Say Something (Lams, Mute!Alex)

Chapter 11

Alex's POV

Sure enough, the moment my final class let out, I went to the hospital. I was the first in John's room, and I sat down in the chair next to the bed. Seriously, it was a stupid move to step in front of the gun like that, but I probably would have done the same thing if I were him in the heat of the moment. I sighed and looked at John. I wanted to talk to him. But he wouldn't respond. He wouldn't even see what I was saying. I pulled out my phone and decided to do some bored research. It started out simple research for my school assignments, but then I found myself learning more about comas.

"It's been said that comatose patients might hear, and sometimes, understand what's going on.

Stories of previously comatose people suggest that they can hear everything, and that they can sometimes understand it.

This is why doctors and nurses talk to comatose patients, even if they fail to exhibit any responses."

So wait. Say I actually... talked. He'd be able to hear me? Maybe even understand what I'm saying? I figured it was worth a shot. But... not right now. Because Laf and Herc just walked in. I smiled weakly at them and they returned it. They each took a seat, and we all just kind of sat there. There was nothing I could think to do to have a conversation with them. So they conversed by themselves for a while until they had to leave for evening classes. I didn't have them today, only morning classes.

I knew visiting hours were almost over, but was I really willing to talk? Well, even if he could hear me, he wouldn't recognise my voice, so what could the harm be? Oh, someone could walk in and hear me talking. I didn't want that. I'd just have to be careful about that. Well, here goes nothing, I guess. It took a few tries before my voice actually started working, and when I found myself able to speak, my voice was very rough and scratchy from lack of use. "H-hi, J-john. I d-don't know i-if y-you c-c-can ac-actually h-hear m-me. I-I know y-you w-won't r-rec-cogn-nise m-my v-voice, b-b-but I'm a f-fr-friend." I stopped speaking suddenly as I saw someone passing by the doorway.

A doctor stopped by the room. "Excuse me, sir. But visiting hours are over."

I nodded softly and stood, walking out of the room. I couldn't believe I had actually done that! I actually talked! I mean, even if he could actually hear me, I doubt he actually understood anything I said. I stammered way too much. But hey, I used my voice! And nothing bad happened. I walked back to campus and to my dorm. Ah, but of course, life couldn't just let me off easy for a day. Oh no.

I was writing. What else is new? I was just finishing an assignment when I heard the distant roll of thunder. Oh, there's my punishment for speaking. I remained as calm as I could before the storm actually reached me. I was going to blast music to try and drown out the sound, but alas, the storm hit first. I flinched violently when the thunder clapped again, and I nearly dropped my phone. I was trying to get on Spotify. But nope. Another round of thunder, and shit. Where did my phone go? I resorted to clasping my hands over my ears. But it didn't stop the flashbacks.

~~flashback~~

I was struggling against the storm, trying not to let it overpower me. If I stopped fighting it for one second, it could very well mean the end. The cold rain pelted my skin as I tried to dodge flying debris. The flooding was starting and I had nowhere to go. I knew one thing, though. I needed to get to higher ground. But before I could start for it, I was suddenly hit in the legs with a tree branch. And then I couldn't breathe. I tried to pick myself back up, but the wind kept knocking me back into the water. I felt this was the end. There was no way I could fight this. The water was knee high already for anyone who was standing. And it was only rising. I couldn't get back up, and I was struggling to keep my head above water. Often times, I was knocked flat and completely submerged. And I couldn't breathe. I was certain I wasn't going to survive.

Then, out of nowhere, the wind started to die down. The rain slowed until it was nonexistent. I knew exactly what this was. The eye of the hurricane. I managed to get to my feet. This was my chance to get to higher ground! Maybe even shelter! I sloshed through the water. It was so quiet now. I walked for a good five minutes before I saw movement. Was there someone else outside? I quickly made my way to the area I saw the movement and was greeted by the sight of someone around my age trying to lift a piece of debris. They probably had someone trapped underneath. I moved closer and started making out the features of a girl, her long brown hair plastered to her face. I tapped her shoulder to get her attention, and she turned to me.

"C-can you help me? My cousin is trapped underneath!"

I shook my head sadly, knowing it was too late. I needed to get her to come with me. She wouldn't survive out here so low to the ground. "I n-need you t-to come w-with me. It's not s-safe here."

"But my cousin!"

"Is g-gone. I'm s-sorry."

She let out a quiet sob but nodded. So she followed me, whimpering and crying as we moved to higher ground. I felt terrible for not being able to help her with her family member, but there was nothing we could have done. But if I could save one person, then I was going to do so. We saw no one else on our way. Everyone else must've either been taking shelter or dead. And given that I saw no standing buildings, I could only assume the latter. But maybe it was better further inland. Ten more minutes passed, and I could feel the wind starting to pick up again. We had to find shelter, and fast. I looked around, and almost as if my prayers had been answered, I spotted a single building actually still standing. I led the girl towards it. Concrete. Perfect! It could withstand a good portion of debris and resist the winds. I tried the door, but it was locked. Dammit.

"Here." The girl pushed me out of the way and pulled something out of her hair. And within a moment, the door was open. We rushed inside and quickly closed the door before too much water could get in. We were thrown into darkness, but we could hear as the storm started to pick up again. We waited for hours, not a word spoken between us. Silence was heard outside. We waited for another five minutes to make sure before slowly opening the door. It was over. Thank God. We walked out of the building, shading our eyes from the light. Looking around at the damage, I nearly started crying. We were really lucky to find a concrete building. My home town, completely destroyed. Who knew how many survivors? We looked at each other before starting to walk, surveying the destruction and searching for any living people.

~~end flashback~~

I was snapped out of my mind by a pounding on the door. I forced myself out of the fetal position and moved to the door. I opened it to be greeted with Peggy and Maria. Maria hugged me tightly, whimpering softly as thunder shook the building. I held her back as Peggy just looked at us in confusion. I couldn't think of any way to explain this to the youngest Schuyler Sister. How could I possibly begin to explain that Maria was the girl from the hurricane?

"You are the boy from the Caribbean, aren't you?" Maria whispered in my ear. I nodded slowly. After all, that's what she asked the first time we saw each other in the Sisters' dorm room. It's about time I gave her an answer.

~~

Sorry for two storm chapters. But I figured it was time to give the answer to what Maria had said back in Chapter 5. Oh, and Alex talked! But he's only going to talk when he's alone with John, so don't think he's going to use words with everyone else.  Sorry. That's not going to happen just yet. I hope you don't mind that I have two storm chapters. But I needed something to trigger a flashback for Alex. But let's be honest, in reality, more than one storm occurs in someone's life. And I am trying to make this fic as realistic as possible. So please don't be mad!

Anyway, to any fellow Americans out there, happy Fourth of July! Independence Day! Yeah! Heh. Freedom. Terms and conditions may apply. So that's all for this chapter. I hope it wasn't too cringey.

~MishaIsOurOverlord1