A Light In the Dark
Chapter 12
Shawn struggled towards consciousness. From the noises he heard, he knew he was in a hospital... He was just confused as to how he got there. His head was absolutely swimming... Whether it was from the pounding in his head, or the medicine he was on, was an absolute mystery to him. The moment he cracked his eyes open, the light in the hospital room agitated his headache, and he immediately closed them. After a few moments of staying still, Shawn tried to raise a hand to rub at his eyes, but his body wasn't responding to his brain. After several unsuccessful attempts, Shawn opened his eyes and turned his attention to his left hand. A quick look at his right hand told him the same thing...
Hospital personnel decided to restrain him.
"Great..." Shawn mumbled, closing his eyes to try and wince the headache away.
"Sorry."
Shawn glanced to his side, then groaned and shut his eyes again. "Buzz off."
"No way, man. I'm sorry this happened."
"Really, now?"
"Yes."
"You didn't seem sorry... Uh... How long have I been here?"
"Two days."
Shawn's eyes snapped open, and he glared at the other man. "I've been unconscious for two fucking days?!"
"I said I was sorry, didn't I?"
"...Yeah, you did. But I don't fucking believe you. How many times did I ask you to stop, Shane?"
"What can I say? I like playing games."
Shawn narrowed his eyes even more when that fucking smirk made itself known. "You're such a fucking prick."
"Maybe you need to calm down a little."
Shawn shut his eyes and turned his head away. "Fuck off."
Several moments of silence passed before Shawn felt a presence in the room. He wasn't interested in talking to doctors or nurses, so he kept his eyes shut and his face turned away. It wasn't long before Shawn realized he was alone in the room, as he couldn't hear any rustling of papers or footfalls on the floor like he usually did when someone came into a hospital room to check on vitals or whatnot. Shawn breathed deeply through his nose, then caught himself taking another whiff of the air.
Such a familiar scent...
"Shawn?"
There was something so gentle about the voice... The smell...
Shawn opened his eyes again and turned his attention to the direction the voice was coming from. He blinked several times to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "Oh my God..."
Standing to his right was an ever-so-innocent looking Shane McMahon. He didn't look angry or like he wanted to pick a fight. He looked just like he always did... Happy. Even though there was a hint of concern in his eyes.
"No... Not God. Not even close."
Shawn scoffed, trying his hardest to blink away the tears welling up in his eyes. "Still a comedian, huh?"
"One of us has to be," Shawn watched as Shane moved closer to him and knelt down. "Listen, man... This is no good... This isn't you."
Shawn shook his head. "Shane..."
The concerned look on the other mans face deepened. "Shawn... This hurts."
Shawn tried to ignore how Shane's voice cracked, instead choosing to put a small smile on his face. "Everything is fine... I mean... You're the one fucking with me, right?"
Shane tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy. "What are you talking about?"
"I've been seeing and hearing you for the last year."
Shane blinked. "Shawn... That isn't me."
"...What?"
"This is the first time I'm paying you a visit, buddy."
Shawn raised a confused eyebrow. "But..."
"Listen, Shawn... Please believe me... I haven't been here."
"Then what the fuck is going on with me?"
Shane sighed. "Well... Honestly? You're... You're kinda going crazy."
"Thanks."
"No, I'm serious."
"What's making me crazy, then?"
"You." Shane replied.
Shawn blinked. "I don't get it."
"Okay... You said you've been seeing me for a year, right? This is my first time visiting you since the funeral. Obviously you feel guilty about... Ya know... And your subconscious never wants you to live it down. So... You've been hearing and seeing your subconscious. Honestly, man... Would I be that rude to you?"
"I guess not. You never were, anyway... But are you saying my subconscious is taking your form to make me feel like an idiot?"
"Feel and look like an idiot. Yes."
Shawn narrowed his eyes at Shane. "So my subconscious is trying to drive me crazy?"
"Yes."
"It's doing one hell of a job."
