6. Medical Clearance

...Hunter POV...

I was restless. Every moment that ticked by grew increasingly worse. The only thing keeping me calm was the constant beeping of the heart monitor. I look down at Sienna's lifeless body wrapped in more bandages than I've ever seen on one person. My heart shatters, knowing I'm to blame for many of the injuries she sustained, including the ones caused by Silvio and Kevin. If I hadn't brought her into my life, none of this would've happened. She would be safe and at home, living her life as she should. Not here in a medical centre injured and on the brink of death.

The doctors are optimistic that she should make a full recovery. Her last words to me echo through my mind. As much as I don't want to leave her, I know it's for the best. I need to go to Tomás. If what she's saying is true, then Tomás may be in more danger. Silvio's plan didn't go as he had hoped. It's only a matter of time until he realizes that and comes after Sienna or Tomás. 

Now that Sienna is back with her family, she should be more than safe. The FBI has been stationed outside of her room. They have the entire floor under surveillance, so no one comes or goes without their knowledge. I couldn't think of a better place for her. At least if I leave now, I know she'll be safe. 

I reach out and carefully brush some hair away from her face. I stroke her cheek, knowing how much she likes it when I do that. I lean down and place a gentle kiss on her forehead. 

"A veces es mejor terminar algo y tratar de comenzar algo nuevo que encarcelarte esperando lo imposible."  Sometimes it's better to end something and try to start something new than imprison yourself in hoping for the impossible. -Karen Salmansohn

I say as I stroke her hair. I lean down once more and place a kiss on her temple and on her lips. A stray tear escaped knowing what I needed to do. I can't stay here. I can't keep her in my life. My life is too dangerous for a princess. She deserves someone that will give her the world. Not to end it for her. Which is what I've almost done on multiple occasions. She deserves someone that will keep her safe, not put her in harm's way. She's a princess that deserves her prince charming, not a reaper. 

I lean my forehead against hers as tears begin to break through, dropping onto her porcelain skin. She will always be the love of my life.  No one will ever be able to take her place. But if I leave now, perhaps someone can fill mine. 

I lean in close so my lips are next to hers. Savouring the last moment we'll ever share together. I kiss her lips once more before taking a step back. If I don't leave now, I'll never be able to. I can't do that to her. I want to protect her. The only way I know how is by setting her free. I've only shown she's not safe with me. I just hope she'll learn to forget me.

With a heavy heart, I turn from the room, knowing I'll never see her again.

After leaving the hospital, I make my way to my airplane. I arranged to have my plane sent over so that I could make quick work of heading back to Colombia. I arranged for a private med-vac team to be on standby for my return. I climbed on board, and within seconds, we had lifted off on our way to the hospital.

I had a few of my trusted men meet us, and together we escorted the med-vac team to Tomás' room. I ensured that the crew Silvio had set up protecting Tomás were none the wiser of our arrival. If they knew I was coming, they wouldn't hesitate to pull the plug on Tomás or try to kill me. 

Though the moment we made it onto Tomás' floor, chaos ensued. Gunshots came flying in our direction. I ducked down and grabbed my gun, ready to take these f*ckers down. I follow the trail of the bullets, deducing where they were originating without having to peer around a corner. I carefully twist my gun around the corner and take several calculated shots. I hear several men gasp as they fall to the ground. Bodies dropping in all directions. The sound of bullets firing quiets down.

I signal to one of my men to leave their spot to look for more enemy fire. At the same time, I make my way toward Tomás room. I notice one of the doctors hovering over him. Without even wasting a moment, I fire a shot at the doctor, aiming the bullet in the side of his neck. The doctor drops whatever he's holding and raises his hand to his neck as blood gushes from the wound. He turns in the direction of the bullet to see me aiming the gun at him. His eyes open in surprise as he falls to his knees. Holding his other hand up as a sign of surrender.

My vision turns red, the monster in me begging to be let loose. With no reason to hold back, I aim another shot at the doctor, whose skin has paled upon seeing me. I shoot his leg, making him fall further. 

"¡Por favor, señor! ¡Te prometo que soy inocente!" Please, sir! I promise I'm innocent! The man shouts, practically whimpering in front of me.

