Healing echos

Chapter two

Beep beep beep....

Ray slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the harsh overhead lights. His head throbbed with a dull ache, and he struggled to recall how he had ended up here. The sterile smell of disinfectant filled his nostrils as he surveyed the room—a typical hospital setting with beige walls and medical equipment humming softly in the background.

Ray glanced to his left and noticed a man lying with his head on the bed beside him. He didn't recognize the man and wondered how he ended up there. Ray hesitated, not wanting to disturb the man from his sleep. As Ray quietly observed the man's face while he slept, he noticed prominent eye bags beneath his closed eyes and tousled hair that suggested a restless night.

He reached down to groom the man's hair back, but with one touch, the man instantly woke up.

"You're awake..." his voice cracked.

Without another word, the man quickly got up and ran out of the room. Ray was bewildered but couldn't move much due to his own condition. Moments later, the man returned, accompanied by another man wearing a long white coat.

"This is a miracle," the man in the white coat said, his expression a mix of surprise and relief. "How are you feeling?" he asked, placing his hand on Ray's forehead.

Ray blinked, trying to process what was happening. He felt groggy but managed to nod slightly. "Confused," he managed to croak out. The man in the white coat smiled reassuringly. "You've been in a coma for three months," he explained. "We weren't sure if you would ever wake up."

Three months passed while Ray lay there, paralyzed. Had he really been asleep for three whole months? Now that he was thinking about it, he couldn't recall any memories he previously had. "Who's that man?" Ray pointed.

"I'm your doctor," the man in the white coat replied. "No, him." Ray pointed around the doctor to the disheveled-looking man. The glow in the man's eyes faded. "You don't know who I am..?" His voice started to crack as he reached for Ray's hands. "It's me, Sand...your boyfriend?" Ray could see tears beginning to form in Sand's eyes.

Since when did he have a boyfriend? Even though he couldn't recall any memories, how could he forget his own boyfriend? Ray didn't want to upset Sand any further, so he simply shook his head in silence. "I'm sorry..." he croaked. "Can I speak to you Mr Sand?," the doctor chimed in, breaking the awkward silence. Sand nodded quickly and followed the doctor out into the hallway,

The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the narrow hospital hallway, mingling with the distant hum of medical equipment. The doctor glanced at the clipboard, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Do you know of any immediate family of Ray's? We've tried to contact his family, but no one is answering," he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

Sand, Ray's closest friend and so called boyfriend , shifted uncomfortably . He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, clearly distressed by the situation. "Uh... no, Sir. You see, his mother passed away years ago, and he and his father are no longer in contact."

The doctor sighed, flipping through the papers once more. "That complicates things. Ray's condition is critical, and we need to make some important decisions soon."

Sand looked at Ray, who was now  sitting up in  his hospital bed, his face pale and covered in bruises. The events of the past few hours played back in his mind like a horrific movie reel. The car accident had come out of nowhere, shattering their evening into chaos and leaving Ray clinging to life.

"Is there really no one else?" the doctor pressed, his eyes meeting Sand's with a glimmer of hope Sand shook his head in silence "I'm sorry" the doctor placed his hand on his shoulder taping it trying to reassure him.

"Since you're the only person who has visited him, that makes you the temporary guardian of Ray for the moment," he said, looking at Sand. "He's been showing some signs of memory loss," the doctor continued, his expression serious. "But we need your consent to run some tests on him. Is that okay?"

Sand looked at Ray again, who was now staring blankly at the ceiling, his eyes filled with confusion and fear. He swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the responsibility placed on him. "Yes, of course. Do whatever you need to do," Sand replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

The doctor nodded, marking something on the clipboard. "We'll start immediately. These tests will help us understand the extent of his injuries and what we can do to help him recover."

Sand quietly reentered the room. tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Ray. I... I should have been there. Please, forgive me."

Ray just looked at the now crying man, his heart aching at the sight. "It's okay. I forgive you," he said softly.

Sand picked his face out of his hands, eyes red and swollen. "You're just saying that because you don't remember me, huh?" he said, a bitter edge to his voice. He sat down on the chair next to Ray's bed, his shoulders slumping with the weight of regret.

Ray studied Sand's face, a deep sadness in his eyes. "I might not remember everything, but I can see how much you care. And that means something."

Sand shook his head, wiping away his tears. "You don't understand, Ray. I messed up. I was distant when you needed me, and then you saw me with her. I... I can't even begin to explain how much I hate myself for that. Ray had no idea what the man was talking about, but before he could think any longer, the door quickly burst open taking all attention away from the conversation RAYYYY!" a guy came rushing into the room, followed by another tall, slender male. "I'm so glad you're okay!!" He pulled Ray into a hug.

"Careful," Sand said, getting up from his chair.

Ray felt overwhelmed by the sudden embrace and the flurry of emotions in the room. He gently pushed back, trying to get a better look at the newcomers. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

The guy who had hugged him looked taken aback, a mixture of joy and concern on his face. "It's me, Mew! Don't you remember?" He glanced at the slender man beside him, who also looked worried.

Ray shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry, I... I don't remember much right now."

Mew's face fell, and the tall guy put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Mew. He's been through a lot," he said softly. Then, turning to Ray, he added, "I'm Top. Mew's  boyfriend. He's  been really worried about you."

Before Ray could reply, a sudden sharp pain hit his head, and a vivid memory flooded back. He could recall seeing a guy that looked like Mew dancing at a club. Grabbing his head, he winced in pain, causing the others to grow concerned.

"Ray? Ray?" Sand shook his shoulder. "Snap out of it. Is everything okay, Ray?" His voice grew louder and more urgent.

Ray blinked, disoriented. "I'm fine," he said, snapping out of the trance he was in. "I just think I need some rest." With that, Ray tucked himself into the hospital bed and shut his eyes.

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Mew and Top exchanged worried glances, while Sand stayed by Ray's side, gently squeezing his hand.

"Let him rest," Sand said quietly. "He's been through a lot. We need to give him time"

A couple of minutes passed and all three could tell that Ray was now dead asleep "that's some act you're putting on here huh?" Mew said as he sat  on the  chair across from Sand.