Shane laughed. "Yeah, you can say that again... I mean, look at you. You're one step away from the looney bin," Shane paused to sigh again. "Listen... There are some things you need to come to terms with if you want to get better."
Shawn sighed. "So Randy keeps telling me."
"It's not only the nightmares, Shawn."
Shawn looked Shane in the eyes. "How the hell do you know about those?"
"People do pray, ya know... I hear things."
"Are you the one putting them there, then? Or is it... The other guy?"
"Both, I guess. I'm not doing it to fuck with you. Believe me. There's something that you're missing... And you need to focus in order to figure out what it is. When you get it, it'll stop."
"How do I know what it is?"
"It should be obvious when you notice it... And, when you wake up, just admit it to someone. Come to terms with it. You'll be alright."
"I'm assuming you spoke to Randy about this, as well?"
"Hmm? Oh. No."
"Are you sure? Cause he's been saying that shit, too..."
"I'm positive. And he's probably been saying that because he's thinking with common sense. No offense."
"None taken. I guess."
An awkward silence fell between the two. Shawn's mind was racing with what Shane told him. Then again, it was kind of obvious... Why *would* Shane be that mean to him? He had no reason to hurt him intentionally... Or so Shawn hoped.
"So... About the letters you're getting from Paul..."
Shawn turned his attention back to Shane. "Oh. You know about those?"
"Yes."
"Shit."
"Have you read them?"
"What does it matter?"
Shane sighed. "Dunno."
"Do you think it'll make me feel better if I burn them?" Shawn asked.
"Do you think you're going to feel better if you read them?"
"Touché."
"I'm being serious, Shawn... Have you read them?"
"Not really."
Shane scoffed. "It's either a yes or a no, Shawn... I won't get mad, either way."
"I meant not really as in not really. I skim through them... I don't really pay attention to what they say."
Shane raised his eyebrows in slight amusement. "Are you hoping to read something that you'll never read in your life?"
Shawn scoffed. "What's that?"
"Paul didn't do it and this is all a dream?"
Shawn grumbled in agitation. "I've realized that isn't going to happen..."
"Good. Now you can concentrate on getting better."
Damn... Why are my eyes so heavy..?
Shawn once again found himself struggling to open his eyes. After what felt like an eternity, he winced against the harsh lights in the room as he looked around, raising a confused eyebrow as he did so.
Was that a dream?
"Mr. Hickenbottom?"
Shawn blinked several times, then turned his attention to the man standing in the doorway. "Yeah..?"
"Good, you're awake," The man walked into the room and up to Shawn, then took a seat. "My name is Doctor Delaney. Before I start, do you have any questions for me?"
"Uh... Yeah... Why am I being restrained?"
Doctor Delaney sighed, then looked Shawn in the eyes and fixed him with a stern glare. "We have a reason to believe that you're a danger to yourself and to others... And we think restraining you is the best way to make you listen to what I have to say."
Shawn raised an amused eyebrow. "Danger to myself? Maybe. Danger to others? Not at all. I would never hurt anyone."
"We'll discuss those restraints after I've properly assessed you, Mr. Hickenbottom," The doctor took a look at the file he had with him, then looked Shawn in the eyes again. "It's my understanding that you were recently prescribed medication for bipolar disorder."
Shawn scoffed. "So what if I was?"
"Are you taking it?"
"Absolutely not."
"And why is that, Mr. Hickenbottom? It was obviously prescribed to you for a reason."
"I don't think I'm bipolar. And I don't think I'm depressed. Besides that, I was once addicted to pain medication. I don't want to risk the chance of another addiction."
"I understand that, Mr. Hickenbottom... But your situation is getting out of control."
"And what exactly is my situation, doc?"
"You're one more breakdown away from psychiatric evaluation, Mr. Hickenbottom. It could land you in a ward anywhere from a few days to a few years, depending on how bad the personnel believe your condition is."
"There's nothing wrong with me." Shawn stated.