"Menos mal que no me importa." Too bad I don't care. I state with malice as I point my gun at him once more. I shoot him in the arm, making him drop the hand that was covering his wound along his neck.

"Me obligaron a hacerlo. ¡Amenazaron a mi familia!" They forced me to do it. They threatened my family! The doctor shouts in desperation in hopes that he'll appeal to my emotions. Though little does he realize that I no longer have any. I don't have remorse; only a person with a conscious ever could. A man like the Reaper could never have a conscious. I need to kill to keep people in their place. This is what happens when I lose sight of things. I invested so much time with Sienna that I overlooked what was important to me. Tomás nearly paid with his life, as well as Sienna. 

"No me importa tu razonamiento. Me llaman el segador porque soy el que dicta los juicios. Desafortunadamente para ti, tu futuro se ve sombrío." I don't care about your reasoning. I'm called the Reaper because I am the one that passes out judgments. Unfortunately for you, your future looks Grimm. I say as I aim another shot at him. 

The bullet hits him in the abdomen, making me smile. Blood continues to pour from holes all along his body. I shoot him several more times, ensuring I don't hit any significant organs. I want to enjoy this. Knowing he's at my mercy. Too bad for him; I don't intend to show him any. The Reaper is back, and he's about to make an example out of those that choose to cross him.

I've never tolerated traitors in the past. I will make sure to show all those what happens if they cross me.

I signal to one of my men to fetch the rest of the medical team. After a few moments, they enter, whimpering and begging for their pathetic lives. I look them over, searching for someone in particular. My eyes land on one of the female nurses. She's blonde and shaking in her boots. She looks to be no older than 25. Fear crosses her eyes as she knows she's about to die. Just not yet.

I point my gun at the girl and signal to her to come closer to me. She doesn't at first. However, Sanchez is standing behind her and shoves her in my direction, causing her to fall at my feet. I bend down and grab her by her collar. 

"¿Sabes lo que le hicieron?" Do you know what they did to him? I ask her, nodding toward Tomás. 

The girl is a sobbing mess. I stand her up and ask her once more, with more conviction.

"¡¿Sabes lo que le hicieron?!" Do you know what they did to him?! I shout. She doesn't respond, fear controlling her movements. So I decided to take things up a notch.

"¡¿Sabes lo que le hicieron?!" Do you know what they did to him?! I shout at her, shooting a bullet, aiming slightly behind her. I can tell she knows but is too afraid to speak. I'll make sure to change that. I don't have much time. I need her to focus.

"Eso fue solo una advertencia. ¡No me hagas preguntar de nuevo! De lo contrario, esa bala estará en tu cráneo." That was just a warning. Don't make me ask again! Otherwise that bullet will be in your skull. I shout at her, aiming my gun at her head.

The woman sobs and begins nodding her head frantically.

"S-sí... Sé lo que hicieron." Y-yes... I know what they did. She sobs, raising her hands above her head as tears continue to fall down her face.

"¡Arreglalo! Si él muere, ¡también tú y todos tus seres queridos!" Fix it! If he dies, then so do you, and all of your loved ones! I scream at her.

The nurse frantically nods her head in understanding and shifts to Tomás' bedside. She nervously walks over to a medical cart and searches through it. Her hands tremble as she goes. She takes longer than I like, so I begin to open fire on the nurses standing at the back of the room. She screams in panic and collapses to her knees. 

"Quizás no me aclaré. Arréglalo, o todos en este hospital morirán. ¡Tienes treinta segundos!" Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. Fix him, or everyone in this hospital will die. You have thirty seconds!

She sobs once more and wipes at her tears furiously to clear her vision. After several seconds she finds whatever she was looking for and stands to her feet. I see a syringe in her hand with a vial of an unknown liquid. For whatever reason, I have a bad feeling about her actions. I can't help but think that she's trying to trick me. Before the nurse takes a step further, I shoot her several times in her back, smiling as her body drops to the ground. The remaining nurses gasp in horror, making me laugh.

"Intentemos esto de nuevo. Quiero a Tomás despierto. Continuaré matando a todos en esta sala hasta que alguien lo haga. Entonces, ¿quién será mi próximo objetivo?" Let's try this again. I want Tomás awake. I will continue to kill everyone in this room until someone does so. So who will be my next target? I ask, waving my gun in front of them.