How many more Goddam things were going to go wrong? AJ felt that thought rage through him as he sat in the hard chair in the waiting room of the hospital. He barely noticed his fingers, tangled up in the hem of his shirt, twisting and twirling. It was the only outward sign of the stress that was boiling in him. His eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, would have betrayed him if anyone could see them.
Half of his problem at the moment was that he wanted to be back in that hospital room with Brian and he wasn’t allowed to go back there. Just because he wasn’t family, they wouldn’t allow him in there. How dare they? Didn’t they know anything? It took almost every ounce of restraint he possessed to sit there in the waiting room instead of pushing his way past everyone and making a beeline to Brian’s room. He’d been down to see Nick already, spending the whole time reassuring him that Brian was ok, until finally the meds kicked in and Nick had gone under into the healing world of sleep. That had left AJ to go back to the waiting room and take up his post once more in a chair.
Had it been only hours ago that he and Brian had lain in bed together, watching Disney movies with each other? The feeling of Brian in his arms, warm and strong and so perfect, helped AJ keep his composure. Just the fact that they could lay like that now was such a big step from how they’d started this ordeal. Back then, Brian had barely even been able to let their hands touch. Now he was able to lie in AJ’s arms, letting AJ hold him close, and trust AJ enough to stay like that while they slept.
There was no one with more strength in them than Brian. Even when the man thought he was broken, there was this steel inside of him that just refused to break. Maybe it bent a little under the weight every now and again, but it was always there.
But how long could someone be pushed down? How many times could that steel bend before it finally warped and snapped? There were only so many times you could expect someone to get knocked flat before they just don’t have the strength to get back up anymore.
This latest thing was going to wear on them all. It honestly scared AJ, something that he hated. He hated to be afraid. But, to think that Zach had ran Nick off the road! That wasn’t something petty. That wasn’t simple, like drugging someone. That was intent to murder. Nick was extremely lucky that his injuries were so minor. It could have been so much worse.
A chill ran down AJ’s spine as he thought what it would have been like if they’d arrived to find Nick seriously injured, or worse. That would have been the breaking point for Brian. Hell, for all of them! As it was, it was amazing Brian had held himself together through this all.
Thinking of Brian took him to thoughts of what had happened. The terror that he’d felt when his phone had buzzed with the text message from Brian. Had he ever been more scared in his entire life than when he’d raced through the hospital, searching bathroom to bathroom to find the one he loved? He couldn’t remember a time.
Then he’d found Brian and had discovered that his fear could indeed grow. Brian had looked so small, so lost, curled up the way that he was.
With a small shudder, AJ drew himself away from those thoughts. He banished them from his mind, refusing to think on it, wanting only to think on the here and now. Something was going on. Stress, the doctors had said. Exhaustion. Lack of nutrition. A million and one different reasons, in their eyes, that this could have happened.
AJ didn’t believe a one of them.
For one thing, he’d seen Brian at his best and worst ever since this whole thing had started. He knew the difference between Brian’s fear, his exhaustion, his panic attacks, and his terror. This was terror. Almost as bad as the terror that had been on Brian’s face right after the first attack.
But the little that he’d had a chance to talk to Brian, his lover had been wholeheartedly on the doctors’ side. Stress, he’d agreed. The night had just been too much for him. If that wasn’t the biggest piece of bullshit, AJ would eat his own hat. There wasn’t any point in arguing it at the moment, though. Right now they needed to focus on healing their two friends.
AJ told himself he’d get the truth out of Brian later. One way or another, he’d figure it out, even if he had to watch Brian like a hawk. Because, in the back of AJ’s mind, he had a feeling he already knew what had caused this. He knew that only one thing, one person, would inspire that severe of a panic attack in Brian.
Zach.
That rotten son of a bitch. AJ wanted nothing more than to put his hands around Zach’s neck and squeeze for all he was worth. He’d snap that bastard’s little neck. As he closed his eyes and indulged in his murderous thoughts, AJ lost track of those around him. So when a pair of hands settled over top of his left hand it almost startled him straight out of his skin.
His eyes shot up, locking on to the familiar dark eyes of his best friend. “Shit, Howie.” He breathed out. “You almost stopped my heart!”
Howie’s expression was serious as he looked down at where he still held AJ’s hand. “And you were about to rip your skin to shreds.” He shot back quietly. That drew AJ’s gaze down as well. Surprised, he saw the long scratches on his arm, red and white. Thankfully he hadn’t broken the skin yet. Jesus, he hadn’t even realized he was doing it! Just like he hadn’t realized how much his hands were trembling until he looked at them now. The last thing he needed was to have the shakes. Sure as rain was wet, Brian would try to pamper him if he saw this.
