The Halfway Group (book 1)

Chapter 24: Halestorm: Haley's Rage

Haley's POV:

"Mom are we almost there?"  Mom's speeding down the highway towards the hospital.  Rachel said Jimmy is still in surgery and he's unresponsive to anything. He keeps dying and coming back. 

"Almost sweety almost."  I see the hospital as mom pulls in to a handicap spot.  "Mom I'll get your cart, hold on.  I run around the back and detach her motor cart and wheel it to her.  As we enter the building Rachel meets us and her eyes are so puffy. 

"Rachel what's happened?"

"He keeps dying and they bring him back with the shock paddles.  It's hard to witness."  She leans into me and cries.  "I can't lose him. I just cant."

"I know Rachel, I feel the same.  My brother is my world.  Without him I wouldn't be the same."  She cries harder into me as mom asks where he's at.  Rachel walks us there and we peek through the door, they had to sew his arm up because of how deep he cut, and now they are doing surgery to replace his Liver... this is so bad. 

Why.... why did he do this. I demand he explain things when he makes it.... if he makes it..

I start crying as mom wheels herself to the chapel.  "Mom where are you going?"

"To pray for my son, he has to make it."  If Jimmy dies.... mom is gonna die too. I cannot lose my brother and my mother.

"Ummm Haley.... check your phone." Rachel stares at hers until she looks up at me. 

"What? Why?" 

"Just look at it... I can't believe he'd do this"

I pull out my phone and check my texts. One from Max with 'URGENT' as the subject.  I open it and click the link she sent.
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"Hello everyone of Arcadia Bay, it is I, Nathan Prescott.  Here to show you a video of one of our fellow students. Here, we, go!  In honor of him ODing and slicing his arm open, I doubt that faggot is coming back, this video is just one of the many moments of him being a pussy."

It's the video of Jimmy pissing himself out of fear of dying.... no one can see anyone else in the video but it's clear that it's Jimmy peeing himself....

He didnt...... "Rachel Amber tell me you did not watch that video.... tell me I did not just see that fucking video.... oh my god, Nathan Prescott is fucking toast.  I'm gonna rip his still beating heart out.  I swear on mine and Jimmys life I will.."  I fucking go into a rage I've never been in before.  Rachel hugs me tight to keep me from killing someone. 

Nathan fucking Prescott.... I'm gonna rip your fucking heart out and bury you alive....

My rage turns into tears as I bawl.  This is gonna humiliate Jimmy further.  I need to contact dad... I need to.

"Haley, snap out of it. The nurse just said Jimmy is out of surgery.  He's resting but he is okay now."  Rachel snaps me out of it, I was blacked out for 4 hours.... 4 fucking hours not caring or noticing my brother or anyone. 

"Rachel, tell Max to tell everyone, that if they ever even hint or think about mentioning anything in that video, I will personally send them to an early death.  Jimmy doesn't need that.  I don't need that.  And you don't want to be associated with that." 

"Haley, Max already spread word that he's in the er.  I guess Dana asked and it spread from there."  My rage starts building again.  "Dana and I will have a talk don't worry, she likes Jimmy, and you'd kill her Haley, so I'll talk with her." 

"You're right Rachel I would murder her for letting someone over hear or tell someone else. I'm gonna go see mom, she's gonna want to know, where is he now?" 

"In room 755, I'll be here waiting."  Rachel sits on the bench and pulls her knees to her chest as she thinks."

I see mom and walk in thr chapel and sit down next to her.  "Mom, they said Jimmy is alright now.  He's resting but he's just fine."

"Haley, you are such a sweet girl.  Thank you for letting me know."  I sit there with mom for a couple hours before I get a text from Rachel,

R: He's up!!!!

Mom and I dash as fast as we can to Jimmys room and he looks terrible. 

"Haley!!! I love you sister, you are an alright cucumber. Cucumbers are awesome. Mom! I love you mom."  Jimmy says.

"Ummm why am I a cucumber?" I ask as mom and Rachel laugh. 

"It's the morphine Hale, he's loopy as hell.  He called me a potato."  Rachel smiles.  It's been a long long long day. 

"So Jimmy, how do you feel?" 

"Higher than a kite on acid." Yeah, that's Jimmy alright.

"Bubby, why did you do what you did?"  I ask as I grab his hand and let mom more into the room. 

"Do what? I didn't do anything."  Jimmy says with a laugh, yeah he's doped up. 

"We will get the answer out of you when you aren't on Morphine, and then.im going to beat you lifeless for scaring the shit out of us, and making us think you were gonna die." Rachel sounds furious but she also sounds so relieved he's okay. 

"Yeah Jimmy, everyone at Blackwell was and is worried about you.  I even hear Victoria is worried about you. Which makes me gag since she's such a stuck up bitch."  I say as Rachel snorts.  Jimmy just looks disgusted but I guess that is a good sign.  Rachel then glares at him because Victoria likes him... Rachel is super jealous.

"Mom do you have anything to add?" 

"Yes baby, Jimmy why didn't you talk to us?  I'm so disappointed in you.  But I'm glad you are okay and safe."

Moms.never been disappointed in him before.  Jimmy must have struck a deep nerve with her.