Chapter seven: Recovery progress.
When I arrived at the hospital Gavin looked thoughtful and jumped when I walked in.
"Are you okay?" I ask him.
"Sorry." Gavin's eyes flicker down. "I had a horrible dream that Michael's father burst through those doors carrying that bloody knife. He was bloody too. He finished Michael off… I couldn't do anything." He closes his eyes tightly and bites his bottom lip obviously wanting Michael to live through this.
I go over and place a hand on his shoulder and he looks to me. "It's okay." I say. "Michael's still here and his father is off to prison."
Gavin nods and wipes his eyes with a sniffle. "Yeah. Okay." He confirms making me smile softly.
Over the next week things progressed rather nicely even if the nightmares continued for me but they toned down over the days...
The first night I dreamt that we arrived and I fought off his father…. Only for Michael to end up dying in Gavin's arms as we tried to save him.
On the second day of the week Michael was starting to wake up a little more. This made Gavin really happy and he spoke to Michael every time that he awoke as Michael stayed quiet mostly listening though communicating mostly using looks. Gavin never minded at all because he didn't want Michael to strain himself and obviously never got upset in the least bit or even angry when Michael would fall unconscious again even if he was in the middle of saying something. He like me was always just happy with the fact that Michael had at least awoken even when it didn't last long.
That night I had a dream where Michael's father stole my cell phone found out where the two were going then killed me leaving me with knowing that he was going to kill them as well.
On the fourth day of the week Michael was able to hold a small conversation. So Gavin and Michael would talk about things going with whatever topic came up as I walked in on a few conversations and when I came in he would sometimes join in on the conversations. We had a few good laughs over a few topics.
That night it was a dream where a police officer came to our hotel room explaining that Michael and his mother died and that they came here as Michael was about to send a text to Gavin before dying.
On the fifth day of the week Michael was allowed to be wheeled around in a wheelchair though only for a little bit. So I and mainly Gavin went around with him taking turns pushing the wheel chair and holding a few small conversations with Michael as we went around the hospital like on an exploration.
The night it was a dream where we arrived and the house was surround by cops with yellow tape to block it off. The officers told us there was a double murder that went on in there and so me and Gavin through our grief explained what we knew.
On the sixth day… Well… It was a big day for us because the sixth day was the day that the police came to the hospital to talk to Michael.
One officer was the one that Gavin knew that he had talked to.
"Greetings." The officer that didn't talk to Gavin says. "Is it ok if we talk to you about what happened?" He asks Michael.
Michael stiffens but nods anyways.
"Ok. Why don't you two get some fresh air." The officer suggests turning to Gavin and I.
Gavin and I start to leave though Gavin moves hesitantly.
"Wait!"
We all turn back to Michael.
"They... They can stay." Michael tells them. "If they want to that is."
The female officer looks sympathetic and nods. "Alright. If they want to then they can stay."
Gavin rushes to Michael's side to be there with him.
I decide to stay around because I want to hear it. I know that I won't like what I'll hear but I want... No... I need to hear it. I kind of watch Gavin and Michael as we wait for it to begin.
Both of us believe that there is no way that they could become even angrier at Michaels father than we already are so it should be ok to listen.
Michael takes a deep breath glancing down. "Where do I even start?" He asks a little quietly.
"Tell us as much as you can." The female officer says as the male officer is ready to write notes.
Michael nods and links hands with Gavin before he begins. He talks about events from before Rooster teeth then after he's said what he thinks should be enough he moves on to when he came here for a visit… The same visit that ended with him being in the hospital…
With every event described Gavin and I feel more and more angry at Michaels father surprising us because we obviously didn't think it was possible.
Gavin stayed right beside Michael the entire time and would silently assure and comfort Michael as he continues with the story.
When it was over with Michael explaining how he had ran then got attacked in which things became a blur as well as what he experienced when unconscious before waking up for the first time after Gavin and I saved him, Michael was just barely managing to hold back tears as he told the story.
Though through the story he had let a few slip by without noticing.
"Thank you." The female officer says and Gavin pulls Michael close. "This information and the other charges will sentence him to life." She informs Michael.
Michael nods then buries his face into Gavin's chest by his shoulder slightly clutching a part of Gavin's pant leg that is closest to him with one hand.
The officers and I leave as Michael cries to Gavin. We are going to let Gavin do his thing to comfort the other.
"Thank you. For helping to make sure that the son of a bitch is put away for good." I say turning to the officers.
"I'm glad we could help." The female officer nods then the two head off.
I decide to go get all three of us some food and I walk in that direction since I still want to give Gavin and Michael some space at the moment. I later lay in my bed in the hotel wondering what nightmare awaited me this time. I close my eyes and I find myself in the Achievement hunter office. I raise my head from my arms crossed on my desk. I feel like I should be remembering something. I turn and see Gavin but somehow this doesn't feel right.
Suddenly Gus shows an officer in and we turn to him.
