need help

8

Days turned into weeks, and Kim’s hope began to wane. Then one fateful morning, as the sun filtered through the large windows, Macau slowly opened his eyes. Blinking against the soft, golden light, he felt disoriented, as if awakening from a long dream.

“Macau?” Kim’s voice broke the silence, filled with disbelief and joy. “You’re awake!”

Macau turned his head, confusion etched on his face. “What happened?”

“You’ve been unconscious for a while,” Kim replied, his heart racing. “We thought we lost you.”

As Macau tried to sit up, pain shot through his body. “I can’t… move.” Panic surged in his chest as reality settled in. He was weak, trapped in a body that wouldn’t respond.

“Just take it easy,” Kim urged, his eyes filled with concern. “You’re safe now. You’re home.”

In the days that followed, Macau struggled with the reality of his condition. His body felt paralyzed, and he couldn’t walk. Physical therapy sessions felt daunting, but Kim remained by his side, encouraging him during each session.

“Just a little bit more, Macau. You can do this,” Kim urged, helping him through the exercises.

Macau grimaced, his frustration boiling over. “It’s not enough! I want to walk again. I have to.”

Kim smiled, pride shining in his eyes. “You will. Just take it one step at a time.”

One afternoon, Vegas and Pete entered the room, their expressions serious. “Hey, Macau. We wanted to talk,” Vegas began, shifting uncomfortably.

Macau looked at them, confusion mixing with a sense of anger. “Talk about what?”

“We’re sorry for everything that happened,” Pete said, his voice sincere. “We didn’t know what you were going through. We should have been there for you.”

Vegas nodded, remorse evident in his eyes. “We let our feelings about Chey cloud our judgment. You deserved better from us.”

Macau felt a mix of emotions—hurt, anger, and a longing for their support. “It doesn’t change what happened,” he said quietly, looking down at his hands.

“No, it doesn’t,” Vegas admitted. “But we want to make it right. We’ll do anything to help you recover.”

Despite their efforts, Macau’s nights were often filled with nightmares. One evening, after a particularly exhausting day, he fell into a restless sleep, only to be thrust into the darkness of his past. The familiar, haunting images of his father’s abuse flooded his mind, leaving him gasping for breath in terror.

“No! Please, no!” he screamed, thrashing in the sheets, his heart racing.

The sound of his cries pulled Kim from sleep, and he rushed to Macau’s side. “Macau! Wake up! You’re safe!” he shouted, shaking him gently.

Macau jolted awake, sweat clinging to his skin, his breath coming in shallow gasps. The fear and memories overwhelmed him, and he struggled to find solid ground. “I can’t escape it! I can’t escape him!” he cried, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Breathe, Macau. You’re here with me,” Kim whispered urgently, pulling him into an embrace. The warmth of Kim’s body was a lifeline in the storm of his emotions.

As the days turned into weeks, Macau began his physiotherapy, slowly working to regain strength in his legs. The journey was painful and filled with setbacks, but he pushed through with the support of his friends.

During one session, Macau looked at Kim, his brow furrowed in determination. “I want to walk again. I have to.”

Kim smiled, pride shining in his eyes. “You will. Just take it one step at a time.”

With each small victory, Macau felt a flicker of hope. The nightmares still plagued him, but the presence of his friends gave him the strength to fight. He would not let his past define him, and with the unwavering support of Kim, Vegas, Pete, Kinn, and Porsche, he began to see a path forward.

As they gathered in the living room one evening, Macau glanced around at the people who had stood by him through it all. He realized that while the scars of his past would always be a part of him, he was no longer alone in his fight.

“Thank you for being here,” Macau said quietly, his voice filled with gratitude. “I know I have a long way to go, but I’m willing to fight.”

“Good,” Vegas said, a determined smile crossing his face. “Because we’re all in this together.”

And with that, surrounded by his friends and the warmth of their support, Macau felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. He knew the journey ahead would be challenging, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he might just be able to overcome it.