"Alex you haven't gone mad. I'm here little brother"

"Alex? Are you there?"

I can't move I can't respond but the voice I hear is not one I recognize. It is I believe Daniels.

"Yes. Wher-Where am I?"

"That doesn't matter Alex. It really doesn't. What I need you to do is focus all your energy on moving something in your body. Move your thumb, wiggle your toes, do something to prove to yourself and to the others that you are alive and that you will be okay."

"Dan I can-I can't do that. I can't even breathe on my own."

"Alex, you can do this I know you can and I know you will."

In a pause I heard footsteps and Rian is talking to me.

"Hey man. Just took my lunch off to come see you again. Figured I'd check up and see how you're doing if there is any change. We all miss you so much. Jack is going nuts without you. I don't know if you can hear it but he's here everyday until nine, and back again at eight. He loves you and misses you so much. We all do man."

"This is your chance Alex. Move something to know that you're still with them because you're not ready to be here yet."

He was right. This was my chance. Rian was here and if I focus all my engery I could just... move... my.. toes. I did it. I did it. Barely anything but it was still something.

"HOLY FUCKING BALLS I NEED TO FIND JACK." With that he left, I only knew because I couldn't hear his rapid breathing anymore.

"There are you happy now Dan? I did it. I moved. I did something."

There was no response. Nothing but the voice in my head. After what I assume can be a few minutes. I've always had a horrible sense of time. I heard a rush of television flood the empty sound of my room. Someone was channel flipping on my TV.

"Alex, it's Jack. I don't know if you can hear me wherever you are, but I've been here for the last week and I missed you moving your toes because I was hungry and I am so so sorry. I love you and I wish you would move something again for me. Rian was here when you did it. I wish I hope and I might even pray that you can hear me and that you know that I am, and always will be here for you."

Ja-Jack. Oh I miss you so much baby. I wish I could tell you I'm here I can hear you and that I love you, but I can't but I hope you know that. I miss you I love you I'm sorry this happened.

A heavy sigh fell from his mouth. "SO YOU MOVED FOR RIAN PROBABLY NOT EVEN KNOWING HE WAS HERE AND I'VE BEEN SITTING BY YOUR SIDE FOR A WHOLE FUCKING WEEK AND YOU DON'T MOVE. YOU REFUSE TO FUCKING HEAR ME, TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY EXISTENCE. FINE I'M LEAVING NOW ALEXANDER WILLIAM. FUCK THIS. FUCK THAT. I'LL BE BACK TOMORROW. I CAN'T DO THIS RIGHT NOW."

NO NO NO! Don't leave Jacky. I am here and I know that you've been here. Your cologne sneaks through my nose sometimes and I smile on the inside. I wish I could smile on the inside. I wish I could tell you how much I love you. How much I miss you. How you make me smile on the inside when I wish I could smile on the outside. Come-Come back. I-I-I need you. I-I-I love you Jack Barakat.

Notes