RIAN'S POV

I walked home in the darkness. The street lights near my house had all gone out years ago. Seems nobody cares any more. All of the way home I was worrying about what had happened.

Alex was there. He works in Starbucks! I don't know why I even care. I don't speak to Alex, Jack or Zack at all now, I don't need to be so concerned for Jack. I have my own life now, I have Cassadee and Matt... I actually have a life outside of Zack and Jack. It's the first time since Alex and Jack managed to get the four of us all together in high school.

As I paced the town I began to get more tired then I was before. Not that that's even possible. I sipped from my drink as I walked. It's not even that bad. I don't see why I've never tried it before.

I was grabbed form behind and pulled down a dark side street. "Fuck! GET OFF ME!" My mouth was covered and I was soon gone. I was gone. Asleep.

I can't remember much of what happened next. I remember hearing sirens and being driven to the local hospital.

Questions were fired at me but I couldn't answer them. My mind wasn't right. I couldn't understand. I tried to open my eyes and failed miserably. If my eyes were open then I could see nothing.

I could feel pain spreading like wildfires all over my body. Especially my chest. I don't know what happened. I can't answer questions. I can't move. My body can't be controlled.

. . .

A few hours later and I was woken up. A nurse walked over to my side and I could see the vague outline of Cassadee in a seat to one side. Next to my mother.

The nurse was questioning me but I found myself unable to speak. I raised my hand to my neck and felt a tube. I panicked and heard the beeping of a machine.
"Mr Dawson! Calm down! Let us explain okay?" The nurse was staying calm and stopped the machines bleeping. I calmed myself down and waited for her to continue. "Someone used chloroform on you a few weeks ago and you were found beaten within an inch of your death. You've been under sedation for around two and a half weeks and you're in the high dependency unit. You had a tracheoscopy and you won't be able to speak until we lower your oxygen. You're going to have to find another way to communicate. I'll leave you and your family together now." The nurse left and Cassadee rushed to my side.

She kissed my forehead and then moved down to grasp my hand. "Rian, I was so worried! Thank God you're alright." I pointed at the various tubes and she laughed. "Still with the sarcasm?" I nodded smiling and squeezing her hand.
"Rian, I'm going to leave in a minute is there anything I can get for you?" I shook my head. Strangely I wasn't feeling hungry or thirsty.

I looked up at Cassadee her eyes were red. I pointed at her eyes and she nodded. "Yes I've been crying, Ri." This is why I love Cass. She gets me. 100 percent.

JACK'S POV

I didn't feel a thing. I thought being dead would be different. I thought I could be happy again. I thought I'd be myself. I don't want to be this person any more. I want to be me.

However, when I heard footsteps on the stairs I knew it wasn't true. I wasn't dead yet. I tried to speak when Zack spoke to me but there was no response. I couldn't hear myself. This is it.

I heard sirens. Martin was here too. I heard his voice. He was comforting Zack. I was lifted. I know at some point I must have arrived in the hospital. I don't know when exactly.

"Come on Jack... Wake up... Please... For Zack..." I heard Martin pleading with me. I don't want to wake up. I want to stay like this forever. I don't want to go back. I can't do this any more. I need Alex. "I'll find Alex for you... I can make him come back... I can't watch you do this any more Jack... I promise I'll he-"
"Who are you talking to?" I heard Zack's voice. He sounded scared.
"Jack." Martin whispered.
"He's not with us... He's comatose... We don't know when he'll wake up." I heard Zack sigh and sit next to Martin. "Rian's in the hospital."
"Really? Why?"
"Don't know. I just saw his mom... She said she was visiting him and asked me what I was doing."
"Oh, right." Martin sighed and shuffled around in his seat. "Do you mind if I go outside for a bit. It's really stuffy in here and I'm... Uh... I was going to let... Alex know Jack's here..."
"What!? No! Alex is the reason Jack's in here!"
"Zack, you can't keep ignoring Alex's phone calls. Let me hear him out and I'll fill you in. Then decide... Okay?" I heard Zack's sigh of defeat. I felt my heart speed up in anticipation. If I hear Alex's voice one last time I can die slightly happier.
"His heart just sped up loads! Did you see that!?" Zack asked excitedly. "Maybe he can hear us!" I could practically hear the grin on Zack's face
"The nurses said he might be able to... That Caleb guy, the nurse, he was pretty cute too... A bit ginger, but cute." I heard Zack slap Martin.
"You're such a slut."
"I know."

I heard a curtain rustle and there was silence. I'm guessing Martin left me and Zack alone. I can't help but think about what he said. He's going to find Alex. He's going to tell him...

WAIT! ALEX HAS BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT ME!

He didn't leave me! Maybe he still wants me!

I have to get through this! I've just got to! Even if he doesn't love me like I love him... I just have to know.

ZACK'S POV

When Martin left I looked down at Jack's fragile body. His cuts were freshly bandaged and there were drips surrounding him. He's picked up septicaemia.

I miss the days when we'd be trying to practise and Jack would be jumping around playing his guitar and flirting with himself. He'd make dick jokes and talk non stop. He'd force me to watch home alone with him and make popcorn. It was the only time he was ever quiet.

I mean ever.

The Alex left and things changed for the worst. Caleb walked into the room and smiled at me sympathetically.
"Let's see how he's doing, yeah?" I nodded timidly. Caleb walked over to the machines and check over some tubes. He smiled at me. "He's doing great. We can lower his oxygen levels soon. He could wake up any moment!" I could see he was being overly happy to try and keep my mind at rest, yet it wasn't working.

Martin came back into the room just as Caleb left. He was waving his phone around victoriously. I could already tell what he was about to tell me.
"Alex is on his way!" I saw on the monitor that Jack's heart rate sped up. I walked over held his hand and kissed his forehead.
"Don't get your hopes up Jacky, you know what he's like..." I felt a slight bit of pressure on my hand and smiled weakly down at Jack. "I know, Jack."

I went back and took my seat next to Martin. He held my hand tightly as reassurance.
"Maybe we shouldn't do this..." I spoke my thoughts. Martin looked across at me.
"Give him a chance Zee." Martin whispered.
"No, lets end this before it begins Martin..." I input.
"Don't!" Jack's voice came from behind. Breathless but determined.