Chapter Text
(Johnny’s POV)
It was ‘round 7 o’clock when I got back to my house– well, walked past my house. I was heading towards the lot again. I could still hear my parents arguing ‘bout 15 feet down the street through the open window. I couldn’t stand it, man. The rest of the walk was filled with silent wishing. The sky shifted from navy blues to vibrant reds and oranges- then pitch black.
Five minutes or so later, I made it towards the lot. I crawled myself into the car's backseat which’d been thrown out by some drunkard that I called a bed, pulled the small, light blanket that I had, and used my arm as a pillow. I lay there for a while, listening to the trees whistle around me and the fire cackling back. A few leaves blew into my face, which I very politely threw into the fire- watching them burn.
After a while, it started to get pretty chilly. The trees were swaying back and forth nonstop and soon the fire went out. You’ve got to be kidding me; it was too cold to try and start a new one, so I huddled closer to the back of the car seat. I thought ‘bout heading to Curtis’ but I didn’t wanna trouble them anyway. And I sure as heck didn’t wanna go to my house either.
I wish my life wasn’t like this.
I was about to drift off into sleep ‘till I heard a whole bunch of ruckus coming from afar. Great, I thought to myself, now I couldn’t sleep. At first, I attempted to listen to what was going on but I couldn’t make out a single thing. I eventually gave up and covered my ears and curled up even more, hoping that they’d just pass by and go wherever. But they didn’t. They stayed at the lot a few dozen feet away. I kept waiting. And waiting. And waiting…
Soon, I’d gotten sick of it, and I made my way out of the lot and towards the road where I heard the noise. I turned the corner and an instant wave of shock and worry flooded over me. It was a little girl– eight years old at most– crying and begging for help by a stop sign at the end of the block. I immediately dashed over to help and also to see who it was.
“Help! Help me, please!” Her head was bowed down in pain before she lifted it up to see me. She looked oddly familiar, like a person you’d see in a dream, but I couldn’t name her.
“Hey!- oh shit,” I swore under my breath. There was blood pouring from her mouth, and it was spilling all over her, “are you OK?! What- what happened? What’s your name?!”
“My name-... is Lizzy- Lizzy Matthews…” She stuttered.
I almost froze. This wasn’t just some poor, random girl. It was Two-Bit’s younger sister. Fuck. How the hell did this happen?
I tried to pick her up but she started sobbing on the ground even more and screaming in pain, so I laid her back down just as quickly. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t even know what was going on. My eyes darted around, searching for a way to help– and for a payphone. I saw a paint shop a little further down the street, a payphone right next to it. I quickly turned my attention towards the girl and took off my jacket.
“Hey– hey. Listen to me, alright?” I said while tying my jacket around her waist, “I’m gonna go over there ‘n call for help. Stay right here, got it?!”
“Ye-Yeah… got it,” she choked out between sobs, “It hurts…”
I bolted across the road towards the street corner. Man, either this phone is extremely far or I’m just extremely slow. I almost slammed into the wall before yanking the phone out of the handle and placed it on the side of my face. I dialed 0, praying the other line’d pick up.
“Operator, may I help you?”
“Yes!- yes please…”
Every second in that ambulance felt like an hour. Everything was a blur, honestly. I couldn’t recall much after we arrived at the hospital either. A whole bunch of things happened. They asked me if I was her guardian (which I said no), and then they asked for her mom’s number. I ended up sitting, alone, in the waiting room. After only a few minutes, my eyelids started getting heavy. And suddenly my vision was blurry, and all sounds were fading around me. I took one last look around me before passing out…
(Two-Bit’s POV)
Me ‘n Ma were just at home sitting on the couch. I was watching Mickey while she was reading another one of her many magazines. We continued sitting there in silence, nothing but the sounds of the TV and her flipping the pages filling the air. That is, until the phone started ringing.
“Two, be a dear and please answer the phone.” She asked, simultaneously pointing at the phone whilst flipping through another page.
“Yes, Ma’am.” I quickly stood up and did a fake salute before lightly chuckling and heading towards the phone.
“Hello? Who is this?” I asked.
