Matt Korklan tried to move but it was impossible. He was aware of his surroundings. He could hear, he could feel…he just couldn't move. And his eyes. He couldn't open his damned eyes. Yet if they were not open, how could he see the colors? Wonderful, vivid colors. Deep blues and reds that finally meshed into bright violets. Then he inhaled the scent. He'd know that smell anywhere. It was his mother.

"Hi sweetie," she sighed. "It's Mom. Dad and I went back to the hotel last night to try to get some rest. It's very hard to do that with you in here. I'm afraid to leave, afraid to eat, to sleep, to shower, to even take my attention away from you for one second because that may be the second that something changes. You might move your hand, open your eyes…call out my name. I don't want to miss that so I sit and wait. I look at you, my beautiful baby boy. I remember the day you were born, how proud your father and I were in that hospital room. You were so healthy and so perfect. You changed our lives, you changed my life. You introduced me to motherhood. You were so special even then. I love you so, so much. How ironic I held you in a hospital in St. Louis as an infant cradling you for hours waiting for you to open those beautiful eyes and now I sit here 27 years later waiting for you to open your eyes again. Open your eyes, my darling son. Open your eyes…"

Mom! Mom! Why can't you hear me?

The heavy footsteps approached the bed. Matt could hear the distinct rattling of paper and a heavy sigh. His father had always had a habit of sighing when he read the newspaper.

"Alright, son, let's see what you're missing today. Looks like it's gonna be another hot and humid day in Richmond. High temperatures are in the upper 90's today with a 75 percent chance of late afternoon thunderstorms. And let's see what's going on with sports today…looks like there's even more speculation about LeBron leaving Cleveland. Says he's in talks with both Chicago and Miami and that he has meetings with New York next week. Personally, I think he should stay in Cleveland. Be patient, work hard, get some more supporting players…the Ring will come. Chicago won't work because of Noah and there will too much ego and star power in Miami. New York would be like starting all over again…it would be years before they even make it to the playoffs. That's just my opinion, I know you feel differently. I, um…I can't wait until you wake up so we can talk about it," the older Korklan's voice began to quiver with emotion.

Dad, I'm here! I hear you!

A chair pulled up next to the bed as the laptop opened.

"Hey man, it's me. It's Mikey. I've been online all morning just messing around. Your site and Twitter page are blowing up. It's crazy. Wish you could see it. You've got a lot of fans, a lot of people that care about Evan Bourne. People want to see you get better, back in the ring even. I know I'm jumping the gun. I know the doctors say that's not a good idea, that it's not even possible but you're my big brother. I know anything is possible, if you just believe," Mike chuckled absently. "You used to tell me that all the time growing up. Well, I want you to know I was listening to you all those times, Matt. I believe in you, bro. I believe you'll open your eyes, and get out of this bed and wallk again, wrestle again…fly again. I believe that, I just need you to."

Never give up, little bro. Never give in. I always told you that, Mikey.

The familiar sound of sniffles and sobs echoed throughout the room. He felt her touch his wrist, the tear drops falling from her eyes landing on the bare flesh of his arm.

"Hi, Matt. It…it's Bryn. I'm sorry I didn't come by and see you earlier. I was here, I promise. I, um, I…I just walked in and saw you and it was just really sad, you know? I started crying and it's like I couldn't stop. I don't want to do that. I don't want to be that way. It's no good. It upsets your parents and it doesn't help Mike and uh…the nurses say that you can hear me, that you hear all of us. I hope she's right. So if that's the case, I want you to only hear good things, positive things…happy things," she tried desperately to keep it together. "So that's what I'm gonna say. You're gonna be okay. We love you and we can't wait to talk to you. I, I know you're going to be just fine. I'm praying for you, sweetie."

That's nice, Bryn. I always liked you, from the first time I met you. You're a good person. Mike is lucky.

The door opened and shut and a small weight sat next to him on the bed. He felt the blanket lift and a pair of small hands touching his ankle, lifting his foot in the air, gently off the bed, stretching and rotating it.

