Never Coming Home

Wash Away the Blood

A/n: ooohhh fuhhhkkk I forgot about this

"A horrifying story from Belleville's west side-" said a small television, perched on a stand near the corner of a ceiling. People bustled around the small room and through a hallway. Armed men, leaning on counters, sweet talking the receptionists. Here he was, at Belleville's normally quiet police station. Frank's red rimmed, baggy eyes stood glued to the staticky screen.

"A total of seven people were held captive in the building of a well known company, Parallax Industries."

Seven? That wasn't right, unless the police had found more.

"There are only three survivors."

Frank sighed.

"Gerard way, age twenty two, Frank Iero, age nineteen, and Tyler Joseph, age twenty three, all survived the monstrosities of Parallax's tests. These three men were treated like lab rats, all to test for a new, highly toxic and dysfunctional drug-"

"Please turn this off.." Frank muttered to a nearby policeman. The bulky thirty year old nodded and switched the television off, its screen returning to its lifeless, black state.

Frank had so many questions. What had happened after he left? Who was Tyler Joseph? Did he do the right thing by telling the police? Should he have given it all up to save his mother...?

"Frank Iero." Said a deep voice, wafting from down the hall. "Come with me. We're going for a ride."

"What more do you want from me?" Frank muttered, his tired, puffy eyes, sagging. "I've told you all I know."

"We're going to visit your friend, Gerard."

"Really?" The short boy said, his lips curving into a minuscule smile. "That would be awesome. T-thank you so much."

So Frank followed the man into his police car, somewhat enjoying the silent ride. His heart continued to skip uncontrollably as he neared the parking lot of the hospital. Belleville only had one hospital. Frank could still felt his bare feet scraping on the hospital's cold tile floors, and his mother... no. Not yet.

"I hope you know that your friend is in a really fragile state." The officer said, parking his car. "Don't push him too hard."

"Yeah- yeah- I get it." Frank swallowed.

He pulled open the door to the detective's grey car and stepped into the humid evening air. Frank inhaled, it was a small method in an attempt to calm himself. It had only been a few days since Frank had seen Gerard, yet those three days felt like a lifetime.

Frank strolled down the halls, the pads of his fingers caressing the bumpy texture of the painted drywall. Every step brought back a memory, whether it was of him escaping the hospital, being tested on, or seeing his mother again. It was so strange, how everything could change in the matter of a day- a week- an hour- a minute. The boy almost smiled to himself, remembering the times when he was younger. He almost missed the bliss brought from his ignorance. Nothing was ever wrong, and everything was always okay. He almost wanted to go back to those times. He wanted to save everyone in Parallax- save them from the world of which Frank would never experience until he, too, closed his eyes for good.

Before Parallax, Frank had almost wished for that time to come, the little thought always lingering in the back of his head and behind his eyes. Now, his will to live and his longing to pursue happiness blocked out those thoughts- for the most part.

"One more thing." The detective said before opening the door to Gerard's room. "He doesn't remember much of what happened yesterday, so try to get him to remember. We need the information in order to continue on with the investigation."

"Sure." Frank sighed. "I'll try my best."

And with that, Frank's small, void of tattoos, hand reached for the shiny silver doorknob of Gerard's hospital room. The door creaked open.

Frank could see Gerard now. The boy was curled on his side, facing the window. A white bandage wrapped across the top portion of his head, his jet black hair contrasting with the white material like squid ink in an ocean of clear water.

Frank took a step forward.

"They're all dead." Gerard whimpered, never turning to look at Frank. "There was nothing I could do. Nothing." his voice shook, "all my friends. All of them. I couldn't- there was nothing I could do."

Frank could feel his heart sink to his stomach as he kneeled to the floor beside Gerard, placing his forehead on the side of the mattress and lying his hand on Gerard's shoulder, making the boy flinch horrendously. "Gerard.." he tried, his voice hoarse. "I'm here."

Gerard turned, his eyes finally meeting that of Frank's. "Frank..?" He said, "you're alive.. you're-"

Frank pulled his friend into a hug. The two were crying and shaking.

"I-I thought you were dead."Gerard said, his shoulders hitching with every breath. "No one told me- fuck Frank! -Nobody told me you were okay."

"I'm so sorry." Frank cried, clutching the back of Gerard's head, his fingers curling into the latter's jet black hair.

"You're okay Frank- you're okay." Gerard replied, wiping his thumbs across Frank's checks. "You're alive..."

"Gerard." Frank said, calming ever so slightly. "She's dead.." his eyes pooled with tears. "She died because- because I wanted to save you guys. I- I don't know if it's my fault- if I'm selfish- if it was right- Gerard-"

"Wait wait." Gerard interrupted. "Who died? Is everything okay?"

"My mom.." Frank muttered. "She's gone.. I- I don't know what to do.. I don't know how to feel.. I did everything for her, and when I finally decided to- to do it for someone else- she- fuck-" the boy lied his head in the crook between Gerard's shoulder and neck. "It should've been me."

"What good would that do, Frank?" Gerard whispered to the crying boy. "I would be dead if you- y'know. I owe you my life. I owe you everything."

"Then why do I feel cheated?" Frank muttered.

"We all do-" Gerard answered. "Frank, look at me."

The boy looked up.

"We just have to live day by day, okay? Never look back. Your mother would be proud to know that you saved us. She always wanted what's best for you." Gerard placed Frank's hands in his own. "From now on, we'll take care of each other. Just you and me against the world."

Frank swallowed a sob.

"I love you, Frank." Gerard said, moving his hands up to cradle Frank's cheeks. "Since the day I met you, I knew you were the one.. I will never lose you again. You hear me?"

Frank nodded, his heart hammering in his chest.

"Day by day." Gerard promised.

"Yeah.." Frank said, his red rimmed eyes meeting that of Gerard's. "Day by day."

A/n: For those who have been reading this story since the beginning, through my lazy periods and points of hiatus, thank you. As you've probably guessed, this story is finally completed, but don't be too worried, there will be a epilogue. It'll be full of TEA so bring your mugs. If you've got any questions, you can ask here. I'd be happy to help! If anything, the questions will help me improve when I go to edit the story once again. So yeah, thanks again, and the epilogue should be here soon! XO