Breaking Hearts

Chapter 6- Bright Lights & Breathing

“Hi Tom, what are we watching tonight?” Bill asked as he sat next to Tom on the living room couch. Tom smiled at Bill, who looped his arm around his twin‘s.

“Not really a lot,” Tom said, “Just flipping through the channels.”

“I’m glad I’m here with you,” said Bill, squeezing Tom’s arm.

Bill suddenly heard something loud that sounded a lot like heavy breathing.

He looked around the room, but didn’t see anything.

“Tom, do you hear that?” Bill asked, looking back to Tom, but he was gone.

Bill stood, and the breathing got louder.

“Tom?” Bill ventured into the kitchen.

Tom was there, his face in the fridge, like always.

Bill laughed and tried to ignore the breathing sound, “And what are you doing?”

Tom turned around with his arms full of food, “Making a sandwich of course,” He smiled as he set all of his ingredients onto the counter top.

Bill laughed again, and heard the breathing once again, even louder this time.

“Do you hear that breathing?” He asked.

Tom walked to Bill and hugged him tightly.

Bill smiled and hugged his brother tighter.

“Tom, do you hear it?” Bill asked, pulling back to look at him.

Tom smiled sadly, “I wouldn’t be able to, little brother.”

Bill formed his face into confusion, “What do you mean by that?” He asked.

Tom didn’t reply, he only stepped back as a bright light engulfed the room.

“Tom?! Where are you?” Bill felt a pain in his chest. The light seemed to make him feel worse. He closed his eyes to block out the light, but it hardly helped. The breathing got louder once again.

Bill felt his eyes trying to flutter open.

“No, I have to find Tom,” He said, feeling worse by the second.

Suddenly his eyes flew open fully to see a bland white ceiling above him. He realized that the breathing had been himself the whole time. He shielded his eyes from the light coming in through a window. Other than that motion, he was afraid to move. The pain in his chest grew. Something didn’t feel right.

His first impression was that he was alone, but after a moment he heard snoring next to him. He looked over to see Georg and Gustav awkwardly sleeping in the chairs next to the barred bed he laid in. He had already realized he must be in the hospital, but he couldn’t figure out what for.

He tested his movement, and nothing seemed to hurt, other than his chest.

He unhooked all of the tubes connected to him and slowly sat up, propping himself with his arms.

Georg was closest to him, and Bill reached over and poked him as hard as he could. He had to do it a few times before Georg finally stirred.

Georg jumped in surprise, eyes wide, “Bill!” He said, a smile spreading across his face.

“Well, yeah,” said Bill, sounding a bit hoarse. He cleared his throat.

“Gustav!” Georg shook Gustav awake, who smiled at Bill and said, “Finally!”

“Where is Tom?” Asked Bill.

Georg and Gustav exchanged worried glances, “Do you remember what happened?” Asked Georg.

Bill shook his head.

“I guess the two of you had a fight, or you were upset about the North Carolina thing. I also assume Tom told you about not talking to you. and then you tried to kill yourself by jumping off a building, and Tom tried to catch you,” Georg said, “Well, technically he did catch you, I suppose.”

Bill remembered more with every word Georg spoke, and he nodded slowly.

“Yes, we fought. He said he didn’t want me in his world any more. And I told him I wouldn’t live in a world without him,” Bill shook his head, “He tried to catch me?”

Georg and Gustav nodded.

“I didn’t mean to though, it was an accident,” said Bill, tears coming to his eyes, “I had every intention of jumping, but I didn’t actually jump. Tom startled me and I fell. I can’t believe I was so selfish. I don‘t know if I actually would have done it in the end.”

“We know you were only upset, and it was an accident and misfortune,” said Gustav, rubbing Bill’s arm, “We still love and support you, Bill.”

“Of course we do,” added Georg, “you’re our best friend.”

Bill managed a small smile.

“How long have I been here?” Bill asked, “I don’t seem injured at all.”

“You’re not, any more,” said Gustav, “It’s been four months.”

Bill felt the pain in his chest again, reminding him something was missing, “Where is Tom.”

Georg and Gustav just stared at him with sadness in their eyes.

The pain in Bill’s chest grew greater, “No, I don’t believe it,” he said, tears welling in his eyes.

Georg nodded towards Bill’s chest, “You feel it.”

Bill opened his mouth to speak, but instead, tears flowed out of his eyes.

“He saved your life Bill. He’s really a hero, ya know?” said Gustav.

Bill nodded, “Where is he?”

Georg and Gustav understood that the question meant something different this time.

“The funeral was in Madgeburg,” said Gustav sadly, “He’s there, buried near your grandparents.”

As Gustav was speaking, Bill was already pushing the bar on his bed down.

“Bill, be careful,” said Georg, who stood to help Bill out of his bed.

“I can do it,” Bill said, standing.

Georg looked a bit hurt, “Are you sure?”

“I’m going to see him,” stated Bill, “I want to go alone.”

“We know,” said Gustav.

Bill couldn’t believe it, he had to see it. In a way Bill already did know it, Georg was right about the pain in his chest.