| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted January 25, 2025 | Chapters: |
...16 17 -18- 19... 
|
  |
Donatelli's life hangs in the balance
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets
Veil of Secrets - Chap 18
by Begin Again
Jenna's hands shook as she gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision. Her sobs wracked her body, each one a testament to the depth of her pain. "Please, God," she whispered, her voice trembling with desperation. "Don't take him. Please let him live."
She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her eyes as she sped down the dark, empty road. The flashing beacon from the hospital's helipad lit up the night sky ahead, a glaring reminder of what awaited her.
Her heart sank as the stoplight ahead turned red, bathing the road in an angry glow — making Jenna envision a pool of blood — Donatelli's blood.
"Come on!" she moaned, slamming her palm against the steering wheel as she stared at the light. The seconds felt like an eternity, her sobs choking into gasps as she pleaded, "Change already!"
She scanned the empty road. Not a single car in sight.
Her mind was a whirlwind, every second stretching into eternity. Finally, she made her decision. Her foot pressed on the accelerator, and she blew through the red light, tires screeching as she turned onto the hospital drive. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she muttered, her heart pounding in her ears. "But I can't wait. Matthew needs me."
She sped into the emergency room parking lot, throwing the car into park before the engine settled. Jenna leaped out, her tennis shoes pounding against the pavement as she raced toward the automatic doors. The frosty night air burned her lungs, but she didn't slow down. Not for a second.
Jenna's wild eyes scanned the waiting room as she entered the hospital. She gasped for air and steadied herself until she spotted the front desk and rushed toward it.
"Matthew Donatelli!" she demanded, slamming her hands on the counter as tears streamed down her face. "I need to see him. Please! Where is he?"
The receptionist looked up, startled, her calm demeanor doing little to soothe Jenna's panic. "Ma'am, I need you to calm down," she began, her tone measured but firm. "Are you family?"
Jenna froze, her chest heaving as the question hung in the air. "I — I'm his fiance," she stammered, her voice breaking. "Please, I need to see him! I need to know he's okay!"
The receptionist looked at her, understanding how difficult it was, but shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't release any information unless you're immediate family or have proof of marriage."
"No," Jenna whispered, her voice trembling as fresh tears filled her eyes. "No, you don't understand. I need to know if he's alive! He has a little girl — she needs him! I need him!" Her voice cracked as she pleaded, "Please, help me!"
"I'm sorry," the receptionist said again, her tone soft but resolute. "I truly am. Please have a seat; someone will update you when they can."
Jenna's knees buckled, but she caught herself against the counter, her tears falling freely now. "You have to tell me something!" she screamed, her voice echoing in the waiting room. The people waiting and some medical staff glanced her way, their faces a mix of curiosity and pity.
Jenna's breath came in short, ragged gasps as she collapsed into a plastic chair in the waiting room. Her hands trembled in her lap, the image of Donatelli still in her mind's eye. Every second felt like an hour, and the sterile hum of the hospital only heightened her panic. She wiped her tear-streaked face, trying to compose herself, but every attempt failed.
"Jenna."
The voice was calm and familiar.
Jenna turned sharply, her breath catching as she saw Danni standing a few feet away. She stared, trying to process what she was seeing. Crimson streaks of Donatelli's blood stained Danni's clothes. Her hands, though cleaned as best as they could be, still bore faint smears of red. The sight sent a fresh wave of horror crashing over Jenna.
"No," Jenna whispered, shaking her head as her vision blurred with tears. She stood abruptly, backing away. "No, no, no. This can't — he can't —" Her words dissolved into a sob, her chest heaving as hysteria gripped her.
Danni rushed to her friend's side. Her calm authority cut through Jenna's panic. "Jenna," she said firmly, clutching her hand to stop her from spiraling further. Her badge glinted under the fluorescent lights. "I'm here. I've got this. You need to breathe."
"How can you be calm right now?" Jenna cried, her voice rising. Her gaze locked onto Danni's blood-stained clothes, and her hands flew to her mouth, muffling a sob. "That's his blood. Oh God, Danni, tell me he's okay! Please tell me he's alive!"
Danni exhaled slowly. Though her face remained composed, the concern in her eyes was unmistakable. "Listen to me, Jenna. Donatelli is in surgery. He's alive, but I can't lie to you; it's bad. They're doing everything they can to save him. You have to trust the doctors."
Jenna's knees buckled, and she sank back into the chair, her hands gripping the edge as though it might anchor her to reality. "I can't lose him," she whispered hoarsely. "I can't — I won't. Maggie needs him. I need him."
Danni crouched down to her level, keeping her voice calm and measured. "And that's exactly why you need to stay strong right now. He's fighting, Jenna. You know how stubborn he is. But you need to let the doctors do their job, and I need to do mine."
Jenna's tear-filled eyes met Danni's steady gaze. "What can I do? Please, tell me what to do."
"For now, you sit tight," Danni said firmly. "Let me handle this. I'll get you answers, but you have to promise me you won't fall apart."
Jenna nodded weakly, though her entire body trembled. "Okay," she murmured. "I'll try."
