Chapter 48

Comfort

Alex had managed to guide an almost unconscious-on-his-feet Jay into a taxi and down to Chloe's father's hotel. Alex had guessed that Jay wouldn't want to go back to where they stayed with Josie, especially after what had just happened. Instead, Alex went into one of the many rooms Chloe had rented for the group – which was essentially the whole of the 23rd Floor. Alex tried to be as quiet as he could be, so Richard wouldn't disturb them. Locking the door behind them, Alex carefully let go of Jay. Jay fell almost immediately, but landed in a seated position on the bed.

Jay was staring into nowhere, his fingers shakings, mouth opening and closing. Alex sighed at the sight. It must have been a hell of a shock. Probably Jay's first witness to a death. Jay had seen glimpses of dead bodies from the previous accidents, but never had death happen right in front of him.

It took a long half an hour for Jay to finally speak.

"I-I want her back…" Jay croaked.

"I know." Alex soothed. "I know."
"Why did she have to… to go? Why did she have to die? She didn't do anything."

"I don't know." Alex answered honestly. Josie's body was probably already in an ambulance, a crew clearing the tracks, the subway temporally closed. Jay lapsed back into silence. Another long pause extended before Alex started to speak. "You know, I was fourteen when I first realised what my feelings were. What they meant." Alex started, looking to the ground. "I was the typical loner in school. I didn't want friends… I didn't need them. I felt awkward around both males and females. I didn't think it was strange, feeling what I did towards some of my male friends. But I learned, oh boy, did I learn. It was practically taboo." Alex shook his head silently. "Being… being homosexual. Being gay. It's probably the hardest thing to ever admit to someone. It took me four more long years of school to finally admit it to my parents."

"Now, my parents were religious. I mean, really religious. It was a normal Sunday dinner. I knew I needed to tell them, I couldn't bear to deceive them any longer." Alex paused for a moment, memories fleeting through his mind.

"Go on." Jay said silently, looking to Alex, wondering why Alex was telling him this.

"I was called the 'devil's child'. Eighteen years old, I was cast out of my house and home. Luckily I had a job at that point. It was short-lived, but I just had enough money to rent an apartment. While I finished up my education, I met a guy called Jordan. It wasn't long until I realised Jordan was the same as me. In only a few months I realised… I realised I loved him, y'know." Alex chuckled for a moment. "It was Jordan who came to me, in the end. I wasn't just a loner now. I was a loner who was disbanded by his parents. Jordan gave me a beacon of light to follow. On one particularly snowy evening he came to me, confessed to me. I was surprised at first. Surprised at his courage. For all he knew, I was just a normal guy. Instead, I found myself admitting I liked him too. From then on, Jordan and I, we were a couple. People looked at us like we were strange, but luckily homosexual's aren't treated too badly anymore. I mean, we were jibed by some guys our age, but otherwise, we were happy."

"It was exactly a year later we were celebrating our 'anniversary' so to speak." Alex closed his eyes, hearing those all familiar noises. "It was snowing exactly like it was when we confessed. When we were crossing the street, we didn't see the car turning around the corner. It skidded and hit both of us." Alex placed a finger on his left leg. "I was lucky. Jordan had put himself in front of me. Before I knew what had happened, the car had left. It was a hit-and-run, the police said later. Jordan survived initially, but they couldn't save him at the hospital."

"At that point, I was devastated. Completely, utterly devastated. Hell, I was depressed enough that I tried to… end my life. More than once. But evidently God was on my side." Alex grimly laughed for a brief moment. "Not that I'm religious, not any more. I met another man, or should I say, he met me. I wanted to go out the same way as Jordan and jumped in front of a car. I wished, I hoped the car would drive away so I could die in the snow. Instead, the driver got out and drove me to the hospital. I was saved by this man, who I came to know as Phillip."

"He used to live in France, but moved to America. We talked… talked a lot. I confessed to him who I was, what had happened, why I jumped out in front of the car. And he comforted me, Jay. That's the key, he comforted me. It was exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, he had to leave later because his mother was having complications, but I was happy now. I knew Jordan wouldn't have wanted me to die." Alex sighed once more, before placing his right hand on Jay's leg. "I want to offer my comfort for you, Jay. I know, Josie meant a lot to you. More than I'll ever know, probably. But at times like this, when the person you love was killed before your eyes; protected you no less, you need a shoulder to cry on. I want to offer that shoulder." Alex used his free hand to place a thumb under Jay's chin, gently forcing him to look at his face. "For one night, I think you need it. And no one else can offer it."

It took a long, long five minutes for Jay to hesitantly nod his head.

A/N: Short chappie! Sorry for the delay, but I rewrote this chapter a number of times before I was happy with it. I'm not too good with sensitive subjects like this, but… I think I did it justice, hopefully O.o

Thanks to Bookreader2010 and Meowth's Toon Dragon for your reviews!

Also, I fear it may be confusing, but all three (Josie, Jay and Alex) died at the same time in the vision. They would have all died if Josie hadn't pushed them back into Lisa's hands. So, Jay and Alex ARE skipped.

READ PLEASE!

As y'all know, I'm getting into original stories. Well, I'm in the process of another (not Isla Do Maldito), and I need YOUR help!

Or at least, somebody who knows what I'm talking about, so let me explain.

I need someone from America (or if you have knowledge out of country, then that's fine) who would be willing to help me with public school processes (Specifically, from the ages 15-17). I've done some research myself, but most of the sites confuse me to hell XD.

If you can help me, give me a PM, and I'll give you more information. If you can help, I'll even credit you! *gasp*

Right them, 'till tomorrow (One would hope!)