Voice Of A Friend

~Zacky~

I clenched the seat belt a little too roughly, blood seeping through my palm. I stared emptily at the grey building. I knew Syn's gaze was fictuated on me. He thought I was crazy. I knew it. He wouldn't believe me, but I know what I saw. I know what attacked me. I know /who/ attacked me. Everything was silent except for the almost silenced "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC playing and the steady breathing. I slowly released my grip on my restraint, blood slipping down my arm, slowly. Brian growled, opening the glove box to get a tissue before violently slamming it closed. He wiped at my wrist and arm, palming at my open hand.

"Zacky, dammit. Come on!" He nearly shouted through gritted teeth. I sighed, saying nothing which caused an impatient sigh from Brian. "I will fucking call Matt." Again, I said nothing. "And Johnny. And Arin. I'll call all of them, and we'll have a fucking intervention."
"No," was all I could say. He stepped out of the car after putting a bandage on my palm. I nearly choked on my own saliva, tears piling in my throat. Truth is, I knew what they'd do. They'd lock me away. Who wouldn't? My dead best friend is attacking me, supposedly. They'd give me some diagnosis and feed me medication. They'd take away me. I'd become government property. My door opened, a gust of wind flying through the vehicle. I sighed in defeat, not bothering to push Brian away as he unbuckled my seat buckle and gripped my hand. His cologne choked me. Strong as always. Brian led me inside. Here we go... I thought, Bye-Bye for a few weeks...or months..

I sat in a chair of the waiting room, waiting to be admitted into the room and watching the girl at the front desk flirting the fuck out of Brian. He was leaning over the desk, one ankle crossed over another. He was grinning, talking and using his hands to speak. She giggled, flashing her perfect white teeth. She twirled her pitch black hair in a finger. Her piercing blue eyes...crystal blue disguise.. No. Stop. Everything reminds me of James. Nothing can take my mind away from it. I dashed up, pacing my way to the bathroom. My head was in swirls as I splashed cold water on my face. I haven't looked at my reflection in a while, honestly. Even as I go to the bathroom, I avoid the mirror. I should've been dead. I'm going crazy, anyhow. The doctor will be judgy because they could give two shits less about me, so I decide to check how horrible I really look. I looked up, staring into the emeralds I call my eyes. Tears immediantly began to pile at the rims of my eyes, blurring slightly. My skin looks unheathily pale. My eyes are bloodshot. A long cut runs down the left side of my face. Numerous cuts lay broken and red along my face's pale skin. My lip is swollen where one snakebite is. There's two bruises on my forehead. My neck is cut up. If I didn't know any better, I'd say I'm a zombie that once jumped off a cliff. I looked that bad. I leaned over the sink, tears barely leaking from my eyes.

I heard a sigh behind me and two arms wrapped around me. I tried desperately to get away. "No!" I cried, over and over. I didn't look up, scared of who it may be. It didn't smell like Brian. My eyes were too foggy to make out any tattoos. I had no way to tell. They had a strong grip on me. I was helpless. I was dead. The person made a shushing noise then I felt a hand snake up to my face, a warm cloth being pushed to it. It was slightly damp and it forced my struggle to cease, pulling at my eyelids. My knees gave out, collapsing under me. I hit my head on the sink, my body slumping to the floor. My vision was even worse of a blur. Feet scampered into a stall as a warm...so warm..blanket of darkness over came me. I only heard one thing then.

"ZACHARY!"

~Syn~

I banged on the door to the bathroom, it having had been locked from the inside. I heard a muffly cry. Then a bang. Then the sound of a slip. Panic flew through my veins. They told me to wait for them, but I couldn't. By the time they had turned to get a key, I was rearing back. I flung myself into the door, pain radiating through my shoulder. I winced, but reared back again. The door finally gave in. I yelled out his name as his eyes closed. I dropped beside his body before I noticed blood dripping from his hair line.

"Don't just fucking stand there like dumbasses," I yelled, "help him!" I pulled his head into my chest, his body heavy and limp. I slowly lifted him in my arms, carrying him bridal style as I followed the girl that lead me into a room. We sat him down and they went to check his vitals. They said it'd be best if I exited, but I refused at the sight of a steady strand of blood flowing down his cheek and onto to the thin, paper like bed covering.

