CHAPTER ONE: AUSTIN

It's been a week since Red and Leo were brought to the hospital following their accidents. Sophie, Shane, and I have been in and out of the hospital, trying to help them in any way we could by simply being here.

When they were brought to the hospital, Sophia said I had a mental breakdown after the doctors informed us that both Leo and Red had slipped into comas and they didn't know when they would wake up. As a result, the doctors had to sedate me so that I wouldn't hurt myself.

The news of my close friends, Leo and Red, falling into comas was devastating. Leo and Red were more than friends – they were like family to me. So I find myself constantly praying for their recovery, hoping that they will wake up soon and that everything can return to the way it used to be. Because the idea of losing them is incredibly difficult to bear.

After the doctors assessed me and confirmed I was in the right state of mind, they released me. However, due to my recent breakdown, Sophie and Shane have been constantly checking in on me. I understand their concern given the scar I gave them.

On the other hand of my worries, my mother hasn't bothered to visit Red and Leo, which I find selfish. These are the same people who supported me when she was hurt and in a coma. What angered me the most was her shameless and selfish behavior, repeatedly calling and asking when I'll be coming home to see

Doesn't she realize that my choice to stay here by their side will never change? Despite her memory loss, that selfish aspect of her still lingers, causing me to yearn for distance from her because of her behavior, at least until Leo and Red regain consciousness. Despite the doctors' assurances of their well-being, doubt persists within me. A persistent inner voice continues to lay blame on me, echoing that this situation was my fault. If only I hadn't let them out of my sight, we wouldn't find ourselves tangled in this mess. Instead of being in this hospital, we could be at Rudy's, eating ice cream and laughing our butts off at my playful antics.

As the days went by, my mother's calls increased, becoming more frequent than I felt comfortable with. Feeling overwhelmed, I decided it was time to address the situation directly and tell her that the constant calls were becoming too much for my sanity to handle and she should stop. While I understood her worry, the frequent calls were starting to annoy me.

Upon sharing my decision with Sophie, she immediately supported the idea. However, I couldn't help but feel that she might want me to return home and rest, given that I had not left this hospital since Leo and Red were hospitalized except for quick trips to the apartment to freshen up.

Before I left, I gave Shane and Sophia quick hugs, assuring them that I would be back once I resolved the issue with my mother.

Upon arriving home, I was met with my mother's furious gaze as she swung open the door. Despite her anger, I was too drained emotionally and physically to be bothered by it. "Do you know how worried I was when I heard about what happened at your school? I haven't seen you for weeks, Austin, and you didn't even bother to call," she exclaimed.

"Mum, I really don't want to argue right now. I just came to check on you and find out why you were calling me before I head back to the hospital," I explained, my tired body moving slowly across the living room floor as I made my way to the fridge for some water. Unfortunately, my mother didn't seem to register my lack of willingness to engage in an argument, as she continued to press on.

"You still want to go back there, what about me?" My mother yelled, making my already aching head hurt even more.

"Mum, please, for the love of God, stop yelling. My head hurts, and I won't stay away like before. I will try to visit once in a while, but don't expect me to stay home and do nothing while my friends and their families are struggling with them being in a coma."

"What about your own life? Will you put your life on standstill because of them?" My mother continued to yell, and I turned to face her, angry at her indifference to my friends getting hurt.

"Yes, mother, I'm willing to put everything on hold for them. They were there for me when I had no place to stay, when school was a nightmare, and they protected me from anyone who tried to bring me down. They even stood by me when you were hurt," I exclaimed, frustration and anger coursing through me. Running my hands through my hair, I muttered a string of expletives, struggling with my emotions.

My mother began to speak, "Austin-" but I cut her off, raising my hand to silence her.

"Just stop, mother, please. If you continue speaking, I will leave and you won't see me again."

"But Austin, I need you here too—" my mother attempted to reason with me, but I was resolute in my decision.

"I won't abandon my friend when they need me the most, mother. Let me explain how much they mean to me," I said with a disappointed look. "Mother, my life feels like it's on hold since they went into a coma. It's as if my life paused, and it will only resume when they wake up."

"But—"

"I'd prefer if we don't discuss this any further. Continuing might just make me angrier than i already was. Let's both take some time to cool off. I'll head to the store to pick up groceries," I explained, awaiting her response. When she remained silent, I walked out, leaving her in the living room.

After a refreshing shower and a change of clothes, I quietly left home, heading straight to the grocery store. I picked up a few items for Mom, and I couldn't resist grabbing some snacks for Sophie and Shane to brighten their moods because everything was quite depressing to be honest.

As I returned home, I noticed the front door was slightly open, and the sound of raised voices emanated from the kitchen. Distinctively, one voice was my mother's, but the other belonged to an unfamiliar man. My heart raced, and I hurried inside, fearing for my mother's safety. However, upon entering, I was taken aback to see my mother in the arms of the unknown man, her face stained with tears.

