"What happened to him?" Blake whispered. "I already told you, six times actually, his heart gave out from the pressure and the drugs," Emma said, frustratedly. "But...what pressure?" "The pressure of hugging and sitting up and talking in general." Blake sat up from having his head in Emma's lap. "So...did I...did I kill him?" Emma wanted to lie to him, spare his feelings. But she knew it would only hurt him worse if he did learn the truth. "Possibly, dear. I'm so sorry, but that's the truth." Blake's eyes widened like he'd been slapped and he looked like he was about to cry when Emma's father, Dr. Chambers walked out of the room.
Emma stood from the floor and ran to greet her dad. "Dad...is he-?" "He'll be fine but we need to make sure he doesn't wake up until he's fully healed." "How long will that take?" Blake asked from the floor. Dr. Chamber hesitated. "Well...it may not happen, if I'm honest." Blake just stood there, unsure of what to do. Because of him, Vincent may never wake up... Emma looked over at Blake and, seeing how crushed he was, told her father she had to go, and took Blake with her.
"It will be okay..." Emma offered as she sat in the car, searching the glove compartment for her keys. "It's my fault. He could have died, Emma, and now he may be gone forever," Blake replied with glassy eyes. He was shaking. The weight of it all was crashing down on poor Blake as he sat buckled up in the car. "If I hadn't been so stupid, he might not be like this now!"he shouted, punching his leg. "No!" Emma yelled, grabbing his arm, "You shouldn't blame yourself for this. If things do turn out for the worst, it is not your fault. Right now you just need to calm down. He will be okay. I'll text my dad and ask how he's doing, okay?" "You could just go inside and ask," Blake suggested. "I don't want to leave you alone. And what if he has something important to do?" "Fine. But don't sugar coat it."
hey dad is Vincent ok? whats going on? She texted. Moments later, her phone vibrated, showing a new message: Well, he was mumbling about Blake and then something about a Sophia, Idk. He's alive, but needs a lot of rest and can't have any visitors until further notice. We are doing our best, though we aren't sure if he'll ever wake up. He may stay in a coma, but there is a chance of him waking up. I don't think he'll die, but we'll keep an eye on him.
She showed Blake the message, and he visibly relaxed a little. "So he'll most-likely be okay?" "Yes, though you might not be able to see him for a bit..." Emma replied. Blake relaxed and Emma started the car when her phone buzzed again. He is being intubated now. Don't tell Blake. Emma quickly shut off her phone, smiled at Blake, and drove towards his house.
Sophia held Vincent's limp body in her arms, praying for a miracle. He moved a bit. Sophia relaxed, putting him on the floor and sitting next to him. She ran her hands over her frazzled hair, dabbed at her watery eyes, and lay down next to her sleeping charge to rest for a short while. Only a week and a half left. Sophia bitterly thought to herself, 'Those watchers who never meet their charges are the lucky ones. After all, it's one thing to watch disconnectedly as they grow up, make choices, eventually die and just have to file it away. It's another to meet them, see the people they are...' "It's another thing entirely to love them," Sophia whispered as she felt the tears slipping down her face. For the first time in ages, Sophia let herself choke out sobs.
Vincent was looking at Blake from across the bed they both lay on. Blake's eyes were red, puffy, and tired looking. Vince heard Blake's voice but didn't see his mouth move. "I've cried so much that I can't anymore. The funeral is tomorrow." Blake rolled over. "Tomorrow, I bury my best friend... the boy I murdered." Blake started shaking a little. Vincent scooted over and hugged Blake from behind, holding him tightly, trying to stop the shaking. "Blake..." Vincent whispered, "I'm so sorry."
The two boys shifted to another place entirely. This time, a graveside funeral. Blake still looked tired but handsome in the black suit his mother had obviously forced him into. Blake leaned over a casket, staring into it. Vincent came closer to his friend and looked with him. His own face, serene in death, surrounded in pale pink roses, stared up at him with closed eyes. As Blake stared, he started whispering without knowing it. "Vince, wake up. Please, you have to wake up." Vincent held his friend's arm. "Is this like Sleeping Beauty or something? Do I have to kiss you to wake you up? Cause I will if that's what it takes." Vincent gasped. "Oh God no, this can't be happening. Blake please no." Blake leaned over and kissed Vincent's 'sleeping' body. "No..." Vincent whispered, shaking his head.
Blake pulled away. "So you really are dead, aren't you?" The men who were meant to bear the coffin away came forward. "No...please, no." Blake whispered. The men ignored him and picked up the coffin. "Please, stop." Blake followed them as they walked to the grave. When they lowered the coffin, Blake's mind started screaming. "He is alive! He IS! I swear!" But he couldn't move to stop them. Emma stepped forward and put her arms around Blake. Blake tolerated the touch but didn't return it. "He isn't dead," Blake whispered. Emma looked up at him. "Not to us, anyway," she answered.
The scene shifted around them again, still in the graveyard but now at night. No one there but Vincent and Blake. Blake sat on the grave, holding a Walmart bag in his lap, a hoodie over his suit. "Vince?" he spoke, obviously asking for someone. "Yes?" Vincent answered, not thinking. ".....fine then. Don't answer me." "But I did answer." "Listen, you know how in the hospital, you asked me if I loved you?" "Yes, Blake, I know." "Well....the answer was and is yes. And, well, not just in a friend or brother way. I do love you. That's why I'm here. To prove it to you." "Um, Blake, what are you saying exactly?" Vincent was getting worried for Blake's mental state. "Vince, we've always been together, since kindergarten. The past....month almost, without hearing your voice has been.....maddening. Vince...I know you don't want me to do this but, since your death, life without you has been...like a night without stars."
Blake withdrew a small bottle of Fireball whiskey from the Walmart bag and drank deeply from it, coughing at the sting. "Sorry about that. Have to get calm for this." "Blake no. Please don't be doing what I think you are." Blake took out his phone and called somebody. "Hello?" Emma's voice. "I just called to say goodbye," Blake said and hung up. He finished the bottle of whiskey and drew a gun from the Walmart bag. He put the barrel of the gun against his chest. "Sorry, Vince." he said and, before Vincent could answer, he pulled the trigger. Vincent ran to him and leaned over Blake. Blake grimaced up at Vincent, clearly trying to smile but the pain made it nigh impossible. "I knew you were here, Vince."
