I sat watching him for ten longs minutes. His eyelids finally fluttered slightly and he let out a low groan. My eyes snapped towards him and I exhaled.

He was still looking ahead when I spoke, 'Matt? Matt, it's me.'

'Lesh?' I watched as he tried to turn his head. He seemed to give up when he realised the pain it caused him, and he let his eyes close again for a few seconds. I wanted to see them though, his eyes were always his biggest giveaway, they never hid the truth.

'Matt, what happened?' I heard the emotion in my own voice as I practically cried the words.

He swallowed. 'Some guys, me and Ron 'rested one a while back.' His words slurred slightly.

I wanted so badly to hate the people who had done this, to be furious, but I couldn't; I didn't have the energy. I was already using every ounce of emotion I had, on Matt. Just looking at him was draining the life out of me.

'Matt, the doctors say you're gonna be okay.' He nodded and his lips curved up at the edges the tiniest bit. I sensed he hadn't forced the smiled for his own benefit. His eyelids closed a fraction and he looked exhausted, he wanted to sleep.

As I said the words I noticed him trying to force them open again. 'The doctors say you can leave tomorrow so go to sleep, I'll stay.'

'Kay.' He gave in to the fatigue and I watched him as his eyes closed again and his breaths became steady. Satisfied he was going to be okay, I slumped into the armchair, shifting it forwards slightly to be closer to Matt. I still had questions, but he was going to be okay; the rest could wait until tomorrow. I slowly and gently lifted my arm and let my hand rest on his, slipping the tips of my fingers inside his loose fist and closed my eyes. I'd barely done anything all day, but I slept dreamlessly all the same.

I groaned as I waited for my eyes to focus. The room was unfamiliar. My eyes rolled around in their sockets briefly and I realised I was in a hospital. The memory came back. I couldn't be sure how much time had passed but I remembered being attacked. It was a guy, I think his name was Robbie Poole though I couldn't be sure, and a couple of his mates. It must have been at least a couple of years since we'd arrested the guy – a drugs charge maybe.

'Matt? Matt, it's me.' I recognised the smooth voice, though today it wasn't so smooth. I hadn't seen her in my examination of the room but then I remembered the last time I'd been here. I'd come in a few months back after a football injury and they'd asked me to check my details. My ex was still down as my emergency contact and I knew it wasn't wise. Alesha had been the first person I'd thought of.

'Lesh?' I began to turn my head to look at her but my neck hurt so I let it go back to where it had been.

'Matt, what happened?' She sounded upset, surely I didn't look that bad? My eyes drifted down to my arms as if in response to the thought. They were thoroughly bruised and I didn't even remember anyone touching them. I did look bad.

'Some guys, me and Ron 'rested one a while back.' The words were a struggle to say the lease.

'Matt, the doctors say you're gonna be okay.' I'd figured as much but I forced a smile anyway, hoping to relieve some of the sadness in her voice. I was exhausted and it must have showed.

'The doctors say you can leave tomorrow so go to sleep, I'll stay.' That gave me more comfort than the previous words; Alesha would still be here when I woke up. Assured by her promise, I tried for one last response.

'Kay.' I was virtually asleep before I'd finished the word. I let my heavy eyes close and tried to ignore the pain. I fell asleep replaying the attack in my head but the drugs seemed to keep the nightmares away… I was grateful.