Seeking to distract from his own obvious problems, AJ looked back up at Howie. “You been to see Nick or Bri yet? I’m sure they’d appreciate a visit. Nick’s doing pretty good, all things considered. He was pretty groggy when I left him.”
“It’s not going to work, Alexander James.” Howie told him sternly. “I already saw the both of them, almost the instant I arrived a half an hour ago, though I had to sneak back to see Brian. They’re concerned about him and would only let family back there, so I snuck past the nurses. You can’t distract me by talking about them. I know they’re ok now. At least, as ok as can be. Now I want to know about you.”
AJ’s eyes darted around the waiting room, trying to make sure no one was close enough to hear them. “I’m fine, Howie, geeze. You know the cravings just take a little while to burn out.”
“You’re talking to me now, AJ. I won’t fall for that evasive bull. To someone who knows you as well as I do, you look as brittle as glass. Talk to me.”
One look into Howie’s eyes had some of AJ’s resolve crumbling. There was a reason this man was his best friend. If he couldn’t talk to him, who could he talk to? Still, giving in wasn’t easy for him. Even as he let his walls down, he still beat around the bush a little as he spoke. “I’m not that bad, D. Just a little stressed, you know? But who wouldn’t be with something like this. It’s a naturally stressful situation, right?”
Now that AJ was talking, Howie was content to slowly draw it out of him. He still squatted in front of AJ, still held his hand, but his gaze was patient now. He knew AJ well enough to know how to decipher what he said. “Of course it is. All of us are stressing over it.”
“Yeah, exactly. I mean, ok, I’m a little worried about things. About Brian and Nick. And you guys. But that’s normal too. It’s not nothing I can’t handle.” AJ stopped and blew out a frustrated breath. His tone was a little more brisk now as he forced himself to tell the truth. “I’m dealing with it ok, I guess. I’m furious, D. I want to find this man and rip him to shreds. I want to wrap my hands around his fucking throat and strangle him.”
AJ didn’t notice that Jackie was heading toward them and he didn’t see how Howie lifted one hand to gesture her away. Now that things were spilling out of him, he couldn’t stop them. His eyes stared sightlessly at the floor.
“I’m scared, Howie. Absolutely fucking terrified. I don’t know what I’m doing half the time and I’m worried I’m going to fuck it up. Brian matters so much to me. I can’t stop myself from worrying about him. But now I’m scared for everyone else, too. What if Zach tries a little harder with Nick next time? What if he comes after you, or Kevin, or any of Brian’s family? This man is insane. He might decide all of you are obstacles that are in his way. I can’t be around everyone, all the time. I can’t keep everyone I love safe. And at the same time, by not keeping you guys safe, I’m not just hurting myself, it’s hurting Brian too.”
Amazement arrowed through Howie for a moment. Then he shook his head softly. “You don’t once mention being scared for yourself in there, Alex.” He told his friend.
The idea genuinely surprised AJ. “Scared for myself? Why the hell would I be?”
“If Zach is going to think anyone is a big threat to his cause, it’d be you. You’re the one he’s going to want to remove the most. You’re the weak link to Brian, too. He has to know that just by watching you guys.”
The look that came into AJ’s eyes could only be described as fierce and a little wild. “Let him come after me.” He hissed out. “I just dare the little fucker to come after me. Then we’d finally be done with this nightmare.”
He would have said more, but he suddenly over Howie’s shoulder that the doors to the back were opening and Kevin and Brian were walking out. The two were talking about something, almost looking like they were arguing, but Brian’s gaze found AJ almost instantly and his words cut off with a snap. Suspicion grew in AJ. Oh, yeah, something was going on. What it was, he had no idea, but it was something.
Without breaking eye contact, AJ rose to his feet. He felt Howie’s hand drop away but he paid it no attention.
“The doc said I’m ready to go home.” Brian said as he reached AJ. They stood a good half foot apart, eyes locked, almost oblivious to everyone around them. “Just some rest and try to keep my stress level low so that doesn’t happen again.”
