Billy felt himself regaining consciousness. His eyes slowly fluttered open, then immediately squinted. The brightness of his surroundings caused a slight pounding in his head. His eyes squeezed shut as the pain died down. His vision cleared when he opened his eyes, while he found himself staring up at the white ceiling. Was he dead? Billy turned his head ever so slightly, catching sight of a machine with tubes and wires attached to it. His eyes trailed downwards, following the wires, until he realized they were attached to him. Then he heard a faint, rhythmic beeping in the background. Billy felt really confused until he looked down and saw his forearms heavily bandaged. The wires. The beeping. The bandages. He was alive. And he was in the hospital. “Billy?” The sudden soft voice startled him, causing him to quickly look up. He saw someone sitting on a chair in front of the hospital bed, but it was too good to be true. “Harrington?” Billy’s voice broke badly. His tone sounded small and weak. Steve stood from the chair and walked over to him. “Hey…” He spoke softly while sitting on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?” Billy looked at the ceiling, his expression deadpanned. “Like $h-t…” He whispered, not having the strength to speak up. Steve reached over and gently took his hand in his. “Everything will be okay…” He spoke softly with a tender smile. Billy turned his head and finally looked at him, eyes widened in alarm. Why was he being nice? Was he being for real, or was someone making him? Billy narrowed his eyes. “How long was I out?” He mumbled, closing his eyes lazily. “Almost three weeks..” Steve replied with a little shrug. “Mmm…” Billy moaned softly. He tried sitting up, but a sharp stabbing pain erupted in his sides, causing him to wince. “Hey, take it easy!” Steve said, letting go of his hand while moving his hand on his shoulder. Billy slumped back against the pillows while letting out a shaky breath. He felt his heart pound inside his chest. Every second beat felt like someone was squeezing his heart as if wringing out a wet rag. Billy grimaced in pain. “Everything hurts….” He muttered, in a half-whine. “I know…I know.” Steve said, giving Billy’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before lowering his hand. “But the doctor will take great care of you, okay? He’ll help you get better!” Billy looked at him, jaw tight. “Why do you care?” He asked, gaining a little strength to speak up. “A few people care, Hargrove,” Steve said, with a sad smile. “I just wanted to be the one by your side when you wake up, instead of you waking up to no one.” He paused for a moment. “Because I know what it’s like to be alone. The silence hurts…and it’s no fun.” A beat of silence passed as the sound of the EKG filled the room. Billy looked forward, his eyebrows furrowed. “Why, though?” He looked back at Steve with his eyes. “I’ve been nothing but a complete jack to you. I’ve constantly picked on you, embarrassed you, belittled you…” His eyes widnened. “......almost killed you.” His whispered. Then, just like that, everything started coming back to him. Heather and her parents, Eleven, Max, and Lucas. “Oh god……I hurt everyone.” He muttered quietly, putting his hands on the top of his head. Billy lowered his arms and began to hyperventilate. A tear slipped down his cheek, and almost immediately, Steve cupped his face in his hand.
“Hey, it’s not your fault!” Steve said, brushing the tear away with his thumb. Billy’s breath hitched in his throat upon feeling his touch. But then his breath steadied, his heartbeat slowed. Then he calmed down. “There you go, that’s it!” Steve said, tilting Billy’s head up slightly. The growing panic attack stopped. Just like that. Billy felt confused, though there was something about Steve that made him feel slightly attached. However, he looked at him slightly fearful. “I’m sorry….for everything!” Billy whispered, voice cracking slightly. “It’s okay…really!” Steve said, brushing his thumb over his cheek one more time, before lowering his hand back by his side. “What?” Billy asked quietly, clearly confused about why he would forgive him that easily. Steve saw that Billy’s expression darkened. He huffed out a soft chuckle. “I don’t know your reason for before, but I do know that you were controlled. That monster used you as a pawn for….whatever sick game it was playing…” Billy scoffed. “Yeah…” He sounded deflated. “It hurt. Physically…and mentally. I could see myself doing things…But I was like a puppet on a string. I couldn’t control myself…” Steve listened. “Yes, but the good thing about it now, Hargrove, is that now it’s dead. And it no longer has you under its control!” “Yeah, I know…” Billy chuckled softly. “I don’t hear the voices in my head anymore.” Steve just shook his head with a slight smile. “Listen..” He started, becoming serious. “It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but I’ll be with you by your side! I won’t leave.” Billy looked at him in disbelief. “Really?” He asked, eyes glassy. Steve nodded. “Yes.” Billy snickered softly. “Out of all people…I didn’t expect you, Harrington!” “Well, expect the unexpected, right?” Steve shrugged with a lopsided grin Billy smiled slightly. “Thanks…” He whispered, his voice wavered slightly. “No problem!” Steve replied, his smile never faltering. This was the first time in a long time that Billy had begun to feel hope.
