Fix Me (Alternative ending)

Chapter 96

We nearly at 100 chapters how many do y'all want me to go on for? Stop at 100? 120? 150? 200? Lemme know

Trigger warning: mentions of eating disorders, substance abuse, PTSD

When Abigail arrives at the hotel, there's a small group of people by the lift. She passes the reception desk and approaches the crowd. "You're in the way," someone's saying, two large suitcases either side of them, a woman just behind with a baby in a pram. Abigail stands on her tip-toes to see who they're talking to. Sure enough, as she suspected, it's Remington, sat in the corner of the lift with his hear clamped in his hands. She can see him shaking from here.

"Hey," she shouts, "you're scaring him."

Everyone turns and looks at her.

"Give him some space," she says.

"He's been there for twenty minutes and we need the lift," an obviously frustrated man returns.

"You can wait two more minutes, then, and step back." She pushes someone to the side and gets through what she can only assume is a family starting their holiday. "Remington," she says gently, crouching in front of him. "It's just me, it's mum. Can you look at me?"

The boy whimpers. "She's-she's here..."

"She's not here, it's just me and those idiots."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

He lifts his head. "Can't get up," he whispers, "too dizzy."

"Is it okay if I touch?"

Remington nods, extends his arms so she can pick him up. He leans into her while she carries him out of the elevator, mumbles that he needs to go to hospital.

"Why's that?" Abigail asks, carefully putting him down so she can unlock her car. She holds his shoulder while she opens the door for him, in case he feels faint.

"Andy's there," the boy says, sitting in the vehicle and looking at his shaking hands. "Overdosed."

The woman plugs him in. "D'you know which hospital?"

He shakes his head, rubs his eyes.

"It's okay, we'll find the one."

Remington looks down. "Sorry," he mumbles, "for making you-making you come get me."

Abigail shakes his head. "Let's not apologise for asking for help, alright? There's no need for that." She closes the door without letting it slam, getting in the other side and starting the car. "Why are we dizzy?" She asks as she's pulling out of the carpark. "Is it because we're overwhelmed or because we've not been eating?"

The boy shrugs.

"Both?"

"Sorry."

"No no, it's okay, I just want to help you. There's a hospital just up here." She glances at Remington. "When did we last have something to eat?"

The boy doesn't answer. He wouldn't know what to say even if he were to answer. He stays quiet until they get to the hospital, where Abigail offers her hand while they're walking in. She asks the receptionist if there's anyone here called Andy Biersack, says Remington's his husband. He's asked for ID and is then taken to a room like any other, where Andy is sitting in bed. He perks up when he sees Remington.

"Are you okay?" The boy asks quietly.

Andy nods.

"Promise?"