It had all started with an accident in a bar. A band was playing, cables and amps scattered everywhere. Electrical faults, alcohol and drunken people certainly didn't mix however. No one was expecting there to be massive bright sparks of electrical fires. As the fire spread, many people ran out in a mass panic, not caring for anything but their well-being. Unfortunately, because of this panic, Mathias was carelessly knocked to the ground. Already dazed by the light and the several drinks he had had that night, he found it harder to get back up, leading to his head being hit several times by the feet of escaping customers. He laid there, barely conscious, in amidst the blazing bar.
News of the fire spread quickly, reaching Lukas and the other Nordics soon. Knowing Mathias must be in danger, Lukas and Berwald made their way there as fast as possible. Floods of people stopped them from getting in for a while. Berwald kept asking everyone about Mathias, describing him as a tall, muscular man with blonde, wild hair and a red dress shirt and black tie. No one had seen him. Fed up with all the waiting, Lukas decided to take things into his own hands and charged inside the burning building, ignoring the warnings from various people.
Inside was clouded with smoke. It was hard to see. It was hard to breathe. Covering his eyes as best he could, Lukas continued. "Mathias? Mathias, if you can hear me, make some noise." He called out, hoping it would help him navigate his way through. After a few moments of dreaded silence, there was a shout, almost a wail for help followed by coughing.
Mathias was trying to crawl his way out with what little strength he had left. "Lukas! Help! Please!-" He violently coughed. His head hurt and was bleeding, his throat was raspy and burned and everything for him was so dark and blurred. Footsteps could barely be heard by him. Holding his shoulder, someone said, "Mathias, you had us worried. Come on, we need you out of here!"
Lukas helped a weak Mathias to his feet. "Close your eyes, it's smoky, as you can see." They began walking, or in Mathias' case, staggering, to the door. It was a pain for both of them but they managed to make it out, Berwald and an ambulance waiting on the other side. As soon as they made it out, Mathias dropped to the floor, coughing again. Lukas crouched next to him, his eyes watering and burning from the smoke. "Mathias. Mathias, sit up. We're out, there's no more smoke. You can open your eyes." Mathias opened his eyes.
And saw darkness.
Lukas and Emil visited the hospital with a bouquet of daisies, red clovers and forget-me-nots for Mathias. It had only been yesterday night that he had been caught up in a terrible fire at a bar. His head had been bleeding and he was hardly able to walk straight without almost toppling over. Both brothers kept their composure but they were worried sick on the inside, internally screaming with the fear that something awful might've happened.
They were directed to Mathias' ward and were met with a small, private room when they arrived. The white walls and grey, linoleum floor were almost sparkling. Next to an open window on the far side of the room was Mathias, sitting up in the clean, white hospital bed. A cup of freshly made coffee and empty vase was perched on a pastel blue bedside table. Emil filled the vase with their bouquet while Lukas sat on the edge of the bed and took Mathias' hands into his own. In response, Mathias turned his head sharply, staring blankly at Lukas. "Hello?" He asked.
"Hello Mathias." Lukas responded. "You had us all worried. Tino was on the verge of tears. You shouldn't drink so much; maybe you would've gotten out in time." He sighed "Anyway, Emil and I have brought you some flowers, your favourites."
"Thank you. I bet they're lovely."
"They are. Take a look if you can be bothered." Said Emil, annoyed that he didn't admire their gift.
Mathias fell deathly silent, frowning almost. "Uh, about that..." He went quiet, as if trying to think of how to say something. Just then, the door opened, a nurse walking inside. Lukas and Emil turned to look at her, Mathias still staring blankly at the back of Lukas' head. "I see you have company Mr. Køhler. Friends?" Mathias nodded. "Well, I'm sure they're just as upset as you are about this."
Lukas raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Emil had a confused expression as well.
"He hasn't told you?" The nurse looked Lukas dead in the eye. "While in the bar, he suffered trauma to the head. This has damaged both occipital lobes, meaning he's... well..."
"Blind..." muttered Emil. Lukas' and Emil's hearts skipped a beat. They looked at each other simultaneously, both with panic in their eyes. The nurse continued. "He will also suffer long-term headaches, dizziness and poor balances. These could last from somewhere between a few days or forever. I'm sorry. I'll leave you three be." She left quietly.
Silence drowned them all for a long time. Eventually, Lukas broke it by asking, "Why?"
"Why, what?"
"Why didn't you tell us when I pulled you out of there?"
