He Doesn't Talk Much - Jacksepticeye Egos Fanfic

Chapter 10 - At Fault

Jameson awoke slowly, as though he were wandering blindly out of a maze. He felt sick and heavy-headed, and his ears felt full of cotton.

His fingers wandered to his throat before he noticed the area was numb. He couldn't feel a thing as his hand brushed against the skin. Still, though, his head was cloudy, and this anomaly barely unnerved him.

Where am I? Jameson wondered dully. His eyelids felt like lead; it would be too much effort to lift them. But by the surface he was lying on, it seemed that he wasn't at home. The hard mattress and thin blanket seemed more suited to a hospital cot than a real bed.

Suddenly, the encounter with Anti came rushing back to him, in bits and pieces like a jigsaw puzzle.

Jackie... the phone call... the video... Henrik- Anti. Jameson's heart fluttered. Anti was furious with him. I betrayed my best friend, Jameson realized bitterly. He turned on the bed, pulling the meager sheet up to his chin as if it might comfort him. I'm a monster. And Henrik! I lied to them both. A sick feeling settled in his stomach as he began to mull over his guilt. His throat seemed tight- it felt sore, as if he were choking back tears.

At least... Jameson thought, after some time had passed. At least nobody got hurt.

With that, Jameson sighed, letting his eyelids drift open slightly. It only took him a moment to recognize the room he was in; it was one of Henrik's patient rooms in the clinic. Jameson pushed himself up in the bed, laboriously stretching his arms. He smiled weakly; his tophat was sitting on the bedside table.

That's odd, he thought. He couldn't feel his bowtie. Jameson tilted his head down to look. I didn't think it was-

Jameson flinched violently- a hoarse gasp escaped his lips as he looked down. His shirt was bloodied and stained as though he'd been in a fight. A thick red shadow clung to his collar, and blotchy stains trailed down his chest. Oddly enough, though, the stains didn't run in drops. The blood hadn't dripped down, rather, it seemed that his shirt had been soaking in it.

"Hhhh," Jameson breathed, standing up from the bed anxiously. He didn't feel tired now- no. Panic pushed him off the bed with a start, and set him pacing around the room in agitation.

His throat hurt more now; he felt as though he was choking. He tried to call out, but found he couldn't speak. "Ghhh-!" HENRIK! he wanted to scream. Where was the doctor? His throat seemed to be on fire- Jameson's hands flew to his neck suddenly in a panic.

Then, he froze. His fingers met a soft, papery substance. Gauze. His whole neck was wrapped in it. Jameson stumbled to the door, still with his hands pressed to his throat.

He tried to scream, but all he heard was the rush of air escaping his mouth without resistance. Jameson grabbed at the door handle. What happened to me? What happened? His throat still burned and tears flooded his eyes as he lurched out into the hallway, chest heaving.

"J-Jameson," someone said to his right.

Jameson turned on his heel to see Henrik, Jackie, and Chase, all standing beside the exit. Henrik, covered in blood, was paper white and looked as though he'd seen a ghost. Jackie was immediately concerned, and Chase took a step back, as though Jameson might strike him.

What happened!? Jameson tried to ask. All the noise he could produce was a strangled gasp. But the pain in confusion in his eyes said plenty.

"You weren't supposed to wake up yet," Henrik murmured. "Oh, god, you weren't supposed to wake up yet." He was swaying dangerously where he stood. One of his hands pressed up against his chest, while the other covered his mouth as if he was going to be sick. He couldn't meet Jameson's eyes. "I'm so sorry," he said, through painfully gritted teeth. Henrik shook his head and stumbled back, pushing through the exit doors and running out into the waiting room without another word.

"Henrik hurt you," Chase said, before Jackie shoved him in the chest.

"Anti hurt you," Jackie said, speaking to Jameson but looking at Chase. He looked back up to Jameson. "JJ, Anti... had Henrik remove your... your vocal cords."

Jameson gasped in horror, shaking his head. No, no, no, no-

"I know. I'm... I'm so sorry. We failed you, Jameson," Jackie sighed. "There's no... there's nothing I can..."

"Nobody here is particularly good at talking to someone who just dealt with a crisis," Chase said bluntly.

Jackie gave him a troubled glance before turning back to Jameson. "I... I mean, what I'm trying to say is... is..." THUD. Jackie was interrupted by the slamming of a door somewhere out beyond the waiting room. He and Chase exchanged confused looks, and Jameson stepped forward.

"...lemme just, uh, check," Jackie muttered to nobody in particular, before turning away and walking into the waiting room. The door clicked quietly behind him, and Chase and Jameson were left alone in the hallway. There was a long, tense silence.

"Look," Chase said, in a defeated voice. "Henrik told us everything. About Anti pretending to be your friend, about you lying to all of us, about... about Anti turning on you." Jameson gulped and nodded shakily. "You wanted what was best for everyone, and, well... you got what was worst for yourself. But you saved Jack's life, by telling us."

Jameson's eyes searched Chase's face. What was he saying?

"Whether you believe it or not, you're the reason Jack's alive. This is..." Chase chuckled cynically. "This is about as good as it gets when we're dealing with Anti."

Jameson shook his head. He couldn't believe that this all wasn't his fault. And Anti... Anti couldn't be that bad, could he? How could he have done this?

"Oh, no, you don't get to blame yourself," Chase replied with a strange expression. "I've caused just as much trouble for Doc by myself, even without Anti getting involved. So... yeah." Chase harrumphed and scratched his head awkwardly.

All of a sudden, the door to the waiting room swung open, causing Chase and Jameson to both jump. "Guys!" Jackie burst back into the hallway with an alarmed expression. "Guys- Henrik is gone."