Saving Link

Chapter Fifteen

Rhett lie on his bed, listening to the constant beeps from both heart monitors in the room. He looked over at Link, and tears filled his eyes again. The doctors had no idea when Link would wake up, if he would wake up. The doctor had told Rhett that earlier and it tore his heart right out of his chest. What if Link never woke up? No, of course he will. He's going to wake up. Right? These thoughts ran through Rhett's head and frightened him greatly. He wanted nothing more than for his brother to be alright, it was so hard without him. And Rhett was terrified for his best friend. Link just wasn't doing too well, and it was all James' fault, but he was dead now, he would never hurt Link again.

"Link? I wonder if you can hear me... I hope you can. I'm scared, buddy. Th-the doctors said there is a chance you won't wake up, a-and if that's the case, they'd have to bring you off life-support. B-but you're not gonna let that happen, right? You're gonna wake up. You have to, y-you'll die if you don't. Oh gosh, Link, I'm so scared. So terribly scared. Of course you'll wake up again. You won't leave us. You couldn't, you wouldn't, you won't. There is no way I'm letting you do that. We all need you too much." Rhett turned the other way and coughed, it was dry and hoarse. A sudden, very painful headache hit him and he laid back in the bed. He groaned softly.

Rhett, my brother, of course I'm coming back. I will as soon as I possibly can. I hate this, even though you're right there, I'm so alone and scared. Are you alright? You don't quite sound it.. What's the use of even thinking like this. It's not like you can hear me or anything. Oh Rhett, I miss you so much. I want to come back to you, to my family, but I just can't. I can't wake up! Rhett, I'm so scared! I need your help, your comfort, but you have no way of knowing that. None at all. 

Tears filled Link's eyes underneath the closed lids and slowly trickled out. They slowly rolled down his cheeks and he very softly whimpered. Rhett opened his eyes. "Link, buddy, you're crying. Oh no. I-I'm coming. Hold on." Rhett took the thin sheets of himself and took out the IV. He removed the monitors quickly and went to Link's side. He gripped the cold hand of his brother and gently used his thumb to wipe away the tears falling down Link's face. "I'm right here, I'm right beside you now. I'm holding your hand in case you can't feel it. Shhh.. no tears. It's going to be alright. You will wake up. Don't you worry. I'm so sorry if I scared you. I love you so much, brother. I don't always say that to you, but that's because we both know that I love you, and you love me. As brothers of course." Rhett chuckled softly at that.

I love you too, buddy. I can feel your hand. I can sort of see you. Not really. You're a blurry shape, but your hair gives away the fact that it's you. No one else has hair quite like yours. Well, not people that I know. That's cause you're unique. My best buddy, I will come back. You need to be patient. Oh, ow! Oh my head.. Link suddenly fell deeper. Rhett was talking to him, but he could no longer hear anything, make out shapes, or even feel the warmth of Rhett's hand tightly gripping his own.

"Link? I-I'm gonna get a doctor. Y-you're not looking too well. Just hold on, it's gonna be just fine. Don't be scared." Rhett pressed the button for the nurse on Link's bed. He tightened his grip on Link's hand. He was scared. The nurse stepped in.

"Mr. McLaughlin! Get back into your bed. You need those monitors on. And the IV. What are you doing? Leave that man alone."

"H-he's my brother." Rhett's eyes were filled with tears when he turned around and looked at the pretty African American woman looking at him.

"Neal? McLaughlin? You're not brothers. Leave him alone. He's in a coma. Get back to your bed now."

"W-we're best friends. I've known h-him for thirty-two years. We're as close as br-brothers. Please, help him. Something j-just happened. He's not looking too well. Pl-please." Rhett stuttered out of fear and worry as a few tears slowly fell. The nurse's  heart melted and she helped Rhett back to bed. She reattached the monitors and put the IV back in his arm. Then, a doctor came and took Link away for some brain scans. He was brought back about a half an hour later.

"Mr. McLaughlin, it appears Mr. Neal fell deeper into the coma. It's going to take him longer to wake up now. We are hoping it'll be two weeks.. Three weeks. Something like that. His brain was relatively active before, but not anymore. He's barely responding to anything now. He will wake up eventually. A few weeks. Don't worry about that. He will be alright." Rhett nodded and took a deep breath.

"Thank you, Doctor Samuels." The doctor nodded with a smile and left. "Link, I know you can't hear me anymore, but I'm still going to talk to you. It helps me. The doctor just said you'll be waking up in a few weeks. I'll be with you through every step of that. We'll get through this together. We always do. We're stronger when we're together. We got this. We can do it. We will do it. We're getting through this. You'll be awake before you know it. I promise."