Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 38

Scene: Eddie’s Apartment, Early Morning

The apartment was shrouded in an oppressive silence that seemed to amplify Eddie's every thought, every worry. It was around 2 or 3 in the morning, and the quiet was broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator and the distant sound of a passing car. Eddie lay awake in bed, his mind racing despite the exhaustion that tugged at his body. Each tick of the clock on his bedside table felt like a hammer driving deeper into his anxiety. The walls of the apartment, usually a sanctuary, now felt like they were closing in on him.

Eddie's thoughts were consumed by Buck, picturing him lying in the hospital bed, surrounded by machines and tubes, fighting for his life. The image of Buck’s injured, bandaged body haunted him, and the distance between them was unbearable. The more he tried to push the thoughts away, the more they crowded his mind, turning rest into an elusive dream. He tossed and turned, trying to find a position that might bring some semblance of comfort, but it was no use.

With a frustrated sigh, Eddie swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up. He rubbed his face, trying to wipe away the fatigue and the worry that clung to him like a second skin. He glanced at the clock: 2:47 a.m. The realization that he had barely slept in days hit him, but the pull to be by Buck’s side was stronger than his need for rest.

He stood up, the wooden floor cool under his bare feet, and padded quietly to the closet. The apartment was dark, with only the faint glow of streetlights filtering through the blinds. He moved with deliberate slowness, not wanting to wake Carla or Christopher. He pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, the familiar routine of dressing bringing a small measure of focus to his frazzled mind.

As he moved around the apartment, he couldn’t shake the sense of urgency that had taken hold of him. He scribbled a quick note for Carla, explaining where he had gone. The act of writing felt surreal, like he was leaving instructions for a different life, a different reality. He placed the note on the kitchen table where she would see it first thing in the morning.

His thoughts drifted to Christopher. The guilt of leaving his son while he was so worried about Buck gnawed at him, but he knew he needed to be there for Buck and that Carla was there if Christopher needed something. He quietly opened Chris's door and peeked in. His son was asleep, the gentle rise and fall of his chest a small comfort. Eddie stepped inside and leaned down to kiss Chris's forehead, whispering a promise to be back soon. It was a promise he intended to keep, but first, he had to be with Buck.

Eddie made his way to the front door, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and fear. The apartment felt like a vacuum, the silence pressing in on him from all sides. He opened the door and slipped out, closing it softly behind him. The hallway was dimly lit, the only sound his own breathing and the soft thud of his footsteps on the carpet.

As he descended the stairs, he felt a chill in the early morning air. The city was mostly asleep, a rare stillness that only deepened his sense of isolation. He reached his car, fumbled with the keys for a moment before unlocking it, and slid into the driver’s seat. He took a deep breath, the scent of the car’s interior mingling with the coolness of the night air that seeped in as he started the engine.

The drive to the hospital was a blur, the empty streets and traffic lights blending into a monotonous pattern of red and green. Eddie’s mind was focused entirely on Buck. The need to be by his side was like a physical ache, propelling him forward. He barely registered the journey, his thoughts consumed by the image of Buck’s pale face and the sound of the hospital monitors.

When he arrived at the hospital, he parked and sat in the car for a moment, gathering his strength. The building loomed ahead of him, stark and imposing against the pre-dawn sky. He took a deep breath, trying to steady the tumult of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. He could do this. He had to.

Eddie exited the car and walked towards the hospital entrance, his footsteps echoing in the quiet. The automatic doors slid open, and he was greeted by the sterile, bright lights of the hospital lobby. The familiar antiseptic smell hit him, and he felt a wave of nausea. He ignored it, his focus solely on getting to Buck.

The elevator ride up to Buck's floor seemed to take an eternity. Each floor Eddie passed was a reminder of how far away Buck still was. When the doors finally opened, he stepped out, his heart racing as he made his way to Buck’s room. The corridor was quiet, the only sound the soft murmur of voices and the distant beep of medical equipment.

As he approached Buck’s room, he paused outside the door, taking a moment to collect himself. He could hear the steady rhythm of the heart monitor inside, a comforting sign that Buck was still holding on. Eddie pushed the door open quietly and stepped inside.