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Gabriel
I hug Payton close for what feels like forever, her rocking back and fourth in my laptop repeatedly. Nothing I say or do reassures or calms her down.
Seeing her in such a state, now a little more worse off than she was before is slowly breaking my heart. I don't know much more of this is I can take which is selfish to say, but it's true.
I have inner demons too. Who am I to think I can look after her? I can't.
"Payton, it's going to be okay." I tell her, gently starting to play with her when she slides off my lap and hits the wall beside us with one her hands, balled up. "No!" I cry, grasping it.
"No, stop!" I hear a voice cry and I dee it's Holly spriting over to us. "Let go of me." Payton says amongst tears, her face scruncing up in pain.
"Payton, Payton, look at me." Holly begs her, trying to turn her around to face her, but Payton is stubborn and she begins to cry harder.
People are starting to look at us. She's making a scene... But I can't really blame her at all for a multitude of reasons.
"Holly..." Payton manages, her breathing rapid. "Payton, I need you to breathe for me, okay? Remember what I taught you in.
Breathe in, 5 seconds. Then breathe out, 5 seconds."
Payton's crying too hard. "Payton, I need you to try with me, okay?"
After some coaxing, Payton calms down enough to stop crying, but she's not any less distressed.
Payton cuddles up to me and I wrap an arm around her. "Holly, what happened in there? That was our room." I ask her.
"I know..." She says. "It's not safe out here for Payton, and I'll be harassed out here too." I tell her.
"I know." She says again. "So, what the fuck is going on?" I demand.
"I'm sorry. That was an unexpected emergency call. A teenage boy attempted suicide."
"Where's his family?" Payton whimpers. "Likely what everyone else has turned into." Holly responds and Payton starts to shake.
"Payton, I'm sorry-" But Holly doesn't get to finish as a Nurse pokes their head out the Security door, beckoking her.
"Ah, shit. Look, I'm really sorry. It's not long till the afternoon, I sware. Umm, if you can just manage to chill out here for just 3 more hours, an ambulance will be here for you I promise, Payton and the admitting facility, organizing private car transparent for you, Gabriel." She pleads.
"Okay." I tell her. "I-I'll try." Payton stammers nervously.
"Thank you. I'll have someone bring a snack and a drink out for you both. I have to go." Payton says, darting away.
"W-wait, can I call someone?" Payton asks, too late that Holly doesn't hear her. "I'm sorry. We can ask her or someone else next time." I tell her and she nods softly, curling up in a ball in the corner.
I look around me. Not many people are staring thank god so I lie down too and gently move next to Payton:d back. I place a arm over her stomach. She grips my hand tightly. "It's okay, you can squeeze if it helps." I tell her, but she doesn't say anything, shaking.
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"Gabriel, Payton.
Gabriel, Payton, wake up..."
I groan, rolling over onto my back, opening my eyes. A nurse is above us. "What time is it?" I ask.
"It's been about half an hour. You both fell asleep. I have lunch for you both and something extra for Payton." She says. I wake Payton up.
YOU ARE READING
The Last Performance (Hybrid Chronicles Spin-off)
RomansaA city named, Sully has teamed up, forging an urgent alliance with another city. Crescent-Port, close by with each-other and both closed their gates, not allowing anyone outside access to either of them as there has been conflicting and distressing...
