One Wild Night

Chapter 1002: Not Allowed



The buzz of the airplane engines faded into a distant buzz as Aaron and Jamal stepped into the busy airport.

The night air was thick with chatter, announcements echoing overhead. Aaron held Jamal's hand tightly, steering him away from the larger crowds.

Jamal's excitement bubbled over as he craned his neck to take in the unfamiliar surroundings. "Are we going straight to see Dawn?" he asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Aaron smiled faintly, squeezing his hand. "Tomorrow, buddy. Let's get to the hotel first."

As they made their way to the baggage claim, snippets of conversation reached Aaron's ears. He stiffened at the mention of a familiar name.

"Did you hear about Kimberly Moore? Tragic, isn't it?"

"They're saying her parents died too... And her daughter-what's her name? Dawn? She's in critical condition."

"Such a loss. It's all over the news."

Aaron's breath hitched. His steps faltered, and he instinctively pulled Jamal closer, shielding him from the murmured words.

He needed to stay calm- for Jamal's sake. But his mind raced, piecing together the fragments of what he'd just overheard.

He glanced at the televisions mounted above the terminal. The news broadcast showed flashing images of a mangled car and familiar faces in black-and-white.

The headline scrawled across the bottom of the screen read: "TRAGIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIVES OF PROMINENT FAMILY MEMBERS."

Aaron's chest tightened as he quickly turned Jamal away from the screen. His heart broke as he guided Jamal toward the exit.

He had thought that bringing Jamal here was a good idea, but now he wasn't so sure seeing that Kimberly was dead and Dawn also seemed to be critically injured.

Perhaps they should have let him feel sad for a couple of days or maybe a week and he would have gotten over it, instead of bringing him all the way here, Aaron mused as the cab drove them to the hotel.

After they got to the hotel and had something to eat and freshened up, Aaron tucked Jamal in bed and read him some bedtime stories until he fell asleep.

The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of Jamal's breathing as he slept. Aaron sat on the edge of the bed, his phone in his hand.

The weight of what he'd heard and seen at the airport pressed down on him, and he knew he had to inform Harry of what had happened.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He first called Harry, but when the call didn't go through, he called Candace, and she picked up on the second ring.

"Dad," she said, her voice a mix of relief and worry. "I guess you've heard, haven't you?" Aaron exhaled shakily, running a hand through his thinning hair. "Yeah. I overheard people talking at the airport. And the news... Candace, what's going on? Is it true?"

There was a pause on the other end before Candace spoke. "Yes, it's true. Even her husband released a press statement two hours ago. Kimberly and her parents didn't make it. Dawn... she's alive, but barely. She's in critical condition, Dad."

Aaron closed his eyes, his heart sinking. "I brought Jamal all this way to see her, not for this." "Did he hear the news, too?" Candace asked, and Aaron sighed.

"No. He was too excited about being here to listen to other people's conversation," Aaron said, rubbing his face with his hand.

"He's going to be so disappointed if he's unable to see her," Candace said, equally feeling bad for Jamal.

"Maybe we can find a way to visit her at the hospital. What's important is that he sees her and knows that she is alive and will get better," Aaron said thoughtfully, "Is there any news about the hospital where she was taken to?"

"Harry and Jade are on their way with Jade's parents. Harry wants you to stay put until he arrives. We will know more once they arrive," Candace said, and Aaron sighed.

"When did they leave?" Aaron asked thoughtfully.

"Past noon," Candace said, and Aaron nodded.

"It's only a fourteen hours trip by air. They should get here before dawn," he said, and Candace nodded.

"I'm sure Harry will find out when they get there, and maybe you all can go together," Candace said, and Aaron sighed.

"Alright. It's late over here. Let's talk later," he said before hanging up.

After the call Aaron stared at his phone for a long moment, the gravity of the situation sinking

in.

Turning to glance at Jamal, who was still fast asleep, Aaron felt a pang of guilt. How was he going to explain this to him?

The next morning, Aaron woke early, and after getting ready with Jamal, they left the hotel.

He had thought about it and decided that he didn't want to wait for Harry and the others. They were all there for a different purpose.

Coming with them would only make whoever was taking care of Dawn associate them with the Hanks and he didn't want that to hinder Jamal from seeing Dawn.

Also by going first, he could check the situation and also make way for Jamal to see Dawn.

After making a couple of calls, he found out that Dawn had been taken to her adoptive father's family hospital so they headed there.

Once they arrived at the hospital, Jamal, who had been buzzing with him beside him frowned, "Does Dawn live in a hospital?" He asked his grandfather as they got out of the cab.

Aaron crouched down in front of Jamal, "Dawn is ill. She got into an accident and hurt herself. We are here to see her," he explained, leaving out all the other details.

Jamal's eyes widened, "Dawn is hurt?" He asked, and Aaron nodded.

"And depending on how bad the wound is, we might not be allowed to see her. Would you rather see her now? Or do you prefer she recovers whether or not you see her?" He asked, wanting Jamal to understand that there was the possibility that they might not be able to see

ner.

