Forget What We Saw

Impossible Year

Dan's P.O.V

My eyes slowly open to see a very bright light. I instantly close my eyes to block out the light. Where am I? What happened? Then it all comes back to me. Pain. My dad. Phil. Tears come to my eyes.

"Hello sir, how do you feel?" says a voice.
"Huh? Where am I?" I ask the stranger.
"You're in the hospital, Dan," She says.

What? How did I get out? I'm not dead.

"What? That's impossible..." I begin to say.
"You're friend Phil went to your house and called us," she says. 

Phil! Phil...saved me. Phil saved my life, now in more ways than one. 

"Alright hun, I'll get you some water. Now don't move too much or the IVs will come out," she says. 

She leaves. Tears begin to roll down my face. Phil saved me. But why? Why do I deserve to live? My life is pointless. Why would a person who has so much to live for, help someone who doesn't have anything left? I just don't get it. Why me...I'm useless, pointless, a piece of garbage that doesn't deserve to live. I couldn't even defend myself against my father. And it's not like I've done anything for Phil. Heck, I've been a burden on his life. Like a backpack full of rocks. Useless. So why me? Tears stream down my face. What do I even look like right now? Most likely a big mess. I wanted nothing more than Phil to come in so I could thank him. And so I could tell him that he doesn't deserve this and he's done enough. That he can stop being nice to someone so worthless like me.

Phil's P.O.V

I anxiously tap my foot as I wait in the waiting room. Was Dan alive? Was I too late? I just really hope he's okay. Alive at least. He doesn't deserve this, not one bit. But questions still float around in my mind."Where will he stay?" they can't let him stay with his parents, his dad is abusive and his mum wouldn't even acknowledge him. She might forget to feed him. So where would Dan go? And what will happen with his dad? Will they go to court? I mean, he did almost murder him. I ponder these thoughts until I can't wait any longer. I look at my ph. 5:30! My dads gonna be mad! I quickly text him, telling him I'll be later than I thought and that I was sorry. I go up to the counter. It became apparent to me that they weren't just gonna say "Phil, you can see him now," even though I saved him. I mean, I'm not family but I'm- I'm all he's got. That sounds kinda mean. I guess I'm not all he's got....right? I decide to think about this later and speak to the lady at the front desk. "Um, can I go see someone?" I ask nervously. Will they let me in even if I'm not family? "Who is it?" says the lady, sounding unamused.

"Uh, Dan Howell," I say.
"Hmm...yep, Daniel Howell," she says to herself. I tap my foot. "Are you family?" she asks. "Um, no but... I'm his close friend," I say, not sure how entirely true that statement was. "Hmm..." She ponders. "Please, he's my family, and his family doesn't care," I say a bit too loudly. A few other people turn and look at me. I go red and look at my shoes. "Oh, alright fine. Room 104 on the second floor," she says. "Thank you," I mutter and walk to the elevator. I head up to the second floor and manage to find the room despite my bad navigation skills. I knock on the door. "Who is it?" I hear Dan say weakly. "It's Phil," I say. No answer. "Hello?" I ask "...come in," he says. I open the door.

Dan truthfully looked awful. He had cuts, bruises, and scrapes everywhere. Both his eyes were a sickly shade of purple and black. His face was red and flushed. I could tell he had been crying. "I look awful don't I?" says Dan weakly. I stare. Then I go up to him. "Are you alright?" I ask. "No...but..." he says. I felt awful. I felt so bad for this poor sixteen-year-old who has been through so much. He can't seem to catch a break. "Dan, I'm sorry I didn't get there faster, I--" Dan interrupts me. "Phil, stop. You saved me," he says. "Well..." I say as I turn red once again just like I did in the lobby. Dan sits up carefully so that no of the IVs come out. "Let me help you..." I say as I walk over to the side of the hospital bed. "No, it's okay, really," Says Dan. Then he makes eye contact. I see a broken human that needs to be glued back together. I see a broke boy that is full of scars. Dan grabs my wrist. He pulls me into a hug, just like that day at school. "I'm so sorry Philly, you don't deserve to be mixed into my poor excuse for a life," he says. I begin to tear up. "Stop, Dan. You don't have to apologize. I don't want to be mixed up in your life," I say and pause. Dan lets out a whimper. "I want to be part of it," I say. "I want to...help you Dan," I say. "Thank you," He whimpers. We both stay silent for a while, still hugging tightly. I didn't want to let go.  Because I know the second I let go, we will have to go into the real world again. I just want to keep Dan safe in this world. But I can't. As the nurse walks in, we release awkwardly. Dan's face is bright red, as is mine. The nurse hands Dan a cup of water. "The doctor will be here in a moment," she says. I sigh. Dan was alive.