Empty Handed

Aftermath (Chapter Nine)

Songs of the Chapter:
Change by Lana Del Rey
Welcome Home by Radical Face

LEA FOLEY
The thought of what could have happened to this boy for him to want to take his own life breaks my heart a little. Watching him stand on the edge of that bridge then fall? God, it was almost like I was watching Scott fall off a bridge. I would have died. Thankfully, someone went down the back, dived in and saved the kid, although it was a minute or two after he'd drowned and probably consumed a ton of water. I would have done something but, I'm a terrible swimmer; trying to support someone else with my swimming skills would mean we both drown. Watching him cough all that water up, confirming he's still alive brought tears to my eyes. Then, he passed out.

The ambulance came in time thankfully. I took responsibility for the boy without even knowing anything about him. I went back to my hotel for the night after seeing him into the hospital, giving a statement and doing some paperwork. The hospital is not far from the bridge at all. Two days after, in the afternoon, here I am watching him sleep; the doctors say he's in a coma but I choose to say he's sleeping. He's adorable. I feel so connected to him. Sighing, I head back to the reception to finalise payments for his bills.

MATT
I wake up to bright, white lights and a very annoying beeping sound. I have a headache, my vision is blurred but more than anything, my ribs hurt like hell. I try to sit up and regret moving - pain travels round my body in an instant. I wheeze. I notice that I'm wearing a hospital gown which could only mean I'm in a hospital and the memories come flooding in.

Susan.

Hate.

Fire.

Ben hates me.

Evan doesn't want to train me anymore.

Jump off bridge.

I'm homeless.

Alone.

The tears don't even need to be called as they fall freely from my eyes onto the covers, making a wet patch. I hear some noises coming closer to my door. I try to dry my eyes with my hands but the needle in my wrist stings.

Fail. Just like every other thing in my life.

I squint to have a clearer vision as a very beautiful woman comes in, wearing a white t-shirt tucked in black jeans, a black leather jacket on top and black flats. Her hair is tied in a high pony tail. Her stud diamond earrings catch my eyes easily. I remember her from yesterday... Shit. What day is it?

"Hi." I say cautiously.

"Hi." She says smiling oh so positively. It's quite infectious but I fight the smile. I can't truly be smiling right now. My life's a mess.

"What day is it? And the time please?" I ask her, not looking her in the eyes.

"Well, it's the seventh of April and the time is twelve-twenty-eight. P.m. of course." She smiles again. I don't return her smile. She takes a seat on a chair really close to me.

"It's my birthday." I whisper.

"Happy birthday to you." I snicker at that. It sure looks happy, doesn't it?

"So what's your name?" She asks, trying to find my eyes.

"My name's Matt. I don't mean to be rude but you really should've just let me die back there. I have no one. No one cares and oh, no one's coming to pay for my hospital bills so I might as well be dead." I say, almost screaming in a choked voice, my breathing uneven.

"I'm Lea and I'm sorry, Matt. But, do you mind me asking you a couple of questions?" She asks, looking a bit apprehensive.

"Go right ahead." I sigh.