Thanks for all the support! It definitely encourages me to get the chapters up quicker :)
The world felt stuffy and uncomfortable. His head hurt and he could feel the nausea rising in his throat. Although he had yet to open his eyes, Scott could see bright, white light surrounding him. It was too bright, only adding to his thumping headache. He didn't know where he was and he certainly didn't know how he'd gotten there.
Curiosity getting the better of him, he began his struggle with consciousness, every second of his battle, his pain increased ten-fold but he needed to wake up. He forced himself through the barrier, squinting his eyes open to the harsh light. Why is it so goddamn bright?
He shifted and something pulled painfully against his arm. There was strange noises around him and he knew for sure he wasn't in his bedroom. Things were beeping and buzzing annoyingly and he could feel something pressed against his face uncomfortably.
Opening his eyes further, while blinking furiously, his surroundings began to come into focus. For a moment he just blinked at the white ceiling above him.
He started to shift his head, letting out a small grunt at the effort. Looking around the room he immediately identified that he was in a hospital. He remembered the same setting from when he'd sprained an ankle playing soccer a couple of years back. The white walls and medical machinery were a big give away.
He noticed he had an IV inserted into his arm and identified the weight on his face as an oxygen mask. It worried him slightly how long it had taken him to notice that. Bringing up the arm that didn't have the IV line he fumbled with the mask until he had brought it down, hanging loosely around his neck.
He started to panic a little. Why am I here alone? Why am I even in the hospital?
Before he could get too worked up, a man in a white coat walked into the room, staring down at a clipboard he held in his hand. Scott grunted quietly to get the mans attention, he didn't quite trust his voice yet.
Finally looking down at him, the mans eyes softened. He put the clipboard down and sat in the chair next to the bed.
"Ah Scott, good to see you awake" his tone was caring and Scott felt himself relax slightly now that he was no longer alone "I'm Dr. Alpine, I'll be assessing your condition"
Scott still not trusting his voice gave a slight nod of his head to convey his understanding.
"Are you feeling alright? In any pain?"
Realising he would now have to speak Scott attempted to clear his dry throat "...He-head"
The doctor nodded in understanding "That's to be expected I'm afraid, you sustained a minor concussion in the accident and mixed with the shock you passed out"
Scott's breathing quickened "Ac-Accident?"
The doctor frowned slightly "You don't remember?"
Scott shook his head, getting very frustrated with his lack of memory. He had been in an accident?
"I'm afraid you were in a car accident Scott, but don't worry, there shouldn't be any lasting damage"
This statement hit Scott like a ton of bricks. He remembered now. The car accident, his brothers. God, what about his brothers! Where were they?
His chest tightened and breathing became difficult, he couldn't seem to get enough air into his lungs. He vaguely registered the doctor getting to his feet.
"Scott? Scott you need to calm down. Everything's alright now."
Scott took a deep breathe. Freaking out wasn't going to help anyone. He gave him a pleading look "M-my brothers?" he managed to croak out.
The doctor grimaced slightly before putting on his best caring front "They're doing fine Scott. You need to focus on yourself at the moment."
No. Scott thought. He very well did not.
He knew the doctor was lying to him. He'd heard the paramedic talking about John, the words kept echoing in his mind collapsed lung. Scott didn't know much about medicine but he knew enough to know a collapsed lung was not good.
Then Virgil. The image of his little brother unresponsive and covered in blood was seared into his brain and he wouldn't be forgetting it anytime soon.
He didn't even know what was going on with his younger two brothers. They had seemed alright at the time but Scott knew there was dozens of things that could be wrong with them internally. And what about mentally? Who were they even with at the moment? Their three older brothers had been incapacitated and they'd been forced to watch, still stuck in that blasted car until some stranger could get them out. He should have been able to help them. Instead they were probably with some strangers in an unfamiliar environment, scared half to death.
Maybe they were with their dad? Surely he was here. He had to be. Scott, for the first time in months, found himself wishing his father was here to look after him. To take care of everything. He couldn't face doing anything right now. He needed his dad.
Scott looked up at the doctor who still wore a concerned expression "My d-dad?" he croaked out.
Dr. Alpine seemed thrown by that question, he had not expected it and shifted uncomfortably in his seat which he had once again occupied.
"I'm afraid we've not been able to reach your father" he answered cautiously. Of course his dad wasn't here. Probably too busy in some board meeting at Tracy Industries to even check his phone. Scott suddenly felt terrifyingly alone. He was hurt, in pain, in the hospital with no one he knew in sight. He had four younger brothers he was suppose to be taking care of and he didn't even know where they were let alone if they were okay. He needed to be with them.
Seeing the devastated look in Scott's eyes the doctor quickly continued "But we did find your Grandmothers number in your emergency contacts list. She is on her way here as we speak."
Scott relaxed slightly. His Grandma could fix this.
