Author Note: Sorry this update has taken a while. I've been so busy with lots of other things and I've struggled with some writer's block.
10/08/2017. David Rossi's House, Virginia. 03:07 hours.
Spencer tossed and turned in the bed, his eyes squeezed shut in terror. Sweat beaded his face and trickled under the collar of his plaid, button down pyjamas. David had opened up his home to the young genius so that he had more space for his recovery. Spencer's fingers tightly gripped the navy blue comforter, his knuckles turning white. His chest rapidly rose and fell. Images of bloodshed, flickering electrics and torn open metal flashed before his mind in intense detail. Spencer grunted and twisted his head to the right. His body jerked, sending a new wave of agony through his injured leg. His head whipped over to the left, hair draped over his face and clinging to his skin. Spencer's lips slowly parted, letting out a shaky sigh.
"No... Need to help... I can't move... Stupid leg... Help... Please, someone... Help..." mumbled Spencer. His muscles seized and his jaw tightened, "Help!" Spencer's eyes sprung open and he sat bolt upright in the bed, panting as he looked around with bleary eyes. The sound of shuffling came from the opposite side of the dark wooden door, followed by the figure of David bustling into the room in a similar button down pyjamas, his firearm clasped in his hands. David's bare feet skidded across the laminate floor. Both men locked eyes. Spencer raised his eyebrows in horror.
"Dave?" David lowered his gun and leaned against the door frame, letting out a long, deflated sigh.
"Jesus, kid. I thought someone had broken in." Spencer brushed his hair out his face with his hand.
"I'm sorry. Nightmare." David gave him a concerned look.
"How about I put on some coffee and we talk about it?" David turned on his heel and padded his way out of the room, his gun dangling by his side. His steps disappeared downstairs. Spencer reached over and switched on the bedside lamp. The lamp cast a warm glow around the room. The blankets were twisted around Spencer's legs. His injured leg throbbed steadily. Spencer could hear the distant, soothing sound of the coffee machine bubbling and hissing. He chewed on his bottom lip. He had an overwhelming pit of guilt on the bottom of his stomach for disturbing David. Spencer turned his head to look at the digital clock on the wooden bedside table. The glowing green digits indicated that it was 03:07. Spencer let out a long sigh and nibbled the tips of his fingers anxiously. He heard the sound of steps getting closer.
The sweet scent of freshly brewed coffee danced at Spencer's nostrils. David sidled into the room with two steaming mugs. He handed one mug to Spencer. Spencer cradled the blue and gold mug between his hands, the warmth spreading through his long fingers. David perched on the side of the bed and gazed at the young man who stared morosely into his coffee.
"Your nightmare... You were on the train again, weren't you?" asked David, taking a sip of his hot beverage. Spencer nodded slowly, "Spencer, I want you to talk me through that day. Before the accident, and then after. I want to hear it all." Spencer's eyes widened as he raised his head to meet David's inquisitive stare.
"Uh... All of it?" David nodded.
"You need to talk about it." Spencer swallowed thickly. His mouth felt desert dry.
"Okay, well... Uhm... I woke up at my usual time of six am. Had a shower, got dressed. I read three books with my Lucky Charms."
"Tell me which books." Spencer closed his eyes.
"War and Peace, Frankenstein and The Narrative of John Smith. I finished my usual morning routine and headed out of the apartment. I stopped at the coffee shop for my double shot hazelnut soy latte. They always have it ready for me. I drank it on my way to the subway."
"What was the weather like?" Spencer opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you doing a cognitive interview on me right now?"
"Just keep talking, Spencer." Spencer closed his eyes again.
"It was warm. Sunny. I didn't need to wear a cardigan under my blazer. I finished my coffee and made my way down to the platform. The platform for the subway was quiet. Only a few people were waiting. I stepped on and found an empty seat by the window. I sat down and leaned my head against the glass. It was nice and cool. I closed my eyes..." Spencer's voice trailed off, his hands tightening around the mug. David slowly reached out and rested a hand on Spencer's arm.
"You're safe, kiddo. I'm right here."
"The sound of screeching woke me up. It was louder than I've heard before. Electric was flashing against the walls of the tunnel. The carriage... It... Swung to the left, then the right, then back to the left. The second time it went to the left, it tipped over and dragged along the rails. My head hit the glass and smashed it. Everything is a little hazy after that."
"What about when you came around?" Spencer cocked his head as he concentrated.
"Buzzing. I could hear buzzing. Everything was on it's side. I could feel something on my head. I touched it and my fingers were covered in blood. Something was running out my ear. My shoulder was throbbing. I heard a cry behind me, so I tried to have a look. It was a woman. I barely got up when I felt the worst pain I've ever felt in my leg. That's when I noticed the metal impaling me. I tried to use my tie as a tourniquet. By the time I got free, the woman had died. I couldn't hear anyone. With the pain in my ribs and the blood loss, I think I passed out. When I came around, I tried to take my jacket off. I was hot and cold. And then I heard people. Medics. They put me in a neck brace. I told them I didn't want any narcotics. They put me on a backboard and took me out of there. I don't remember anything of the ambulance ride." Spencer took a large gulp of coffee.
"What about the hospital?"
"I remember seeing the lights passing by. The resus room was very bright. The EMTs handed over to the hospital staff. I was hypotensive and my oxygen sats were low. My pupil was blown. They took me straight to the CT scanner. It was nice and cool in there. They gave me some contrast which burned through my veins. The pain, the weird sensation in my arm and all of the sounds started to freak me out. I don't remember anything after that."
"Focus on the sounds for a minute. What do you hear?"
"The medics are talking in hushed tones. I can't really hear what they're saying. The scanner is whirring. My chest is wheezing."
"This is good, Spencer. You know the rest after that." Spencer nodded, "Now. I want you to tell me- what could you have done to change the situation?" Spencer thought hard.
"It all happened so fast. I was knocked out. When I woke up, no one was moving."
"What about the woman behind you? Would you have been able to save her?" Spencer furrowed his brow and shook his head.
"No. I mean, I was going to try. I couldn't move. I was trapped. I did my best to free my leg, but by the time I managed, she was already gone." Spencer opened his eyes and looked at David in realisation, "There was nothing I could do. I couldn't stop it happening and I couldn't save her. But... Why did I survive?"
"Because, Spencer, you're tougher than you think. You're not the pipe cleaner with eyes that I first met." Spencer let out a small laugh, a tear making it's way down his cheek.
"Montana. The Goering case." David gave a chuckle.
"One and the same. I know you've been through a lot more than most people, but you come back stronger each time. Determination is what saved you." Spencer smiled softly.
"Thank you." David glanced at the clock on the table.
"You should try and get some more sleep."
"I'll try." Spencer handed the half empty mug of cold coffee to David and rested back into the pillows.
"Goodnight, Spencer."
"Goodnight." David quietly exited the room and partially closed the door behind him, leaving it open ajar to allow some natural moonlight to filter into the room. Spencer twisted himself in the bed to turn off the lamp and settled himself back down. He found it easier than expected to drift back off to sleep.