“Hello, this is Tulsa Medical Center. Is this the Matthews’ family?” The static-y voice of the lady asked. Medical center? Why the hell would they be calling us? Was it-
“-ello? Hello, sir? Are you still there?” She repeated.
“Yes- yes, I’m here…” I stammered back. I guess Ma saw me tense up because she put her magazine down and came up behind me.
“Are you the legal guardian of Lizzy Matthews?” She responded. I paused before answering her.
“No, but I’m her brother. Why? What happened to her!?” I heard my voice crack at the end. No, it didn’t make sense. Liz was staying over at a friend's house. Why would she be at the hospital? No, no, no, no.
“Keith, what’s wrong? What happened?” Ma inched closer behind me. The receptionist’s words faded through my ears. All I could think about was Liz. Why the hell would she be at the hospital? Did she get hurt? It didn’t make sense…
Ma noticed that I wasn’t talking so she softly took the phone and continued the conversation there. Tears swelled up in my eyes, and my throat felt unbelievably tight. I didn’t want to cry but I just couldn’t help it. Hot streams of liquid poured down the side of my face, and I quickly turned away before Ma could notice. Once she finished talking, she threw the phone back into the case and grabbed her keys.
“C’mon, we’re going to the hospital.” She said, her voice sounded like she was on the verge of breaking. I grabbed my leather jacket and threw on my shoes before running out the door and hopping into the car. The ride to the hospital was filled with heavy silence. Neither of us spoke the entire time. I tried to ignore Ma’s crying all through the car ride.
The second we parked, Ma and I bolted towards the waiting area. I almost crashed into the glass door like an idiot because I was too focussed on getting in. Ma then opened it and we walked in. I was ‘bout to head to the counter before I saw… Johnny? Why was he here? He was dead asleep on one of the many chairs inside. I thought about waking up and asking him what he was doing there, but I quickly decided against it. He deserved the rest. I followed Ma towards the front desk, and she asked a whole ton of questions there.
“Hello, we’re here to visit Lizzy Matthews, my daughter.” Ma requested the worker behind the counter.
“Of course, ma’am…” The worker started to drone on.
I didn’t focus on anything that was being said around me. All I cared about was seeing my sister. I didn’t even know what was wrong. I just wanted to see her damnit. I turned my head towards the heavy metal doors that stood across from me. Maybe I could make it, if I just ran fast enough. I shook the idea out of my head. No. I was here to check up on my sister, not to cause a scene. Plus, I definitely didn’t want to burden Ma even more. With a heavy sigh, I walked over to Johnny and sat down beside him.
(Third Person POV)
The clock in the waiting room ticked endlessly as Two-Bit and his mother waited. The room they were in was bare and empty, tiled floors and buzzing lights, the only thing separating it from a mental asylum was the occasional outbursts from people outside. The air around them was heavy until Two-Bit heard a faint noise in his right ear.
“Johnnycakes? You awake?” Two-Bit pressed, staring his friend down.
“Huh- oh, yeah…I’m– I’m awake. I’m so sorry about Lizzy, Two, I really am…” Johnny said solemnly, his eyes tracing the cracks on the tiled floor. Well, of course Johnny was sorry about Lizzy– why wouldn’t he be? But how in the world did Johnny know what happened? Two-Bit was suddenly suspicious and started to press further.
“What do you mean you’re sorry about Lizzy? Are you the fucking the reason she’s here?!” Two-Bit’s voice raised and the words came out a bit too harsh, but he couldn’t stop.
“No! NO– I swear I didn’t do anything Two,” Johnny took a deep breath, “I found her lying on the side of the road, some idiot must’ve crashed into her and left…”
Now Two-Bit felt guilty. Extremely guilty. Why hadn’t he thought of that before? It was obvious, wasn’t it? What reason would Johnny have to do this to his little sister, anyway. Hundreds of thoughts ran through Two-Bit’s mind, practically freezing him in time.
“Oh, Johnny…” Two-Bit muttered under his breath. There was a dam full of tears behind Two-Bit’s eyes begging– pleading– to burst out. He swiftly wrapped his arms around Johnny and put his face into the crook of his neck. Johnny tightly hugged back, refusing to let go either. All Johnny could hear were the muffled sobs of his best friend, listening to him saying ‘sorry’ and ‘thank you’ again and again. He started rubbing circles along his back as well, in hopes to calm him down.
