Nocturne in Black and Gold

Chapter 13: Dueling Realities

Not again.

As Neal slowly grew aware of his surroundings, frustration overwhelmed him. The last thing he remembered was riding in Klaus's car. Now he was back in bed. The sheets didn't feel the same. How many weeks had he missed out on this time?

He'd just asked Klaus about sneaking inside the prison to talk with Peter. He must have blacked out immediately afterward. How had Klaus managed to get him inside the house? Or was it simply that he couldn't remember?

He wished he could recall more about his visit to Peter's street even though Peter no longer lived there. He quieted his thoughts. Klaus said not to be discouraged. Relapses were inevitable. He was tracking in the right direction. Hold onto that.

This bed didn't feel like the other. It wasn't just the sheets. The mattress was harder. The pillowcase was stiff and scratchy. And it was too cool. Klaus knew he was sensitive to the cold and kept the thermostat warmer than Klaus would have liked. What happened? It had been snowing. Maybe a storm knocked out the power. The room wasn't completely dark so the power must have returned. Soon he would be warm again.

His back didn't hurt as much. Whatever happened, he hadn't reinjured it. He'd count that as a big positive. No music. A soft, steady hum, broken by regular beeps. They sounded vaguely familiar.

The beeps increased in frequency as Neal's heart began to race. He knew where he was. That was an IV attached to his hand. His back didn't hurt as much because he was full of drugs, lying in some hospital.

The thought sent him into a tailspin. His injury must have grown worse. Klaus wouldn't have allowed him to go to the hospital unless it was absolutely essential. Why couldn't he remember? The police would find out. He'd be thrown back in prison. What had—

"Easy. You're safe now. Neal, can you hear me?"

Neal stopped struggling, confronted with a new puzzle. He knew that voice. He opened his eyes. "Richard?" he whispered. Was this a dream?

"Welcome back! It's about time," Richard said, his anxious face relaxing into a smile. He pulled out his cell phone and texted someone.

Despite his panic, Neal smiled as well. He didn't believe he'd ever see Richard again. "How?" He stopped himself just in time. Klaus must have arranged it, thinking a familiar face would help his recovery. Klaus wouldn't have used his own name with Richard. He'd rented the brownstone as Ken Maddux, picking a name close to his own to make it easier for Neal to remember. "Did Ken bring you?"

Richard shook his head, his expression growing puzzled. "Ian arranged it. How are you feeling?"

Who was Ian? After a minute, Neal gave up trying to figure it out. His wound was beginning to throb. All he wanted to do was focus on seeing a friend from his past before he blacked out yet again. Richard must have seen the news reports. Neal had been convinced that none of his friends would have anything to do with him. But despite everything, Richard still came.

He looked just the same. For once, Neal's scruff was much longer than his. Richard was wearing a masked bee t-shirt. Yellowface seemed like a lifetime away. Was he wearing it for Neal's sake?

Neal pinched the bridge of his nose to keep from breaking down completely. "Still wearing Yellowface, I see?" he said, his voice husky.

"I'd already dressed for Comic-Con when I heard what happened. I didn't take time to change."

"You're joking, right? It's been months. Or is that your new work uniform?"

"Months?" Richard looked at him, bewildered. "It's still Friday." He pulled out his phone again.