When All Else Fails (Mavin)

Chapter Nine: Realizations

It was genuine. A genuine, Gavin Free smile. And as I looked in Michael's sunken eyes, I could see he knew it.

As I leaned forward and hugged him a thought bubbled in my own mind.

And for the first time in a while... I was happy.

The bright flash happened and I nearly screamed. What happened next? Did I forgive him or not?

"Wait! Did I forgive him?" I yelled. The creeper gave me a dead look.

"That's for you to find out. Not me," The creeper hissed.

I rolled my eyes and sulked down. What the hell was that all about? What was Michael talking about? And why did he look so ill?
I didn't get a chance to answer these questions when the bright flash blinded me once again. I closed my eyes against the bright light and waited for the creeper to lead me to the next memory or whatever.

But I just found myself in the strange dark room that I was in when this whole thing started. The creeper walked closer to me and cocked its head at me.

"What is on your thoughts?" The creeper asked me. I shrugged and looked down.

"Everything. What isn't in my thoughts, ya know?" I muttered. The creeper hissed in amusement and nodded.

"Gavin, you do realize that your depression isn't just affecting you, but everyone around you, correct?" The creeper asked me. I nodded and sighed.

"Well, have you ever wondered what would happen if you succeed in your constant suicide attempts?" The creeper asked.

Not a day goes by that I don't wonder what would happen if I succeed in committing suicide. What would happen to the Achievement Hunters? What would happen to Achievement Hunter as a whole? I was a fan favorite, so if I just disappeared what would the fans think? Would they still watch?

"I'm gonna show you something, Gavin. I want you to think about it when I show you it, okay?" The creeper hissed. I nodded and he led me through the wooden door again.

It was the Achievement Hunter office. All the guys sat at there desks, staring at one particular spot. I looked over to what they were looking at, noticing it was my empty and deserted desk.

All the guys were crying. Ryan, Jack, Geoff.

Well, almost all the guys.

Michael just stared blankly at my desk. His expression gave away nothing and he wrung his hands out repeatedly, getting more forceful after each wring. I noticed that his nails were chewed off and looked as though they had been bleeding before. He looked extremely pale and skinny but he continued to just stare at my desk like everyone else.

Geoff eventually stood up and placed a hand on Michael's shoulder. Michael didn't react to it, just continued to stare at my desk.

"Michael, it isn't healthy to keep your emotions in like this," Geoff told him.

"Yeah, Michael. Gavin wouldn't have wanted you to act like this," Ryan joined in, standing beside Geoff.

"We all know you want to cry. We won't judge. Hell, we've been crying like babies since we heard the news," Jack told him, placing his hand on Michael's other shoulder.

"I can't," Michael rasped out.

"Why not? Everyone can cry, Mi-," Geoff started.

"No, Geoff, you don't understand. I've tried. I just can't bring myself to cry," Michael told them. His voice sounded so cracked and broken.

Geoff, Jack, and Ryan just shook their heads and sat back down, resuming their crying fits.

Bright flash.