Touch

Part 29

Jeremy.

You can't run off on me like that, Sweetheart. You scared me.

I'm so proud of you. Have you shown your dad yet?

See? Nothing to be afraid of. No monsters under here.

Don't worry, you'll feel better soon.

It'll keep you safe. Always. Even if I'm not around.

It's time to wake up, Jeremy. You'll be late for school.

You have to wake up now.

Jeremy.

Jeremy.

Wake up.

It was bright.

His eyes flickered open, slow, heavy. He was hooked up to machines. He didn't know how he got here.

"Jeremy?" He blinked at the person hovering over him, worried, stressed. Glasses. Dark skin. Dark hair.

"Michael." It was a croak, quiet and uncertain. Michael smiled weakly at him.

"Yeah. Hey. I'm... I'm going to get the nurse, hang on."

-No.-

He reached out a hand, grabbing Michael's shirt. He didn't let go, not until Michael sighed and sat down.

"Tell me what happened."

-What happened. What happened.-

Michael pressed his lips together, hands fidgeting.

"You... you had a seizure? I think? You scared the shit out of me, I called an ambulance."

"Oh." He turned his head, staring at the floor. The machines beeped. It was annoying.

"Your, uh. Your dad is here. And my moms. Do you... want me to get them?"

-No.-

"No. I need to leave."

"Jesus Christ," Michael hissed, mostly to himself. He pressed a hand to his face, squeezing his eyes shut. Agitated. Frustrated. "Jeremy, you can't leave. The doctor said something about inter-- intracranial pressure? You could have died."

"I can't stay here." He pressed his lips together, flicking his eyes to Michael. Michael looked back, brows knit, eyes squinted. He stood back up.

"Okay. Sure. We'll leave." He sat up a little, watching Michael grab a cup, pour water, hand it to him. He took it, holding it loosely between his fingers. "You're probably thirsty, though, right?"

-Michael.-

-Trust Michael.-

-We can trust Michael.-

He held the cup up to his mouth. Michael was watching him. He was nervous. He was fidgeting.

-No.-

-Can't trust him.-

"Is... Are you okay?" Michael was trying his best to look unfazed. He held out the cup and poured the liquid out onto the floor. "What-"

"You're trying to kill us."

Michael stilled, eyes widening, fear, surprise. He backed up slowly, pushing the door to the room shut, back pressed up against it. He clenched his jaw.