(Johnny’s POV + Timeskip)
It’d been ‘round 10 minutes since Two got himself back together again, a weak version of his usual grin stuck on his face like it didn’t quite belong there.
“I know it’s not the time for jokes right now,” he muttered, rubbing his hand over his mouth, “but… man, I feel like a big ol’ baby now.” I let out a small chuckle, though it didn’t sound right even to me. The silence that followed wasn’t comfortable– it was heavy and pressed in on us, filled with the low hum of the lights and the distant sounds of footsteps and rolling carts.
Then a nurse stepped out from behind the doors of the holding area. “Matthews family?” she called, her voice firm and clipped.
“Yes– that’s us,” Mrs. Matthews stood up and started to talk to the nurse in the corner. Fuck. I felt my throat get all tight and soon my eyes were watery as well. No, no, no… I bit my bottom lip and pinched myself real hard– a trick I’d learn whenever my old man was beatin’ me. Now wasn’t the time to cry, not when Two-Bit was already beating himself up enough as it was.
“Hey, Johnny…” Two said quietly. “I’m gon’ go see Liz, alright? And– again– thanks.”
He didn’t wait for me to answer before following the nurse and his mom through the doors. Now I was alone, again. This time I didn’t feel like stayin’ so I stretched myself out of the seat and headed towards the exit. After I got out, I wiped a few tears from my eyes with my sleeve and kept on walking down the pavement.
It must’ve been early morning, because the sky was only just beginning to brighten. I made my way towards the Curtis’ and through their front door. I know I said that I didn’t feel like bothering ‘em, but I just couldn’t bring myself to stay in that damn hospital any longer– or head back to the lot.
Gently, I pushed the door handle and squeezed myself inside, closing the door as soon as I got in. I thought there’d be no one awake– since it was too damn early for their own good– but I found Darry sitting on the armchair in the living room drinking coffee and reading some newspaper..
“Huh– hey Johnny.” Darry greeted, not even looking up from his paper. I didn’t mind it at all, really. It was a nice break from the past 5 hours of my life.
“Hey, Darry…” I barely mumbled out before collapsing on their couch. I’m sure Darry sensed something was wrong because he put his cup down and sat down beside me.
“Hey, Johnny, what’s wrong?” Darry questioned me with a small look of concern on his face.
“It’s nothing, Dar, trust me,” There was a slight quiver in my voice as I spoke, “I hope it is…”
“Johnny, if you think that I’m gonna just drop this, then you’re wrong. So tell me, what’s bothering you, kid?” Darry asked me again, as he inched closer to me on the couch and wrapped his arm around my back. I knew I should tell him, but I just couldn’t bring myself to it. Just thinking back on how Lizzy was on the road outside made me want to puke.
“Alright, fine…you know how I sleep in the lot sometimes, yeah?” I paused, making sure Darry was getting what I was saying. He slowly nodded before I continued.
“Well…I heard some noises so I went out to go ‘n check out what it was. And I found Lizzy, Two’s lil’ sister, lying on the ground covered in blood,” God, I felt like stopping the story right there and leaving it at that, but I didn’t, “Some drunkard must’ve smashed into her and sped off, I guess. After I found her, I called for help and then waited at the hospital and fell asleep there. I woke up next to Two-Bit and later came here…” I whispered out the last sentence.
“...Christ, kid. I’m– I’m sorry for pressing,” He apologized before carrying on, “So Two’s at the hospital, huh?” His face had a solemn look on it now.
I nodded. I knew– well, the whole gang knew– that Dar and Two had been best friends for the longest time. They were practically attached at the hip when they were younger; anything Darry did, he wanted his best friend right by his side, and the same way for Two-Bit
“It’s alright. I was gon’ tell you anyway. I ain’t sure ‘bout the rest of the gang, though.” I said worryingly. Maybe they wouldn’t need to find out. Everything'll be alright by then. Hopefully…
(Two-Bit’s POV)
I tried my best not to run through the hospital corridors and bump into people, which is weird. Usually, I wouldn’t care about bumping into others– but here I was, moving out of my way for anyone who passed by. We were heading up to floor 3, where Lizzy was.
