Bittersweet

Part 6

Airy felt anxious as he left the hospital. He wasn't sure what to do, where to go. He was alone.

Airy fidgeted as he walked around, Liam was so certain they'd both make it here, that he hadn't made any plans on what to do if they got separated. Airy flinched as he saw people walking by. He didn't want to be in a crowd, not at all. Airy fled into an alleyway, trying to avoid people being near him. He cowered behind a dumpster, there wasn't many people, but it felt like a massive crowd to him. He was only just getting used to Liam being around him, he couldn't adjust that quickly to groups of people. Airy hid for several hours, refusing to leave the moment he heard someone going by. Night had fallen by the time Airy got up, leaving the alleyway, when he saw a familiar face, no, two familiar faces. It was Soda Bottle and Scenty. He hesitated for a moment, before walking over to them.

"Soda... Soda Bottle, Scenty...!" He tried to call out to them, but found himself struggling to raise his voice. Airy continued walking to them, speeding up when he realised they were walking away. When he reached them, he spoke up again, making the duo jump.

"Ai-Airy?!" Soda Bottle grabbed Scenty's arm, moving away from Airy. Airy flinched at Soda Bottle's tone.

"Wha- How did you- How did you get here? Where's Liam? What- What are you doing?" Airy cowered slightly as he heard Soda Bottle's yelling. Liam was already too much when he was yelling. Scenty grabbed Soda Bottle's arm.

"J- Just stop yelling, we need-" Soda Bottle shushed her, before lowering his voice.

"How did you get here?" Airy fidgeted.

"I... Liam and I died... And were going-" Soda Bottle interrupted Airy.

"What do you mean Liam? Where is he?" Airy pointed to the hospital.

"Car..." He felt himself lose track of his words. Soda Bottle raised his eyebrows.

"Car what? Car crash?" Airy nodded. Scenty looked at Soda Bottle, then back at Airy.

"What happened? Is he ok?!" Airy shrugged, before the two grabbed him and ran to the hospital. Airy yelped as Soda Bottle gripped his handles tightly. It was always his handles, wasn't it? Airy let out a sigh of resignation as Soda Bottle dragged him, while Scenty sprinted with them both.

Airy flinched as the bright lights of the hospital hit his eyes again, as they all entered. Soda Bottle really cared about Liam, he realised. Airy noticed Soda Bottle let go of his handle, so he quickly moved away from him, watching the entrance. He'd slip out the moment he got the chance. Scenty watched as Airy slowly inched away from Soda Bottle, as he spoke to the receptionist. She grabbed his wrist as he neared the door.

"Don't you dare." She growled. Airy flinched at her tone, before sitting on a chair. He didn't want to get yelled at. Scenty sat next to him, letting go of his wrist. Soda Bottle walked over to them, holding a paper.

"We can't visit him today, but we can head back tomorrow." Scenty nodded, slipping herself off the chair. Airy looked at them silently, unsure what to do. After a moment, he hopped off the chair as well. The pair looked at him, clearly contemplating what to do with him.

Soda Bottle sighed, before gesturing for Airy to follow them out. Airy nodded as he followed them out of the hospital. He had nowhere else to go, and Liam had said they were going to Soda Bottle. He tried to remember what Liam had called him. Bryce? He couldn't remember names too well anymore. Liam was simply an exception. The pair led him to the parking lot nearby, where Airy immediately felt panic rise once more. The crash earlier that day came flooding back in even more vivid detail. He didn't want to go in a car again, not this soon! And there would be far more traffic, even though it was nearing midnight, there would still be lots of traffic. Soda Bottle noticed Airy's quiet panic and groaned loudly.

"C'mon Airy, just get in. We won't get hurt." Airy nodded half-heartedly, before slipping into the car. Scenty and Soda Bottle hopped into the front, with Soda Bottle in the driver's seat. He turned on the ignition, causing Airy's breath to hitch. He took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm himself down. Scenty looked back at him, trying to decide whether or not she should try to help him calm down. She quickly hopped into the back, sitting next to Airy. She squeezed his hand, gaining his attention.

"Listen, just close your eyes and take a deep breath. You'll calm down." Airy nodded and shut his eyes tightly. As Soda Bottle drove to the apartment complex, Airy managed to bring himself to calm down, at least a little bit. Scenty smiled slightly as they arrived. Airy stared at the huge building, wondering how far they'd all have to walk. Soda Bottle smiled slightly as he took Scenty's hand, as she hopped out of the car. Airy stared at them, before turning back to the building. He hoped Liam would leave the hospital soon.