Cold water splashed onto his face giving him a kick in the energy department. He grabbed a towel wiping anything from his face and leaving behind a clean, freshly shaven man. His reflection was nice for once. It actually looked like him without any bloody pipes or black eyes. He seemed brighter, even his wide gap-toothed smile beamed a little more happily than menacingly. His eyes however told another story, they were sleepless with heavy bags. In his eyes was a glaze confused look. The look of a man who society forgot. A man lost years ago in a sea of confusion. That man was well hidden, behind that gap-toothed smile. Tucked away and out of sight, as it should have been. He turned from the mirror and opened the door smiling.
The day went as many days did. Jay sat editing on his laptop and Tim watched TV quietly, too quietly in fact. There was no way he could possibly hear it, but he insisted it was fine. Brian did notice the subtitles were on though. Brian was in the other corner messing with his guitar and pretending he wasn't spying on the other boys.
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run! His eyes popped open! He didn't realize they were shut. He shook his head and returned to searching for any sign of Alex online.
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run! He had to keep running, He looked behind him for a brief second only to stumble as the scenery changed again. He barely noticed the obstacle appear in front of him as he cleared it, keeping his stride. His nerves screamed, his head swam in confusion, and his senses were overwhelmed by the constant movement. He moved, the room moved, scenery changed! It was hot! No cold! No-! He stopped dead still, barely there, and only half conscious. It was quiet for a moment before he felt everything! His heart pounded loud in his ears, his legs burned like a fire, his back steamed, the wind rushed, thud!
His breath hitched in his throat and his eyes flew open. His form was shaking, curled into a ball. His head swam with confusion and an undeniable feeling of dread. What was that? He was stiff, it hurt, why? Why? Why would that-? Why did he…?
Suddenly everything Hurt and he couldn't breathe! Hot tears streamed down his face, creating thick puddles on his pillow. He tried to calm down but only shook harder as he relived the sensation, over and over and over again. Thud, thud, thud! The sound of his spine against the pavement. And that figure, that look, the wrench… it was blurry, but he knew exactly who it was, and that knowledge only made him cry harder.
It was dark. It was cold. It hurt. It burned. So cold. So cold. So cold. So cold. SO cold. It hurt! He was dead. He was dead. He was dead. He was dead. He was dead! He was dead! He was dead! He was dead! He was dead! It hurt! It hurt! It hurt! It hurt! It hurt! He wasn't dead! He wasn't dead! He wasn't dead! Burning! Burning! Burning! No! No! No! No! He wasn't-!
"Brian?" His eyes opened slightly only to be blinded by the lamp on the bedside table. They adjusted just enough to see Jay standing beside him. "Are you alright?" He tried to answer yes but words wouldn't come out. Suddenly a hand was on him he flinched back ready to punch, that… Face. Jay's eyes widened and he jumped back.
Jay, it's only Jay.
"Brian?" Why was Jay there? He should call an ambulance! No Alex! He needs-!
"Brian!" Brian jumped again but retired to the real world. He felt around with his hand trying to breathe. The bed, he's on the bed. Blankets just think about the blankets.
"Brian? Are you ok?" He wanted to respond but could barely catch his breath. "I should get Tim?" He shook his head no as calmly as he could trying to feign control. He tried to breathe slowly. "No." He managed. Tim didn't need to see him like this.
"Are you sure? You look like you got hit by a train!"
"No!" Brian was a bit more forceful this time and it seemed to work as Jay backed off. He closed his eyes shut trying to block out the pain that came in waves, everything hurt! He took another breath and sighed. "Honestly I'm fine. It was just a nightmare ok?" he feigned a smile hoping it would work and Jay would leave him alone. Jay looked unsure of the man's words but didn't press him further.
"Ok, if you say so, but I'll be in the living room if you need me ok?"
"Yeah alright."
"Goodnight."
"Night." He laid his head back on his pillow wrestling sleep to the rhythm in his mind.
Thud
Thud
Thud
Thud
Thud...