THE VOID

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕪-𝕤𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟

                                  {a few weeks later}

((Hero opens the new notepad, his mum got him. His hands are still pretty shaky from everything. He's been staying with Jo and Alice, not really his choice but Jo insisted and he wasn't going to complain))

Entry one -
((He leaves the title empty))

I'm not really sure, why I'm doing this. I guess a lot has happened lately. I've tried to talk to Jo about it, but she doesn't seem up for it. Her appearance hasn't altered and yet everyday since I haven't been able to recognise her. She seems sad, she seems tired and she feels distant. I don't think she's handling everything as well as she's making out to be. I didn't really notice it as much in the hospital, I guess that's because I was recovering. She still visited everyday, she was there everyday with me. I was too worried about getting better to notice, how badly she was doing. Alex and Alice, are both fine. It feels like we have bounced back so well, but she hasn't. I don't really remember much from that day, neither do the others. Jo does, she remembers everything. I think that's why. I think that's why she's not okay. It will be better now that I'm home with her. I can look after her, I can fix it. She just needs someone to tell her it's all okay, and I can do that.

((He stops for a moment, to wipe the tears falling from his eyes))

Charlie said she's doing fine at work, I think it's easier there since she doesn't have to be herself. It's an escape from everything around her, an escape from the memories of that day. She kept making comments about wanting to move here, permanently while visiting me in the hospital. I've been hoping, praying for her to decide that for so long now. But I just know she doesn't mean it, she's not deciding to stay because she wants to but rather because she's too afraid to leave. Her plan was to move to LA, get a cute apartment and live out her dream of being an actress. I desperately want her to stay, but if she does she will grow to resent me. Her staying because she's afraid of being alone, is wrong and as much as I'd like to be selfish and just allow it to happen. I can't. I just can't do that to her, what kind of person would that make me. I have a couple of months with her and I'm going to do my best to help her. Help her heal.

((He stops writing and places the notebook down, he slowly stands from the bed. His body still feels weak, he pushes the pain away and moves towards the bathroom))

***

Josephine: ((closes the door behind her, and takes a deep breath. The flat is dead silent and it makes her feel uneasy. She calls out for Alice but there's no answer. Her heart begins to race)) "Hero" ((she shouts moving further through the flat)) "Hero" ((she shouts again after not getting a response))

Hero: ((slowly steps out of the bedroom)) "Present" ((he replies placing his hand up, and laughing))

Josephine: ((sighs before nodding her head)) "You didn't answer" ((she says darting over to him and latching onto him))

Hero: "I didn't hear you" ((he holds her with a tight grip))

Josephine: "What do you mean, you didn't hear me? I shouted your name" ((she pulls away slightly)) "Do you need me to call the doctor about your ears?" ((She asks concerned))

Hero: ((giggles before nodding his head and pulling her closer)) "No, of course not! If you must know I was taking a piss" ((he says laughing and he feels her body relax)) "I'm here okay? I'm not going anywhere" ((he adds trying to calm her))

Josephine: ((shrugs before pulling away)) "I just thought"

Hero: "I'm here" ((he repeats, moving her hair away from her face and tucks it behind her ear)) "I'm okay" ((he adds))