The Worst of Times

Chapter 10

"Will he have to get admitted into the watch again?" I asked the doctor when he asked to talk to me outside the room.

"Possibly. Because Chester's spent so much time in the facility, I wanted to discuss ways we could help prevent this from happening again."

"What can we do?" I asked and the doctor sighed. He clearly didn't like the ideas he had.

"We must perform testing on Chester's brain to make sure he's fit for the real world."

"What are you saying?!" I snapped. "That he's crazy? Depression doesn't mean you're crazy-"

I paused. I realized I wasn't even mad at Chester. I was angry that he was trying to leave me again but I was more depressed seeing him pushed over the edge. Perhaps I understand his depression more in depth after I experienced it myself.

"He's been through a lot, Mike." The doctor said softly and I shook my head. "We may have to send him to a mental facility. Suicide watches don't seem to help."

"He's not crazy." I repeated, looking at nothing in the wall. The doctor sighed again.

"Okay, listen, son. He could attempt again if we don't send him-"

"He won't! I'll make sure he won't. Trust me, I'll be sure of it." I said firmly and the doctor nodded after hesitating.

"Alright. His throat will be extremely sore and bruised, make sure he doesn't speak or else he could further damage his vocals and he'll never speak again. Apply heat and ice to the bruise and hopefully the swelling will go down quickly. We also would like to preform a full body checkup, he has some strange bruises on his arms we're questioning."

My first thought was John and the bruises he gave Chester. I didn't want them to think I abuse Chester.

"He was in an abusive relationship not long ago. He was raped and beaten by that guy and was pressured to abusing drugs. You'll find that when you check him out." I informed him and the doctor seemed shocked but wrote down stuff on his clipboard. I must've said something important.

"Do you know what kinds of drugs?"

"Cocaine and weed. I think."

"Okay, thank you for your cooperation." The doctor smiled and I was let back into the room. I went back to Chester's bedside and gripped onto his hand.

"You can't speak or else you could damage your vocal cords." I told him and his facial expression looked sad.

My eyes teared up. What if I never hear his beautiful voice again? What if he never gets to sing again? That'll push him over the deep end.

He grabbed a piece of paper nearby, along with the pen.

'What's wrong?' He wrote.

"I'm afraid of never hearing your voice again." I replied honestly and he frowned.

'Me too.' He wrote back and let the paper and pencil drop on his lap.

"It'll be okay, Chazzy." I said softly and he just looked down.

The door opened and Brad, Joe, Rob, Phoenix, and Sean came in the room. Sean instantly went up to Chester and scooped him into his arms.

"Chester, you nut! What were you thinking?! Don't you dare do this again! I swear to God! I will kill you!" Sean shouted and Chester picked up the paper.

'How could you kill me when I'm already dead?' I saw him write and Sean frowned.

"I don't even want to hear you joke about that, man. You're like my little brother!" Sean teared up and Chester hugged him tightly. "Why the hell you writing on paper anyway?"