Alan's POV

I hung up the phone after calling 9-1-1. I rushed back to Charlie and Don.

I was surprised to find Don gone. I looked out the window and noticed his car wasn't there anymore, too. He must have left.

But why?

I sat beside Charlie as I waited for the ambulance to arrive. I took out a rag from the drawer closest to me and pressed it gently against his head where it was bleeding.

"My poor boy," I breathed when Charlie winced in pain.

He was still unconscious when the ambulance arrived. They put him in a neck brace, scaring me.

"It doesn't mean his neck is broken. It's just a precaution," One of the medics said.

I nodded in understanding, watching as they took Charlie's limp form from the house.

"Do you want to ride with us, sir?"

"Yes," I replied, getting in and taking Charlie's hand.

When Charlie gave a loud moan, I squeezed his hand.

"It'll be okay, kiddo. Dad's here."

Where's Don?

Don's POV

I stumbled through my apartment.

I shouldn't be here. I should be at work. I should be at Dad and Charlie's house. I should be at the hospital.

But I wasn't. I was hiding, hiding from those in my world, knowing they'd ask questions. I couldn't tell them the truth. They'd all hate me.

What about Charlie? He'd never feel the same way about me again. What if he was seriously hurt? What if he broke something important? What if he broke his neck?

Oh, God. I had shaken him! Why did I shake him? He could be paralyzed because of me.

I took in deep breaths, fighting off a panic attack.

I sank into the recliner in my living room. I noticed a stain on my sleeve. It was a dark red.

Blood. Charlie's blood.

My fight for control ended when I saw that one stain.

My breathing quickened, my pulse soared. I couldn't get enough air.

My cell phone rang.

I put my head between my legs, trying to calm myself before answering.

When I could at least breathe easily, I stood and answered the phone.

"Eppes." I said weakly into the phone.

"Donnie? Where are you?" Dad's voice demanded.

"I'm...I'm at my apartment."

"Why? Your brother is hurt and he needs your support. You should be here."

"I know, Dad, but-"

"No, 'buts,' Donald Eppes! You get down here at the hospital right now."

I flinched. Even now, Dad's parental voice could get to me.

"I'm on my way." I said before hanging up.

Dad was going to ask me questions about what happened. I didn't know what to tell him. I'd have to lie to my father.

This wasn't going to be easy.

Alan's POV

Don was starting to anger me.

I knew this was stressful for him and I know seeing that Charlie had fallen down the stairs would upset me, too, but he seemed like he didn't care.

When he came into the waiting room twenty minutes later, I knew better.

I was prepared to be mad at him. I was planning on giving him a lecture. But as soon as I saw the distraught look on his face, I knew he cared and I couldn't be mad at him.

"Donnie..." I hugged him close to me. He shook slightly underneath my touch. I knew he was trying to control his emotions. I knew he had been crying, judging by his red eyes.

"Have...have you heard anything?" Don asked.

"Nothing yet. I rode in the ambulance with him. I think it's not too bad."

"I hope so."

We waited around in silence. I wanted to ask him what happened, or what he knew, but I knew he wasn't ready to tell me what happened. He was traumatized enough by it. I didn't want to make him relive it.

Soon a doctor came out and told us about Charlie.

"When he was first brought in, he had a fever of 103 degrees. We've put him on antibiotics to control the fever. He has a bad case of the flu, nothing too serious. The fever does concern us, but it seems to be lowering. He has four broken ribs, a fractured wrist, and he seems to be suffering from a mild concussion. He couldn't remember what had happened to him. He has five stitches in his head where it was cut open. We had to cut some of his hair, but it's not noticeable. The rest of his hair covers it up." Dr. Murphy said.

"Thank you," I said. I looked back at Don, who seemed relieved.

I smiled at him.

"See? I told you it'd be okay. Stop worrying," I told him as I gave him a one-armed hug.

Don's POV

Little did Dad know, I was relieved because Charlie couldn't remember what had happened.

How could I tell Dad that I was responsible for Charlie falling down the steps? What would he think of me?

I was also relieved that the damage wasn't any worse than it could have been.

Dad and I walked to Charlie's room. He looked very pale and sick. I knew he wasn't feeling well. Why did I yell at him anyway?

You know the answer, Eppes. You were scared.

Me? Scared? Donald Eppes isn't allowed to be scared.

That doesn't mean you don't get scared. Your little brother scares you to death.

I know.

Dad sat down on the bed beside Charlie and took his hand in his.

I watched from the back of the room.

Charlie began to stir after a while. He moaned with pain.

"You're okay, Charlie," Dad soothed.

"D-Dad?" Charlie mumbled.

"I'm here, kiddo."

"It hurts." He mumbled and I saw him wince.

"I know. It'll be okay, though."

"Where's Don?" He tried to open his eyes, but the bright light hurt them and he quickly closed them.

"I'm here, Buddy," I said.

"Don." He reached his hand out for me and I moved over to take it.

He squeezed my hand tightly.

"I'm sorry, Don."

"Sorry? What for?" My God, he was saying sorry! To me!

"I know this . . . is hard for you. I heard you saw me fall."

"Yeah, I did."

"I'm okay, Don. I'll be fine."

"I know, Buddy." I squeezed his hand back.

Charlie's apologizing to you. Why can't you do the same for him?

Because I'm afraid of what it'll do to us. I don't want to lose him.

The longer you wait, the harder it'll be on him.

I know, but I can't.

You have to.

I can't.

Charlie mumbled something, then drifted back to sleep.

"He's going to be fine, Donnie. Stop worrying."

I knew he'd be okay physically. It was emotionally that I was worried about, once I told him the truth.