Unknown Chances

Chapter Four

I didn't know him, he didn't know me.  Who was I to him?  I had no idea. 

"Do I know you?"  I quietly asked.

"You're that girl on his phone.  I don't know who you are, personally, but you, you're her!" he started to ramble on.

"Calm down," I walked closer to him, “whose phone am I on?"

"Niall's," he answered.

I cupped my hand to my mouth.  Completely in shock, I immediately sat down in a chair and gestured for him to do the same.

My hands started to shake as, I haven't heard from Niall all night long.  It was unusual, though.  He's a talkative lad.  He never shut up.  I looked this man directly in the eyes, and I started to question how he knew Niall.

"Niall," he gulped, "Niall, h-he’s my brother, I'm Greg Horan." he managed to say before bursting out in tears.

"What happened to him?" I said. 

"Around 10 last night," he gulped,"Niall was going out with the lads and an old friend of his, Chase, started to fight with him.  Niall's not the type to fight, so took the punches and blows to the head.  He's alive, barely.  He had internal bleeding, but now he has broken ribs and a broken leg.  He's died twice, but the doctors keep bringing him back.  But if you want to live, you've got to have some will.  Niall doesn't have a will to live, he's suicidal, Julia."

I didn't even notice how he was upset.  He was so happy and open with me.  I just broke out in much needed tears.  I had never been the kind to tell people my feelings or tell people about my personal life, but at that moment it all came out.  Every moment of it.  From two days ago to where we were now. 

Greg just sat there listening, in too much shock to cry.

At 4:30, I walked up to my Grandmother's room, but stopped at Niall's room.  I gently opened the door and saw him clearly.  There was a boy there, the same boy that was happy several hours ago.  He was laughing and joking around.  Now, he's a depressed boy in a hospital bed with IVs hooked up to him and a broken leg.  It shocks me how just several hours can completely change a person.  Just then, a loud beep started to go off.

“Niall?” I asked, expecting an answer.

I stood there as nurses rushed in, pushing me away.