being so dirty. He needed a shower but it didn't matter to him now. He was more lost than ever. His mind felt over loaded. 

Mitch sat in the same spot for hours seeing everything over and over. He finally recalled his gun up stairs This time he was going to end it all. There's be no more time spent in Wonderland. He'd come to the conclusion to himself he was like Alice, trapped in some alternate reality. Was it a spell? A bad dream? What? No matter. THIS would be it. No more guessing, wondering, wandering. He bolted upstairs, ran to his dresser drawer and pulled out the gun. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw what kind of a wreck he'd become. His clothes torn, dirty as well as all of his appearance, just a mess. This was not who he was. He picked up the gun, looked down the barrel and it was over. Just like that. No more Trish, kids, and most importantly, no more Colby. 

***To be continued*** To all my fans: I deeply apologize it has taken so long for part 20. Moved in back in September and its been one thing after another. I worked on part 20 for over a month. Its been a bit rigorous adjusting to a new schedule. Plus I've been getting out more and having some "fun." Nothing big, but it has given me better insight for the story. Its not over yet. Its coming down to the wire now and soon Mitch and Colby will find an end. Or have they already? I promise to tie things up and bring it all together. And I hope to get part 21 to you ASAP. Thanks for hanging in there everyone!