It's dark. I don't mind it so much, it's not as terrifying as people make it out to be. If it's dark, there's no shadows to make you suspicious. I like the dark. Hm, what's this? Oh, how annoying. I can hear, but can't see. Whoever did this... Those bastards are going to die when I get out of here. More sounds? Light, feathery sounds – like feet. Like A's feet. Don't stop, you sound so close. More footsteps. Heavy, forceful. A doctor, perhaps? Then the delicately recognisable sturdy feet of Mello enter; those I know. Everything is shrouded in darkness; I don't seem to have the energy to move. Like I don't have control over my body. I can't do anything. But my senses work OK, don't they? I can hear just fine—
"B"
Why are you here A? How have you managed to – wait, you're safe. You should leave soon, don't stay long. The police will come back. I hear monotonous beeping; if I could move, I would kill it. Unless it's keeping me alive...maybe that's why. Maybe the machine is keeping me alive; my senses are my own, if my brain activity is OK then that explains why they are fine. Not-so-much for movement. Let's try... no, finger-twitches are a fail. Fucking dicks.
"You can wake up now"
What are you talking about, A, I'm awake. I can hear you. I'm - Oooh, what's this? Sitting by my leg... why? Don't get comfortable A, you can't stay here—fuck! Don't do that, it's-...damnit. Tickles. A, remove your hand from – ow!
"Mel, he aint gonna' wake up f-"
Ah, Mafia-Man. Heh' heh' heh'. Why so serious? Hah!
"A, we better let BB sleep. He'll get better quickly if we do"
Mello, are you lying? I'm awake! Don't tell A to leave when I'm awake! You are a fucking—
"We still need you to eat that jam cake we have to make" Oh, God yes!
A, don't chuckle – it's disturbing. I chuckle and I think a lot, so please don't –
"I know you won't miss that" You're close. I can feel your breath on my face...it's warm. Lean closer. Touch my nose, kiss my lips, my cheek—Yes. Your finger is cold A, are you ok? "Is this hurting you?" A, you could never hurt me. You're a lamb, so fragile and so helpless—wait, what are you touching? Be careful A, I might—
Where've you gone?
A?
Stop moving around, I can't feel you... oh, please don't cry. You're going to cry – you're panicking. Mello, you shit-headed friend, give him a hug!
"A, listen"
Yes, Mello, cause talking like he's a baby will make him understand! Hug him! He needs comfort. Talking will do no good. "BB needs to rest now, we should go in case the police come back" Mello, please take him back with you. Don't leave him all alone. You won't, will you? No, of course you won't. I don't mean to snap at you, but sometimes you worry me when you take care of A. Maybe I'm selfish and want him all to myself. I don't know. Probably. Mello? Don't stop caring about him, he needs you – A,... I feel your hand. It's cold, like your finger. Are you cold? I wish I could touch you, move to squeeze your fingers like you are mine, maybe even hug you until I somehow manage to suffocate you. I'll choke you back to life though, don't think of leaving me A. Never leave me.
"A..." Mello, don't be worried. It's ok. As soon as I'm better...
"I love you" Fuck, A, I love you too. I really want to show you, I do, I do, but I can't move. Kiss me A, please? Before you leave? "I'll come back for you, OK?" As much as I'd love you to, there's something I have to do first. You may not find me when you come to get me. I'll find you though, don't worry. A, are you crying? Please stop, it's annoying. I don't like kissing your wet face unless it's in the shower...mm...A? Don't cry. I love you.
"We'll come back for him, wont we Melly?" Damnit Mello, try and keep him away, please? I want to be able to greet him with kisses, hugs and fucking sex next time. I hate him being here and not being able to do a damn thing but talk to myself.
"See you soon BB" Yeah Mel, see you soon.
Hm? What's this ... sheets? Bedsheets. And... eugh, what is this down my throat? Damnit – can't fucking breathe! I hope that rapid beeping means something useful – oh, hey, nurse. Hi. So – ow, you're dead when I get my hands on you, that hurt! What's that, sedative? Oooh, do inform me of those...what now? Don't touch my eyes, you'll burn them!
