Against the Edge

In the Quiet Hours

Ethan stepped into the hospital waiting room, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead as he took in the empty space. The stark white walls felt suffocating, closing in on him as he sank into one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs. It was eerily quiet, the faint sound of a distant beeping machine echoing through the corridor. The stillness reflected the turmoil churning within him.

He couldn't shake the image of Miguel from his mind, the way his friend had looked, vulnerable and lost, surrounded by the aftermath of despair. Ethan's heart raced as guilt gnawed at him. Why hadn't he been there? Why hadn't he seen the signs?

His hand tightened around his phone, the weight of uncertainty heavy in his chest. Should he call Harvey? The thought of delivering such devastating news to Miguel's father felt overwhelming. Harvey was busy in New York, probably preoccupied with important legal matters. The last thing Ethan wanted was to burden him further or shatter the calm he believed his father would need right now.

But he couldn't just sit here and do nothing. After what they had found earlier, Ethan knew that Miguel's father deserved to know, and so did he.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan dialed his father's number, the familiar ringtone echoing in the silence. The call felt agonizingly long, but finally, he heard Adam's voice on the other end, warm and reassuring.

"Ethan? What's wrong?"

"Dad... I—" Ethan hesitated, struggling to find the right words. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. "It's about Miguel."

"Is he okay?" Adam's tone shifted, concern evident in his voice.

"No, he's... he's in the hospital." Ethan swallowed hard, his throat tight. "He... he tried to hurt himself."

A sharp intake of breath came from the other side of the line, and Ethan felt the weight of the revelation settle like a stone in his stomach. "What happened?" Adam asked, his voice steady but filled with worry.

We found Miguel in his apartment. He's unconscious, Dad. They're taking care of him now, but... I don't know how long he'll be out."

Silence stretched between them, and Ethan could hear his father's breathing, steady yet filled with disbelief. "I'm on my way, Ethan. I'll get to the hospital as soon as I can," Adam finally said, his voice low and filled with determination.

"Dad, I—"

"Just stay with him. You're not alone in this. I'll be there as fast as I can."

The call ended, and Ethan sat in the silence, staring at the wall in front of him. He felt a strange mix of relief and dread wash over him. His father would come, but he also knew that facing the reality of Miguel's situation would be even harder with Adam there.

As he collected himself, Ethan's thoughts shifted to Blanca, James, and the others. They needed to be ready for what was to come. They had to be strong for Miguel, who needed every ounce of support they could muster.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up, resolved to return to Miguel's room. They had to be there for him, to stand united and help him fight against the darkness that had almost swallowed him whole. As he made his way down the hallway, he felt a flicker of hope. They would get through this together.

About fifteen minutes later, the quiet of the hospital room was disrupted by the soft sound of footsteps. Ethan's parents, Adam and Madison, stepped inside, their expressions shifting from concern to heartache as they took in the sight before them.

Madison's hand flew to her mouth, suppressing a gasp as she caught sight of Miguel, unconscious in the hospital bed, a bandage wrapped around his arm. It felt as if the air had been knocked from her lungs. She had always thought of Miguel as one of her own, and seeing him like this, a friend, a surrogate son, was a blow she hadn't prepared for.