The Chairs Between Us

Darkness

It has been two weeks since anyone has seen Liam. 

I didn't feel like I had a reason to be around anymore. Without him I was thrown back into my old life.

The bell rang at school for us to leave. I grabbed my stuff and walked outside. For some reason I didn't start walking home, I just got out in the road and began walking the other direction. 

I feel so empty. Like I am a zombie wondering down the street.

Cars drove passed me and honked but I just kept walking. I ended up walking out of town and onto the highway. My legs just kept walking and my mind went blank. It started getting dark as the sun went down. I had no idea how long I was walking; I somehow made it to the meadow. I stood in the clearing and stared up at the stars. Out of nowhere my head began hurting and the stars faded away. 

Why does my head hurt while I don't feel anything?  

Thoughts filled my and head; it felt like I was going to explode. Everything dimmed and turned to black. The trees. The stars. The meadow. All faded to nothing. 

"Dominic?"

My thoughts slowed. I looked around and saw Officer Jones walking towards me. 

"Dominic, your parents said you didn't come home after school. Then I got a call of a kid walking in the street. Are you okay?"

I was silent then thoughts began to fill my head again. 

Why can't I talk?  

"Dominic you seemed to be acting weird yesterday... what is wrong?"

My legs slowly moved towards him. 

"Dominic put down the knife!"

Officer Jones had his gun out of his holster. 

I looked down at my hands. 

Dark read blood dripped down my arm and I was holding a knife up. 

What is happening? I don't feel anything. 

Where did I get a knife?

"Dominic listen to me. Put the knife down so I can help you. You are bleeding."

I some how found words, "I-I d-don't know what's happening."

"Don't worry I will help you. But first, you have to put the knife down," He spoke into his radio, "I am going to need another unit here. Subject has a knife. Request medics for a cut wound."

Everything began to fade again and I lifted the knife to my throat, "I don't know what else to do... Liam is gone. My mom is lost again. I don't feel right... Everything is so dark." 

The knife was shining in the moon light. 

Dark blood was dripping onto the mossy ground leaving splatters like rain. 

"Dominic, we will figure this out. Just put down the knife. Everything will be fine," He clicked his gun back in his holster. "You can trust me Dominic."

I just watched the blood continue to drip. 

The only color I can see besides black. Blood red.

Officer Jones took a step forward making me tense up, "Dominic I understand what you are going through... Just focus on me. It is going to be okay."

His voice was surprisingly calming.

My mind saw my brother standing behind him. My eyes began to fill with tears. 

My brother walked towards me and put his hand on the knife, "It's okay Dominic. Come be with me... Don't be scared just do it. Trust me Dominic... not him. I am your brother, remember... All those competitions. Our music... You can play with me again." 

His piano music filled my head. Drawing me in.

He whispered into my ear, "I am here for you Dominic. Please come be with me. I miss you."

"Okay Peter... I trust you. I will be with you." 

I gripped the knife tighter and pushing it harder against my throat. 

"No Dominic!"

I screamed in pain as the tip pushed through my skin.

Officer Jones tackled me causing me to drop the knife about five feet away from us. 

Tears fell from my eyes. 

He held me in his arms, "It's okay Dominic we are going to get you help."

His hand found the wound on my neck and put pressure on it. I winced in pain, "E-everything h-hurts."

His voice was still calm but I could feel his fast heart rate, "I know... Help is coming."

Sirens began to get louder. Blue and red lights lit up the meadow. He lifted me up and ran to the ambulance that pulled up. Other cops jumped out their cars and ran towards us. 

He yelled to them, "I will put in my statement later. The knife is over there somewhere. I will be at the hospital."

The medics strapped me to a gurney and the doors were slammed shut. We sped off as they worked on my arm.

"He lost a lot of blood because he hit an artery. He might pass out or hallucinate, we are trying our best to get the bleeding under control."

Officer Jones' uniform was stained with blood and he looked exhausted. 

I tried to reach for him, "H-hey... p-promise me you will f-find Liam."

He grabbed my hand, "I will. Don't worry."

I began to drift asleep. My lids felt so heavy.

"He is crashing!"