Jamal thought about it for a moment, "I want her to be fine."

Aaron nodded, "So, we will go in, okay? If they say we can see her, we will. But if they say she needs to be left alone and not disturbed, we will leave and stay away until she recovers. Agreed?" He asked and although Jamal was hesitant, he gave him a nod.

"Good. Now let's go," Aaron said as he straightened and led Jamal inside.

They headed straight for the reception desk. "Hello. We are here to see. We are family friends and Jamal here is Dawn's best friend," he said, his voice calm but his expression concerned. "Dawn? There is no one by that name here," the lady said, and Aaron frowned.

"Isn't Mr Ryan Harris the hospital director? I was told she was brought here. His stepdaughter, Dawn," he said, taking out his phone to show a screen record of Dawn and Jamal having their video call.

"Her name is Genevieve. Genevieve Harris, not Dawn," the receptionist said as she looked at the video and then gave Jamal a sympathetic look, her hands pausing over the keyboard. "I'm

sorry, dear. Your friend is not here anymore."

Aaron's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? Where is she?"

"She was in critical condition when she arrived. They stabilized her as best as they could, but she needed advanced care. She's been flown abroad for surgery," the woman explained. "Abroad?" Aaron repeated, his voice rising slightly with disbelief. "Do you know where?"

"I'm sorry, I don't have that information," she said apologetically. "But I can assure you, she

is receiving the best care."

Aaron stepped back, frustration bubbling inside him. They had come all this way, and now

Dawn was out of reach.

He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he needed to stay composed for Jamal.

"We can't see her, can we?" Jamal asked when Aaron finally looked down at him. "I'm sorry, buddy, we can't. You heard her. She's hurt and has been taken somewhere far away

until she can get well," Aaron said, and Jamal nodded.

"I can see her again after she gets well, right?" He asked, and Aaron forced a smile.

Even though he knew he should probably just say no and not give Jamal false hopes, he couldn't help it. He just didn't want to disappoint his grandson.

"Yes, Buddy. You can," he promised.

Jamal nodded, but before he could say another word, something caught his eyes and he

immediately ran away from his grandfather.

Aaron turned to see Jamal approaching a cleaning lady, who was about throwing a stuffed

white and pink colored panda into a trash can.

"Lucy belongs to Dawn," Jamal said, reaching for the stuffed panda.

The cleaning lady paused and looked at the Panda, "Do you want it?" She asked with a weary

sigh.

"Jamal, what are you doing?" Aaron asked as he joined them.

"That's Lucy. Lucy got that for Dawn. She is throwing it out," Jamal explained, looking

distressed.

"I was asked to dispose it. If he wants it, he can have it," the lady said, and Aaron nodded. "We will take it. Thank you," Aaron said, taking the stuffed panda from the lady.

"Now you have something that belongs to Dawn. You can give it back when you feel better," Aaron said as he led Jamal away.

Just as they walked out of the hospital, they met the Desmond, Evelyn, Harry, and Jade.

"Dad, what are you doing here? Didn't Candace give my message to you? I've been trying to reach you all morning," Harry said, and Aaron shook his head.

"If you're here to see Dawn, you came late. The receptionist just told us she was flown abroad

for surgery," Aaron said, ignoring Harry's question.

"Abroad? Did you find out where?" Desmond asked with a frown.

"No. I'll be leaving with Jamal now since we can't see her," Aaron said, and Harry looked

down at Jamal and patted his hair.

"I'm sorry you couldn't see her," he said softly, and Jamal nodded, clutching the stuffed

panda close to himself.

"Isn't that the teddy Lucy got Dawn?" Jade asked, and Aaron nodded.

"That was what Jamal said. We got it from the cleaner who was asked to get rid of it," he

explained before walking away with Jamal.

"What manner of idiot did Kimberly get married to? He didn't even have the courtesy to inform us about the accident," Evelyn said with disapproval.

"We need to see Kimberly's husband," Jade said, displeased with this development.

As they approached the door, they were stopped by a uniformed security guard. "You can't go

in," he said, and Harry raised a brow.

"Last I checked, this is a hospital and anyone can be here," he said, and then man looked at

Harry with exaggerated patience.

"Mr. Harris gave strict instructions that they shouldn't be let in here," he said, gesturing towards Desmond, Evelyn, and Jade. "And since you're with them, I'm guessing you're not allowed, too. I suggest you all leave the premises immediately," he said, jerking his head for them to go.

"Who did he say we are? And why can't we go in?" Jade asked with a frown.

"That's not for me to answer. I'm only doing my job. You can't go in," he said, and Desmond

sighed deeply.

"Let's leave," he said, turning to walk away.

"Just like that?" Jade asked, and Harry nodded, in support of Desmond.

"Let's go. Our issue is with Ryan Harris, not him. Since Dawn isn't here, we will figure out

another way to see her and see him, too," Harry said, and with that, they left.

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