So Brian was going to keep up this charade, was he? In one look, AJ could see that Brian was lying, and that Brian knew that AJ knew he was lying. But neither of them called him out on it. AJ nodded slightly, not just to Brian’s spoken words, but to the unspoken ones as well. He would let this ride for now. “Let’s get you home then, Bri.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took another forty five minutes before everyone even loaded up in their cars. Jackie was staying at the hospital so she could be with Nick and, if they allowed it, to bring him home later that night. It was still up in the air whether he would be released or if they were keeping him overnight for observation.
Brian and AJ rode in the back of Micheal’s car again, holding hands the same as they had the last time. But this time they weren’t riding in terror. They both rode in exhaustion, their eyes trying to slide shut. AJ felt like each time he blinked, another ten or fifteen minutes passed. The ride home passed by quickly this way and the two soon found themselves back in the Littrell house.
Amusement filled AJ when, not even five minutes later, he and Brian were heading down the hall toward the bedroom. Everyone had wasted on time, ganging up on the two of them and insisting that they head to be after being up for so long. Honestly, and Brian hadn’t really put up much of a fight. They hadn’t slept much lately and they were both pretty tired.
At the end of the hallway, Brian lightly touched AJ’s arm, stopping them both. For the first time all evening, he looked at AJ without shadows in his eyes. The intensity of his stare had the words drying up in AJ’s mouth.
“Do, uh…do you think you could, you know.” Brian stopped, rubbing a hand over his face before he continued. “Will you come hold me tonight? I don’t think I can sleep on my own.”
Every worry, every fear, every line of stress melted away from AJ in that moment. There was such a vulnerable look to Brian at that moment, so sweet and beautiful. He brought his fingers up and let the tips of them brush against Brian’s cheek. “Of course I will.” He murmured. The smile he received in turn was bright enough to light up the day.
Together they moved into the bedroom. Brian didn’t waste time before shutting off the light as he came in. Both men toed off their shoes against the wall and tossed their coats on a chair. In no time at all they were both in the bed, tucked underneath the blankets, clad in just their shorts and shirts. AJ sighed into the mattress. God, the bed felt wonderful after those stupid hospital chairs.
Yawning, he reached an arm over and snagged Brian, sweeping him over so that Brian’s head was pillowed on his shoulder. He felt Brian startle for a moment and then relax. His heart warmed when Brian put a hand over his heart and actually cuddle a little against his side.
Neither said a word. They were content to just be with one another at the moment and know that each one was safe.
Just as AJ was about to drift off to sleep, Brian shifted against him and whispered “Thanks.”
Absently, AJ dropped a kiss on top of his curls. “Anytime.”
It felt good to lie there with Brian snuggled up against him. AJ began drifting, easily dropping off toward sleep. He mumbled a little when Brian shifted against him, almost stirring himself awake, but Brian wasn’t moving away, just moving closer, so AJ sighed and smiled. Then, the last thing in the world he’d expected to happen; Brian’s soft mouth was pressing against his.
Shock was the only thing AJ felt at first. It wiped his brain completely clean. All that was left was sensation. The feel of Brian’s warm, soft lips against his. The touch of the body spread against his own. Without any thought, he found himself sinking in to the kiss, unable to do anything else. There was no room for clear thought in his mind.
Then his brain kicked back into gear, flying straight into overdrive, when he felt Brian’s hand slide down his chest and over his hip. At any other time there would have been no thought. AJ would have easily and willingly taken Brian up on the blatant offer. But there was one thing that was a surefire way to rule out over passion. Fear. Brian’s fear. He could feel the trembles in Brian’s hand; feel it spreading through his love’s whole body. All of that screamed one thing. Brian wasn’t ready for this.
It took an immense effort, but somehow AJ managed to reach down and snag a hold of Brian’s wrist, halting his hand in its tracks. A small whimper slid past Brian’s lips, spiking AJ’s worry even higher. He broke their kiss, shifting and rolling his body so that he was lying on his side, facing Brian. He brought his hand up between them; the hand still holding Brian’s wrist. “Brian, honey, what’s going on?”
“I just…” Brian’s voice was breathy and AJ knew it wasn’t from passion. “I wanted to try.”
AJ brought Brian’s hand further up so he could kiss his knuckles. “And we will, honey. When you’re ready and not a moment before that.”
“I can’t let this rule my life, Alex. I think I’m going to just have to make myself. If I keep waiting to be ready, I doubt I ever will. I trust you enough to try with you. I just, I’m tired of being afraid of it. I want to try.”