“She’s still being monitored due to the severity of her injuries. You’ll have to be slow and careful with her.” The nurse advised us after we stepped out of the elevator, and we followed her through a series of lefts and rights before reaching Lizzy’s room. She turned the doorknob handle and allowed us to enter.
“Keith, Ma…? You– you came!” Lizzy beamed. She tried to sit up but we quickly pushed her back down.
“Hey– doc said you gotta be careful, OK? We don’t need you getting more roughed up than you already are.” I explained to her. She gave me a small pout and I gave her a stern look before we both erupted into laughter, and I scooped my arms around her, hugging her as tight as I could.
“Alright- alright, you’re killing me!” She joked around before pushing me off and turned her attention to Ma– who was laughing– and crying– at our little reunion.
“Oh, my sweet, sweet girl…” Ma choked before pulling Liz into a hug of her own, “Are you okay? How do you feel, baby?”
“I’m…okay, just a lil’ spooked, that’s all.” Lizzy whispered back.
She didn’t look okay. Her arms were bruised and there were scratches and scrapes all over her face. And earlier the doctors said her legs were completely broken– that she might be disabled after… No. No, she was going to be fine. My sister was going to be — fine. Nothing could get to her. I shoved the thoughts out of my mind, and turned my attention back to the only important thing in the room. Ma and sis were still hugging on the bed.
We stayed there for a while, talking. Lizzy then told us what had happened. Apparently, she’d gotten scared and wanted to go home, so her “friends” told her to leave– and she did. Neither of their parents were home so no one stopped her from running out, and some bastard didn’t stop their car before crashing into her. By the end of her story, Liz had started sobbing. And choking.
She didn’t stop coughing.
She tried to suck in a breath– but it came out wrong. She impulsively grabbed the blanket and started choking even more.
“Liz– hey, hey– slow down,” I panicked, stepping toward her. “Ma– something’s wrong–”
“Shit!” I shouted, my chest tightening. I didn’t know who was more scared in that moment– her or me. I rushed out into the hallway, yelling for help.
“Hey– nurse, she can’t breathe!”
Everything moved fast after that. A doctor and a few nurses rushed in, pushing past us. One of them immediately lifted Lizzy upright while another pulled on a pair of gloves. They put an oxygen mask over Lizzy’s face and started suctioning her airway as she coughed in it.
“Is she okay?! What’s happening to her?” Ma screamed, trying to move closer.
“She’s choking– we need space.” One of the doctors said quickly.
“MA– Ma! Don’t leave me– please!” Lizzy cried through the mask, reaching out for us
If it weren’t for the doctors holding us back, I would've run straight to her. Instead, they pushed us out of the room, the doors slamming shut behind us as machines began beeping inside. We both just stood there, frozen in shock. Surely, this was just some sick nightmare, right? I kept telling myself that. Soon, I stopped believing the lies. My sister was going to die. All alone and scared in an empty room. No family or friends to comfort her. Nothing. I couldn’t take it anymore. I dropped the Two-Bit facade and started sobbing my eyes out again. I didn’t care who was looking, just as long as my baby sister was okay.
“Hey– c’mon let's go sit in the car, okay?” Ma interrupted my crying and gave me a small hug.
“Yeah…yeah, okay.” I replied shakily as I followed her outside and into the parking lot. We hopped in the car and sat there for a while. Not doing much. Just sitting there, thinking about the past 2 hours of our life. At this point, my head felt detached from the rest of my body, and my ears felt like they were stuffed with cotton. I sunk back into the car seat and wished for my body to fall asleep. Instead, I was forced to keep thinking back on what’d just happened.
“Do you want to go back home?” Ma asked me as she pulled her keys out of her purse.
“I don’t know…” I sighed back. I guess she’d made up her mind because she turned the keys in the slot and we started driving. After 10 minutes or so, we pulled into the driveway and got out of the car and went inside. I didn’t even bother kicking off my shoes and just headed straight to my room and onto the bed. Letting sleep take me over.