"Are you friends of Michael Jones?" The officer asks.
I stand up my arms falling to my sides. "Yes. What happened? Is he okay?"
The officer removes his hat and looks at us trying to seem as professional as possible. "I'm sorry but there was a murder… I'm afraid your friend and his mother were dead when the police arrived."
The room falls into shocked dead silence.
"H-how? Wh-who would do such a thing?" I demand my voice cracking because I want to cry.
"We believe it to be his father." The officer informs us. "He was nowhere to be found but there is more proof than that." He explains. "We found clear signs of abuse in that home."
There are gasps of shock and horror.
"So you were unaware of any abuse?" The officer asks.
"Well before Michael left he did seem really down to the point that it scared us. He didn't tell us what was wrong no matter what we tried." I explain to him. "It was such a big and sudden drop that it terrified us… Then…. He had gone on his visit."
"I see." The officer nods. "Well I do believe that his actions before leaving do support the evidence of abuse. I am sorry you had to find out this way."
I can't hold it in anymore and I break down crying… I have never been so happy to awaken in my hotel bed.
On the seventh day of the week the nurse did an examination before confirming that Michael could leave the hospital probably tomorrow.
That night it was just a dream where Michael ended up dying with me and Gavin in the hospital room with him. Michael suddenly flat lined and Gavin screamed as we realized what was happening. I had gotten a nurse but she told us there was nothing that they could do and that Michael was gone. Gavin's screams of loss mixed with the sound of Michael flat lining followed me inside of my head as I went to visit the two of them.
Now it's the first day of the week after that.
Me and Gavin have backed off and watch as Michael is checked over as a final check to ensure he really can be let out of the hospital.
Michael has done so well to recover especially when Gavin was at his side which was almost all the time.
It worked though especially since Gavin didn't want to leave Michaels side much anyways.
The doctor pulls away putting his stethoscope down around his shoulders as he had them before when he walked in. "Well everything looks fine." He says. "Though I will suggest weekly bandage changes until the worst wounds close up a bit more." He explains. "Also don't do much physical activity for a bit. It'll help you heal a lot better if you rest."
"When would he be able to fly?" I ask figuring that Michael would get bad memories of we stayed in this city too long.
It might remind him of the pain he's gone through.
"I wouldn't suggest flying until about a day or two. Though check with a doctor before you go to your flight."
"Alright." I nod in understanding.
"I'll get the papers." The doctor heads off out of the room to do so.
"Yay. You're going to be released!" Gavin chirps happily.
"It's nice to be able to actually get out of this place." Michael admits.
The doctor comes back and I fill out the papers before we head off then I race out to get Michael clean clothes.
Michael got to change into clean clothes that I got from my rented car while I take the outfit Michael was wearing when he arrived at the hospital out to the car in a plastic bag.
After all the clothes were not clean thanks to the event that brought him to the hospital.
Once we are all set we head on out of the hospital with Gavin holding Michaels hand and their fingers intertwine as they walk with me in the lead yet still able to see them as we leave the hospital.
Michael blinks for a moment as the sunlight hits his eyes since he's been mostly resting in bed inside of the hospital. He follows Gavin right now since he probably knows where we are going.
We make it to the car and pile in.
Gavin and Michael get into the back with I of course get into the driver's seat.
"You can stay with us at our hotel." I say as I start the car up.
"Thank you." Michael says and soon we are driving off to the hotel. He leans over resting his head on Gavin's shoulder as I spot it in the rear view mirror.
Gavin smiles gently and lets him.
The ride there was rather quiet then when we arrive and park Gavin leads Michael to the hotel room.
We enter the room and Michael glances around seeing two double beds with a nice looking room that could be three to four stars.
"You can sleep next to me or Geoff." Gavin says. "It's up to you." He says and I can tell that he really wanted to say that Michael should sleep next to him but he also wanted to let Michael have a choice. He obviously doesn't want to be seen as controlling in any way.
"Can I sleep with you?" Michael asks glancing to Gavin.
"Of course you and Gavin can share a bed." I assure him. "In a way it'll be like back at the hospital."
Michael nods softly and Gavin shows him which bed is theirs.
We soon are all settled on our beds deciding to watch a little bit of TV for now as we relax a little in the hotel room.
I had been told by Jack that they had only told the fans that us three would be gone longer than planned but never actually explained why to them.
The fans were curious but when they couldn't really get an answer they eventually stopped trying and they just can't wait for the three of us to be back.
The whole day we spent relaxing in the hotel room and when it got late we settled down under the covers to get some sleep.
And even better that night I didn't really have a true nightmare… I only had a dream of us flying home together on the plane with Michael next to me and Gavin on Michael's other side… The only thing that scared me was glancing back and spotting Michael's father glaring at me obviously stalking us to kill Michael. But the sight of Michael and Gavin sleeping cuddling together was a sight I smiled at when I awoke.
The next day we came with Michael being taken to a doctor to ask if he could fly yet.