Grey

23.

Greyson's POV:

What had I done? What the fuck had I done? I just wanted to ensure that Daniel could be happy. I loved him so much I was willing to sacrifice it all for him. Now he's bleeding out on the hard marble floors under my shaking hands, and it's all my fault.

If I had just stayed away from Daniel in the beginning none of this shit would've happened. I knew what my mother was capable of. I knew that my family was all kinds of fucked up and would do anything to ruin him, and yet I was so selfish that I dragged him into this life anyway. Thinking that maybe this time could be different. Maybe I could protect him.

Daniel had passed out briefly. But he was still breathing. I was so scared. Where was the ambulance?

Suddenly his eyes fluttered back open.

I stared at Daniel as he was struggling to keep his eyes open and listened to his shallow breathing. Thanking every deity out there for every breath Daniel continued to take. I looked at how pale he was with a sheen of sweat covering his forehead making his damp hair stick to it. I could feel his warm blood underneath my fingertips as I tried to apply pressure to his wound and I felt the urge to scream.

I had failed.

Suddenly I heard the sirens in the background. Amanda came running back in with the towel. My mother continued to stare pathetically at the ground. If I didn't hate her before, I definitely did now.

The paramedics burst through the door carrying a stretcher.

"Daniel, you're going to be alright! They are here! The paramedics are here. Just hold on a little longer. You're going to be fine."

Daniel simply nodded. Unable to form words at this point. Fear like I've never felt before clutched at my heart and tightened a fist around it. I was so scared I would lose him. God please don't make me lose him. I would do anything.

As the paramedics got their gear together. I heard Daniel whisper something softly.

"What is it baby?"

"I just want to-

-close my eyes for a second."

"No Daniel, you can't. Keep them open for me baby. Just keep them open."

"So tired." Daniel whispered as he lowered his eyelids.

"Fuck. Can you guys hurry up!" Greyson yelled at the paramedics. One of them ran over and asked Greyson to move. Greyson didn't want to. He didn't want to leave Daniel alone. He was too afraid that once he got in that ambulance he'd never see him again.

But Greyson moved, only because he knew that he had to in order to save Daniel.

"Be strong for me baby." Greyson whispered by Daniel's side as they hoisted his body onto the stretcher. Greyson squeezed his hand.

"I'm right behind you. I'll never leave you."

Daniel couldn't speak now even if he wanted to as they put the oxygen mask over his face.

His eyes were barely open as they stared back at Greyson. And then they closed. Daniel went slack on the stretcher, his chest not moving. Indicating that he was no longer breathing.

"He's flatlining." The paramedics shouted.