THE ONLY EXCEPTION (BOYXBOY)

Chapter Twenty: MiMe

                “Damn reporters!” He cursed as he swung the car around and gunned it from the parking lot. I held on for dear life as he darted onto the street and disappeared from sight. I was about to ask him where were we going when I spotted the loading dock. Taking the ramp he drive passed hospital security and onto the landing. Climbing out he started issuing commands to security. I could hear the clamor of the horde from outside.

                “No one gets in.” He said to one of the guards on post. Opening my door he pulled me out and literally called me inside the freight elevator. When we were safe he let go and took a step in front of me.

                “Let me get off first to make sure it’s safe.” He said. Nodding I tried to keep the goofy grin off my face. I felt like Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard… except I’m not black… I’m not a woman… I can’t sing… and I’m not famous. When the doors opened the driver stepped out and surveyed the area. Motioning me off he led the way down the hall to the ICU where Declan and his family would be. There was a hospital guard there waiting.

                “We’ve stationed security throughout the floor and await your instructions.” He said. Pulling open the door I turned to the driver.

                “Thanks…” Nodding he peeked over my shoulder. Harper stood there in the door way. I could tell he wasn’t looking at me but beyond me… was he checking out my sister?

                “No problem.” He said and turned to the security guard. When I made it inside the waiting room I saw everyone was still there. Ferris had joined them having been checked out by his parents. Jules sat in a wheelchair next to Bryant who was snoring something awful.

                “Success?” Sean asked me pushing off the sofa. Standing with him McClane and Mr. Crawford looked to me. Nodding I smiled at them.

                “Got him.” I said. A cheer went through the waiting room waking Bryant who fell from his chair.

                “What happened?” He asked wiping drool from his chin.

                “They caught Todd.” Jules told him. Perking up a bit Bryant smiled.

                “That’s great!” We were all celebrating when Mrs. Crawford and a nurse came in. She was sobbing clinging to the nurse when Mr. Crawford when to her.

                “What happened?” He asked. We all stood there frozen in our spots. Looking up at his face she tried to clear her throat to speak but nothing came out. Looking to the nurse Mr. Crawford nodded to her. Taking a deep breath she looked to him then McClane.

                “The anti-toxin saline flush helped get out most of the meth. There was some that was too far gone in his system for us to catch. Dr. Adams started him a detox to help him with withdrawal. While we were trying to keep him conscious and flush his system his body couldn’t handle all of the treatments… I’m so sorry but Declan’s slipped into a coma… as Dr. Adam’s said before with severe poisoning like this it leads to comas and eventually death. We’re trying to do everything we can to make sure Declan pulls through but as of right now all we can do is wait.” I felt my knees give as I hit the floor. It felt like I was back in second grade and I was having an asthma attack. I felt my chest constricting on me cutting off my air supply. I didn’t see Harper next to me. I didn’t hear Sean when he told me to hold on. I felt when something was shoved into my mouth and pumped into me.

                “Inhale Micah!” Harper said. I realized then it was my inhaler… I hadn’t needed that thing for ages. Doing as I was told I inhaled deeply. I felt the medicine working opening my lungs allowing air inside. Another pump of my inhaler I could breathe on my own. I felt drained, tired from everything. I thought we were going to be fine. That everything was going to work out for the better. It was like Todd was still fucking with us.