Chapter 8
"Can we talk now Paxton?" was the simple question that had his heart racing all morning, he was nervous.
'What if Atlas didn't want to be around him anymore or if he didn't want to help his dad?' Paxton was terrified.
"I don't mind what do you need to talk about?"
Atlas could hear the shakiness in the answer, "Its nothing bad I swear its just, its about yesterday."
"What about yesterday? You weren't hurt were you?" Paxton was worried that something bad had happened and an alarmed look crossed his face.
Atlas couldn't help but sigh and run a hand down his face, "No Pax I wasn't hurt." Paxton was confused with how much this, whatever 'this' was, was bothering Atlas. "You were."
"I know that I was hurt but i'm okay thanks to you, Ats." Paxton grabbed one of Atlas's hand still confused about what was wrong.
"I was so scared. Pax I was terrified. When I saw you at the bottom I thought you were dead." Atlas was having a hard time getting the words out.
He hated the thought of reliving yesterday.
Just remembering the sight of the blood poor out of Pax had him shaking his head, trying to rid himself of the images.
Pax tried to joke, "Well i'm not dead ,i'm fine." A quiet chuckle was let out but stopped when he noticed the serious look on Atlas's face.
Atlas was frustrated.
He was more frustrated at himself and the situation than anything else. He didn't want to say the wrong thing and upset Pax. Atlas wished Pax could just know what he felt and thought without him having to say it but life didn't work that way.
Life had to be complicated.
"I don't think you realize of scared I was Pax." Atlas had sat down beside Paxton on the couch, stopping his pacing to gather his thoughts.
"Hey look at me i'm fine Atlas. I'm okay because of you. You saved me." Atlas had done so much to comfort and make sure he was okay over the past few weeks, so now Pax was trying to return that comfort and reassurance. By the look still flooding Atlas's face he could tell it wasn't working.
"You almost died. Paxton I couldn't find your pulse. When I did after several tries it was barely there."
Everything was silent.
Paxton was frozen in a state of shock before finding the courage to mutter a quiet, "what?"
Atlas had tears in his eyes.
"Your heart almost stopped. You could have died. I could have lost you Pax. I was so afraid I was gonna lose you. I never want to feel that fear again. You've became my best friend these past few weeks and you could have died Paxton." Atlas was crying silent tears, trying to keep his composure but was failing. A brief pause to calm himself and then he put his strong face back on to continue, "I did chest compressions. But what if that wouldn't have worked and been enough and, and you died."
The guilt was consuming Atlas, "You would have died and it would have been my fault." Paxton tried to step in to say anything to make Atlas know it wasn't his fault but didn't get the chance, Atlas stated firmly, angry at himself, "I should have stayed closer. Please believe me I didn't want us to get separated." The sight of Atlas begging made the stinging in Paxton's eyes more prominite. "I'm sorry Paxton. I should have kept you safer."
Paxton is speechless.
He can see the guilt Atlas carries but doesn't know what to say or do to make it better.
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Peace Town
FanfictionWhen Paxton Grimes is left behind by the only family he has left in his life, he decides to give his father a proper burial. But what happens when he discovers his dead dad isn't dead? He decides to hole up in the hospital where his alm...
