The Spark of an Angel

Chapter 16 - The Shadows Settles

Patrick couldn't seem to fall asleep. The thought of Welt passing away in the night weighed him down heavily making him unable to fall asleep. By the time he finally felt himself drifting off, the door creaked open and Kenny stepped in, "nothing eventful happened, he was just sleeping." Kenny yawned.

"Mate, I couldn't fall asleep." Patrick groaned, sitting up, the pain was still in his chest, "by the time I finally felt myself beginning the drift off, you stepped in." He rubbed his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I know you're worried about him." Kenny gave Patrick's shoulder a squeeze, his eyes held sadness, "listen you can wake me at any time if you want me to take the next shift. The first night is always the most crucial in a recovery." He sighed, looking at the bed, "if Astrid wasn't injured, she'd help him, by healing his wounds, so we wouldn't have to worry about him and we could sleep better."

Patrick walked to the door, "sleep well, Kenny." He shut the door and walked across the hall, opening the opposite door, he placed himself in a seat.

He watched Welt's chest rise and fall, "Mr. Matthews, I know you may not be able to hear me... but I couldn't bring myself to tell them the truth. The truth of what you saw, I don't know why. It just seemed so simple. I couldn't do it. I couldn't tell them." He leaned forwards resting his head on the side of the bed, "now, I barely got any sleep and I'm going to definitely start hallucinating things." He laughed, lifting his head, "not like you'd care anyways. I'll be quiet now." He kept to his word and sat in silence.

He didn't know what time it was, he didn't really care, for all he cared, it was nearly morning and the light would be visible soon. He hung his head down, "screw this." He whispered, standing up and feeling around Welt's overcoat's pocket. His overcoat had been hung on the chair, facing away from his sleeping body. Patrick's hand felt for metal, he pulled his hand out, finally grasping the metal tin. He opened it and grabbed one of the rolled up pieces of paper, a cigarette.

Patrick tucked the cigarette between his teeth, as he shifted his hand through the pockets of the blind man's coat. Finally stumbling upon the lighter, it took him a couple of tries, but he finally got a flame. Patrick ignited the tip and placed the lighter back where he'd found it.

Taking the cigarette from his mouth, he stared at the ceiling, he exhaled, a smoke followed the breath, he sighed, "Patrick, listen to your heart. It'll tell you what to do." A voice said.

Patrick spun around, in the dimness of the room, he saw Alex standing and watching him, "what does your heart tell you to do?" He said, he didn't move anywhere, he just stood, watching.

"Alex..." Patrick breathed.

"Do you miss me, Patrick?" He asked, his eyes held a sudden urgency, like he needed to know the answer to his question.

"More than anything in the universe, love." He answered, lowering his head.

Alex grinned, taking a step forward, "Why did you start again?" He gestured to the cigarette that was in between Patrick's teeth.

He sighed, pulling it out of his mouth, "it helps me cope with the pain. That's why I started it again. It keeps me warm. Like a fire."

His friend nodded, "so it's for the warmth?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes." The one worded answer seemed to make his friend twitch.

Patrick sighed, "I need to sleep." His eyes were slowly drifting shut, he had to force himself to stay awake.

Alex placed an arm around Patrick's neck, pulling his head to his chest, one hand cupped his chin, "do you feel it? The warmth?"

He nodded and just like that, Alex was gone, he put the cigarette between his teeth and inhaled deeply, he shut his eyes, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep, "no, no!" A voice suddenly cried out.