Only Know You Love Him When You Let Him Go

Don't Let Go [ch.14]

Thomas awoke the next morning to a light knocking on the door. After muttering, "come in," to whoever was on the other side he peeled himself up to face them. It turned out to be Lucy, standing there and holding a small parcel.

"I found this sitting outside of your dorm." She said before handing it to him. He gave it a once over before carefully tearing it open. Inside of the paper there was a small box. It smelled off, and there was a sticky note on top with a phone number and 'call this number if you want to hear him again.

"Uhh, Lucy? Do you think that there's some sort of bomb in here?" He handed her the note and she read it over.

"Open the box then call the number. Who are they referring to?"

"No idea," the Virginian mumbled before opening the box. As soon as he saw what was inside, he wanted to scream. It looked like a tongue. Rotting and disgusting. He couldn't find it in himself to make any noise. He dropped the box, and without hesitation called the number.

While it was ringing he heard Lucy screech. She looked like she was about to say something, but whoever was on the other line answered.

"So I see you found our warning." A voice said. It sounded masculine, and had a thick british accent.

"Who are you and what the hell is that thing?" he asked nervously.

"Why don't you ask your friend James? Oh wait. He can't speak without his tongue." Thomas felt his heart sink. James had been missing for over a week. Nobody could find him. He wasn't answeing his phone and there was no way anyone could get to him. They had James.

Holding back a sob, Thomas responded to the man. "You're lying. There's no way-" He was cut of by someone's- James' screams. They did. They confirmed it.

"Now, I've been thinking about giving him back. But what would be the fun in that? I quite enjoy hearing him scream."

"Thomas just hang up. Don't listen. It's only going to make it worse on you."

"Shut your mouth Princess or I'll make you my next plaything. If you want your precious James back alive I suggest you let Maira Lewis know about this. Tell her she shouldn't have left, and if she comes back no more harm with come to the innocent boy." Before anyone could respond the line on the other side cut out, signaling whoever it was hung up.

"Lucy we have to go to the police with this. We have a number which means they can find a location."

"It was probably a burn phone Luce. Nobody is that stupid."

"Maybe ask Maria? He said she would know who he was."

"I guess."

Turns out, Maria did know who it was. His name was James Reynolds, and he was her ex. Apparently the breakup was messy, and he wouldn't leave her alone. Only downside is Maria refused to return to him. She said the same thing as Lucy, to go to the police, but he couldn't do that. Thomas knew that would require leaving Alexander, and if he woke up alone Thomas wouldn't forgive himself.

But James. His life was on the line. If he didn't do as Reynolds had said he would lose his best friend. Who now obviously couldn't talk anymore. Thomas couldn't take it. He just wanted it all to be over.

»»————-　　————-««

A week had passed with no word about James when it happened. It was one of the few times Thomas left Alexander's side when he saw him stumble through the front doors into the hospital. James could barely stand, and as soon as one of the nurses caught sight of him they were surrounding him. He never got a chance to react. Thomas' entire body went numb and frozen.

By the time Thomas reacted James was already gone. Still somewhat in shock, he walked back to Alexander's room, grasping onto his hand. He had no clue what to do, so he did what he had started doing to calm himself. Talk to Alexander.

"I know you probably can't hear me, and if you can, it's not like you could say or do anything to comfort my sorry ass. But James just came stumbling into the hospital. I didn't get a chance to react or help him, but I plan to check on him in a few hours." Thomas felt himself begin to cry as he laid his head down on Alexander's shoulder.

"God. He looked so messed up Lexi. He was covered in blood, and after what that person had claimed to be his tongue was found? I can't lose him. Everyone has been leaving me and I'm going to be alone for so long. What if you don't survive this? Jemmy isn't going to be able to speak ever again, and I..." He began to sob.

"I can't lose you two. Sure, I still have Lucy and Mary but that's it. Alex please. Please make it out of this. I don't want to be attending your funeral anytime soon. You're supposed to become a world known lawyer, remember? I love you, Alexander. Please. At least be able to hear that..." Thomas sobbed until he eventually fell asleep.

»»————-　　————-««

Little did Thomas know, Alexander was in fact able to hear what he had said. His moments of semi-consciousness were becoming more distinguishable. When Alexander heard Thomas start to talk, it physically pained him to be unable to reach over and hug him.

"I know you probably can't hear me," Psht. If only you knew. "And if you can, it's not like you could say or do anything to comfort my sorry ass." I wish I was able to wake up and help. "But James just came stumbling into the hospital. I didn't get a chance to react or help him, but I plan to check on him in a few hours." Damn. Poor James. Never liked him too much until everything with John went down. Hopefully he survives. Thomas needs someone who can be there for him.

Alexander heard Thomas begin to cry, and it physically pained him to be unable to comfort him. "God. He looked so messed up Lexi. He was covered in blood, and after what that person had claimed to be his tongue was found? I can't lose him." I know love. I know. "Everyone has been leaving me and I'm going to be alone for so long. What if you don't survive this?" I will. I'm not going to let this be the reason I die. You know this Tommy. "Jemmy isn't going to be able to speak ever again, and I..." He began to sob.

"I can't lose you two. Sure, I still have Lucy and Mary but that's it. Alex please. Please make it out of this. I don't want to be attending your funeral anytime soon." I'm trying. "You're supposed to become a world known lawyer, remember?" And you're supposed to be my partner. We're supposed to own our own firm... "I love you, Alexander. Please. At least be able to hear that..." If Alexander was able to cry, he was sure he would be.

Thomas didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve this kind of pain. He should be happy and out spending time with friends, not sitting in the hospital with his comatose boyfriend, while his best friend is possibly dying. They were all still so young. They all had so much potential.

»»————-　　————-««

"Okay! Listen up. Project get Thomas out of that damn hospital for longer than five minutes." Lucy stood on the couch, arms raised in the air.

"Luce, you need to take a break from this. Let's face it, he's not going to leave Alexander's side." Mary said from her spot on a chair. From the way everyone was 'sitting' on the furniture you'd assume they're all gay. Which, isn't all that far from the truth to be honest.

"She's right mon ami. Knowing Thomas and how close he was with Alex, it's going to take Alexander flatlining to get him away. And we're all hoping that doesn't happen. Poor guy's lost so much recently..."

"I have to say, I'm on Laf and Mary's side Lucy. There really is no getting Thomas away from him. All we can do is make sure he's eating and bathing regularly and he'll be fine. If Alexander doesn't make it it's going to be up to us to keep him from doing anything stupid."

"I just, I want Thomas back. He hardly notices when someone is there anymore. It's worrying."

"I know." Lafayette got up and brought Lucy into a hug. "He'll be okay eventually."

"I hope so..."