"Hey Buddy, it's Harp. Just here to help you get your Jane Fonda on. And you thought a broken neck would get you out of exercising. Come on, dude. You've got to come better than that. The physical therapist here says these exercises are good for you. When you wake up and start rehabbing, you're gonna have to do a lot of this. It'll be tough but you're tough so it's all gonna work out. I totally believe that. I have nothing but faith in you. You know, Matt we've been best friends for a real long time. We don't lie to each other, we don't sugarcoat things or bullshit each other and I'm not about to start now. The road ahead won't be easy and maybe you know that. So I'd like to think you're just resting up for that. They say you should have woken up by now but you know what you're doing. Matt Korklan has always marched to the beat of his own drum so you're just chilling out taking your time," she stroked his forehead. "And that's okay. Sleep all you want, kid. Wake up on your terms. When you do, we'll be waiting."

My best girl. You're always there for me. You always know just what to do, what to say. You always know what I need.

The nurse entered the room and made her daily rounds. She changed his IV fluid bag and took his vital signs. He was stable…no change. No better, no worse. After turning down his oxygen level one notch, she left him to the friends and family that gathered daily by his side. In her career she had seen some pretty devoted loved ones but the Korklan clan had to top the bunch. Along with the thousands of well wishes and letters of support from all over the world, it was easy to see that this man, this Evan Bourne, this Matt Korkan was truly loved, truly a special individual who had touched a lot of lives and inspired a lot of people in his 27 years.

"Honey, let's grab some lunch…"

The weary woman looked down at her motionless child.

"What if he wakes up and we're not here?"

Mike put his hand on his mother's shoulder. His girlfriend was curled up napping on one of the chairs but Harper stood close by.

"Mom, we're here. If he wakes up, we're here and I'll personally come get you."

The promise was of little consolation but her husband told her that she had to eat, that she had to stay strong so she reluctantly followed him to the cafeteria downstairs.

"You okay?" Harper let out a deep breath, hands on her hips. "You look tired."

"So do you," Mike said. "But I'm alright. Hanging in there."

"What about your Ring of Honor show in Philly tonight?"

Mike shrugged.

"I thought he'd be up by now. If he was and I at least knew he was okay, I was thinking Bryn and I could drive up there and just come right back but with him like this…man, there's no way we could go. I can't leave him like this and Mom is on the verge of losing it…anyway, we called and canceled out. Everybody was cool with it. I appreciate the support."

"That's good," Harper took a seat by the bed.

Mike walked towards the window.

"This is scary. It's different. I'm the little brother. All my life he was the one who watched out for me. He was invincible in my eyes. This sucks. He's lying in that bed helpless as hell and there's not a damned thing I can do about it. That kills me, Harper. I just want him to wake up. I'd do anything. I even tried to bargain with God. Just let Matt wake up and be alright because I can't stand to see him like that. I…I wish it was me in that bed instead of him."

Harper closed her eyes. The brothers had always been close and she knew that Mike was taking it hard. She was exhausted too and when she allowed her eyes to slowly flutter open, she cursed her mind for playing tricks on her. It looked like Matt's fingers were moving but that was impossible. It was a mere product of her imagination, just wishful thinking on her part, she thought but then there was another brief twitch. Looking up she saw his eyes flutter once then twice. Then slowly they opened.

"Oh my God,"she whispered with joy, surprise and relief. "Oh my God…Mike!"

"What…holy shit!"

It wasn't their imaginations. It was true. Matt was awake. After five long days, Matt was finally awake.

"Get the nurse. Go get your parents," she told Mike who happily obliged as Harper returned her attention to Matt. "Sweetie, do you know where you are?"

It took a few long and painful seconds. His lips parted long enough for him to mouth the word no. The sound just wouldn't release from his throat. Minutes later Mike returned with his parents and a nurse, making sure he woke Bryn.

"Matt? Hi Matt," the nurse spoke softly. "My name is Julie and I've been taking care of you, honey. You had an accident and you're in the hospital in Richmond, Virginia."

Harper stroked Matt's hand as his vision focused and he looked around the room.

"Hey Buddy," she could barely contain her smile. "We are so glad to see you awake. Welcome back, dude."

His mother cried tears of joy.

"My sweet boy…those beautiful eyes…"

"Say something, son," his father prodded.

Matt struggled to swallow, wincing in pain as he licked his lips. His mouth opened and he tried to force the words out but for minutes nothing seemed to happen. The frustration brewed in his eyes but he kept trying. And finally the word, the one word he had tried to get out finally emitted from his mouth.

"Chloe…"