"Damn them, damn them, this is not happening," Chris muttered, rubbing his eyes and trying to think things through. What had happened when they left the stadium? The crew and everyone were still there, so hopefully they'd sorted something out, but what? What had actually happened to Matt? They'd been playing shows for years and never once had he gotten close to falling off, even when he was making crazy moves across the stage. It just didn't happen. How were they going to sort this out? He was so worried for his friend's safety, and, of course, their careers. They couldn't just cancel everything. This was, funnily enough, how they made their living. It was a job. What about the fans? They'd promised gigs and now they were taking them away. They'd booked places in festivals and stadiums all over the earth and now they would have to cancel them. There was no way this would only be a minor disruption.
Think rationally, he commanded himself. He would sort something out. Maybe he could call Tom? That seemed suitable enough. Tom would...sort something out. And Tom would come here and maybe he could-
His thoughts were interrupted by a howl from Dom. Chris and Sarah both looked over, shocked. Sarah had tears leaking from her eyes as she watched and swallowed audibly. How could she possibly help him? Sure, they'd both just experienced the same thing and Sarah was deeply affected, but she couldn't even imagine what Dom and Chris were going through right now. They'd been like brothers for years and years, and now this could just destroy everything.
Dom choked on his breath and tried to stop sobbing. He felt stupid crying in front of everyone. He was a 34 year old man, yet he couldn't help himself. It was insane what had just happened. It was going to blow up his mind. He placed his hands over his face and gulped, trying to hold in his emotions. He'd always been pretty sensitive, but this was completely over the top. He didn't think he'd ever been so worried.
What if he dies?
The thought flitted across his mind and he had to bite his fist to stop himself crying out again. He couldn't even bear to imagine a life without Matt. Was such a thing possible? No. No, he didn't think so. He started shaking his head, and soon he was shaking all over, his fingers trembling and falling away from his face. He felt a hand on his shoulders and his sobbing paused as he looked up at Chris in shock. Chris pulled his hand back self-consciously and folded his arms. A second later he unfolded them and stalked off down the corridor.
Sarah sat down quietly beside Dom and wiped her eyes with her jumper sleeve. Where did Chris go? She was too afraid to ask anything. She'd realised that it had been a bit of a silly idea coming here now. What could she do? What relation did she have to them at all? Sure, she was a witness, but so was the entire crowd. She felt stupid and intrusive and her emotions were running wild. What was going on?
Chris knocked on the door of an office down the corridor. A nurse in scrubs opened it up and looked up at him.
"How can I help you?" she asked.
"Uhh, I was wondering if you could tell what the hell is going on?" he demanded.
"Pardon?"
"With Matthew Bellamy. The emergency that was just brought through. We've just been left out here and haven't been told anything. It's ridiculous!"
"Well, what did you expect us to tell you?"
"What you're going to do! He's been taken in there and anything could be happening to him! What's wrong with him? Do you need witnesses? Emergency contacts? Someone to tell you his background so he won't go into ana-whatsit-called shock or something? Is he even alive? Because I'm his best mate and I don't know." He stared down at her with sad eyes and she nodded.
"Sir, I will try my best to help you. Let me just go and get my colleague."
"Thank you." He leant back against the wall and waited for the man to come out. He shook hands with Chris and then gestured to a set of seats by the door. He sat down opposite him.
"Christopher Wolstenholme, yes?" the man assumed. Chris nodded. "Hi, I'm Doctor Wright. From what I've been told, Matthew has suffered a serious head injury. Can you tell me what exactly happened?"
"We...we were on the stage. Just playing, y'know, like normal. And Matt just...I don't know what happened. He just stopped all of a sudden and then fell head first off the stage! God, it was horrible! I don't understand...I just...I really don't know. And then, I guess you know it from there." Doctor Wright nodded.
"Well, right now the doctors are beginning the emergency procedure. From the reports I've received his heart is still beating healthily but is breathing is slightly disjointed." Chris nodded, relieved. "After the operation, there is a risk of memory loss, which may be a problem."
"Memory loss." Doctor Wright nodded. Chris put his head in his hands. That was definitely going to be a disaster. He couldn't afford to lose his memory! Everything he knew, everything he'd ever experienced!
"It's only a possibility, but it's very likely. I'm just telling you in case he doesn't...recognise you when he awakes. Now, I'm going to need some permission and emergency details." He reached into a drawer beside him and pulled out some files before sliding them across to Chris and pointing out where he needed to sign. Chris filled in the emergency contacts and, just as he was signing the last section of the sheet, there was a rapid knock on the door. One of the nurses got up and opened to reveal a very flustered Kate Hudson. She flew down beside Chris and he noticed her tear-streaked face.
"Where's Matthew?" she cried. "What happened?" Doctor Wright sighed. He explained it all over again.
