I ramble on, talking about random shit. Anything and everything that comes to mind, just on the off chance she can truly hear me. She needs to know she isn’t alone. I’m here and always will be.
After a short while, I feel a hand on my shoulder. Turning, I see it's Max, with Lucy close behind him.
“Tommy, it’s time to go. The nurses said we can come back later. I made sure to get all thevisiting hours for you.” The look of sympathy on his face. “You need some rest, bro, you’ve been in here for hours. We will head back with you later,” I know that he’s right, but I don’t want to leave her.
Leaning over her, I press a lingering kiss to her temple, then rest my forehead against hers.
“I’ll be back later, baby. I love you.”
We exit the room and are greeted by her friends. The sisters are standing close, looking drained from the past twenty-four hours. Fallon, however, is staring at me like she doesn’t know who I am anymore. Did she hear me speaking to Maya? Not that it matters, everyone knows now anyway.
I go to walk past her, not really in the mood for her shit right now, when she grabs my elbow.
“Tommy, I am so sorry. I wish I had known how you both felt about each other. I wouldn’t...”
“Wouldn’t what?” I demand. “Told her to stay away from me? Scare her into thinking she would lose you if she were to be with me?” The situation has infuriated me to the point I can’t look at her right now. “I fucking love her, Fal!”
Max interrupts us then. Thank fuck. If I carried on, I’d say something I would later regret.
“Listen, it’s been a long arse night, and we all need a breather. Come on, Lucy and I are coming to stay at yours so we can rush back if need be. Girls, why don’t you all do the same? She is going to need you strong.”
“Come on, girls, let's go to our place. We’ve been awake for way too long and won’t be in any fit state for when she wakes up. I’ll make us some chai tea before we get some sleep. Meet you all back here at two?” Gracie says, facing us, trying to ease the tension.
They’re right. It’s been one hell of a night. We turn to leave, heading towards the exit, when a shrill cry pierces the air.
Nobody moves.
The only noise you can hear is that of a woman, choking on sobs as she falls to her hands and knees.
“He’s gone. My boy. He’s gone!” she wails.
Then the corridor is in chaos.
Gracie rushes to the woman, holding on to her shaking frame. Blair buries her face in her hands as she sobs. Staff rush over to help the grieving woman. But Fallon… Fallon stands deathly still for a minute, as if confused about what’s going on. Fuck, I don’t know what’s going on either.
Then she cracks. An earth-shattering shriek comes from her as she screams a name I haven’t thought of once since being here.
“Harry!”
