AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you so much to sarasidile3, BluePeacocke, sexiboisgiggler, iceteddy2001, SpiderMonkey98, ChloeHomeAndAway, Bella Lilac and fanficforyou for all your wonderful reviews and support, as well as my other readers.

Enjoy. :D

Chapter 7 - Stranger

NORMAL POV

Casey was moaning and trying to pull the oxygen mask off his face, but one of the nurses stood by to make sure it was kept on. Brax took a seat next to Casey's bed and went to grab hold of Casey's hand but Casey pulled away. Brax just put it down to Casey's disorientation and rested his hands on the bed.

"What were you thinking Case?" Brax whispered.

Casey only moaned again and turned away from Brax to stare up at the ceiling.

"Is he okay?" Brax questioned.

"He's still recovering so he's still very confused and disorientated." The nurse, Amanda explained.

"Why won't he look at me? Are you sure the alcohol didn't lead to any brain injury? He's pulling away from me like he doesn't know who I am." Brax panicked.

"I assure you, your brother has sustained no lasting effects of the alcohol toxicity his brain signals are fine." The doctor explained. Brax slumped back down on the chair.

"How are you feeling Casey?" The doctor asked.

"My throat hurts and my stomach feels...urg." Casey groaned.

"Well that's because we had to force a tube down your throat to clean your system. The discomfort will wear off in about a week maximum." The doctor explained.

Casey glanced at Brax and pulled the oxygen mask away from his face fully.

"I want to be left alone." Casey groaned. Brax stood up and looked down at his brother.

"Case, it's me Brax. I'm here for you." Brax gently smiled but Casey again turned away.

"I want to be left alone." Casey repeated.

The doctor motioned to Brax. "I'm sorry I'm going to have to ask you to leave." The doctor ordered.

"You can't do that, he's my brother!" Brax shouted.

"Please, it is in the patient's best wishes that he be left alone." Brax took one more look at Casey and followed the doctor out.

"I'm sure once your brother fully recovers he will be more inclined for visitors." Brax nodded and walked over to Kyle.

"So what happened?" Kyle asked.

"Casey didn't even want to look at me and wanted to be left alone. I'm still not convinced he hasn't got something going on from the alcohol. It was like he didn't recognise me or want to."

Kyle shrugged at Brax's comment and the two headed back home.

BRAX'S POV

I felt a sigh of relief when the doctor told me I could finally see Casey. Kyle had tried to tell me I shouldn't be blaming myself for not protecting him but somehow I couldn't fathom that. He was my baby brother and I was meant to protect him, no matter what and now I've let this happen. If I had gone out to look for him last night I might have been able to stop all this.

I saw how weak Casey looked laying on the bed with the Oxygen mask. I couldn't help but smile knowing he had pulled through, but something about his demeanor seemed different. He kept pulling away from me and when he did glance at me it was like he was staring straight through me. It just didn't feel right to me, but the doctor assured me everything was fine, but how could it be?

CASEY'S POV

I knew I'd woken when I saw myself in a hospital bed. The last I remember was going back home with the plan to pack my stuff then everything went fuzzy and black. I felt a horrible pain in my throat like it was swollen and my stomach felt all gurgly and sick and I had this uncomfortable needle stuck in my hand with a weird sensation running through it, not to mention the bright lights of the hospital were just too much for my eyes.

The thing was that I was awake. It wasn't meant to be like this, I should have been able to combat the emotions I was feeling but they were still there and I was living another day to feel it all again.

Seeing Brax sitting next to me just brought back what I had wanted to leave my life for. His concerned stares at me, I'm not his problem, I never was. I just couldn't bear to have that stranger sitting in my room when I felt so horrible and like I didn't belong.

Why did I make such a stupid mistake? Maybe if I'd drunk one more bottle it would have made a difference and I wouldn't be lying here awake. I'd be lying in a box forgetting about my life that was never mine. If only...