Chapter 2 - Waste.

Waste: to destroy or consume gradually; wear away

My eyelids feel heavy and I find are difficult to open. I can feel slight warmth on the left side of my body. I struggle to fight off the feeling of fatigue and to become more alert. I clench my hands at my sides and suppress a whimper when I pick up my arm to bring my right hand to my face. Gently rubbing my eyes I begin to adjust to the disturbing amount of sunlight flooding into the sterile room. A groan escapes my lips as I come to the realization that I must be in a hospital. While my eyes finish adjusting to the light a headache begins to pound away at my skull as bits and pieces of things I must of heard while I was out of it comes floating to the surface.

“Hang in there sweetie, you’ll be just fine soon…just hang on…” Came the voice I distinctly familiarize with the sales clerk from the store I was in, Emmett, the one who wouldn’t stop apologizing for spooking me. I can make out other sounds, the blaring of a siren and clashing of metal against concrete. Worried rushed tones then followed by loud belligerent ones. There are several other repeating voices I do not recognize as it all begins to blend together. I press my right hand roughly against my forehead willing it all away when one voice begins to stand out above the rest of the clatter.

“Honeycutt be more careful…Just let him sleep, I’m sure he would appreciate it if you would give him his arm back…Forget this I’m leaving…”

Then silence.

A silence more deafening than all the noises before combined. It was unsettling and almost made me wish for the chaos of the noise back. Whimpers pass my lips and the struggle for control becomes a losing one. With as rapt movement I can manage I discard the sheets from the bed and while leaning heavily against my right arm I swing my legs off the bed and proceed to slip off the side and collapse on the floor.

I knew I hadn’t been on the floor for more than a few minutes, logically, but my perception of time was much slower than average. Nausea settled heavily in my stomach and the brief relief from the pounding headache was over. I cannot honestly remember a time ever feeling this helpless and my mind screamed for escape. My mind was in absolute turmoil as I began to attempt to stand. On shaky legs I make my way to the door and grip the handle tightly whilst pulling it open, peeking my head out and checking the down the left and right of the hall. I notice that down on the left side there sits a nurse’s station, unoccupied. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly I start making my way down the hall towards the right. Keeping as close to the wall as possible I having notice a sign indicating a staircase. Not far from the end of the hall another broke off to my left. I hear a faint ding of the elevator, but paid it no attention, making my way past and see the door to the stairwell growing near. I steady myself, taking another deep breath, before reaching out for the door’s handle. My hand nearly makes it when I feel a hand rest on my shoulder and everything I had tuned out came rushing back into my ears. My body tenses at the touch and I begin to tremble as I force my body to turn and come face to face with the owner of the voice from before.

~~*~~

Brian’s POV

~~*~~

Sleep evaded me last night; my thoughts kept drifting back to Emmett’s blonde street kid. The hospital had located an old school I.D., from two years ago, naming the kid Justin Taylor at an approximate age of 18-20 years old. His clothes were well worn and after having searched them for any other personal effects I had asked the hospital staff to put them into a bag for the kid to decide what to do with them later. Using the sizes indicated on the clothes and adjusting them some by the rough judging of his size I made a call for a new set of clothes to be delivered to his room by this morning.

I left last night when I couldn’t stand Emmett’s fawning over the kid any longer. I almost felt for the kid knowing without a doubt that Debbie will have heard of Emmett’s ordeal and will be rushing to the kid’s side sometime this morning to fawn like Emmett had.

I find myself once again parked in the Hospital’s parking lot and I slowly exit the Corvette and walk in the building towards the elevator that I know will bring my closest to the kid’s room. Stepping off the elevator I bring my gaze up mentally preparing myself for walking into the kid’s room when a flash of blonde catches my eye as it disappears around the corner and down the hallway. Picking up my pace I round the corner just in time to see the kid, Justin, taking a steadying breath and reaching out for the door handle to the stairs. Moving more quickly than even I had realized I grabbed for his shoulder and bite out his name. Feeling him tense under my hand I gather my patience and wait as his fear filled eyes turn towards me.

“Justin,” I state with as much calm as I can muster. “Where are you going?”

While I briefly reflect on the seeming stupidity of the question I just uttered Justin began to withdraw into himself having only a brief second of recognition of me. Turning, I lead him back towards his room, my hand never leaving his shoulder. A quick glance at the empty nurse’s station brings hints of anger to my mind, but I push it aside to deal with later, the quivering boy before me was of more importance at the moment. I guide him through the doorway and towards his plain and sterile looking bed. Gently I release him from my grasp and watch as the kid walks over and climbs back into his bed, still in a daze like state. Pulling over the sheets till all but his head was covered by him then leaning back and staring wild eyed at the ceiling.