"Get away from my mother! What the hell did you do to her?" I exclaimed, hastily dropping the groceries as I moved to separate them. But my mother stepped in between us, her actions bewildering me.

"What are you doing mother, he hurt you right? That's why you were crying" I inquired, my uncertainty evident as I observed the scene before me.

"No, he didn't hurt me, Austin. He was actually comforting me," my mother replied, attempting to clarify the situation.

"Why?" I pressed, still struggling to grasp the circumstances unfolding in front of me.

"Because you've stopped paying attention to me," my mother whined, her frustration apparent.

"I'm an adult now, mother. I don't have to listen to you all the time to do what you ask," I retorted matter-of-factly, accompanied by an eye roll. Her penchant for dramatics when things didn't go her way was something I was all too familiar with.

My gaze then shifted to the man who seemed to be studying me intently, his gaze fixed as if he were trying to decipher my thoughts. Judging by his appearance, he didn't fit the mold of a drug addict or gang member. In fact, he appeared well-off. So, what was someone like him doing in this situation, I wondered, maintaining my steady gaze in response to his probing stare.

"I might not know who this man is, but I see he poses no threat to you. Because if he were a danger, you wouldn't be seeking comfort in his arms, shedding tears like a child. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm returning to the hospital," I stated firmly, noticing my mother's eyes welling up once again. Seriously, this woman is really getting on my nerves.

"See, I told you all he's only concerned about his friends," she remarked, directing her gaze towards the man who had been holding my gaze just moments ago.

I could feel my anger building up as I questioned, "Why are you blowing this out of proportion? Yes, I'm sorry for not informing you about being at the hospital, but you never bothered to call or even consider going to the police if you were genuinely worried. You knew that the injured students were my friends, so why didn't it occur to you that I might be at the hospital?"

"I—" my mother began, but I cut her off.

"Save your excuses and drop the act. I'm not interested in your fake concern. I'm leaving. I got some groceries for you. If you need anything else, text me, and I'll figure out a way to get it to you," I asserted, turning to head out. Just as I was about to leave, the man finally spoke up.

"Austin, wait," he called out. I turned to face the man who had been silently observing me all day.

"And you are?" I inquired, eyeing him skeptically.

"Silas Anderson. It's a pleasure to meet you, Austin," Silas greeted.

"Alright then. Are you my mother's new boyfriend? If you are, just remember, if you hurt her, I won't hesitate to come after you. She doesn't have the best track record with men," I warned, causing my mother to shoot me an irritated glare.

"No, I'm not her boyfriend. Should I tell him, or are you going to?" the man named Silas turned to face my mother, who wore a guilt-stricken expression.

"He can't find out like this, Silas."

"Find out what? What the heck are you two going on about?" I demanded.

"Austin, I'm your father," Silas confessed, his voice steady.

"You must be joking, because that bastard called my father died a long time ago," I retorted angrily.

"He wasn't your father. Tell him, or else, because I'm losing all my patience," Silas urged my mother, his eyes fixed on her.

"Mum, what is he talking about?" I asked, bewildered.

"Austin, I didn't mean to hide it from you, but he's telling the truth. Silas is your real father. I got pregnant really young and ran away from home. That's where I met your stepfather, Malcolm," my mother explained, her voice shaky.

"If this is some twisted joke and you're recording or something, both of you need to cut it out. I'm not in the mood for games," I exclaimed, my gaze locking onto my mother, who remained evasive.

"Austin i-" my mother tried to say something but she stopped mid way

"Mum, please, tell me this isn't true," I pleaded.

"I'm sorry, my son. I was young, scared, and didn't know how to handle it. I ran away from home because I feared my father's reaction because I was pregnant in high school," my mother's voice trembled with remorse.

My anger surged. "So you're telling me that the bastard, Malcom, wasn't my real father? But you watched him brutalize me day after day."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "I know it's hard to understand, but I felt helpless, and he was the only lifeline I saw."

Fury consumed me. "He beat me to the brink of death, while you drowned your troubles in drugs and alcohol. And you're saying it's because he was your only 'hope'?"

My mother's expression crumpled, a mix of guilt and pain etched on her face. "I'm sorry, my actions were selfish and unforgivable."

The weight of the truth hung heavy in the room, a tangled web of hurt and betrayal that no words could easily mend.

"I apologize, Austin, but please understand that staying with him was the only option," my mother said.

I couldn't bear to look at her; frustration overwhelmed me. I turned to Silas, my anger directed at him. "And you, if you're hoping to reconcile, that ship has long sailed. I don't need a father, so Mr. Anderson, you can go back to wherever you came from."

"I can't just leave, Austin," my so-called father responded with a sorrowful expression.

"Why on earth not?" I shouted, glaring at him.

"Because I'm dying," he admitted, his eyes filled with sadness.