The Delinquent's Haven

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

          "Haven!"  Derek's familiar voice yelled in her ear.  She was crying uncontrollably while fighting against his arms to get to Darin.  He was still passed out, laying on the bridge and Haven was blaming herself, saying she should've been able to stop him and that she caused him so much pain that he wanted to take his own life. 

          "Shh . . . "  He whispered, holding her closer to his chest after he spun her around to face him.  She buried her face in his strong arms and pecks as Jackson neared the bridge.  He yelled out for some help and rushed over to Darin.

          Derek dragged her away from the bridge and over to a nearby bench.  It didn't take long for an ambulance to get there, followed by Maragret and Charlie's three cars.  Almost immediately, Darin was loaded onto a stretcher and pushed into the back of the ambulance.  They were yelling that there was still a pulse and that he was breathing, which caused relief to wash over Derek.

          "Haven, listen to me," Derek whispered, holding her closer to his chest.  Soon enough, Jackson was over to her, shock written all over his face as told her it was okay.

          "Haven, this isn't your fault.  Do you understand me?  This isn't your fault.  He's a messed up guy and he needed someone to be there to pull him down, again.  I don't want you to blame yourself like I did the last time he did this," Derek whispered, watching as the ambulance drove away.  "He's going to be okay . . .  He's strong; he's a fighter.  He's always doing these things to hurt himself but he's okay.  He'll pull through this . . . just you watch and see, okay?"

          "Take me to the hospital . . . "  She begged him.  He looked at her in concern, but the way her eyes sparkled with fresh tears made him nod.  Jackson stood and helped Derek walk her over to one of the cars.

          "You don't have to sit with me," she whispered, afraid that if Darin died, she would be prevented from jumping out of the car and into the roaring traffic.  Derek gave her a knowing look and scooted into the front seat.  Jackson joined her in the back, holding her in his arms and rubbing her back in a soothing manor.

          "What did he say before he, you know . . . jumped?"  Jackson asked, trying to understand why he wanted so badly to die.  He hadn't looked like he would have considered such a thing with Haven standing by his side, but he did and it didn't make any sense to Jackson. 

          "He was upset about his past and that I walked out on him the other day.  I think he needs more help than I can give him, but I . . .  I didn't think he would take things that far," she broke down, then.  Her voice had been shaky and she sounded like she was spooked but everyone in the car knew she needed to see Darin . . .  No matter how much they all told her he would be okay, they all knew she wouldn't believe them until she saw him with her own eyes.

          Jackson held her, not sure of how to give proper comfort.  He had never had to do this before; he usually just watched people get high and drunk to deal with their pain.  He's seen people cut themselves and shoot themselves, but he's never seen someone be so affected by another's suicidal actions.

          It was something completely new to him.

          Derek drove right behind the ambulance, tailing it the entire way to the hospital.  They took their time getting out of the car so Darin could be put into a room and allowed some kind of visitation rights for the family after they checked his vitals and made sure he was as comfortable as possible.

          As they walked into the hospital entrance, they heard someone yell out that they had a pulse and someone was responding.  Something in Haven begged the God above her to let that person be Darin . . . and to let him be okay.