Memories

Susanna Martinez

I had called Felix about 30 different times now, my anxiety had gotten the best of me, and he didn't pick up once. I decided on what to do, should I tell his mom he disappeared? No—then we'd both be worried sick. Should I go to his house? But what if he thought I was some sicko who was obsessed with him and showed up to his house just because he was—I tilted my head down to look at the time on my phone's screen—2 hours late! No, sorry, I don't care if he thought I was a sicko, I myself was starting to feel very sick. I stood up and waved his mom goodbye as I got into my car and drove towards his house. Maybe he was still there, trying to make sure he looked extra good for me. Or I'll even let it slide if he took a long nap and didnt wake up on time. I didn't care what the excuse was—just as long as he was safe.

I made it to his house and noticed his car wasn't in the driveway, my stomach churned once again. I walked up to the front door and knocked a couple of times. I grew impatient after a few seconds and knocked stronger this time, fidgeting with the ends of my hair.

Still, no response.

I walked away hurriedly from the door and back to my car. I slammed the car door behind me and sat there in the drivers seat, feeling tears start to swell in my eyes. I had such a bad feeling—a premonition more like, and my heart felt heavy. Where could Felix be and why wasn't he answering? I just wanted him to be safe. I just wanted to be wrapped in his arms one more time.

As I felt tears begin to fall onto my cheeks, my phone started ringing. It was from an unknown number, but I picked up anyway.

"Hello?" I choked out.

"Hello, is this Susanna Martinez?" A deep voice answered back.

"Yes, who is this?" I said, wiping away some of my tears.

"I'm Officer Pattinson and I'm calling to let you know Felix De La Rosa is at South West Hospital. We found him in an alleyway beaten half to death and transported him to the nearest hospital. You were his only emergency contact."

I felt my heart stop for a moment. Felix beaten half to death in an alleyway? I chuckled softly for a second. Surely this must be some kind of joke he was playing on me to try and not make me mad at him for being so late, right?

"This isn't funny." I replied, a half smile on my face.

"Ma'am I assure you I am not trying to be funny. Please come over to South West and we'll try to explain further." Pattinson replied.

I hung up and dropped my phone on my lap. I buried my face in my hands and started to weep. A bunch of questions popped into my head all at once, suffocating me in anxiety. Will he be okay? Who did this to him? Did he do it for me?

I wiped my face and started the car's engine and made my way to the hospital. I was gonna find out who did this and make sure Felix recovers. Angry thoughts took over the sad ones as I drove. Ones about who hurt him, ones about how I'd make sure they'd rot in their prison cells.

I basically flew to the hospital, running a few stop signs just so I could get to Felix quicker. I dashed out of the car and into the hospital's lobby. I rushed up to the receptionist and asked for Felix, she led me to his room.

She opened the door slightly before nodding and walking away. I took a deep breath before opening the door wider and stepping inside to the room, and honestly, I wish I hadn't.

In the middle of the room lay Felix. His head was wrapped in bloody bandages, only being held up by a cervical collar. There were countless wires and machines hooked up to him. I stood there silently, watching how his chest rose and fell ever so slightly. After a moment, I walked up to his side to get a closer look at him, I didnt even notice the officers standing at the foot of the bed.

"Miss Martinez?" One of the officers called. "I'm Officer Pattinson, the one you spoke to on the phone. I know this is a lot to take in." He said gently.

"It really is." My voice trailed off.

I could feel my heart breaking as I continued to watch him and felt the swelling in my throat come back up.

"How did this happen?" I broke the silence after a moment.

"We believe he was ambushed by a gang and was beaten. We've yet to find out why they chose him however." The other officer spoke, a woman.

I tried to fight back the cry in my throat and spoke up again.

"I think I have some information that could help your investigation." I said.

The officers looked at another and raised an eyebrow before turning back to me and nodding.

I told them about Samuel and Felix and how the two were always at each other's throats. I explained the first incident where Samuel punched Felix right in the face in front of me, how Felix blackmailed Samuel into breaking up with me, how I even noticed Samuel seemed to scowl at us every time we walked past him in the halls. I finished by explaining how It wasn't impossible for Samuel and his friends to be the culprits behind Felix's assault.

The officers stayed silent and wrote down notes, not laughing at me like I thought they would at the insanity that all this may be because of me.

They thanked me for the valuable information and left me to be alone with Felix. I showed them a quick smile before turning to face Felix once more. I was scared to touch him—although all I wanted right now was to hold him tightly to me and never let him go.

I brought my hand up to his face and caressed his cheekbones softly. His skin was a tone paler and his lips chapped— almost looking purple. I sighed and held his hand in mine for a moment, sitting in silence as I watched him once more. I felt somber—ready to cry once more, until suddenly his eyelids fluttered. His eyelashes tickled his under eye and slowly, he opened his eyes.

A/N: hi I know this chapter is a month later but I graduated and then I fell into a deep depression which made me unable to put any effort into anything let alone writing but I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so here you go! Much love and many thanks! 💕😘