nightshift //minizerk//

18

Josh's POV;

I feel my whole body spring to life as I recognise the feeling of the cold barrel of a gun pressed to my temple. The familiarity startles me in ways you can't even imagine. I try to get up, push the gun away, but I can't even move. My heart begins racing. Who's there? I try to cry out, but nothing gives. I'm surrounded by darkness, only aware of one thing. The gun to my head. I try to blink the darkness away. It begins to clear, and my heart practically drops into my stomach. There is no one there. Just me. I glance sideways, now aware that I'm holding the gun. I try to lower it, but it feels like I no longer have control of my body. I squeeze my eyes tight shut, hating how familiar everything feels. I take a deep breath and-

I wake up with a start, looking around wildly. My breathing comes out short and ragged, and my heart and head are pounding. I press my hands to my head, close my eyes and take a deep breath of air. I do this until my heart is no longer racing. Only now do I notice the figure sat in the chair beside my bed. I fumble to reach the light, but when I do I feel relief wash over me. It's Harry.

I decide not to wake him, instead turning onto my side. The hospital bed isn't the comfiest of things, but I manage to drift back into a sleep. Thankfully, I don't receive another dream. Just darkness. How I like it.

As I awaken once more, I am greeted yet again by the familiar face of Harry, no longer asleep. He smiles kindly at me. ''You alright, Josh?'' he says, and I nod quickly. ''One of the doctors'll come in to check on your properly soon. I think they're sending you home today,'' he tells me. I study him for a moment, before remembering he's only a doctor at the asylum. At the moment, he's just and ordinary boy. I push myself upright. ''Awesome,'' I chuckle, picking at a small mark in my arm left by one of the tubes. I grin when I realise I'm no longer wired up. Maybe I really am leaving.

Harry gets up to leave, but before he can I stop him. ''Harry- wait,'' I say, and he turns around with a small smile in his face. ''Yeah?'' he says, leaning against the door frame. ''Uhm...'' I glance around for a moment. ''Can I make an appointment with you when I get back? It's... uhh... about a thing,'' I say, and his gaze manages to soften even more. ''Oh- yes, yes, sure. I'll... make a note,'' he says, looking a little caught off guard. I smile a him and he quickly returns it. ''See you soon..'' he sighs before slipping out of the door. That was easier than I expected.

A few minutes pass before one of the doctors walks in. I remain quite as she checks up on whatever it is she checks up on, deep in thought. I come to attention as she starts talking. ''I think you're good to go,'' she says with a smile. My face lights up as she utters those words. ''Today?'' I ask, and she lets out a laugh. ''Yes, Mr Bradley,'' she tells me, and I give a small chuckle. ''Not right now, of course, your surgeon needs to go over some things with you first, and you'll need to get a friend or family member to sign some things, and then I'll need to speak to some people so that they'll let you leave... but then you're free to go!'' she speaks rapidly. We both remain silent for a moment, before we both burst into laughter. I shake my head. ''Alright. Thanks so much,'' I say, and she nods. ''No problem. You just rest now,'' she adds, before exiting the room. I lean back in my bed and pull up the hem of my shirt so I can study my abdomen. The scar from my operation is pretty much gone, but there's still a rather prominent mark where the bullet hit. I lower my shirt and rest my head down, waiting for whatever happens next.

After a little while longer, I was allowed to leave. Harry signed the form and soon we were in his car on the way to the asylum. We'd agreed that before I went off home we'd check I was actually allowed time off. Just to get back into the swing of things. Tobi got me permission, and Harry drove me home. It all went by in a bit of a blur. I guess I was too focused on other things. Like Simon. He keeps popping up in my mind. I just can't figure him out. I thought I could, but I really can't. He's so confusing, and it frustrates me not know what's going on with him. There seems to be a silent agreement that we're both friends now, but it feels like there's something else. I just don't know what...

Nothing eventful happens in the time I spend at home. As soon as I'm ready, I call up Tobi and tell him I'm coming in to work. I can't stand being alone for so long. I need to be around people, even if they are a little bit mental.

I arrive at around midday, and make my way straight to the cafeteria where I know pretty much everyone will be. Almost as soon as I step foot inside, the room falls silent. Even the rowdier patients seem to have turned their focus to me. The silence doesn't feel right, and I'm about to leave then when I feel something, or someone, crash into me. I let out a yelp, and we both go tumbling to the ground. What the fuck?

a/n: i guess that's one way to greet someone.