Deal With It - Sidemen Fanfiction

Chapter 11 - Running Out Of Time

An all too familiar stabbing pain ran circles around my brain, forcing my eyes open in shock. My view was like an over exposed photo; white light washed out everything else and all I could see were vague shadows swimming through the brightness. I tried to move my left hand up to my face but felt pressure on it as someone held me down on the cold, hard floor. Hearing someone address me and seeming to tell me to sit still, I concentrated on tuning into the talking around me. The ringing in my ear eventually cleared, only to be replaced by the buzzing sound of heated conversation.

"Maybe we should concentrate on Josh," Tobi's voice finally rang out through the incomprehensible noises surrounding me. Quiet descended over the group in front of me; I had now picked out each of the five boys stood around me but no one else. I sighed internally - seeing them so reluctant to trust people and ask for help made a feeling of protectiveness swell in my limp, useless body. How do you help them if you can't help yourself?

"Can you talk?" Ethan asked softly, kneeling down besides me, a concerned look at the forefront of his eyes. He was being unusually openly caring, a trait he often only displayed behind closed doors. I thought for a moment, feeling the roughness of my throat and continuing to register the low humming in my brain. Finally, I shook my head subtly, the mere movement thrusting a knife more deeply into my wounds and eliciting an involuntary whimper. At this noise, Simon dropped on to the floor next to me, an arm resting on my shoulder worriedly. He looked up at the rest of them with a reluctant look of acceptance.

"We can't keep this to ourselves," he began authoritatively, cutting across the complaining replies, "This isn't about us anymore! We have to prioritise Josh and he isn't alright at the moment. He needs help from someone and I'll come clean about everything if that's what it takes." The counter-arguments faded out although the reluctance in each of their faces was clear. I nudged Simon with my elbow to get his attention, trying to speak.

"Don't- need to- no help," I whispered as he shook his head firmly, struggling to understand me; something that wasn't helping my case that I was fine. Harry unlocked his phone swiftly and opened it to his notes section. Sliding it across the floor, he gestured at the keyboard questioningly.

"Could you use that?" he asked to murmurs of agreement from the other boys. I nodded softly, keeping my left hand firmly at my side and typing one handed.

'I can manage without help for now. We need to get out of here before anyone else gets hurt; that should be our priority. I know you don't like it (especially you Si) but I can make do with whatever we can manage to do here for now.'

I looked up, still squinting in the light and watched each of their reactions carefully. Of course Simon was against the idea, once again trying to persuade the boys against listening to me. I understood why; I had been unconscious but only I knew who had attacked me. If only I could remember completely.

"He doesn't know what he's saying," Simon argued weakly, before turning to me for a moment, "No offence Josh, but you haven't seen yourself. You've been completely beaten up and I'm not sure if you'll even be able to stand up, never mind trying to look after everyone else." He broke off before moving closer to me and dropping his voice.

"I know you're scared for them; I am too but they're adults as well. You have to look after yourself and stop putting other people in front of you or you'll keep getting into these situations," he pleaded with his eyes, water swimming in the deep blue pupils as a few solitary tears threatened to drop down his anxious face. I weakly lifted an arm, only managing to raise it enough to rest a hand on his leg. His hand rested on top of mine and he squeezed it gently. He'd be so angry if he knew what they'd said to keep you quiet.

"At least let me show you how unrealistic your plan is?" he asked quietly and I agreed reluctantly, trying to put on a brave face. Ethan and Harry carefully wrapped an arm each around my back as Vikk checked me over for less visible injuries.