The Real Bully

Needing Brandon

Xander arrived at the hospital to find Brandon's wife and children, Jake and his wife, Sam, and some of Brandon's neighbors and college friends crowded around his room. Even some Brandon's former patients sat there, their knees shaking as they prayed for Brandon's health.

"He's such a good doctor," Xander heard people murmur. "He saved so many lives."

"Don't forget Ethiopia! How many people would do that?"

"Such a good man. He doesn't deserve to die so young."

"His poor family."

"He can't die, he just can't," Sam cried, shaking his head. Jake rubbed his back.

"Barbeques, the gym, cruises, family trips, it won't be the same without Brandon!"

"Remember when he picked up our daughter from school because she was being bullied and he took her to a movie? He rearranged his work schedule for that and it was never an issue. How many people would do that?"

"He solved the fights between friends and I then took us out to clubs."

"He always bought alcohol for me," piped in an underage neighbor.

"He taught my children how to tie their shoes."

"He saved my marriage!"

"He saved my life!"

"Oh thank God you're here!" exclaimed Brandon's wife, hurrying over to Xander. Xander didn't know what to say.

"Mommy, when's Daddy coming out?" Brandon's daughter tugged at her mother's skirt, her pig tails slightly drooping. "He said he was going to have a tea party with me and my bears!"

"It will be okay, honey," Brandon's wife said, attempting to convince herself more than her daughter.

Xander disappeared from the crowd and slowly drifted for Brandon's room. He quietly opened the door and crept inside. For once, Xander towered above him, the lion over the cockroach. Brandon lied on his back, the color drained from his skin, and a face mask plastered to his mouth. A tube produced by Xander's company threaded itself into Brandon's vein. Xander wrapped his fingers around the tube, preparing to kill, to destroy the hope and joy from anyone who ever thought it was okay to bully him. He grinned, ready to watch Brandon writhe in pain as he gasped for the last remains of his life.

"X-xander?" Brandon suddenly rasped.

Xander froze and his hand fell limp.

"You...came." Brandon managed a smile. "T-thank you."

Xander stood in shock. Brandon had thanked him. He didn't want to lead Xander on with false promises. He had actually wanted to be his friend, had actually wanted to spend time with him as an equal rather than a superior. Forgetting his mission to murder Brandon, he took a step back.

"I-I knew I was going to die...a long time ago," Brandon whispered. "I came to you on purpose at your...job because I...wanted to t-talk to you, to apologize for everything." His eyelids fluttered and he gradually opened his eyes. "I didn't want to die with us...with us hating each other."

"So did you even have a problem with that IV tube?" Xander blurted.

Brandon laughed and his laugh turned into a coughing fit. "Bullshit, Xander, bullshit," he wheezed. "I use the tubes. I don't order them. I came...to see you. And when I saw you, I...knew you had changed...that you were different from before."

"Brandon, you hurt me."

"I never hurt you, Xander...I d-defended myself..."

And it all came rushing back to him.