"Sir, please." I assumed the man speaking was the doctor, a stern look in his eyes. I refused. I put up one hell of a fight. Then in the end, I sat in the waiting room. I heard sirens off in the distance before I checked the time. Everything seemed so slow yet so quick. It had only been thirty fucking minutes, and I was watching Zacky being pulled away into a stretcher. The door closed as they pulled him away and silence passed before I darted up. I was dialing Matt's number, darting off to the hospital. I'm not sure how many red lights I ran. I tried to stay shortly behind the ambulance which I did, but they wouldn't let me through.
I had explained the basics to Matt and he told Arin and Johnny. To my suprise, the first person I saw walk through the door was Arin fucking Ilejay. His face looked that of a lost puppy, his chocolate curls bouncing in front of his eyes. I stiffened. I'm not fully sure what it is about Arin, I mean, its cool hanging with him, but it's just something I can't get past. A few people might say it's obvious, but, to me, its not. It won't ever be. He smiled at me, a warm look in his eyes.

"How is he?" He asked, sitting in a chair beside me. I admit, he is sweet and adorable, but he's completely opposite from...James. I was spaced out. No sound reaching my ears except my own breath. I saw his lips moving, a wave of emptiness seeping over me. I felt someone shake me, and I saw Arin standing over me. Everything came back in a clash of sounds, a crescendo connecting every note. "BRIAN? Are you okay?" He said slowly, I shook my head rapidly to shake the feeling of emptiness. I smiled, fakedly. Is that even a word? I don't know, but it was fake.

"Yeah, just worried about Zee." Arin sighed, leaning back in his chair.

"Brian, I know I'm not Jimmy," he muttered awkwardly, "and I don't know what to say like he would and I'm not your drinking buddy - he died a few years back - and I'm not a skilled music writer like he is...but, what I'm trying to say is I will be here for you guys." He said it in all one breath like it was something he needed to get out. "You guys are keeping things from me, and it just hurts me a little bit." A moment of silence passed before I reached over and pulled him into a bro hug, patting his back.

"You're good, Ilejay." I heard him sniffle a laugh.

"Am I interupting something else?" Matt asked, a grin plastered onto his face. I pulled away and shook my head, laughing. He had Johnny with him.

"Man, I don't think they'll let Johnny in. He looks like a two year old!" I laughed, crossing my arms like an asshole. Johnny groaned, rolling his eyes. "Come on, short shit! Don't be so grouchy."

"Yeah, well your boyfriend could be dying in th-" I had slammed my hands on the arm rests, jerking my self up before grabbing his shirt in my fists.

"Don't..Fucking..Say..That.." I said through gritted teeth. He swallowed hard, and I dropped him. Arin pulled me back. Matt signed, standing between us.

"You guys need to fucking stop," Matt said. "I'm tired of having to fucking pull you two shit heads together. Everyone of you. You're all crumbling. Jesus fucking Christ!" I felt my stomach turn. He was right. For five years, we grew up. We take less shit. I felt myself drifting off, again. Lost in my own little world of agony, lust, and bastard. If only I hadn't let Jimmy go get drunk that night. I knew he was upset. I knew he'd drink more than he should. I knew he'd do drugs. I knew he had a heart issue. It's my fault he's dead. No body knows that, but me.

"Are you family of Mr. Baker?" Someone called from behind Matt. I quickly stood.

"We're brothers," I said. We used to use that as any excuse. He's not my brother, anymore. He's way, way, way more. Way, way, way, way, way, way... The doctor gave us a confused judging look but then sighed and lead us back into a room.

Zacky laid emotioless, a bandage around his head. His focus was turned out the window, so he didn't notice us walk in. I felt something drop. His pale face shined in the moon light. Shit, how long has it been? I looked at Arin, Matt, and Johnny before walking to the bed and snaking my fingers into Zacky's. He stiffened and tried to pull away, but my grip was strong.

"No," he breathed, not turning to me. "Leave me alone!" Tears were streaming down his face. I a gentld kiss to his cheek. "Don't touch me!" He cried. "Go away! Stop doing this to me!" I pulled away, my heart breaking. He didn't open his clenched eyes. "Please! Just leave me!"

He says to leave him be, but he truely needs saving.

~Arin~

I watched Zachary cry in his bed. We all did. We stood at the door, not uttering a word. Brian looked blank, but there was hurt in his eyes. Zacky looked fragile, tears emptying into his pillow as he very, very slowly fell asleep. We all pulled chairs to the bed side opposite to where he faced, just observing. Just watching this fragile creature become less and less humane. I'm not helping, am I? I have no advice. I have nothing to say. I'm. Not. Jimmy. I don't know why I'm trying so hard to be. Maybe because it's who they need. My stomach clenches as I hear Brian sniffle.

