Snow Lodge
Chapter 34
Brian slowly became aware of his surroundings as he awoke. His head felt like lead, and his whole body still seemed to ache, although it wasn't as bad as it had been before.
Before.
Suddenly everything came rushing back to him and he jerked up in the bed, startling Kevin who had been dozing in the chair beside him.
"Alex!" Brian called. He jumped as he felt a hand pressing him back down on the bed, and was surprised to see Kevin there. How long had he been asleep?
"Kev?" Brian whispered, his voice still hoarse and scratchy, making him painfully aware of how dry and sore his throat was.
"Hey cuz." Kevin smiled, pouring Brian some water from a pitcher on the table beside them and handing it to him.
Brian took the glass with a shaking hand, and Kevin had to help him to drink it, holding the glass steady for him. The water soothed his throat, but not his nerves as he turned once again to his cousin.
"When did you get here?"
"A little while ago. Howie and Nick are here too, they went to get something from the vending machines. Nick got hungry waiting for you to wake your ass up."
Brian knew that Kevin was rambling. That wasn't a good sign, he only did that when something was wrong. Kevin meanwhile, knew that Brian wasn't doing too good either. Normally he would have had a smart comeback for that last comment, something about his ass still not being awake now, or it not being his ass that needed to wake up.
They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence, both too scared to broach the subject in the front of their minds. Luckily, this was the moment that Nick and Howie chose to re-enter the room, arms full of cans and candies. The moment Nick saw Brian was awake though, the candy was forgotten and he dropped them all on the bed as he wrapped Brian up in one of his massive hugs.
"You're awake!" Nick cried, pulling him closer still. Brian didn't reply, instead simply holding onto Nick just as tight. Nick's eyes widened and he turned his head to look at Kevin and Howie when he felt Brian begin to shake in his arms as he cried. Brian rarely cried in front of them.
Howie and Kevin immediately moved to Brian and Nick's side, wrapping him up in their protective embrace, letting him know they were there for him.
After a few moments, Brian managed to compose himself a little, and he pulled back from Nick's chest. The other's released their hold on him, although not letting go entirely, still holding him to lend them their support.
"How's Alex?" Brian asked, finally gaining the strength and the courage to ask.
"We're not sure." Kevin answered. "We are waiting for Jonesy to update us. Now you're awake he needs to come and check on you anyway."
"I'll let Shelly know." Howie told them, slipping out of the door.
Howie walked down the corridor, lost in his thoughts. He didn't know why, but he was not feeling as happy that Brian was awake as he felt he should be. He didn't know what it was for sure, but something was bothering him. Maybe it was the fact that Brian asked how ALEX was. He hadn't called him Alex since before...
He was brought out of his contemplation when he saw Jonesy heading towards them, a strange expression on his face. Howie felt a chill go up his spine when he saw him. Something was wrong, he just knew it.
Jonesy saw Howie coming towards him and smiled, although it seemed a little forced. Howie sensed that the corridor was not the place to question him though, so he simply told him that Brian was awake.
Jonesy nodded and the two made their way back down to Brian's room.
