I'm sorry if this chapter seems rushed or unedited. I just wanted to get something up as a thank you for all the reviews I've gotten. Enjoy. And note- I did go full-out on cursing, at least in Patricia's perspective, so beware.

"I'm done with this shit," Patricia grumbles. Another week has passed, and Eddie's condition has only improved slightly. She can't stand to see him in that state. She can't live without him.

It isn't fair. Anger fills every crack inside her- both self-hate, and anger at the world. It's not fair that all the other girls got their boyfriends back, she's stuck with Eddie in a coma, basically dead without a shitload of machines. She needs him back…she does deserve it, doesn't she?

It's not like she's done anything particularly terrible. Though she's always been the second, lesser child, it doesn't really equate her decisions to particularly horrid ones, does it? She knows she doesn't deserve Eddie- that much is clear. He's an amazing guy- really sweet, but funny, serious when he has to be, not to mention how fucking hot he is- at least in her eyes.

"Ambs, love?"

Alfie glances at his girlfriend, as he continues to thread his fingers through her straight, honey-blonde locks of hair. He's noticed changes in both her physical and mental state- at least in the past few days, and he knows something's up. He doubts he'll get an answer from her, but it's worth a try.

"Hm?" Amber replies, shifting a bit so her head is lying in the crook of his neck, and leaning over to kiss his cheek.

"Why haven't you been eating?" The question comes- sharp and blunt- and Alfie can tell he's struck a nerve. Amber tenses greatly, her body stiffening. She doesn't respond for a good few moments, and when she does, her voice is considerable weak and shaky.

"I have been. Maybe I just wasn't hungry when you were observing." Amber avoids his gaze, and he gives a sigh, kissing her cheek softly. He doesn't want her to feel uncomfortable- if she does, he definitely won't get answers.

Alfie shakes his head. "I doubt that, babe. I haven't been asleep through any meals- you know me and food- and I also have seen you barely touch your plate. Is there something going on, sweetheart? Something you'd like to tell me?"

Amber squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head slightly. She wants to tell him so badly- she can't lie to Alfie- but he can't know about this. He'll be hurt- and she can't do that to him. He's in enough physical pain as is.

"I'm fine," she mutters, as if trying to reassure herself, more than her concerned boyfriend. "I'm fine."

"Easy, Mick."

Joy helps Mick into his wheelchair, hanging her bag on one of the handles, before walking forward. She pushes him into Anubis house, where Trudy awaits.

The overly doting housemother immediately orders them to Jerome, Mick, and Alfie's room- eyes creased with concern for Mick. Speaking of- Mick looks pretty miserable. He's sore and irritable, sleep being the only thing on his mind.

"Ow, fuck…" Mick mumbles, as they help him onto his bed. He sighs and his body rattles with a harsh cough. A hand flies to his chest, and he winces, sighing heavily.

"Breathe through it," Joy advises, sliding down next to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. She kisses his forehead gently, stroking her fingers through his short, blonde-hair. His forehead is damp with a thin sheen of sweet, and she sighs, brushing his moistened bangs away from his eyes.

"I see what the doctor meant," Mick grumbles.

"Here, let's lay you down," Joy suggests, helping him to ease down to his mattress. He cringes on the way down- the movement can't be easy on his ribs.

"God…everything aches…I'm so sore…"

Joy's heart pangs for him- she can't help seeing him this way- in pain, trying to breathe through it with panting breathes and wheezing gasps.

"Cuddle with me," Mick croaks, his voice hoarse. He opens his arms and Joy smiles, lying down in the embrace. She rests her head on his chest, and he wraps a loose arm around her. The material of his cast pokes into her back, and she winces. This is all so surreal.

"I love you," Mick murmurs sleepily.

"Love you too," Joy says in a monotone. He doesn't pick up on it- he's too tired, she guesses. He actually hasn't picked up on any of the signs of her depression, but she equates that to his pain-filled, hallucinated mind.

She just hopes he'll notice soon, before she falls deeper into the black hole that is better known as depression.

"Ugh…I hate this…"

Jerome groans into his girlfriend's shoulder, wincing as his head throbs once more, sending his pain receptors haywire.

"You need some rest, babe," Mara whispers gently, kissing his head. "Please, you're just making everything hurt worse."

"Well it does," Jerome grumbles. "My torso is on fire."

"Shhh," Mara soothes. "Stop whining. You'd feel better if you listened to me." Mara's old personality is kicking in- the business-like, down-to-earth, prompt side of her is returning- though Jerome doesn't mind. He loves her unconditionally- no matter how many personality alterations she undergoes.

"Can't they surgically fix everything?" Jerome whines.

Mara giggles, shaking her head. "Don't even think about it, you idiot. Just go to sleep. Maybe you'll be thinking less crazy things in a few hours."

"Excuse you?" Jerome feigns hurt, attempting to glare at her. He tries to shift his body upwards, but it causes him more pain than anything, so he just flops back down to the mattress, clenching his eyes shut to keep the tears from falling. He can't show weakness in front of Mara. That'll set her off, and there's absolutely no reason for him to do that.

"Whoa, be careful, love."

"I hate this," Jerome repeats, raising his good arm over his eyes. "This is so fucked up."

"Jerome!" Mara looks at him in shock. "Language!"

"Oh, whatever," Jerome replies. "I'm in pain, feel bad for me."

"You're making that quite difficult," Mara says, trying to hold in a chuckle.

"But you love me anyway."

"That I do."

Thoughts? I've gotten mixed views on the new story, so essentially, I'm not gonna decide until the entire prologue is done. I started it today, and right now it's too general to distinguish whether it's about Eddie or Jerome. I'll let you guys know how the story's coming, if you'd like that? Anyway- I'd love some reviews on this chapter- I hope it was satisfying enough.

-Neha