Something Stupid

Back In Black

Narrator's POV

"...and then..." Stephen sighed. "...a car drove by, and all I heard was a small yelp."

"I'm so sorry."

"If I would've just turned around for two seconds, I would've seen the car coming." Stephen said, wiping away a tear with his thumb. "We..." He sucked in a breath. "I mean, I...made a small grave for him in the garden. It has a small little tombstone and everything." He put on a broken smile. "Captain." He said, holding his hand out in front of him and spreading them apart. "The bravest dog this world has ever known."

"I'm sorry to hear that." A man sitting beside Stephen, patted him softly on the back.

"We're truly sorry for your loss." Becky said.

"Stephen, I happen to notice your hands are...um..." Dr. Mark said, pointing at Stephen's severely damaged hands.

"Oh my hands?" He showed to the group. "Yeah, I was pulling weeds from my garden by the rose bushes." He said. "Silly me forgot to put one gloves." He shook his head.

"What happened to your cheek?" Stephanie asked, pointing out the bandage on Stephen's cheek.

"Cut myself with a shelf while cleaning out the attic. Nothing to worry about."

"Okay." Dr. Mark believed none of this. "We have a guest here with us today." He said.

"Oh, how wonderful." Stephen rolled his eyes.

"He runs another support group, but I thought today would be a good to have him for some inspiration." Dr. Mark said. "Come on in." He stepped aside.

A tall blonde haired man came in.

"Hi." He greeted everyone. "I'm Steve."

Stephen squinted at him, biting the inside of his cheek. He mumbled a few words of hatred under his breath.

Steve noticed Stephen. "Stephen." He smiled at him. "Good to see you." He went up to Stephen, stretching a hand out to shake.

Stephen sat in his chair, arms crossed, silent.

"I see." Steve said. "Sorry about To-"

"Don't you dare say his name!" Stephen shouted, standing up from his chair.

Everyone turned to him.

"You have no idea how hard this has been for me." Stephen said, poking at Steve's chest with a shaky hand. "These past two years have been fucking hell." He said. "Hours of self guilt drag on and on and on and on!"

"Stephen-"

"No, Mark!" Stephen pushed him aside. "I had the chance to save him, and I didn't."

"Stephen, It wasn't your fault." Steve said.

"How can you say that?" Stephen asked. "I had him right in my hands. I should've done something."

"There was nothing you could have done." Steve put a hand on Stephen's shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" Stephen pulled away. "I'm not ready to be touched again." He embraced himself.

"Stephen-"

"I'm sorry Mark." Stephen said. "I can't do this anymore." He said. "I'm sorry everyone." He opened a portal.

"Stephen wait-"

Stephen was gone.

"Leave me to him." Steve said to Mark. "I'm sorry everyone, but I better make sure he's okay." Steve said, running out of the building. "Pepper, now is not the time." He said through a head piece.