"He's going crazy," I heard him whisper. "He's loosing all hold on sanity." He sat between me and Matt, Matt applying a barrier to him and Johnny. I reached around and patted him on his shoulder, tears leaking his eyes. God. Everyone is turning to silly puddy. We sat in silence, occasional sobs racking the room. Brian tried to reach out to grab Zacky's hand, but Zee's conscious pushed him away. Nobody looked at anyone else but Zacky. The nurse tried to say visiting hours are over, but the formation of pur chairs gave away that we wouldn't be going anywhere, soon. I didn't know what time it was. None of us did. But none of us got a lick of sleep.

Especially after Zacky awoks screaming and crying, shaking like a leaf. Brian jerked up as well as Matt, hovering over Zacky. Then I noticed Johnny was missing.

"Get off me!" Zacky yelled as Brian tried to hold his hand. "No!" He began to cry again. "Pl..Please.." His voice was cracking, a steady flow of tears running down his cheeks. I dipped into my chair, unsure of what to fucking do. Matt pried the very emotional Brian away then pinched his temples, letting out a frustrated sigh. Zacky lay crying on his bed.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!" Zacky yelled. "Jimmy, why..."
He finally died back down into a slumber as the sun slowly rose. Matt looked at me. His expression gave away what he was thinking. Maybe I could talk to Zack. I doubt it. I really, really doubt it.

"Where's Johnny?" I asked after forever.

~Zacky~

I'm drowing. Then I'm choking. Then I'm slipping. Then I'm falling. Then I'm drowning, again. It was dark. The trees above me blocking all sort of sunlight. I felt their hands on me. I struggled and struggled and struggled. I always turned onto my side, staring at Brian's still and lifeless frame. His breath was gone.

"Save me!" I yelled, the ropes on my wrist scratching at my skin. I cried, their bodies blurred in my vision. "Please, don't.." Then I was drowning, again. Where am I? What is this vile place? Hell? Brian laid there. He was gone. I wonder if he'll come back as a zombie, and haunt me, too. Seems like it must be a fun thing to do.

~Matt~

All Hell is breaking loose. Johnny is missing and won't pick up the phone. Brian is on his fucking man period. Arin is just being fucking Arin. And I'm the only one with a lick of sense.

When will this nightmare end?

I feel like we're all slowly going fucking crazy. Let's face it, that is what's happening. I know we have to be here for eachother. That's what we must do in order to stay sane. I figured Johnny just went to a bar or something. I wouldn't be surprised if he was passed out drunk some where. I dont know what to do. Is Zacky hillucinating? Is he trapped in a day dream? Does he know that Brian is shaking him? Calling his name? Does he feel his tears? Does he know I'm strugling to pry his boyfriend away from his screaming body?

"Please! Stop! I can't take this pain!" Zacky yelled, his tears dry. His yelling and screaming was becoming unbearable. "NO!" I slapped the nurse button, and nurses came sprinting. I saw Zacky thrusting around on his bed, crying is pain. What in God's name is wrong with him? They threw Brian off and shoved all three of us out. I could hear their voices through the door, along with Zacky's screams.

"Do you think the chloroform did this?"

"PLEASE! NO!"

"Or maybe brain damage.."

"Isn't he the guy that went missing?"

"Is it an allergic reaction?"

"JAMES! PLEASE! STOP IT NOW!"

Brian slammed his fists on the wall, yelling out in grief. Arin tried to calm him down, but after a moment of his hand on Brian's shoulder and him uttering things like 'it'll be okay,' he was being thrown into the wall. I yanked Brian away, a crazed look in his eye. He wasn't human. There's no way. The grief turned him into a wolf, inflicted with anger and hatred. He shoved me to the side and walked down the hall to outside for, what I assumed, a cigarette. About twenty minutes later, I assumed he left. I hope that boy stays out of trouble. God only knows what's on his mind or in his system. He's unpredictable, sometimes. Just think about it. Oh, wait. You can't.

The door to Zacky's room had only opened a few times. Doctors with medicine, someone that I assumed was a therapist.. I believe after the therapist got a good look at him, they knocked him out. The broken-hearted cries and cracked, dry throat screams had died away along with the old Zacky. Along with the old me. Along with the old Brian. Along with the old Johnny. Along with the old Avenged.

There is no stopping it.

I heard the emergency room doors fly open, a man on a stretcher flying past me. I didn't get a good look at them. Voices filled my ears.

"What happened to him?" One of the men asked.

"Car wreck on Sixth Street," a female voice replied. The voices sounded panicked, yet calm. I forget, doctors only do this for money. But, oh, God. If that was Johnny or Brian, I swear..

How are we not dead?

Notes

Whoa. Something happened in my brain. Love you, Death Batties! Stay perfffff xoxo <3