He couldn't remember much from the ride to the hospital, or when the doctors softly guided him to his room, or the moment they asked him for Cory's number. He couldn't remember falling asleep, or when he finally woke up the next day. All he knew is that he was lying in a hospital bed, with awful hospital pajamas on, and that Cory and Topanga were standing next to his bed right now. They had been spending all night in the hospital, and immediately came to Eric's room when they heard he was awake. They looked exhausted.
"So, how you feeling, bro'?" Cory tried to keep up a light, playful voice. He tried to produce a smile, but it got stuck before it could reach his face. "We came as soon as we heard you were taken to the hospital… So when we finally arrived – you wouldn't believe how much traffic still is on the highway at five am, by the way – but anyway, we arrived, and you were already sleeping like a baby!" He laughed weakly and punched Eric on the shoulder. His brother didn't even move.
Eric didn't hear a word of it. All he could hear were Jack's words, and that song he didn't knew.
"Eric…? Is- is that you?"Sweet darling, you worry too much, my child
See the sadness in your eyes
"Eric… Eric… I- I'm so scared…"You are not alone in life
Although you might think that you are "He hurt me so much, Eric… I- I don't want this anymore…"So sorry your world is tumbling down
I will watch you through these nights
Rest your head and go to sleep
All he could see was Jack's ash gray face, frozen, distorted out of pure terror. He still felt Jack's cold body in his arms, and the paralyzing fear that he wasn't going to make it.
"Eric, you okay?" Topanga asked with a small voice, placing a small hand on his shoulder.
"What? Jack?" Eric woke up from his nightmare, nerves on edge. He glanced at Topanga's hand resting on his shoulder, then looked up at her. He let out his breath. "I- I'm sorry. What did you say?"
"It's okay, Eric" Topanga replied softly. "Never mind about that. I just… I asked if you were okay, but obviously, you aren't." She paused. "It was a dumb question… considering what you've just been through with Jack. Take your time. We're here." She smiled a genuine smile, never taking her hand off Eric's shoulder, but he didn't even notice. Hearing Jack's name out loud brought him back to the real situation with a crash.
"H-how's Jack? Where is he - is he okay? Where did they take him? Why isn't he here?" All this questions rolled out of his mouth at once, as he grabbed Topanga's arm in confusion.
Cory slowly took a step forward. He carefully peeled Eric's hand off his wife's arm and took his hand firmly into his own. His voice trembled just a little when he tried to answer Eric's questions.
"Eric… Jack was brought to another hospital, in another town. He is… well, you know, he was trying to kill himself, and..."
Eric interrupted his brother. "Yeah, but I didn't let him, a-and he was okay after I… He was breathing and talking and laughing, and we even-" The sensation of Jack's lips on his, and the fire he felt inside of him, blocked the rest of his words with upcoming tears. "Is… is he…"
"No, Eric. He's not… dead, and he isn't going to die either. You saved him just in time. But - Jack's very confused right now… He needs time to recover, and to get things straight in his head. He needs all the help he can get," Cory replied.
"But why can't he do that here? With us? With me? I can help him. Why did they take him away from me…?" Eric's voice was now merely a whisper, tears starting to run down his face.
"I don't really know, Eric. All I know is that it's a place for severely traumatized people, and that they know exactly how to get Jack back on track in no time. They will take good care of him there – and, you know, he's not alone. Shawn and Angela raced down the mental… that hospital like madmen when they heard, and they promised us they will let us know exactly what is happening when they hear more. Okay?" Cory squeezed Eric's hand, a little awkward with his big brother breaking down like this. He didn't know where to look.
Topanga saw that her husband was feeling quite uncomfortable, and once again placed one hand on Eric's shoulder, while putting her other arm around Cory's waist.
"That's all we can tell you right now, because that's all we know too. But I promise you'll be the first one to know when we hear anything. Alright?"
Eric was still in a daze, confused why they took Jack away from him, when he felt like he was the only one who could truly help him. He nodded automatically. "Right. I'll hear from you. Look, I-I'm kinda tired…"
"Of course you are - you should try to catch some more sleep. We were told a doctor will drop by soon to ask you some questions about… what happened. It's best if you have a clear head," Topanga informed him. She bended over and placed a small kiss on his forehead. "Be better soon, okay?" Cory, still holding Eric's hand, shook it firmly and stiffly patted him on the shoulder.
"See you later, bro'." He turned around. With Topanga's arm still around his waist and her head resting on his shoulder, they walked out of the room. Eric watched them go with blurred eyes. He envied them.