Desperate Hearts. (A Steven Tyler fanfiction)

Chapter 28: Numb

Voices were ringing out around me, but I couldn't hear them. People were trying to get my attention, but I couldn't see them. My vision was blurring, from tears unfocus.

All I could see were the white walls of the hospital waiting room. My mouth was dry from silence, and my body felt too numb to move. I was frozen in a state of despair. I could barely think. Or speak. Or even think about living another second right now.

"Marley..Marley.." I heard a voice speaking to me, and nudging my shoulder gently.

I met Joe's eyes slowly.

"I've been trying to get your attention for half an hour."

I returned my focus back to the wall.

"Okay." I responded quietly, my voice cracking.

A shiver ran through my body. I was cold, but I didn't care.

I smelled something.

I followed my senses to where a man was eating some hospital food.

I was hungry, but I couldn't bring myself to move, let alone eat.

I felt tears start spilling down my cheeks again; all I could about was Steven. Steven, the love of my life, who took a bullet for me. The man I loved more than life itself. The one who saved my life, and protected me, therefore sacrificing his own. It should have been me that got the bullet. It had been three hours since we had brought him to the hospital, and his condition was unknown.

I wanted to scream and cry at the same time. I just wanted to see my baby. I didn't want to sit here in a cold, hard chair staring at the wall. But, I couldn't bring myself to do anything but.

"Mrs. Santiago?" My name being called broke me out of my thoughts.

I wiped my tears away as best I could, and shakily stood up.

"The doctor would like to see you; it's about your boyfriend."

I glanced around at the rest of the band, who were watching the nurse nervously.

I nodded, in response, and followed her to the hospital room Steven was in.

I stopped outside the door, and took a huge breath to brace myself. The nurse led me into the room, and the tears started flowing immediately.

He looked so fragile. He didn't look like the vibrant and outgoing man I loved. He looked like someone else. It broke my heart to see him this way. His head was bandaged. There were tubes attached to his nose and arm, and bandages covering almost his whole torso. To my relief, I could see that he was breathing lightly.

"Mrs. Santiago, please have a seat." I heard the doctor say.

I met his eyes, and continued standing by the doorframe. "I'm good..tell me."

~~~

I tried to catch my breath as I sobbed, and walked out of Steven's room. I made my way into the waiting room, and were met by the rest of Steven's beloved band.

Joe grabbed my hand in friendly support.

He spoke softly. "What did the doctor say, Marley?"

I tried wiping the tears away, but to no avail, as the tears kept falling.

I took a deep breath. "Steven's not dead."

Joe's face turned a little to relief.

"Then why are you crying?"

I sighed, the news on the tip of my tongue so heartbreaking to come out with.

I took a couple breaths, as Joe waited for my answer.

"Because..he's in a coma. Besides the gunshot to his stomach, he hit his head when he fell. There are signs of damage. The doctor said that when he wakes up, he won't remember anything." I started sobbing again.

Joe and the rest of the guys looked scared and stricken with pain.

"Even us?" He asked quietly.

"Steven won't remember any of us." I replied.

Joe pulled me into a instinctual hug, and I hugged him back.

We all needed each other.

~~~