Chapter 5

They all stared at the doctor like she had five heads.

"He's…in…a coma?" Seth said.

"His body reacted to the blood loss and shock in this way. It's better than completely shutting down and him dying. It tried that three times, but we revived him each time."

"Do you know when he'll wake up?" Sandy asked.

"That is unpredictable. It is believed that people in comas can here people around them. So you should visit him often and talk to him about what is going on."

No one knew what to say. An awkward silence swept over until Summer spoke up.

"Can you get a nurse to get me a cheeseburger and fries? I'm hungry."

"You can't eat that for 24 hours due to the medication you were under during surgery."

"Then get me something to eat before I make you undergo surgery!"

"Someone's grumpy," Dr. McNamara mumbled. "I'll tell the nurse to get you what you can eat."

"Thank you."

As soon as the doctor left, they started to talk about what they were going to do.

"Well we aren't going to school anytime soon anyway. You guys saw the condition of it. They can't transfer all of us to Newport Union, which means we might have to get split."

"I hope they don't split us up," Marissa said.

"Marissa your phone is ringing," Summer said.

"It's on vibrate."

"I know. It's about to vibrate off the table."

Marissa looked over and saw her bag shifting across the table. She grabbed it just before it fell. She took her phone out and didn't recognize the number.

"Hello?" she said into the receiver.

"Hi Marissa this is Sue Jeff's mom."

Marissa froze. "Oh… hi how are you?"

"Not well at all. I heard about the shooting at school and I haven't heard from Jeff. Do you know where he is?"

"Sue, I have some unfortunate news…"

"Oh my god Marissa don't tell me."

"He didn't make it. He was shot and killed in the hall. He begged for his life, but the shooter showed no mercy. I saw it happen. I… I saw him get killed."

"My baby..."

"I am so sorry."

"It wasn't your fault. Don't be sorry."

"If there is anything you need…"

"Do you know where his body is?"

"They're bringing them into the morgue has we speak."

"Oh my god…"

"I'm going to help you as much as I can."

"It's ok. I bet you have your own people to worry about."

"I do but it's ok."

"Did anyone else you know die?"

"No but one of my friends got shot in the shoulder and the other is in a coma."

"Oh sweetie I'm sorry. Are your parents there?"

"They're on their way."

"Ok that's good. I'm going to call John and tell him. Feel better sweetie."

"Thank you. I'm sorry for your loss."

"It's fine. I'll be fine eventually."

Marissa heard the click on the other end of the receiver.

"Who was it?" Summer asked.

"Jeff's mom. I feel so bad I forgot to call her. I completely forgot about him also to be honest. I was so much more worried about you and Ryan I forgot."

"Marissa it's ok. We're all going to get through this. No matter how hard it is. Now come here and give me a hug!" Summer exclaimed.

While Marissa embraced her best friend, the nurse came in.

"Dr. McNamara told me to come tell you that you can visit Ryan in room 213."

"213? That's the ICU floor."

"I know. You will be required to wear these scrubs and protective gear."

Seth laughed for the first time in hours at that comment.

"It's good to hear a positive noise coming from you," Sandy said.

"It's good to be positive," Seth reminded him.

"Well let's get going shall we?" the nurse asked.

Seth went over to Summer and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll see you in a few minutes" he said.

They grabbed the suits from the doctor and decided to carry them down to the floor so they didn't look like idiots carrying them. Once they reached the door for the ICU, they put the suits on and followed the nurse.

The floor scared Seth. He knew that people often died here and some might be dying right now, even as he was in here. He felt himself start to shake at that thought, and Sandy saw this.

"Seth are you ok? Do you want to go back to Summer's room?"

"No I'm ok. I want to be here for Ryan."

"Ok son. I understand."

The nurse escorted them to Ryan's room. "You are going to see your son in a state you never imagined in your life. If at any point you can't take it, don't force yourself. He wouldn't want you to hurt yourself over this." She walked away and left them to their privacy.

Sandy opened the door and gasped at the sight.

Ryan was laying on the bed, hooked up to machines. One for his heartbeat, one that is pumping blood, a Respirator, and more machines that he didn't know what they did.

His family came in and he heard them all gasp as well.

"This can't be Ryan. He's…he's too strong to be like this," Seth said.

Marissa walked over to him and grabbed his hand. She remembered what the nurse said about him being able to hear them, so she reassured him.

"Hey Ryan, its Marissa. The nurse said you might be able to hear us so I'm going to talk to you. I am so sorry about everything that happened. I know you didn't like Jeff, and he died in the shooting also. So maybe you can relax a little. I don't know what is going on in your head right now, but I know it can't be good. Ryan I miss you so much and I hope that when you wake up, we can start a relationship again."

Marissa dropped his hand and left the room.

I am so sorry it's short and I'm sorry it took so long to update. I haven't had the time to write with all that I have been doing. The next chapter will be Ryan's Mind Part 1. It's going to be his thoughts during the coma and his dreams. I will update sooner I promise.