Chapter Text
Sammy painted on his fake smile and opened the door. Ben was inside playing with the sound board.
‘Hey Sammy’ Ben basically shouted in his enthusiasm, flashing that smile that made you feel like you were the best human on the planet. ‘You’re late’ he said wagging his finger in a joking manner.
Sammy felt another bout of nausea hit him ‘Hey, Ben’ he managed to grunt out.
‘So quick warning, Troy just texted saying that The Dark is running around tonight so you may want to brace for a call from him.’
Sammy sat down heavily pulling his headphones on ‘OK Ben, thanks.’
Ben looked up for a second picking up on the flat tone of Sammy’s voice. He brushed it off as tiredness and pulled his headphones over his ears and started welcoming the audience ‘You're on with Sammy and Ben. That's 660 on the radio dial.’ The show went on as it usually does, well as usual as it can get in King Falls. Sammy was able to ignore the sick feeling in his stomach and the pain had gradually been getting less so that had to be good he thought. Archie was on the line saying something but Sammy hadn’t been able to focus on his voice too well.
‘So Ben, Sammy you can imagine my shock when I heard through the grapevine that Sammy had been attacked, maybe even injured but of course that can’t be right as I am talking to you both aren't I.’
Sammy sat up straight as he heard Archie say his name, he didn’t hear what it was to do with so maybe something was wrong. He watched as Ben, who had jumped out of his seat and was now beside him, his hands hovering over him saying his name. The noise seemed to come rushing back in as Sammy heard Ben saying his name repeatedly and getting louder and turning into that panicked voice that he wished he never heard from his best friend but sadly hears too much. He needed to help Ben.
‘Ben, what?’ Sammy went to move to help…
‘SAMMY’ Ben yelled as Sammy slumped forward only not ending up on the floor as Ben had caught him. Ben's mind and heart were racing. He could hear Archie shouting asking for information as his voice came out of Sammy's headset. Ben pulled the mic closer to him and yelled ‘Archie, call Troy. Sammy just collapsed.’ Ben’s breath hitched on the last word.
‘Oh sweet jack in the box Jesus, I'm on it Ben.’ Archie yelled back panic seeping into his voice as well.
Ben took a breath ‘Come on Sammy.’ he whispered gently pushing Sammy back into the seat properly so he could look at him better. He could see a dark patch on Sammy's stomach. Ben suddenly couldn't breathe. He heard Archie's message repeat in his head ‘maybe even injured.’
‘No please no’ muttered Ben going to lift Sammy's top. Ben felt like someone had poured cold water over him. Blood was smeared all over Sammy's stomach. A wound still freely bleeding was sending more red over his friend's skin like a paint brush changing the color to that appalling red.
The rest was a blur, Ben didn’t remember Troy bursting through the station door or them both moving Sammy onto the ambulance stretcher. He didn't remember the sirens, Troy speaking, the street lights, Emily arriving etc. All he could focus on and remember when asked was Sammy's short labored breaths and the red smears now not just on his best friend but over his own hands and clothes as well.