After their mothers accident, their Grandma had done her best to try and step in to support the family. Jeff had been very thankful for the help at first. He needed time to grieve without having the pressure of 5 boys to look after. Eventually though, when he started to get back on his feet - or more accurately, to hide away his emotions, he started pushing their Grandma away. He had insisted they could manage on their own and didn't need the extra help. Personally, Scott thought it was because he didn't want a reminder that it should have been his wife carrying out the tasks their Grandma had taken over.
She had initially fought back, trying to make him see sense but Jeff eventually became too much for her. She left and has a house a few hours from Kansas. She said the boys could call any time they liked but their dad didn't like it when they did that. So eventually they just drifted apart. She still called every now and then but it was only Jeff who spoke to her and it was usually a brief conversation. After she left, Jeff failed to pick up the slack and the responsibility had fallen to Scott. He himself had thought about calling her more than once but his fathers words resonated inside him. We can manage on our own. In all honesty, he enjoyed the responsibility. It had helped him take his mind off the accident. After a while, it became second nature and he found himself not wanting to give up the role so he didn't try to talk to their Grandma. He always told himself he could handle it. But now he needed help, he couldn't deal with this on his own.
Hearing she was coming filled Scott with hope, she could handle this. He wouldn't have to. However, she wasn't here at the moment and Scott still had that underlying need to care for his brothers.
"Can I see my brothers?" His voice was still croaky but definitely getting stronger.
The doctor looked uneasy "I think you should rest Scott, you've had a long day."
Scott pleaded "Please...I need to see them"
Clearly understanding that Scott was too agitated to get any real rest Dr. Alpine sighed "I can bring the younger ones in here?"
Scott breathed "Thank-you"
While the Dr. Alpine spoke to a nurse about getting his brothers Scott thought to himself. Assuming the doctor had been talking about Gordon and Alan, he hoped if they were able to see him they must be fine. What worried him though was the lack of news about his other brothers. If they were alright they would have been with Gordy and Allie. He didn't want to think about what could be happening to them right now.
The doctor was back by his side and he pleaded once more "What about my other brothers? Are they alright?"
Dr. Alpine inhaled slowly "Don't worry about them for the time being Scott"
Scott grunted in frustration and shouted "Of course I'm bloody worried!"
At the doctors shocked expression he realised the extent of his outburst and lowered his voice almost to a whisper "Please...just be honest with me. Are they going to be alright?"
Realising the young boy needed to know the doctor nodded his head in acceptance "I'm afraid it's a bit touch and go at the moment Scott. The older one...John is it?" At Scott's nod he continued "Well John cracked a couple of ribs in the collision and one of them punctured his lung. It's my understanding he is currently on a ventilator and is relatively stable but his doctor is keeping a close eye on him." Scott had visibly paled at the doctors words. His chest had once again tightened.
Dr. Alpine eyed him cautiously "Do you want me to continue?" Needing to know the full story, Scott forced himself to calm down and signalled for the doctor to go on "As for...Virgil?" Scott nodded once again. "Well I'm afraid he has suffered a very severe head injury. He had a compound skull fracture and his CT scan shows slight swelling of the brain. He has yet to have woken up since the accident and his doctors believe that due to the head injury he is currently in a coma. I'm afraid there's no telling when or if he will wake up and even if he does he may not be the same as he was before. I'm sorry."
Scott took a shaky breath. Why was this happening to them? John still wasn't in the clear and would there be long-term effects? He certainly didn't know. Then Virgil...Scott couldn't even comprehend the thought that his brother might never wake up. That just wasn't an option. Their family couldn't go through that kind of grief again. They wouldn't survive it this time round.
Everything came crashing back down on top of him. His composure gone out the window, Scott started to panic once again. This was his fault. He was going to be the one that tore apart their family. He had hurt if not killed his younger brothers. He had done it and the whole family were going to pay the consequences.
He could hear his rapid, heavy breathing and the doctor trying to speak to him, but he couldn't concentrate on anything anymore. His mind was fuzzy as he lost himself in his thoughts. He was sure he was on the verge of passing out again when he heard a voice he so desperately needed right now.
"Scott!" The shocked cry came from the door and although Scott was sure of who's voice it was he needed to be positive. Focusing all his attention on the door he was greatly relieved to see his Grandma there. She was holding Alan on her hip and had Gordon's hand in her other one, her face held an expression of increasing worry. Scott realised he must have looked pretty hysterical and he was sure there was tears streaming down his face.
"Grandma..." he chocked out.
She quickly made her way over to the bed placing Alan and Gordon on top beside Scott. Before he could even comprehend what was happening he was enclosed in a four person hug. He could feel his younger brothers clinging onto him as his Grandma whispered words of comfort in his ear.
"Everything's alright Scott, I'm here now..."
To be continued...