Page 83 of No Fear

“Mackie, can you give us some space?” he said, forcing his voice to be calm.

“Depends. Are you going to stop being an asshole?”

“Mackie, don’t push it.”

“Charlie, are you good if I leave?”

Jesus. Was Mackie really asking if she was comfortable being left alone with him?

Charlie must have nodded, because Mackie continued.

“OK. I live in the next building. My number is in his cell on the table there. Call me if you need anything, or when you’re ready to go.”

“I will. Thank you,” Charlie said quietly. The condo door opened and closed.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you,” Donnie said.

“Yeah, well, I guess I shouldn't have turned up unannounced. What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

She moved then. The cushion beside him dipped and she was next to him.

“Donnie, please. Let me help.”

“You can’t help. No one can.” Her feeling sorry for him, being upset for him, was exactly what he didn’t want.

“You can’t see at all?”

He could hear the fear in her voice. The sympathy. He hated both.

“No. Nothing. Completely blind. You don’t need to stay, Charlie. Go home.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Her voice was stronger. “After everything that happened in Toronto, we’re friends, remember? You should have told your folks the truth. And me.”

“Why? So you can all pity me? No thanks.”

“So we can help you. You have to tell them at some point.”

He knew he did, but each day he hoped he would wake up and see a change. “I will. When I’m ready,” he said firmly.

“What have the doctors said?” She seemed unperturbed by his mood.

“I have a concussion, and there was a little swelling of the brain. Inflammation. They don’t yet know the extent of the damage to my eyes.”

“The blindness could be temporary?”

“It’s been over a week. The inflammation is down, but there’s been zero change. They have to do more tests, but it’s not looking good.”

Sophie hadn't said that, but he didn't need a doctor to tell him the longer it went without any change, the chances of him seeing again were reduced.

“But they have not confirmed its permanent? If the doctors are saying they don't know the extent of the damage, then you can’t give up hope.”

“Christ. You sound like my team,” he grumbled.

“And you trust your team, right?”

“Yes, but they’re not the ones sitting here looking at darkness. About to have their lives upended. Their future destroyed.”