Danni stood, brushing her hands down her bloodied shirt as though shaking off the tension of the moment. She turned back to Jenna, her expression softening just slightly. "He's going to need you when this is over. So stay strong, Jenna. For him."
And with that, Danni strode toward the restricted doors, her badge held high, ready to push past whatever barriers stood in her way. Behind her, Jenna buried her face in her hands, silently praying for a miracle.
Danni approached the double doors of the surgical wing, the sound of muffled chaos filtering through the small glass panes. She peered inside, her sharp eyes locking on the flurry of movement surrounding Donatelli. Her chest tightened at the sight of his pale form on the table, almost unrecognizable. The medical team moved with precision, but she could feel the tension in the room, the unspoken fear that they might lose him.
The nurse at the doors glanced her way, suspicion flickering in her eyes. Danni knew she couldn't risk being caught standing there, not when every second counted. Taking a step back, she turned down the corridor and ducked into a nearby linen closet. The faint smell of detergent and antiseptic filled the cramped space as she closed the door.
Taking a deep breath, Danni let herself fade. Her physical form shimmered briefly, then vanished completely, leaving only the faintest chill in the air. Moments later, she reappeared on the other side of the surgical room doors, now invisible and unnoticed.
Inside, the room was alive with urgency. Monitors beeped erratically, their shrill tones warning of Donatelli's worsening condition. The surgeon, his scrubs soaked with sweat and blood, barked commands as nurses rushed to comply.
"Suction! Now! We're losing visibility," the surgeon snapped. A nurse quickly handed him an instrument, her hands trembling slightly.
"He's losing blood too fast," another nurse called out, rushing forward with a fresh bag. "Pressure's dropping — he's at 80 over 40 and falling."
Danni drifted closer, her ghostly presence unnoticed as she hovered near the table. Her breath caught as she looked down at Donatelli. His face was gray, his lips tinged with blue, and his chest rose and fell in shallow, labored breaths. He looked fragile, far too delicate for someone as strong and stubborn as Matthew Donatelli.
"Come on, Matthew," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "You're tougher than this. Don't you dare give up now!"
A sudden shout drew her attention back to the team. "Heart rate's crashing!" one nurse yelled.
The heart monitor spaced its beeps farther apart, slowing until a long, shrill tone filled the room. The flatline sent a ripple of shock through the team, but they sprang into action with practiced efficiency.
"Paddles, now!" the surgeon barked, holding out his hands.
A nurse handed him the defibrillator paddles, her movements quick but shaky.
"Charging to 200," she announced while mentally whispering, "Come on, Donatelli."
The surgeon pressed the paddles to Donatelli's chest. "Clear!" he called out. Donatelli's body arched violently as the current surged through him, then fell limp again.
Danni clenched her fists, her jaw tight as she edged closer to the table. "Come on, Donatelli," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You've fought through worse. Don't make me go back out there without good news."
"Still no rhythm!" the nurse cried out, her voice cracking.
The surgeon didn't hesitate. "Charge to 300! Clear!" Another shock sent Donatelli's body jolting off the table, but the monitor remained flat. The steady, piercing tone seemed louder now, mocking their efforts.
Danni's composure cracked. She stepped closer, her voice low and urgent. "Matthew, you're not done here. Fight, damn it. Fight."
The surgeon's face was grim as he ordered another charge. "This is it. Charge to 360. Clear!"
The paddles connected once more, and Donatelli's body jerked violently. The room was silent for a moment, every eye on the heart monitor. Then, a faint blip appeared on the screen, followed by another and another. The heart monitor's rhythmic beeping returned, weak but steady.
Danni released a shaky breath, relief flooding through her, though her fists remained clenched at her sides. She wasn't ready to relax, not yet. The fight wasn't over.
"He's not out of the woods," the surgeon said, his tone grave but determined. "We need to stop the bleeding. Clamp it now."
Danni stepped back, her invisible form slipping out of the operating room and into the hallway. A mix of fear and desperate hope replaced her usual calm resolve. She wanted to stay, to make sure he pulled through, but she knew there was nothing more she could do here. Jenna needed her.
As the team worked to stabilize Donatelli, Danni whispered one final plea into the room. "Keep fighting, Matthew. We still need you."
Jenna's heart raced as she paced back and forth in the hospital waiting room, her hands trembling as she clutched her phone. Every second felt like an eternity. She had called Garth twice, but there was no answer. She'd tried Eleanor, too, but the line went straight to voicemail. The empty silence on the other end of each call only added to the suffocating pressure on her chest.
"Where are they?" she whispered, her voice shaky and filled with desperation. I can't do this alone."
The sterile hum of the waiting room seemed louder now, grating on her already frayed nerves. She ran her hands through her hair, tugging slightly as if the motion could calm her. It didn't. Her mind spiraled, images of Donatelli lying lifeless flooding her thoughts. She clenched her fists, trying to block out the terrifying possibilities, but they kept coming.
A nurse approached, her face softening as she saw Jenna's distress. "Ma'am," she whispered, holding out a small paper cup of water. You should sit down. Try to drink this. It'll help."
