The Fourth Olympics

T H I R T Y T W O // The End, is Really, the Twist

J A C K

All I could remember was a canon, screaming, and bright lights. For once, my brain couldn't understand what was happening, therefore I couldn't understand either. Small things came in bits in pieces, and memories came in unreadable blurs. I remember seeing Larise's beautiful face, I remember a familiar adult couple, I remember three teens staring at me.

I couldn't pinpoint where I was, what I was doing, and how I was doing it. My sense felt numb, and I didn't feel familiar with my own body anymore. Behind the numbness was an aching pain waiting to be acknowledged. My throat felt dry and parched, and I wondered how long I'd been here.

Everything looked blank, and white, and plain. Or maybe that's just me, making things up so I can entertain myself from the truth of what's really happening. I didn't think it would go so fast, I didn't know it was really coming to an end.

I was dying.

Every time I saw the blank, white, plain, room I felt like I'd been lying in for days, the darkness came along and swallowed it up, and then a light would fight with it over and over again until I got a headache watching it. My mind began to wander, and I started to forget what I was keeping awake for.

Was there something I was supposed to go back to? Was there someone waiting for me on the other side? I was tired, and I finally wanted to stop fighting. Because I was tired of fighting, and I couldn't do it anymore. What was I fighting for that took all my strength? What was so important that I couldn't let the darkness take me once and for all?

The room was back, but this time, clearer, sharper. I could make out the shapes of a monitor, sporting a green line that bounced over and below a dull grey one. I could hear voices that were gradually getting louder. I couldn't understand the words, couldn't understand the pictures.

It was tempting to close my eyes for the last time, but I found my anchor when I heard her voice.

"Keep awake for me Jack, please."

The room finally came into focus, and I matched it to the dull vibrance of a hospital. Larise, oh sweet sweet Larise, she was bent over the bed, watching me with hopeful eyes. An unknown pain flared to its fullest, and I struggled to do as Larise asked.

This isn't the end, this can can't be the end.

I'm not ready for it to be the end.

I inhaled deeply, sitting up. The hospital room came to life as the chatter of people filled the area instantly. I was engulfed in a hug, and I didn't dare question who hugged me, I just hugged back. Larise pulled back, and when I did, I caught the tears trekking down her cheeks for what would probably be the millionth time.

Though, I wasn't expecting to her to slap me however. "You idiot! You know how worried I was about you? I thought you were gone Jack! Do you know what emotional trauma I went through? You are so fucking dense!" She cried angrily.

I didn't believe myself when I let out a laugh. I couldn't believe myself at all, when I continued to laugh. "I'm guessing I missed something important?" I asked sheepishly.

She scowled, "You have no right to be laughing you dumbass! Do you know how long you were out? You were in a damn coma for six weeks Jack! Six fucking weeks, do not laugh!"

"Is there anything else I should know about?" I questioned.

"How are you calm about this? Have you not registered the fact that you almost died?" From behind Larise, Draco appeared with a cranky frown.

"Seriously Jack, you scared the living crap out of all of us," Draco muttered. "And you left me with depressed Larise, and depressed Larise tends to cry, scream, and throw things a lot. What? Did you want to kill me too?"