The words seemed all right but they were at odds with the shadows AJ saw in Brian’s eyes. There was something else going on here too. Something more. What on earth had happened today? What was going on with his Brian? He knew if he pressed it, Brian would clam up tight as can be. He was going to have to do this delicately. “If we try when you’re this scared by it, it’ll never work. You have to want it, at least a little, or the pleasure will never override the pain.”
This time the something that flashed into Brian’s eyes was unmistakable. It had AJ flabbergasted. Plain as day, he saw the fear and the insecurity, followed quickly by hurt. “Bri?”
With one quick move, Brian started to roll away from him. Thankfully AJ had quick reflexes. He managed to stop him. “Bri, wait. Stop. Just talk to me.”
“There’s no point in talking about this.” Brian sand angrily. He made a small sniffling sound in the dark that made AJ wince. “I get the picture, Alex. It’s fine.”
“I don’t think you do. Please, just talk to me. You threw me for a loop here.”
That had Brian pausing. “Gee, thanks. The idea of making love to me throws you for a loop, huh? Well, at least I know what’s what now.”
“Excuse me?” AJ couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He pulled on Brian’s wrist again, trying to keep him in the bed when he felt Brian try to tug away again. What the hell was going on here? One second he was being kissed and now he was having this thrown at him! What the holy hell was going on?
Brian actually sounded a little angry when he answered. “You heard me. Look, I know where I’m not wanted. Obviously that’s here. I thought you wanted me, I thought you wanted to try, but I was wrong. End of story. I can’t blame you, anyways. Who the hell would want someone like me? Now, if you’d just let me up so I can get the heck out of here…”
Someone like him? The anger and the pain in that speech snapped the last of AJ’s already fragile control. There was only so damn much that a man could be expected to take! Furious, he rolled his body over, effectively pinning Brian down to the bed. His hips ground down, pressing them together in the most intimate way. “Does this feel like I don’t want you, Brian Thomas Littrell?” he snapped out. His obvious arousal was trapped between them.
Common sense kicked back in when he felt Brian give a full body shudder beneath him. That wasn’t a shudder of pleasure, either. Suddenly disgusted with himself, AJ let go of Brian completely and rolled to the side, flopping down on his back. He stared sightlessly at the ceiling. Damn it, he needed to get control of himself before he did any worse damage. What the hell had he been thinking, to do something like that?
Still not touching, AJ spoke in a soft voice. “Until the day you and I can touch like that and you don’t flinch, I won’t agree to this. Not until you’re ready. Only when you look at me and I know you see me.” Looking sideways, AJ stared at the profile of Brian’s face in the shadowed room. “When we do make love, Brian, I only want there to be two people in this bed.”
“What if I can’t let go like that?”
“I think you will, one day.” AJ answered. “But, even if you never do, I’ll still be here. Just don’t ever try to force yourself for more than you’re ready for, Bri. I’m not going anywhere.”
There were tears in Brian’s voice when he spoke this time. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
Ok, yeah, as if he hadn’t felt like shit before, it was now blatantly clear. AJ did the only thing he could think of to do. He brought his arm out and snagged Brian around the shoulders as he’d done earlier, pulling him over until Brian’s head was resting on his shoulder. He felt Brian’s small flinch, felt his body stiffen just a little, but when Brian realized that AJ was only snuggling them again, he practically melted against AJ’s side.
AJ pressed a kiss against the crown of Brian’s head. “I shouldn’t have snapped back at you either, honey.” He said. Sighing out a breath, AJ looked up at the ceiling and tried to concentrate on their conversation and on keeping his body under control. “It just drove me crazy to think that you would actually feel like I don’t want you.”
“My heart knows you do. It’s the rest of me that doesn’t believe it.”
“Yeah, I can understand that.” And he could, really. It helped him calm down some to think about it. That was a feeling he could relate to. “It took me a long time after rehab to believe someone might actually want me for me. Anytime someone hit on me, I thought they were faking it, or that they’d heard how easy I was and were just looking to get an easy lay.”
Against his shoulder, Brian shuffled a little, tipping his head up some so that their eyes met. “Really? But you’re such an attractive guy! Heck, you get hit on all the time.”
A smile spread over AJ’s lips. “You think I’m attractive, huh? Well that’s a bonus.” He chuckled. “Anyways, yeah I felt that way. I’d fucked my way through quite a few people, Bri. Being famous and all, how do I know they didn’t tell all their friends that they slept with AJ Mclean and boy was he easy to get into bed?”