"I've heard that one before, Mr. Hickenbottom... Look, I'm trying to help you out, here... Just... Take the medication. That's all I ask. Take it and you can leave. If not... I'm afraid I'm going to have to call the ward."
"There's no need for that."
Shawn and Doctor Delaney turned their attention to the doorway, which was where Randy Orton was standing. He didn't look one bit amused.
"I thought I told you to wait in my office, Mr. Orton."
"Yes, you did... But you never told me you were going to come here and try to threaten my friend."
Doctor Delaney huffed in annoyance. "I didn't want to waste your time."
"So you thought telling me to wait in your office while you either forced medication down another mans throat or called up a psychiatric ward to drag him out wouldn't waste my time?!"
"He needs help!" Doctor Delaney shouted.
"He needs assholes like you to leave him alone! This guy has been through more in the last year than you could ever possibly understand. Stop threatening him with a psychiatric ward and those stupid fucking pills! All he needs is to go home and be around people who love him!"
Shawn's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was very rare for Randy to come to someone else's rescue, but it sure was great to see him do so... Especially when it was for his own sake.
"You're overreacting..." Doctor Delaney stated.
"'Overreacting' my ass."
"Randy... Please calm down."
Randy turned his attention to Shawn for the first time since entering the room, then sighed. "Sorry, Shawn."
Doctor Delaney sighed. "Look... I can release him in to your care on one condition... He has to start taking that medication."
"You mean the meds the psychiatrist gave him..? We don't have that with us. The bottle is in Texas."
"I can give you a form and you can get it filled here."
"Why are you so pushy about these damn meds?" Randy asked.
"I'm trying to prevent another breakdown." Doctor Delaney replied, narrowing his eyes at Randy.
"I can be pretty damn sure he isn't bipolar."
"Well, the psychiatrist feels otherwise, so I'm going to have to side with the professional opinion," Doctor Delaney handed Randy a prescription form. "There. Take him with you, go get that filled and make sure he takes it."
"How strong is it?"
Randy had to admit, although this doctor sounded like an absolute asshole, his eyes completely softened when he heard the tone in Shawn's voice.
"Not strong at all, Mr. Hickenbottom."
Shawn nodded, then looked Randy in the eyes. The younger man was absolutely fuming. He looked like he wanted to lunge across the room and beat the doctor to death. He could tell Randy didn't like the idea of having to force Shawn to take prescription medication, especially since the younger man knew what Shawn's problem was... Then again, how do you explain that to a medical professional?
The silence was almost a blessing. The doctor wasn't talking, which meant Randy wasn't screaming, which meant Shawn's head could stop pounding as bad as it was. The doctor moved from his chair to give Randy a clipboard, probably with release forms, and step out of the younger mans way.
Shawn saw Randy's eyes linger, then fill with rage. He dropped the clipboard and rushed towards Shawn.
"Why the fuck is he being restrained?!"
"I already explained this to Mr. Hickenbottom..."
"Well, you have to explain it to me." Randy seethed, spinning around to face the other man.
"When Mr. Hickenbottom arrived, he was deemed a danger to himself and to others... It was for his own good!"
Randy rubbed his head with his right hand. "Take those off... Right now... Or I swear to God..,"
The doctor stepped forward and took the restraints off, then left without another word. Randy bent over to pick up the clipboard, then sat down in the chair to fill it out. He had a disgusted look plastered on his face. Shawn was sure he was going to wind up breaking something within the next twenty minutes or so. In several short moments, Randy threw the clipboard onto the edge of Shawn's bed, then slowly turned to look the other man in the eyes.
"Ready to leave?"
A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated in awhile... This chapter made me struggle, as you could probably tell... It's kinda choppy and it doesn't flow that great, but I hope you guys think it's acceptable.
Oh! I have to point out something... I'm getting mixed reviews... I have one person saying not to pair Stephanie and Randy and others saying please pair them or get back to their situation... I've decided what I'm going to do, and I hope you'll like it as much as I like the idea of it.