He opened his mouth to tell her...something, but found his mouth wouldn't open. Well fuck...that's odd. He tried again...still nothing. His heart kicked up a notch and he realized that, besides her voice, he could hear a beeping, accelerating with the beat of his own heart.
What the fuck?? He again tried to speak, but it was as if some switch had been flipped off, the switch that told his body to respond to his commands. Nothing happened.
Oh fuck...baby? Baby, can you hear me? What's goin' on, how come I can't talk or...oh fuck, or move!?!? I can't move...baby, help me...
"Please wake up, Hunter...I don't care what the doctors say, I know you can do it...you're so strong, baby, I know you can do this for me. Now, wake up." a broken sob and the feel of warm tears dropping on his hand. "Please..."
I'm here, baby...I'm awake! Look! I'm awake! Don't cry, please don't cry...
An echoing voice, not his own, not hers, entered his mind.
"She can't hear you, Hunter."
Why the fuck not? Fuck you, she'll hear me...BABY! Listen to me...I'm here!!! I'm right *here*! Oh god...
"I told you...she can't hear you. No one can."
You can.
A low chuckle. "That's different."
Why?
"Because I'm you."
What?! Shut the fuck up, this is fucked up. I want to go home, I want to wake up and go home, goddammit!
"I'm sorry, Hunter...you can't do that either."
WHY?! What the hell is going on??
"Don't you remember anything?"
No. Remember what?
"You're dead."
"Sweetie...please, let me take you home. At least to shower and change and..."
"NO! I'm not leaving him! No...he's gonna wake up any minute now, you'll see. He's strong, he's strong for me, he'll do it. I know he will."
Dead? But she just said I was gonna wake up. Can't wake up when you're dead, even I know that.
A heavy sigh. "She's grasping at hope where there is none. You're dead, Hunter, only your body hasn't been allowed to follow it's natural path, thanks to the machines. But you *are* dead."
How...how did this happen? I was fine, I remember...we had dinner, that cute little italian place she likes so much. She smelled like peaches. I spilled marinara sauce on my shirt. I remember, dammit!
"Yes, you did. And then you left the restaurant. And there was a truck, a drunk driver, hopped the curb and you pushed her out of the way. It hit you instead. That was very brave, Hunter, she would have died."
I don't remember that...but...if it was so brave, then how come I'm being punished? How come *she's* being punished? She needs me...I can't die on her, she needs me. Everybody she's ever loved has left her, I *swore* I wouldn't leave her! She won't understand...
"She'll understand. With time, she will."
No...please, can't you, I dunno, can't you fix it? Something? I'll do anything...just give me another chance...
Another chuckle. "Hunter...this isn't a punishment. It is simply the way it is. She will go on, she will understand, and someday, she will join you, and you will be there to meet her. It isn't as bad as you think. Time passes quickly there."
Where?
"The other side."
"Hunter...please, Hunter, you're scaring me really bad here, ok? Please...*sob* Please, I can't do this on my own...I need you, please wake up, please...don't leave me..."
Sigh. "She doesn't mean to make it so hard on you, Hunter."
Make what hard?
"Leaving. It's time to leave."
No! No, not yet...please, not yet...I got stuff I gotta tell her...
"I'm sorry. It's time."
Just...just one thing? Please, can't I just tell her one thing?
Heavy sigh. "She knows you love her, Hunter."
Not that...please, just one thing and then I'll go, I swear, no arguments...
"Well...alright. One thing."
The beeping of the heart monitor suddenly flatlined and a sobbing cry echoed in the room.
"No!! Hunter no...no, come back, please come back...NO!!! Come back!"
His ethereal lips brushed her tear-stained cheek as he hovered above her, thinking she'd never looked more beautiful to him.
"I'm here, angel. I'll always be right here." Then, as he ascended..."Goodbye...until."
