Claustrophobic Mind

Chapter 42

"He's right in here," the lady at the front desk said to Mike as she led him to Billie's room.

Mike nodded in response. He offered the lady a small smile to which she returned. Her heels stomped their way down the long corridor and back to the front desk as Mike watched.

The vibrant flowers that were bundled up in Mike's hand gave off a fresh scent. Mike decided to bring Billie Joe some flowers as a way to reward him for his progress. It was also a way of apologizing for leaving him just in case he woke up before Mike got to him.

Mike turned his attention back to the gray door that was still closed in front of him. For some unknown reason, his stomach was in knots. Something felt wrong. Something felt off.

Trying to ignore the unsettling feelings in his nerves, Mike put his hand on the cold knob and pushed. The door opened slowly, creaking with every inch. The room was cold, as it always was, but a horrible smell eroded from the room. Mike took a step back.

"What the fuck?" Mike mumbled.

Mike stepped back into the nasty smelling room and searched around for Billie. What the hell is going on?

"Bill?" Mike asked.

The room was too dark for Mike's eyes to adjust immediately, so he squinted over at Billie's bed. Sure enough, Billie Joe sat in the bed looking dazed.

"Billie Joe? You alright, buddy?" Mike asked hesitantly. He shivered at the coldness and dropped the flowers.

Billie Joe didn't respond. Mike started to get scared, so he walked up closer to Billie. Billie didn't acknowledge him.

"I need help," Billie Joe spoke. He voice was so hoarse, Mike barely heard him from a few feet away.

"What's wrong?" Mike questioned across the room. He stood his ground while he watched Billie closely.

"I need help," Billie said again. He seemed to have been saying this for a while.

Mike watched as Billie Joe sat with his knees to his chest rocking back and forth. He breathed heavily and shook the whole bed as he did so. Mike knew he was panicking.

"Shit!" Mike hissed as he ran over to Billie.

Billie Joe kept repeating the same thing over and over. His green eyes were wide with fear. Mike grabbed him by the shoulders and turned Billie's attention towards him. That's when he noticed the vomit that laid on Billie's shirt. This explains the awful smell.

"Shit! Shit shit shit shit. Billie? Billie Joe? You alright? Hey, can you hear me?" Mike frantically asked.

Billie looked at the wall behind Mike blankly. He was whispering that he needed help at that point, and Mike was starting to get more worried.

"You're panicking, Bill. Oh god, how long have you been going through this alone?!" Mike shouted. He started panicking himself.

Billie Joe kept staring at nothing.

Mike grabbed Billie's hand at that point. He squeezed his tightly and kissed his knuckles before bringing his hand to his chest. Tears ran down his face as he did so.

"I need help," Billie Joe said again.

"I'm here, Billie. You're alright, I'll help you," Mike assured as he held Billie's hand tighter.

With those words, Billie Joe finally turned his attention towards Mike. His green eyes were blank as they looked at the weak Mike. He started to tear up while he pulled his hands to his face and wiped his tears away.