wake up, phil - [phan]

{ 21 } - Splinters

{ONE WEEK LATER}

Nurse Hadley (Sarah)'s POV

"So," said Marcus, sitting down opposite me. "We've found some more information about the coma you are researching on. We discovered that it is the same case as many comas..."

"And...?" I prompted him, the tension almost unbearable.

"The longer the coma takes to diminish, the less chance there is of him waking up."

I stayed silent for a while, my heart sinking. That was exactly what I didn't want to hear.

"I see."

"And," Marcus continued. "The time in this coma where it is most likely he will awaken from it is from the moment he falls into the coma, until about a day."

Oh no.

Phil had been in hospital in his coma for almost two weeks. If he was meant to wake up, he should have woken up a long time ago.

"Right. Thank you, Marcus."

Marcus stood up and left the reception area where we had been sitting. I looked down at my hands.

How do I tell Dan? It will tear him apart.

I might as well just say that Phil is dead.

But I couldn't.

Dan is a good young man. He loves Phil very very much. His love for Phil was stronger than the love in any people I've ever known.

So how...

How do I tell him?

He's already broken enough. Will telling him shatter him for good?

I looked up at the bright modern skylight on the ceiling of the reception area and placed my hands together and rested them under my chin, like I was praying.

And I was. Please, God.

Tell me how I tell Dan about Phil?

I need you to let me know.

Please, God, if you're up there.

* * *

{ONE HOUR LATER}

My heart raced faster and faster with ever slow step I took towards door 27, the room where Dan sat with Phil.

God had given me no help, so I'd gone with my gut.

I had to tell Dan.

I couldn't leave him to fester in the room forever, his hope of Phil waking dissolving more and more every day.

I had to do it. Now.

I placed my hand on the door handle and took a deep breath before I entered the small hospital room. Dan was sat in his chair, he was holding Phil's hand and slowly tracing patterns on it. He smiled at me as I walked in.

"Hi Sarah." He said weakly.

"Hello, Dan."

I stood awkwardly by the door. I turned and close it behind me.

Now what do I do?

"Sarah, is everything okay?" Dan asked.

"Dan..."

"Sarah?"

"I-I..."

What was wrong with me? Usually, telling people bad news came natrually to me because I'd done it so many times before. But this time...

Why couldn't I tell him?

Perhaps it's because you're scared what Dan will do if he finds out Phil is most likely never going to wake up.

I am scared.

"Sarah?"

Dan shook me back to earth again. But I didn't say anything. I couldn't. My lips were glued together.

"Sarah?"

I looked down at the floor. Dan stood up and took me by the shoulders.

"Sarah?"

"Sarah, what's happened?"

"Sarah?"

"Sarah, speak to me."

"Is something wrong?"

I finally managed to break apart my lips and croak a few words out.

"Yes, Dan, there is something wrong."

"What?"

"I... You see, Dan, Phil is -"

And then I couldn't speak. For the first time in many years, tears flowed freely down my cheeks.

"Sarah? Sarah, please tell me."

"I can't, Dan."

"Why?"

"It will break your heart."

I looked up at his face as his eyes widened.

"What? Why? Is it about Phil?"

"Y-yes..."

"Stop."

I looked at him in confusion, as he quickly turned from me and sat down by Phil's bed.

"Dan, I-.... It's unlikely that-"

"-Phil will ever... Wake up. I know." He finished, and bowed his head.

"Dan, I am so incredibly sor-"

"Sarah, you've been amazing help to me and Chris and PJ and I'm really grateful, but I need to be alone now." He pleaded at me with his eyes.

"I'm sorry Dan. You're a good young man with a good life and it broke my heart to-"

"Sarah..."

"Sorry, I'll leave. I'm down by reception if you need me."

I turned and quickly fled the room. When I closed the door I leaned back on it and wiped my eyes.

I could almost feel my heart being ripped apart inside me, having to do that.

My heart was shattered.

But, somehow, it splintered even more.

As I heard Dan's screams of agony echoing in the cold, bleak, hospital corridors.

...