The water around him seemed to lull Eli. The water should has cold and numbed his body. Sweet bliss was what it felt like to him. Further now he sank deeper into to the darkness. It was so inviting. His eyes remained shut but he cold still see her so vividly. He was content with that being the last thing he saw. Her brilliant blue eyes shone so brightly in the darkness that surrounded him. Her porcelain skin was glowing as her face blurred in and out of focus. Clare, he said to himself. His precious Clarabell, the girl he loved who no longer loved him back. Why couldn't she just love him back? Would that not make things easier for them? He thought so. He truly believed they had the potential to be okay but that last shred of hope finally snapped. She was no longer his. He would always belong to her. Whether she wanted that responsibility or not, Eli's heart would always be hers. His mind went blank as his body plunged below the surface. His body felt light yet it sank so quickly, in practically no time at all. He like it there. The world was quite and soon enough the images in his mind blurred at the edges.
Time and space seemed non existant. Eli wasn't aware of anything now as his limp body remained at this base of filled bathtub. Water spilled over the edges but he didn't know. Even if he could comprehend the mess, he wouldn't have cared. His dark hair rose and swayed as the water that surrounded him made his body drift. His lungs were giving out. His breath was cut short for about a minute. It was only a matter of time before it would be all over. Water filled in through his nose. Eli wasn't aware of what was happening to him at all. He was lifeless there below the water. Would anyone miss him when he was gone? It didn't matter. What difference would it make if he lived or died? That was the question he had been asking himself as of late. Tonight he was soon to find an answer….
"Code Blue, we need a room stat. Male, sixteen, overdose, drowning. Possible suicide attempt," someone shouted. Eli couldn't hear them. All the lights and sounds of the hospital were non existent as Eli remained un conscious. He couldn't feel his mother's hand as it held onto his. He couldn't hear her cries or her pleas for her baby boy to live. Eli, baby. Please. Eli, you have to wake up, her voice cracked under the strain of worry and pain. Eli was being transported into a room quickly. The medical crew pushed his stretcher through swinging double doors. The mask on his face kept him stable for now. The IV buried in his right forearm was his lifeline for the moment. CeCe's hand shook over his, her hands and body still soaked from finding Eli in the bathroom. She jumped in after him, pulling her only child from harm's way. It may have been too late but she was clinging to the hope that he could in fact be saved. On the other side of the stretcher, Bullfrog raced alongside. Gone was his need to fill the silence with laughter and jokes. He stared down at Eli. He watched as his son's chest barely rose when he inhaled. Tears formed in his eyes at the sight.
This was all too much. This pain was far too real. The medical crew told them they had to wait outside the doors as they located a room. Panicked, his parents didn't want to part from him. "Mr. and Mrs. Goldsworthy, please. We're doing all we can for him." From the tone of the doctor, they were not particularly comforted. It seemed they were closer to losing him than having Eli be alright. CeCe broke into heavy sobs, her body collapsing against her husband's. He wrapped his arms around her as they sat in the stark white waiting room. Bullfrog propped his head ontop of hers as he whispered in a gruff tone that Eli would be alright. Of course he didn't know that. All he could do was hope he wasn't making an empty promise. They sat for hours. CeCe's crying soon subsided as her tired body fell into a quick slumber. Bullfrog kept his eyes on the doors, waiting for the first sign of a doctor, nurse, anyone with information. Moments later a doctor appeared. "You can see him now," he said in a curt tone. CeCe and Bullfrog rose to their feet, unsure of what to expect on the other side.
Eli's throat felt sore. Worse than sore it felt attacked, dry and broken. The water left his insides raw. His hands were pale, his body completely numb and shattered. He stared up at the bright lights overhead. It was becoming all too familiar a scene for him. The IV in his arm irritated him. He picked at the needle for a bit before deciding it wasn't wise. He rolled his eyes at the thought. Now you decide to show caution?, a voice jeered. He sighed and looked around himself. His body felt too weak to sit upright. The small task of turning his head was far too much. Eli took in the room. The machines next to him beeped and droned on, an interesting soundtrack to the empty space. It hurt too much to breathe. Eli fumbled with the oxygen mask, clinging to it. He drew in a deep breath, as much as he could before his lungs winced. Eli coughed and regretted his choice. His throat felt as if it were on fire. The door to his hospital room opened slowly. Eli's eyes tried to focus on the figures approaching him. He was tired and soon gave up, closing his eyes and resting his head against his pillow. He could hear footsteps coming closer and sense people around him. He turned in their general direction. His eyes opened up a small bit. He could see the distinct outlines of his parents. He was too drained to think about the trouble he was in or the pain he caused them.
"He's going to be okay, right?" he could hear Cece ask. Her voice sounded so small, so unlike her usual upbeat, outspoken tone.
"He'll live, if that's what you mean," Bullfrog's harsh tone broke through. "I hope he'll be alright eventually. He's so broken," he continued to say.
Eli's eyes drifted shut. He didn't know if his parents stayed longer or if they left right after. But for now his body needed rest. Whatever happened next, he could not say with certainty. All he could hope was that it would somehow work in his favor.