Behind Closed Doors *Narry*

Chapter 19

"He's alive and he's stable but we can't say for how long. We're not even sure he'll last the night but for now he's alive." The doctor told the four crying boys.

Harry looked the worst out of the four with his eyes sunken in and puffy with redness, his throat was raw from all the crying his hair was poking up in all directions from all the times he'd tried to yank it out that day.

Harry was scared, you could see it clearly on his face how scared he really was. It was uncertain that Niall was going to make it. If Niall didn't want to be here what were the chances that he would get out of this alive?

That thought made Harry sob harder. Louis was there throwing his arms around his shoulders and squeezing him tight against him. Harry lay limb in his arms and allowed himself to be hugged so tight he couldn't breath. His heart felt like it'd been ripped from his chest and stomped on repeatedly. This feeling, like he had a whole in his chest, that made him feel empty and without meaning. He didn't know what he would do if Niall were to die. He doesn't think he'd be able to live any longer.

Harry realized in that moment, in that waiting room just how much Niall actually meant to him. Of course he knew damn well he was completely and utterly in love with Niall but he only now realized how much he's dependant on this boy's mere existence, his very being. The thought of Niall's laugh and smile had the effect to make his heart fill with warmth. He doesn't know what he would do if he were never to see that smile again or hear that beautiful laugh.

Louis was crying too, so was Zayn and Liam but Harry knew they were trying to stay strong on his account. He knew they didn't want him to think they'd lost all hope. But he knew. He knew damn well they didn't think Niall was going to make it, the thought, the mere idea made him sob. He couldn't do this, he can't do this. This isn't happening.

The day felt everlasting. It dragged on and they could each feel how long each minute was. It was utter hell. The waiting, waiting for the inevitable news of Niall's passing. Harry still refused to believe it.

The doctor had told them later on during the day that he'd done them a favour and called Niall's relatives himself, said that they were all on their way over now. Even Greg, who they now knew was in the military was being shipped home. Harry felt sort of guilty, he hadn't called Greg back himself he felt like he should have, Greg was the reason Niall was alive right now. It was the least he could have done, called him back.

The clock ticked and ticked, when 10p.m finally rolled around the doctor came back down the hall. He was smiling. They all shot out of their seats.

"I have good news, boys," He started as he approached the apprehensive boys. "Niall is going to be okay. We pumped his stomach, now completely empty and pill free and we stitched up the gashes on his arms. He is still asleep now and might be for a little while maybe even a couple of days but we know for sure he will wake up. If you like you can stay with him in his room."

"Really? H-he's going to be okay?" Louis stuttered, not even trying to stop the tears from cascading down his cheeks.

"I want to see him, can you-," Harry started his gut filling with excited butterflies.

"Right this way," he led them all down the hallway, past rooms and round a corner until they reached room 221. "Here you are, I'll be back shortly to check his vitals." He nodded then he was gone leaving the boys alone outside the hospital room door.

"Alright then," Louis said as he pushed the door open. None of them were emotionally prepared to face Niall's motionless body just yet. They each gasped in turn, turning away and crying silently into their hands.

Niall was laying in the middle of the bed paler than usual, looking fragile under the thin material of the blanket. A mask was placed over his mouth as a way to help him carry breathe into his lungs, his arms were both wrapped in gauze hiding the deep gashing they all knew were underneath. Niall looked peaceful but wrecked.