Sighing, I pull the door silently shut behind me and walk over to the room’s solitary window. I begin working on collecting my thoughts, I know I must keep myself as calm as possible around Justin. Wait. For what reason exactly do I care? With a gentle shake of my head I take what I thought was only a few moments to collect and calm myself, I turn to the clock and see that nearly thirty-five minutes have passed. Bringing my head down towards the kid’s bed his eyes ensnare my own. I know I should look away, but I cannot. The color of his eyes seems dulled, subdued, like the life in them had left long ago. They hold within them pain that rivaled any I had seen before, even in my own all those years ago. I continue to keep his gaze until I notice the slow tensing of his body. He blinks, breaking the connection, and I gradually make my way over to his bed. Standing beside him I make one last glance over, assuring myself that he is fine, physically at least.

“I wouldn’t recommend trying to run again, I’m sure Auntie Em will be here soon to look after you, most likely along with one or two others.” I utter leaving the room.

~~*~~

Justin’s POV

~~*~~

A distinct feeling of doom had settled over me when I turned around and was able to put a face to the ever haunting voice. He is beyond description in physical appearance, making him seem god like, but there is undoubtedly more there. When our eyes met I looked past the captivating hazel of his eyes and found way more behind them. At first he seemed almost completely my opposite, but there were things that he had learned to hide well, just around the edges. The complexity admittedly scares me quite a deal and I felt the tension return to my body preparing for escape. I feel my eyes flutter close and back open again, breaking our connection. He moves towards my bed, stopping when he reaches its side. He informs me whom I assume is Emmett will be arriving sometime soon and there is a probability he may bring others. Oh and not to attempt escape again.  Then he leaves and after hearing the door click shut I release a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

It was gone now, leaving with him. My chest constricts with unimaginable pain and I roll to my side, back now facing the door, upset by my abandonment. I wanted it back; though to be honest I am not even sure it has a name or if I could adequately describe it. I just know I hurt when it left, he took it with him and I don’t know his name. What if he doesn’t come back?

~~*~~

A nurse came in to check on me about nine and brought with her some clothes that had been delivered for me to leave in tomorrow. I am definitely ready to leave here, but I’m worried about how I am going to pay for all of this. The nurse informed me I was brought in after collapsing in a store. I am being treated for exhaustion, malnutrition, and the early stages of a cold. Tomorrow I will be released into the care of my friends and will need to be carefully watched for a week or so to make sure I am eating and sleeping properly and keeping up with the meds they are giving me for the cold, in hopes of nipping it in the bud before it progresses any farther.

I have spent the last three hours trying to figure out who might these ‘friends’ be when a loud and boisterous Emmett enters my room followed by a louder and more exuberant woman.  

“Good afternoon, baby!” He exclaims rushing to my bed side and taking hold of my hand. “You don’t know how relieved I am to see your lovely eyes staring back at me again.”

He sighs, pats my hand and moves two chairs, one to each side of the bed. Emmett then gesture to the woman arranging flowers in a vase on my night stand to have a seat in one of the chairs around my bed. With each of them sitting the woman begins speaking to the both of us, I can’t make out what they are saying though. My body is once again caught in fears embrace. The two of them have surrounded me, cornered me to this one solitary spot on the bed. Have I always been this afraid of people? I can’t recall having ever having a particular problem like this being around tricks. A familiar unsettling feeling washes over me and I begin to feel exhausted. I close my eyes in hopes of feigning sleep well enough that my two visitors will leave. Thankfully, after a bit of time passes and Emmett has been assured by the woman that I am merely sleeping they both leave and I give into the exhaustion.

~~*~~

Brian’s POV

~~*~~

I stopped back in again a little after one to check up on the kid, but he was sleeping. I noticed the chairs in his room had been moved and inquired about it at the nurses’ station when I went over to ask if his clothes had been delivered. I had decided to let my anger from earlier go at their lack of paying attention. Life would move along a lot smoother without having a handful of potentially pissed off nurses’, the kid was leaving tomorrow anyway. My inquiry brought me two important answers. Yes, his clothing I had ordered had arrived and had been stored under his bed for safe keeping, and Emmett and Deb had been by. When leaving they had informed a nurse that the kid had fallen asleep about thirty minutes into their visit and that he hadn’t spoken the entire visit. I found myself at home not long after that, a definite advantage of being the boss of your own company. It wasn’t like I was having a particularly productive day at any rate.

