Snow Lodge
Chapter 41
After another hour or so, Kevin looked at his watch and spoke.
"I really should go back and check on Brian. Nick may need a break."
Howie decided that this was the perfect opportunity to get some answers to his questions.
"I'll go if you like, and you can stay here with AJ."
"Are you sure?"
Howie nodded. "Yes. I think I could do with a break myself."
"Okay, but if you need me..."
"I'm sure we'll be fine." Howie assured him as he stood up and stretched his cramped muscles.
"Alright then, I guess me and Jay'll stay here then."
Howie smiled slightly, before turning and heading out of the room.
He walked slowly down the corridor, barely acknowledging anybody else, lost in deep thought. Almost before he was ready, he found himself outside Brian's room. He took a deep breath before opening the door and silently slipping inside.
Nick slowly turned around when he heard the door open, and smiled wearily at Howie, his eyes red rimmed, full of sadness and worry for his friends.
Howie was surprised at how old and tired his younger friend looked. He had never seen Nick's eyes look quite so... haunted.
Brian lay sleeping on the bed, occasionally twisting and turning, as if trying to get away from something. Howie walked over to Nick and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey Nick, how are you doing?"
Nick shook his head, sighing. "I'm holding up, barely." He spoke quietly, softly, trying not to wake the sleeping figure on the bed.
"How's Bri?" Howie asked.
"He's not so good." Nick replied honestly. "It took me and Kev ages to calm him down when after you left. Even then, he's still taking this all really badly."
"What do you mean?"
"He's scaring me man. He's been like this for hours now. He falls asleep, and then has a terrible nightmare, and wakes up almost screaming, more often than not crying as well. He keeps dreaming that AJ's gone. I don't know how much more of this I can take. He's my best friend, but nothing I do seems to help, and all I can do is sit here and watch as he falls apart." By the time he had finished speaking Nick had his own tears running down his face as he cried out his own frustration.
Howie leaned up and pulled Nick to him, holding him tightly and offering him some comfort. He knew that there was nothing he could do to make Nick feel any better, the only thing that could do that was if Brian snapped out of his funk.
After a few moments Nick got his tears under control and pulled back from Howie, although not letting go. He saw the concern shining in Howie's eyes, mixed with a deep sadness and fear, fear for AJ.
"How's Jay?" Nick asked, almost hesitantly.
Howie closed his eyes and sighed, feeling his own tears re-emerge.
"He's not so good either. Nick I swear, if it wasn't for his tattoo's, I would never believe it was him. God, he looks so small and frail and all the machines..." Howie trailed off as a vision of AJ laying in his hospital bed floated through his mind.
"Oh God." Nick closed his eyes, Howie's description taking shape in his imagination. "Is Kevin there with him?"
"Yeah. He was gonna come down and check on you two, but I told him I'd do it instead. I needed a break, and AJ's probably sick of listening to me talk anyway."
Nick let out a watery chuckle. "Makes a change for him to have to sit and listen, usually it's the other way around."
Howie cracked a small smile. "I know." He sighed and glanced at Brian, who was still tossing restlessly in his sleep. "Do you want to go see him? I can stay with Brian for a bit."
"I don't know..." Nick began, unwilling to leave his best friend and scared at the prospect of seeing his other friend in such a bad state.
"You should Nick." Howie interrupted. "I think AJ would like it if you would."
"But will he even know I'm there?"
"I'm sure he will, Nicky, I'm sure he will."
Nick looked back at the bed, watching his best friend sleep, before turning back to Howie.
"Will you stay with him?" He asked.
"Of course." Howie replied.
Nick nodded and stood up, stretching slightly before heading for the door. "Look after him for me D. I'll be back in a little while."
Howie nodded and Nick left the room, closing the door behind him. Howie turned his attention back to the sleeping form on the bed, watching Brian's face as it twisted in the throes of his nightmare.
