Final Footsteps (Running Series Finale)

Chapter 8: Remorseful Error

I couldn't let the darkness win.

I just couldn't.

Couldn't.

I hauled myself up and grabbed my phone and then left the room.

Without a wheelchair.

Without crutches.

If I wasn't dead when they found me.

I would be when they were finished with me.

I got in the lift, which was empty thank goodness and slumped against the wall.
Every part of my being ached. I got out at the lift at the top floor. The roof bar and managed to make my way over to the bar,

"3 double whiskey and Cokes please," he gave me a look and I waited for him to say something either about my appearance or whether I was sure I wanted the order. He didn't say anything in the end and he even bought the drinks to the table I sat at. I thanked him and slumped down on the sofa, taking a long sip of the cool alcohol.

Keane you shouldn't be drinking on your tablets. Keane don't do this. Keane.

Keane. Do it. Drink it.

I drank to fade away the voices.

I drank to fade away the pain.

In the end I felt numb. I felt nothing and that was exactly what I wanted, because...the emotion was overwhelming.

The pain it brought was breaking down the walls I fought so hard to put up.

The feelings were being repressed.

Everything I'd been through had finally come to defeat me.

The darkness was truly taking over.

I closed my eyes as a thought washed over me.

Medication and alcohol isn't the best...mix.

Arlo's POV

After being informed that Keane was unwell and seriously struggling. We all decided that we were going to have an intervention. Needless to say, he wasn't in the room when we went upstairs. Tayte was seriously worried. Especially considering his state and also due to the fact he hadn't taken his wheelchair or crutch. So, when I spotted him sat on the sofa in the corner of the roof top bar, my heart slowed with relief. Which was short lived as I got closer. 3 empty glasses, I sniffed one to get the turgid smell of whiskey. He shouldn't be drinking on his medication.

"Keane," I said, crouching in front of him, "Buddy," I said again softly, "KEANE," I slapped his face and his head lolled, but his eyes opened for a split second. He was burning up.
Shit!

   "How long has he been here?" I asked the barman,

"I...I'm not sure, I'm sorry. Is he okay?"

"No he's not," I pulled out my phone and called Tayte,

"Have you found him?

     Yes, I need you to go to your room and run a cold bath. I'm coming to you

What's happened? What did he do?

Tayte I need you to do this for me now

Okay...okay

And get Talina, but no one else. I'll see you in a minute," and I hung up.

"We'll get through this little brother. I promise," I said, lifting him up. Thankfully, he was just about with it, leaning fully on me, I took all his weight, but he managed to stumble his way. "If you did this to...Fuck Keane," I headed inside ignoring the stares and managed to get down the corridor and into the lift. He was totally out of it. So lost. I wanted to break down, right here, right now. I wanted to fall and never get back up. The lift doors opened, to an empty corridor luckily. "It's me open up," I shouted, the door swung open,