“I never thought of that. I guess…I guess you do understand. Again.” The smile that lit Brian’s face was small, but it made the last of the stress lines disappear. “There’s no one who seems to understand me quite the way you do, Age.”
“It’s mutual, honey. You understand me so much better than anyone else in the world. I trust you more than I trust anyone, even Howie.”
The sudden flush to Brian’s cheeks and the way Brian dropped his face down told AJ that his suspicions had been right. Brian was keeping something from him. Dammit! There was only one topic that AJ could see Brian hiding anything on and it was the worst topic to hide things from him. But, AJ pushed back the questions on the tip of his tongue. It had been a rough day. Tomorrow was soon enough to try and find out what was going on. And, if he didn’t find out by being nice, he’d corner Brian a little and pull it out of him somehow.
The room drifted off into silence but for the sounds of nature outside the window. AJ didn’t sleep, but he drifted in the in-between stage of sleep and waking. At first, he barely registered when Brian pulled away from him and climbed from the bed. He started to stir, but he saw that Brian was just heading to the bathroom so he settled back down. If Brian took too long in there, he’d go check on him and make sure he wasn’t having problems. Couldn’t have been a nightmare, because those woke Brian up in an almost violent way.
Ten minutes went past and AJ was stirring himself enough to finally get up and go check when the door opened and Brian came back out.
Warning bells went off in AJ’s mind. Brian was fully dressed, straight down to his shoes. He moved across the room and to the door, opening it as silently as possible. Then he was out the door and gone. AJ listened for a minute as Brian went down the hall. What the hell? Maybe Brian was just going to get a snack. Maybe he was just taking a walk. He liked to walk sometimes when his mind was full.
Bullshit.
AJ flew up from the bed, snagging his jeans off the floor beside him and yanking them on. This had something to do with the way Brian had been acting since that panic attack. Dammit, dammit, dammit! He should have pressed Brian about it earlier. What the hell was that man doing? AJ couldn’t explain the urgency he felt. But it ate at him as he grabbed his combat boots and pulled them on without even bothering with his socks.
He laced them up as quickly as possible and then was pulling his shirt on even as he stood up. He snagged his coat on the way out the door. When he reached the main part of the house, everything was dark. Where had Brian gone? Obviously he wasn’t inside the house. There were no lights on.
Then he saw it. The patio door leading out back was open just a little. AJ wasted no time. He was off toward the door and outside in a flash. Quickly he scanned the area around him. Off in the distance, just entering a copse of trees, he caught sight of Brian’s jacket. Where on God’s green earth was that man going?
AJ had to move fast to keep Brian in his line of sight. The further into the trees they went, though, the more he began to worry. He picked up his pace. What the fuck was going on? All AJ knew was that there was something wrong. Horribly, terribly wrong. A house appeared in the distance, its windows dark. AJ had just opened his mouth to call out Brian’s name, his concern growing and morphing into full-fledged terror, when something hard caught him in the side of the head.
The world spun around him, exploding in bright colors of pain. He barely registered hitting the ground. Reality started to come back to him, the world straightening from its twirling, when he felt something go around his wrists and tighten. Too late, though. His head cleared in just enough time to realize that his hands and ankles were now held with zip ties. He was stuck.
AJ lifted his eyes. For the first time he met the gaze of the one person in the world he would happily kill with his bare hands. The terror he felt was pushed down underneath a wave of rage. “You son of a bitch.” He spat out.
With a smile that held a wealth of insanity to it, Zach shook his head. “I tried to tell him about you.” He said. There was a slight hint of almost humor to his voice. “But he wouldn’t believe me.” Like the flip of a switch, Zach was suddenly furious, squatting down by AJ’s head, his hand snaking down to grab AJ’s hair and yank his head up. “I told him to come alone and he brings you with him? He lied to me.”
It didn’t take much, even with the jackhammers pounding at the inside of his skull, for AJ to make the logical leap. Zach had talked to Brian today at the hospital. That was what had triggered the panic attack. Brian was out here right now to meet up with him. The most important thing in all of this was Brian’s safety. This man was unbalanced. “He snuck out on me so I followed him. He didn’t ‘bring’ me anywhere.”
Just as quick, the anger was gone from Zach’s face. “He does love me.” He breathed out. With an absent gesture he threw AJ’s head to the ground. “What am I going to do with you now?” The man looked up, off to his side. “Shut up! No one asked you!”
