DCF: Crimson Spirits

Chapter 2: Tyler (Tyler's Perspective)

I can't stop... I can't stop crying... She's just laying there... And there's nothing I can do about it...

I left the room to find a random spot in the hallway. Better cry out here than in there... I sat next to the door, hugging my knees to my chest. I found myself looking back at the slightly open door for some reason. Why? Why her? 

I started to sob into my knees, unable to hold back the tears anymore. The more I tried to restrain them, the more I thought about her in that room, completely vulnerable, completely at their mercy. Thinking about her, I couldn't help but fall apart.

I heard the door open a little, and I heard footsteps coming up to me. I looked up from my knees, wiping the tears from my face, to see the doctor kneeled down in front of me. His hand was resting on my shoulder. He's probably out here to tell me something about her... that she's dying or she's getting quarantined or something...

I didn't wanna hear that. I wanted to hear something like "She's gonna be fine" or "She'll be able to go home." However, something was telling me that would be far from the case.

All of this could've been avoided... I could've kept an eye on her, not let her sleep there... Something!

I took a deep breath, attempting to calm myself down. I looked back at the doctor, preparing myself for what he had to say. Though, what he said to me, I was never prepared to hear.

"We will be transferring your friend first thing tomorrow morning," the doctor addressed, a half sympathetic look in his eyes. I felt my heart drop to the pit of my stomach. Transfer her? Where? Why?! 

I found myself sobbing again, not wanting to accept the facts he had just told me. The thought of her, somewhere all by herself, without people who care about her. Without me... 

The thought of that killed me from deep inside my soul. I managed to choke out a few questions through my laboured sobs.

"Where are they taking her? How long will she be there? Will I be able to see her? Is she going to be ok?" I bit my tongue, thinking about the weight of that last question. I fought the urge to cry again, thinking about the possibility of... Ugh. Get a grip, idiot. You can't be acting like this. She's going to be fine. You know her, she's the toughest person you know. The strongest person you know...

"To answer your questions," I heard the doctor respond, snapping me out of my thoughts. He tightened the grip he had on my shoulder a bit.

"I cannot promise her wellbeing. Where she is being taken, she will be tried heavily, in concerns to her physical and mental health. What I can tell you, however, is we cannot inform you on where she will be, and you will not be allowed to visit, due to the severity of her circumstance. I can also inform you that she should not be there any longer than a year at most. We do hope you understand."

I hated every word the doctor had told me. I hated every fact that she might not make it through all of this. I bit my tongue yet again, struggling to tame the tears making their way down my face. A year? A year of her alone and scared? Maybe even terrified or dying? 

The thought of it tore me apart. I looked back at the now open door to see her lying there in the bed, thinking about if she would be alright.

"Sir?" I heard the doctor question, giving my shoulder a slight shake. I looked at him again, not even fighting the tears anymore. I gave him the answer I'm sure he wanted to hear.

"I understand..."