Jenna shook her head vehemently, stepping back. "I can't," she said, her voice trembling. "I can't sit. I can't do anything. I need to know he's okay."
The nurse hesitated but didn't push further. "If you need anything, let me know," she said softly before leaving Jenna with her spiraling thoughts again.
Jenna's legs finally gave out, and she sank into a chair, her phone clutched tightly in her hands. She whispered a prayer under her breath, her tears falling freely now. "Please, God. Don't take him. Please."
Suddenly, a faint chill brushed past her, sending a shiver down her spine. Jenna's head snapped up, her breath catching as she realized Danni was standing there.
"Danni!" Jenna shot to her feet. Seeing Danni gave her a brief spark of hope, but it quickly faltered as she saw the grave expression on Danni's face.
"He's alive, Jenna," Danni said as she struggled to sound calm and reassuring. "But barely. They're doing everything they can."
Jenna's hands flew to her chest, her breath hitching as if Danni had punched her. "Barely?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "What do you mean, barely? What's wrong?"
Danni stepped closer, her usual calm presence unshaken. "He's holding on," she breathed. "But you need to prepare yourself for the worst."
Jenna's face crumpled, tears welling in her eyes. For a moment, it seemed like she might collapse again. But then, as if some inner fire ignited, her expression shifted. The despair in her eyes hardened into determination. "No," she said firmly, her voice gaining strength. "Matthew's fought through worse before. He'll fight through this." She clenched her fists, her tears still falling, but her resolve was unshaken. "He's going to make it. I know he will."
Danni studied her for a moment, her own expression unreadable. She wanted to believe Jenna, but the sight of Donatelli on that operating table lingered. "I hope you're right," she said softly before turning away.
As she walked toward the quiet waiting room corner, her steps faltered slightly. The calm facade she maintained was cracking. Her fingers curled into her palm as she released a low, frustrated breath. Donatelli's life hung by a thread, and Jenna's faith might not be enough to tip the scales.
Closing her eyes, Danni focused inward, letting the faint hum of her ghostly energy expand outward. "Eleanor," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I need you. Donatelli needs you. Please, hear me." She had a unique connection to Eleanor, a bond transcending the boundaries of life and death, and she was counting on it now.
The chill in the air deepened slightly, and for a moment, Danni thought she felt the faintest ripple in the fabric of her ghostly existence, a whisper of acknowledgment. She opened her eyes, her jaw tightening.
"Come on, Eleanor," she muttered under her breath. "Don't leave me hanging."
 Recognized |
Summary:
Eleanor discovers Miriam is missing and trapped in a mirror by Cornelius Webb, whose schemes threaten the Vineyard. Rebecca meets Grayson Webb, a manipulative descendant of Cornelius, while a missing boy tied to the Vineyard raises the stakes. Althea Cascio, connected to both the Vineyard and the Mob, fears for her son as Grayson abducts her under Cornelius's orders. Antonio, Miriam's first love, returns to help and reveals the Vineyard's dark history to Rebecca. Eleanor and her allies work to protect the Vineyard as Grayson's alliance with Zhang collapses, leading to betrayal, violence, and a confrontation between Grayson, Doyle, and Cornelius. Donatelli is wounded during Doyle's escape, leaving the group fractured as the danger grows.
Donatelli is critically wounded by Doyle during a confrontation. Danni, Eleanor, and DeLuca rally to save him, but chaos ensues as Rebecca goes missing. Eleanor tracks Doyle, confronting him after his car crashes. Her fury burns hot, but she ultimately spares him, only for fate to seal his end in the wreckage's flames. Overwhelmed by the night's tragedies, Eleanor is grounded by Charles's comforting presence, renewing her resolve to protect those she loves.
Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Tony "The Hawk" - Salvatore "Sal" and Vito Greco -- the New York mob
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Eleanor discovers Miriam is missing and trapped in a mirror by Cornelius Webb, whose schemes threaten the Vineyard. Rebecca meets Grayson Webb, a manipulative descendant of Cornelius, while a missing boy tied to the Vineyard raises the stakes. Althea Cascio, connected to both the Vineyard and the Mob, fears for her son as Grayson abducts her under Cornelius's orders. Antonio, Miriam's first love, returns to help and reveals the Vineyard's dark history to Rebecca. Eleanor and her allies work to protect the Vineyard as Grayson's alliance with Zhang collapses, leading to betrayal, violence, and a confrontation between Grayson, Doyle, and Cornelius. Donatelli is wounded during Doyle's escape, leaving the group fractured as the danger grows.
Donatelli is critically wounded by Doyle during a confrontation. Danni, Eleanor, and DeLuca rally to save him, but chaos ensues as Rebecca goes missing. Eleanor tracks Doyle, confronting him after his car crashes. Her fury burns hot, but she ultimately spares him, only for fate to seal his end in the wreckage's flames. Overwhelmed by the night's tragedies, Eleanor is grounded by Charles's comforting presence, renewing her resolve to protect those she loves.
Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Phil Henderson - Bayside family lawyer
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Tony "The Hawk" - Salvatore "Sal" and Vito Greco -- the New York mob
You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.
© Copyright 2025. Begin Again All rights reserved.
Begin Again has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