A chill spread down AJ’s spine. Zach was talking like there was someone there. Did he have help? But a quick look around showed no one else was around them. Still Zach spoke to the air. “I’ll take care of him. Brian loves me. He’ll understand. This bastard followed him! He’s trying to keep us apart! Brian won’t be mad at me!”
Zach suddenly swung at the air like he was trying to hit someone. “I told you shut up! You’re dead, I killed you! Why do you haunt me? I’ll do what I want!”
Oh sweet God. He was talking to ghosts of people he killed? This man was crazier than they’d known. AJ shifted a little, trying to figure out a way to get out of this. Zach was distracted right now. Maybe he could roll away. If he could reach his pocket, his keys were in there. Those might be strong enough to break through the zip ties if he got somewhere he could sit and work at it. Think fast, Mclean! He’s talking to dead people about what to do with you.
“No, no, you’re right. Brian would be mad if I killed him right now. He’s so kind hearted. My sweet boy. But there’s other things we can do.”
AJ shifted again, trying to reach his pocket. The sound drew Zach’s attention, though. His eyes shot over to AJ. There was insanity there, as well as rage. “What’re you doing?” He swore at AJ. A foot came flying out at him. AJ barely had enough time to bring his hands up over his face before he was caught in the side of his head with Zach’s boot. Starts exploded in his vision. His already injured head screamed at him in protest.
Dazed, AJ fought against the waves of blackness that tried to take him under. He felt something grab his arm and tried to fight against it, but he was weak as a kitten. His sleeve was shoved up in no time at all. Just as AJ felt his vision clear a little, there came the unmistakable feel of a needle sliding into his skin. His first instinct was to buck and fight, but reason prevailed. If he did, the needle could break in his skin or pierce through and cause damage.
As quickly as it went in it was being drawn back out. AJ felt the effects almost instantly. His body felt heavier; his limbs didn’t want to move.
The most beautiful voice AJ had ever heard filled the air. “Oh my God!”
Suddenly hands were on him; gentle hands that were trying to soothe as they moved over him. He heard Brian’s voice again, slightly distant. “What did you do to him? You said you wouldn’t hurt him! That was the deal!”
The deal? Shit. Brian had gone out here to meet up with Zach just to keep AJ safe. Nausea filled AJ. He tried to force his brain to focus on things. His tongue felt thick, his eyes gritty. But somehow he managed to find Brian’s face in the darkness. Even though the image wavered and tried to double, it was still beautiful.
Zach said something, but AJ couldn’t catch the rumble of his words. Brian’s hands were on him still, cradling him close, checking him for injuries. “You what?” Brian screeched out. It sounded like Brian’s voice was coming down a long tunnel. This time AJ heard Zach’s response. “He doesn’t matter, Brian. No one else does. Now, come with me like you said. You swore you would. Come with me, or I’ll kill you both right now!”
“No, no, Zach, don’t. Please.” Oh, how it hurt to hear Brian beg. AJ wanted to tell him not to but he couldn’t seem to speak. “Please, Zach, just let me call an ambulance for him.” A pause, then, in a defeated tone “Yes, I’ll go with you. Just let me call for help. Please. Then we’ll go to your house, right? You have a house for us here, don’t you, knowing how much I like Lexington? It would make me happy if we lived here together.”
Good boy, Brian. He was keeping calm and trying to give AJ hints.
“That’s right. Close to my parents though, right? Family is important. They’ll see I’m happy and they’ll love you. Don’t worry…really? Oh, good!”
There was a sound of rustling and then beeping. AJ tried to keep his attention on it. He felt like he was sliding under, into the dark, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. So he just tried to fight it as best he could. He had to be strong. For Brian! He tried to move, but all that happened was his body twitched. Brian’s voice was there still, on the edge of his hearing. “Yes….help please…drugged and sick…head injury…ank you…” The words wavered in and out.
Then Brian was there, right by his face, kissing his cheek. “Be strong, Alex. Help is coming. Be strong, please. I love you. More than anything, I love you.” Brian whispered almost silently in his ear. One last touch and then it was gone.
AJ forced his eyes open. He couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. On the ground by his face was an open cell phone, a call still connected. Someone was speaking; he could hear the grainy sounds from the phone. But his eyes were focused on the two blonds that were slowly walking away from him. Brian didn’t look back. Together, his body tight with tension, he and Zach walked off into the night.
It took every bit of AJ’s strength to push his head toward the phone. “Help” he managed to croak thickly. “Help.” Please, God, someone help Brian.
The last thing he saw before the drugs and pain took him under was Brian and Zach fading into the darkness.