Keep Dreaming Up Ways to Survive

Chapter 30

Dawson sat in the dark hospital room as Felix slept; the nurses let him stay past visiting hours. Even if he wanted to leave, Felix wouldn't let him. When the nurses tried to tell Dawson to go, Felix started crying and begging for him to stay. They couldn't say no to the poor, injured kid. Dawson was allowed to remain till Felix woke up, so Dawson had some time to think about what to say and do.

"I'm horrible. I'm horrible. I knew. I was the only one who knew. And I forgot? How do you forget that? I... can't believe I forgot...." Dawson mumbled, rubbing his temple, "I'm sorry this happened to you... I'm sorry; this is my fault."

"It's not your fault...."

Dawson gasped, "You're awake?"

"Shh! If the nurses notice, you'll have to leave!" Felix hushed quietly, sitting up painfully.

"Oh, yeah..." Dawson lowered his voice, "So, Felix... I need you to tell me who did this to you...."

Felix's light smile fell into a frown, although he knew it would come.

"I... Ugh... no... I don't want to...." Felix mumbled.

"Felix. I wasn't asking." Dawson responded strictly.

Felix's mouth opened and closed, just as a fish would.

"I don't know what would happen if I told you... But I feel like nothing good...." Felix admitted.

Even though Dawson knew who did it, he wanted Felix to say it; he didn't know why.

"I make a lot of promises. And so far, all of them were broken. But this one, for sure, will not be." Dawson gently laid his hand on top of Felix's hand and looked him in the eyes, "I promise, if you tell me, only good things will happen."

Felix breathed in and out, closed his eyes, and finally looked at Dawson in the eyes too.

"It... was... my... mother..." Felix murmured, cringing saying the word mother.

"Thank you, Felix. I'm so proud of you." Dawson smiled warmly.

Felix lowered his head, flushed red. Then laying his hand on his stomach, Dawson knew what that was code for. He handed Felix an empty plastic cup which his water had been in. Felix shakenly held the cup, having Dawson hold the bottom for extra support. Felix's Adam's apple bobbed as a large, smoking slime ball fell from his mouth into the cup. The bottom of the cup warmed as the glob landed, causing Dawson to shiver. Felix laid back more on his pillow as the pain in his throat raised. Dawson searched for a place to hide the cup, finally picking one. He opened the window, seeing how long the outside window sill was. He placed the cup on it and slid it his entire arm's length to the right so there was no way to see it from the room. Dawson put his arm back in the room and admired how beautiful the night sky was. The moon was full that night; it was big enough that Dawson felt like he could jump and touch it. He could even see a few stars; since they lived in the city, it was a rarity to see them.

"Felix, you can see stars from here! It's like the world knows everything's going to be ok!" Dawson beamed.

Felix chuckled, but it was cut short when the door opened.

"Oh! Felix, you're awake!" The friendly nurse said, "Dawson, time to go home."

Felix and Dawson both stared at her with hatred and annoyance.

"Come on, guys." The nurse sighed, "I let him stay an extra hour, no, an hour and a half! It's time for you to go; you can come back tomorrow."

Dawson rolled his eyes and closed the window. He walked towards Felix and hesitated.

"Should I kiss his forehead? Or maybe a hug? Handshake? What would make him the most comfortable?" Dawson thought to himself.

"Dawson?" Felix asked, confused.

"Oh yeah, bye," Dawson said, turning to the door, deciding not to do anything.

"Wait!"

"Hm?" Dawson looked back.

"Hug?"

Dawson's heart swelled to an immeasurable size, and he felt his ears warm slightly. Almost skipping back to Felix, Dawson bent down to the hospital bed and gently hugged Felix.

Felix smiled, "Bye."

Dawson, now giddy, walked out of the hospital room, to the elevators, to the lobby, and out to the parking lot.

Dawson looked around and said, "Where's Octavia?"

The empty parking lot let Dawson know he had been forgotten and left.

"Damn it."