Swat.
"Oh my, he's conscious!" Surprised, Nurse? "He's just come out of a coma, this isn't possible. It was probably a reflex or-" No. Not a reflex. I can see you, nurse. I can see your surprised face and your shaking body... do I scare you? What's with that face?
"Why" I croak. "So" I grin. "Serious"
Sunday 20th December.
"Melly. Melly, wake up!"
"Eugh, what?"
"Melly" I'm rolled ungracefully onto the floor, hearing a squeak and a quickly following apology. "I'm sorry! Oh God, Melly, are you ok! Please say you're ok. I don't mean to add to your bruises, honest"
"A, calm down, it's ok" He falls silent and I look to my clock. "Half six?"
"Don't you go to mass on Sunday Melly?"
"Not all the time. I aim for once a month at least...but I mainly go for occasions. And for... other things. Like luck or guidance n' stuff"
"I knew that" A bluffs, smiling. "So...you're not going to church today?"
"No" I scramble back into my bed and warm up. It's freezing. "Why?"
"...Can we go and see BB today then?" I blink and shrug. "Sure. Skyar's working with Rod though, he told me last night. They're on Maf-ffffff..."
"Family business" A finishes, his head falling a little.
"We can take My Lovely if you want"
"Melly, you drive like a lunatic" A says, point blank. "Why don't you learn how to drive a car? They're probably safer"
"Yeah, but how do you look badass in a car?" A shrugs.
"BB can drive, you know" I nod. He was always the one to take us places because we could all go together in his car; otherwise, I'd go ahead on the bike and they'd catch up, which wasn't as fun. "He drives nicely"
"A, if you want to walk to the hospital, that's fine"
"No, Melly. Thank you. I don't have any bike-wear though"
"I have spares" I yawn and flop back. "A...did you sleep at all last night?"
"Yeah Melly" The phone rings in the corridor and we turn towards it, despite it being on the other side of the wall. "It's been ringing all morning; I thought it'd wake you up"
"No... why? Who is it?" A shrugs. "Let's get changed, have breakfast and then get going, yeah?" A's face lights up as he jumps off the bed and goes to get changed, leaving me to find my clothes and get changed at my usual slow pace. Suddenly, A's face peeks around the door again, clothes in hand.
"Hey Melly, guess what?" I give him my full attention. "It's Christmas in five days!" I blink. Have the days really gone that fast? "Do you think BB will be able to celebrate it with us too?" I give him my best smile and nod, leaving him to happily dismiss himself to my ensuite bathroom (for safety probably) whilst I take the one outside.
I pass Misa's door on the way out, her sign displaying the "AT UNI" side. I chuckle and switch it just for laughs, reaching my room just in time for my mobile to start ringing. A enters, fully changed and smiling. I reach for my phone and answer it.
"Hello?"
"Mel? Wow, I'm surprised you're up. It's Skyar"
"Oh, yeah. Hi"
"Listen, can you do us a favour?"
"A Favour favour, or a Family Favour?"
"Family Favour. Rod's being held up by the media – this crap with you and Those Two is giving them a whole lot of energy and they aren't leaving it alone. Rod's gonna' take it as a chance to clear things up, try and get them off yer' back, but that holds Us up" I nod and turn to A in defeat. "Were you going to visit Him today?"
"Yeah..but it can wait..." I glance at A. "I think"
"It shouldn't take long. You don't even need to leave the house. Follow my instructions, OK?"
"Sure, one sec" I hold the phone down. "A, we can't go right now. I need to do this" A's face falls, and I feel incredibly guilty. "I'll make it up to you, I swear. Give me an hour and we can go. Feel free to use anything in here – or the house, I'll be downstairs, ok?"
"Sure Melly, it's ok" Everything in my gut is telling me that it's not, but I put the phone back to my ear anyway and sigh.
"OK Skyar, talk me through this"