I’m about to meet the boys for another wonderful evening at Woody’s followed by a sexually appetizing night at Babylon. Normally the excitement of the oncoming hunt at Babylon would have sufficed me, but tonight my thoughts seem to be jumbled.

~~*~~

I slept better last night, but still not quite back to the restful peace I have become accustomed to passing out with exhaustion each night. I plan on spending a few hours in the office before going to pick up the kid in the afternoon. I also want to clear my calendar for the next few days, with the exception of two campaigns. One I need to present and the other I need to brainstorm. Arriving at Kinnetic, I filled Cynthia in on what I wanted done in my absence and what had gone on in hers.  

After feeling everything had been taken care of and planned out for the next few days I noticed that it was nearly noon. I set the notes I needed for the new campaign in the passenger seat of my Jeep. I opted to take the Jeep over the Corvette today not wanting to worry about getting the kid and all of his stuff to fit, plus the Jeep is safer in the snow. I park my Jeep as close to the entrance of the hospital as I can and feel relieved that this is the last time I will need to park here for what I hope is never, or at least a long long while. Walking out of the familiar elevator and down the hall to the kid’s room I make quick notice that there are nurses at the nurses’ station when I hear Debbie’s voice carrying out of the kid’s room. I quicken my pace and open the door to see Debbie holding one of Justin’s arms in what I assume is an attempt to get him out of his bed.

“C’mon Sunshine, we need to get you dressed so I can get you home and all settled before my shift.” Debbie explains pulling lightly on Justin’s arm. I could tell he was terrified and I wanted nothing more than to gather him in my arms and protect him, even if it was from Deb.

“Debbie release him your scaring him.” I command in the calmest voice I can manage. I walk over to the bed catching Justin’s gaze and holding it. Not even turning to see who had entered the room behind me.

“Brian, what do you mean? I need to get Sunshine back to the house. I have a shift this evening.”

“I don’t think you understand Deb, but since I have been paying for Sunshine’s stay I will be the one taking him home for his further recovery.” I answer working my way between her and Justin, taking her hand from his arm and gently rubbing it.

“Brian you couldn’t possib…”

“Debbie I think Brian should take Sunshine home. Come on, let’s leave the two alone so Brian can get everything in order and they can leave.” I recognize as Emmett’s voice interrupting.

“Well Sunshine’s an adult, let’s let him choose.” Debbie huffs.

I sigh and nod at Justin still holding his gaze, his eyes widen and he looks past me for a moment before looking back at me. “I want to go with him.” He whispers bringing a hand up to his nose and sniffling. I hear the two leave knowing they heard Justin loud and clear and give him a quick smile before getting up and gathering his new clothes from under his bed.

“You go and get changed into these, while I collect the rest of your stuff. Has the doctor already been in to see you?”

He nods, moves off his bed and heads into the restroom reappearing about ten minutes later. I take quick note that the jeans are a bit big on him, but the rest seems to fit just right.

“Justin, do you want to take these flowers with us?” He shakes his head vigorously in response and I walk over to him holding out my hand. He takes it, giving me a thankful smile and we head out of his room. As we pass the nurses’ station I make sure that he has indeed been discharged and we head out into the cold making our way as quickly and safely to the Jeep as possible.

Once on the road he begins going through his things pulling out what I would assume is several wads of cash from different articles of his old clothing. He seems to find it all or at least doesn’t show his disappointment if any of it is missing. The ride gives me time to stop and wander for the first time today if I am doing the right thing or what I am even doing to begin with. I could have simply allowed him to go with Debbie. I know he would have been well taken care of and I wasn’t worried about the money. Parking the Jeep I move to get out of the vehicle and walk around to the passenger’s side and am surprised to find not only find him already out of the vehicle but holding all of his things and holding out his hand filled with money, head down.

I reach up and rub the bridge of my nose and then reach my hand out towards his, but instead of taking the money I lightly grab his wrist and pulling him into the building with me.

"Save your money.” Is all I say on the subject and he simply stuffs it into a pocket on his jacket.

I pull out my keys as the lift reaches the top floor and unlock the door to loft. I usher him inside and pull the door shut the unmistakable metal clang ensuring our finally being alone and home.