Still Alive - Adam Stanheight

Chapter 6

A week has passed since Adam encountered Lawrence for the first time after the trap. He never got sleep, due to the nightmares the whole situation caused. He feels like he should be relieved that he is getting to come home from the hospital today, but he is dreading it. He's going back to that shitty lifestyle he had before, except it'll be even worse having to deal with the trauma.

His mother is also coming to see him. He had texted her, begging her not to bring his stepdad, but he has a feeling that she will ignore him and try to make amends together. It is generous enough that he is forgiving her in the first place.

Brielle heads into the ward bright and early to help Adam move back home. He is sitting on the bed with his bag packed and wearing brand-new t-shirt and sweatpants that are a little too big for him.

"How you feeling?" Brielle asks him as she sits beside him. She is not wearing her work attire today. Her hair is fully down and she's wearing a striped long-sleeved top with jeans. She looks much more laid back and casual, which Adam really likes.

"I'm okay, I guess," Adam says bluntly. "It's not like things are gonna change from how they were before, no matter what I do."

Brielle nods in understanding. An idea then pops into her head.

"Maybe your just not ready to come home yet. Why don't you crash with me until you're ready?"

Adam is wide-eyed with guilt. "No, I can't ask you to do that."

"I'm not asking," Brielle says with certainty. "I've got plenty of space for you. We can go get your stuff and bring it there. I insist."

Adam swallows hard, still unsure if he should accept this offer. "Are you one hundred per cent sure? I don't want to be a burden or anything. I've been waking up screaming over these fucking nightmares since I got out of the trap."

Brielle chuckles a little. "That sucks but, I talk in my sleep too so there is nothing to worry about. You shouldn't feel guilty for how you feel, especially over an incident like this."

Adam smiles extremely relieved. He can't help but pull Brielle into an embrace. "Thank you," he says into her shoulder. Brielle scoffs dismissively. "Stop, it's nothing. That's what friends are for."

Adam begins to beam, not having felt this much happiness for a long time. The fact that he now has someone he can trust sparks a ball of light up inside of him.

An hour later, the two enter Brielle's apartment. Adam looks around in awe. "Jesus, this place is amazing compared to my shithole."

"It was a shithole before I fixed it up, trust me," Brielle chuckles. "It's so hard for a nineteen-year-old to get a place that's not falling apart these days, am I right?"

Adam nods in agreement and places his bags down neatly. His phone then buzzes in his pocket. He opens the text and it turns out to be his mother. She is inviting him for dinner in a couple of days' time. He's absolutely dreading it, but maybe if Brielle came it would be easier. "Hey uh, my mom's coming and wants me to meet her in this five-star restaurant for rich-ass people. You can come with me if you want. It's on me."

Brielle smiles. "I'd love to come, especially if it makes you more comfortable. Don't worry about buying though."

Adam shakes his head. "Come on, you're literally letting me stay here. You deserve it."

"We'll negotiate it when the time comes," Brielle responds. She then pats her soft, spacious bed. "You're taking the bed. Make yourself at home."

Adam looks at her in shock and plops himself down on the couch. "I'm not taking your bed, the one you paid for. I don't mind taking the couch. It's cosy."