Second Chance

Anger

"He's stable but due to the circumstances of his visit, we'll be keeping him under surveillance for a few days. After that, he's going to need to go home to a stable environment. Either with you or someone else he can trust..."

Wally flinched inwardly at that last sentence.

"But until then, he'll be kept under 24/7 surveillance in the psych ward."

Wally nodded, fidgeting slightly.

"Um... can I see him?"

The doctor looked at him sympathetically before giving a slight nod.

"You may, but please be aware he's likely in a very fitful state right now. His left wrist has been stitched and wrapped in gauze to offer padding. His right wrist was in a much better state but still wounded. It didn't require stitches but it has been cleaned and wrapped. And... for his own safety his wrists have been strapped down as gently as possible. They're a little loose to make him as comfortable as possible and to offer some movement."

"So he's... awake?"

"Yes, he awoke just a little bit ago but he has refused to say anything or make eye contact with anyone. It is... common for this type of situation."

Wally nodded and gazed over in the direction of Dick's room, a pained look on his face, before turning back to the doctor.

"Thank you Doctor-- um..."

The older man gave him a sad smile and comforting pat on the shoulder.

"James. I'll just be down the hall if you need me."

Wally slowly walked up to Dick's door and hesitated for just a moment before softly opening the door.

The room was a pale yellow, but aside from a bed there was nothing else in there. Well, except for the monitor and IV stand.

When he entered, Dick's eyes were shut and he was leaning back into the pillows. But when the door clicked shut his eyes slowly opened before narrowing into slits upon seeing who entered the room.

Wally bit his lip nervously and tentatively took a step towards Dick--

"One more step near me and I press the panic button and get you thrown out of here!"

Wally froze, his blood turning cold and his skin visibly paling before throwing his hands up in a placating gesture.

Another glare from Dick sent him backing up a step.

Once he was back where he was, Dick's face relaxed slightly but his eyes remained narrowed.

"Why are you here Wally?"

Dick's tone was low yet broken. Emotion was completely absent in his voice. His eyes were devoid of blue and were now just a clouded gray.

"Dick... after what happened I needed to come check on you--"

"You haven't felt the need to do that in the past year so why start now?"

Wally blanched at that, but Dick wasn't finished just yet.

"Yet I was constantly checking on you... not that you ever returned my texts or calls, or even answered the door. Matter of fact, no one has. Not even Tim, Barbara, or Bruce!"

Wally's eyes widened. That last bit of information was news to him. 

Dick's eyes studied Wally before he turned his head slightly to the side.

"Wasn't just you four either. Everyone just... left me. Well, except for Kaldur and Artemis but..."

A few tears started to trickle down his face and he closed his eyes once more for a moment.