Chapter 12:
Matthew was distraught that Destiny couldn't just open her eyes and wake up. Every time he visited her at the hospital he talked to her, kissed her, held her hand hoping that it would be the catalyst to pull her out of the coma. It's been weeks now and he was devastated with worry, guilt, fear and dread. What if she was like this for months or years?
Damnit.
If Nate hadn't shown up that night driving like a psycho Destiny would never have gotten hurt. Hell, if he and Dani never came to Llanview his life would've been GOLDEN. He and Destiny would've probably started dating long ago and Eddie Ford would've never crossed his path.

Nate and Dani had the gall to stop by the hospital last week. Matthew lunged for Nate the instant he saw him. "You dare show your face here Salinger? Destiny wouldn't be hurt if it weren't for you."
Bo held Matthew back urging him to calm down.

Dani stepped toward Matthew "You can't think we wanted this to happen Matthew, Destiny is my best friend" she defended.

"Oh is that right? Where were you after the accident?" Matthew got right up in her face, nostrils flaring, "where were you when she was hanging out of my car window?"

Nate walked over placing himself between Matthew and his girlfriend "Back off Buchanan. It was an accident."

Matthew shoved Nate "IT'S YOUR FAULT DESTINY AND MY BABY ALMOST DIED!" Nate stumbled back falling over a chair.

"You and Destiny.. she's pregnant..?" Dani asked wide-eyed.

"Get off it Dani. Stop pretending to care. You would've been here from jump if you did" Matthew drilled.

"We knew you'd act like a jerk! That's why we stayed away. We've talked to Shaun everyday." Nate shouted.

"Get out of here. I'm not letting you anywhere near them," Matthew sneered.

Matthew stayed off their radar allowing them to get a false sense of security, waiting patiently for the best time to strike.

"I swear on our baby's life, I'll make them pay," he mentally swore to Destiny.

Matthew started to execute his plan of revenge.
He was parked outside of Salinger's place waiting for Inez and Deanna to leave for work. He had scoped the place out for the past couple of days to ascertain their schedules. He didn't want any witnesses for the pain he planned to inflict on Salinger. Nate should've kept whatever animosity they felt between the two of them; ever since Destiny got hurt all gloves were off.

Once the coast was clear Matthew went to Nate's apartment and banged on the door.
Nate opened it figuring it was Deanna forgetting her keys.

"It's payback time" Matthew announced clocking Nate with a right hook. Nate stumbled back, blood gushing from his nose. Matthew knelt beside Nate as he squirmed on the floor like a worm, "You are going to leave town before I have you brought up on attempted murder charges."
Nate tried to smile, "If you do, I'll tell every cop in town that you killed my father", he threatened.
"With what evidence? Do you have any eye witnesses? I sure do. The driver of the car behind me saw you driving erratically causing the accident" Matthew confidently smirked "let me spell it out for you since you're not too bright, that's two counts of attempted murder."

"Where am I supposed to go?' Nate asked desperately.

"To Hell" Matthew suggested walking out, "feel free to take your Mom and Dani with you."

Nate cleared out of town 2 days later, claiming since he had graduated he would go to NYC and find a job in the film industry. Inez of course left with her son.
Good riddance, thought Matthew.

Dani was all heartbroken. She must not have been in her right mind when she came back to the hospital the very next day, crying to Shaun about needing to see Destiny.

Matthew was surprised to see her at Destiny's bedside on his daily visit. "Who let you in here?" Matthew inquired.
"Look Matthew I'm NOT in the mood today. Shaun gave me his blessing, if you really must know."

Shaun has a big heart. If it were me.."Whatever." Matthew turned around to leave having no intention of sticking around with Dani here. He'd wait out in the hall.
"Matthew, wait" Dani ran up to Matthew spinning him around "why do things have to be this way between us? Can't, can't we go back to being friends? Destiny's in a coma & Nate left town, I just really need you..."
Dani put her arms around Matthew's neck and threw herself against him kissing him on the lips.

"Dani save your crocodile tears for someone who cares" he separated her arms and stepped back, "I don't know what I saw in you. Destiny's the only one for me. Just go."

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!

They both spun around to see a solitary tear slide down Destiny's cheek, her wide open eyes rolling behind her head before her body began to seize