Engulfed

Chapter 9

My heartbeat inclined quickly and the monitor went nuts. Buttons were flashing on my pacemaker. The nurses will be here any minute.

Am I having an asthma attack? I'd imagine sitting in that building didn't help me at all. It was harder to breath, despite my breathing problems before the fire.

There was another shout and then a slam. I jumped up and felt beads of sweat drip down my face. My body shook the bed. I covered my ears but it was no good. I sill heard his screams.

I began to grow desperate for it to stop. I can't listen to it anymore. The nurses will be here soon to either knock me out or kick up the meds. I have to do something.

My eyes scan the room for something, anything that might help to stop it. Maybe it doesn't have to help it. Maybe I can make it worse.

I look to a silver platter on the counter next to me. Tools were left out on it, ready for me to use. I grabbed the sharpest one and held it up.

I probably looked like a monster to the nurses. Holding the tool and breathing heavily, I stared them down. It's their fault he's screaming. They did this to him.

"I'll do it," I threatened, "Don't test me. I will do it."

The nurses eyed one another and left the room, waving someone else in. Slowly, I lowered the tool and listened in the deafening silence. There were footsteps and then there were none.

There was an empty doorway, and then there was Peter Wentz.

I dropped the tool, letting it fall to the ground with a loud clank. Pete didn't even flinch. His eyes didn't move a muscle, not until the door closed behind him and a tear slipped.

If Pete cries, I cry. That's just how it works in this world.

Now the both of us were sitting ducks, crying at the sight of each other. It was horribly awkward until Pete ran up and wrapped his arms around me.

I dug my face into the shoulder of his jacket and cried like a baby. I completely sobbed every last breath I had.

Pete had a similar time. Normally, he was more kept and together than I was, but not this time. Both of us were stuck. There was no blaming tears for allergies because we both know why we're crying.

"They wouldn't let me in," Pete forced out between sobs, "I'm sorry, they wouldn't let me see you."

I let out a shaky breath and sniff, "It's okay. I'm here. I'm alright."

He pressed his blonde head to mine and shook it, "No you're not."

"I know, I know. Burning building. I've been told already," I closed my eyes and remembered everything that Joe, Andy, and Dallon had just told me.

He shook his head again, "No. I don't care about the building. I care about what could've happened to you. You were a stitch away from death, Patrick. Your heart stopped twice in surgery. It's a living miracle that you're alive."

I had no idea that my heart failed. Twice? Shouldn't they have told me? I wasn't about to question him now, not when he's like this.

He sniffed and breathed out, "I can't lose you. You're my best friend. You can't leave me."

I swallowed guilt. I could've stayed with Pete. That last look on his face as I slipped into the building, I wouldn't have had to see that. I could've been okay, but I'm not. I promise, I am not okay. However many times I can try to lie and say that I am, I never will be.

"I'm not going anywhere," I push another sob back down my throat.

Pete sighed and let the tears keep flowing. He didn't try to wipe them off as I was trying to.

"The thought of you alone in that building, burning to death, it haunted me for hours. Even after I saw-" his voice caught in his throat and he stammered, "Even after your burning body was dragged out of that damn building... I couldn't live with myself."

"Pete..." I beg him to stop, shaking my head.

"Patrick, I can't leave. Not anymore. I can't get rid of this constant emotion of fear. I'm still afraid that you're going to die and I'm going to sit here until I'm certain you're safe. They won't let me back in if I leave," Pete planted himself in a chair and protested.

I chuckle a little, "Then don't put up such a fuss Pete!" it's not funny. I know why he did what he did and I would do the same for him. I went straight back to crying.

"Please, don't let them take me away. Don't leave me. Don't die," he grabbed hold of my hand and squeezed it tightly.

I grew drowsy very quickly and looked down. From the opposite side of the window, a nurse was pumping sedatives into me through my iv. Pete was not going to like this. I needed to end this before I lose him.

"I'll always be with you," I promised him.

"Don't say that," Pete said, "That's what people say just before they leave or die. Please don't say that."

I lost grip on Pete's hand and he noticed my eyelids being pulled down.

"Pete," I called his attention while he started panicking, "It's okay. I'm okay. Please don't freak out again. If you want to see me again, then you can't..."

He cried harder and held my hand to his face, nodding, "Okay..."

My head fell back and my eyes shut tightly. I just hope Pete is keeping his promise.

The brightest things fade the fastest.

Totally didn't sob with them while writing this ;( Terrible reminders...
~ Becca