Burn It Down

**Brian’s POV**

It’s been 3 weeks since she was attacked by Scott, 3 weeks since I’ve been able to look into her eyes, 3 weeks since I hesitated when she asked me if I saw a future with her. It’s been 3 weeks since she’s woken up, the doctor’s said that there was bleeding in her brain, they had to take her into surgery to stop the bleeding in her chest and brain. The surgery took 9 hours, none of us got a full nights rest, taking turns every few hours to sit up with her. Hoping, waiting for her to open those beautiful eyes.

I watched as Simone tried to help Matt, tried to calm him, tried to help him let go of the guilt that was wracking his body and mind. I don’t think he’d eaten in 2 days, he didn’t want to leave the hallway; when they brought him food, he was too numb to eat. Then again, I don’t think I’d eaten anything in atleast that long of time, only leaving to smoke every couple hours, usually a pack every day. Even Jimmy was solemn, he was quiet which never happened. You’d just see him staring at the paintings in the waiting room, staring at her face.

Jimmy was the only one that would talk to her normally, instead of begging and pleading for her to wake up, he’d talk to her telling her everything that was going on. Talking about how we were all going to go to Disney World as soon as she was well enough. She’d never been to Disney World in Florida, she’d never gotten to feel the tropical sunshine on her face. Jimmy wanted to give her that, wanted her to experience so much. He promised her that we’d all do those things when she woke up.

Zacky and Johnny were trying to make sure everyone got everything they needed, coffee, snacks, smokes, etc. Basically you tell them you needed something, they’d get you it. Jason and Matt were working with Larry, who was feeling as guilty about everything as Matt and I were. Scott had been arrested for attempted murder, Larry had taken Jason and Matt B for their testimony of what happened. Scott had originally been under heavily guarded surveillance in the hospital to get his bones reset after Matt broke them.

Scott tried to press charges on Matt, but our lawyers were able to get the charges dropped due to Ember being stabbed and Scott failing a psychological evaluation. The courts decided that it was self defense, that he was trying to save Ember’s and in a way MY life. They ended up finding me to have a concussion, nothing serious; however, Ember…was lost. She looked so peaceful if it wasn’t for the tube helping her breathe and the beeps of the heart monitor.

They almost lost her, paramedics at the scene could barely find a pulse and the positioning of the knife made CPR almost dangerous, so they did what they could helping her breathe and got an IV started on her. They called ahead for the surgeons to be ready; as well as, the blood bank to let them know they’d be needing O Positive blood to give her a transfusion.

Our tour had been postponed, some of the shows we had to cancel and tell our fans about the attack. A lot of fans had sent get well cards and presents to the hospital, but we did ask that they give us privacy, we needed time to get our heads right before we ran into any of them.

“Matt you need to eat something,” Simone told him as she stroked his hair.

“I can’t eat, she’s not eating,” He said as he stared into the ICU room that currently held Ember. Jimmy was in with her for the moment, chattering on trying to seem excited, but there was a certain essence about him that wasn’t normal.

“Baby, she is eating. They’re keeping her nourished. You and Brian,” She paused looking over at me. “You both need to eat something. No more exceptions. You both need to eat and then you both need to go get some sleep.”

Zacky and Johnny watched Matt and I carefully, “I’m not going anywhere,” I said as I looked into Simone’s eyes.

“Brian…” Simone started.

“Do you not realize that she’s in there possibly dying? If I leave she may leave us, and that’s not okay!” I stood up and growled at her.

Matt stood up puffing his chest out at me, “You don’t fucking talk to her like that Haner!”

I growled and stood up to him, “What are you gonna do, hit me? If you would have paid more fucking attention to her when they were dating and SAW what he was doing to her she wouldn’t be here right now!”

Matt raised his hand to hit me but right about then Johnny and Zacky jumped between us, holding us back. “That’s enough, both of you. Time outs. Jimmy’s gonna stay here with Ember and he’s going to call us if something changes. You’re both going to go eat, Matt will go with Simone, Brian you’re with us. After we eat, you’re both going to get some sleep.” Zacky told both of us looking us each in our eyes. “Johnny, Jimmy, and I will be taking turns for the next 24 hours sitting with her. You’re both getting out of here for a little bit.”

I felt the anger leave my body, and was overwhelmed with exhaustion. I looked at Matt apologetically, “I’m sorry Matt, I shouldn’t have said it was your fault. It wasn’t your fault. None of this was.”

He nodded, “I’m sorry I yelled at you, but Simone’s just trying to help.” He hugged her to him.

I nodded and looked at her, “I’m sorry Simmy, you didn’t deserve me to snap at you like that.”

She came over to me and hugged me encouragingly, “It’s okay, but you guys need some time outside this hospital. I’ll be joining the rotation with the guys to come in and see her over the next 24 hours; that way they’re only spending 6 hours hear rather than 8. We need to keep positive.”

I nodded again, “Let me tell her I’ll be back soon, then we can go.”

Matt agreed and we both went into the room, asking Jimmy to step outside to talk to the guys. “Hey Em,” Matt said coming up to her left side while I went to her right. “We’re gonna go get some food and try to rest.”

“If you decide to wake up while we’re gone baby girl, we will be back here within 5 minutes. We love you, Em…” I leaned down and kissed her cheek. Matt leaned down whispering that he loved her and kissed her forehead before we walked out. “Jimmy, if she wakes up, you call. If something happens that’s not normal, you call. We will be here within 5 minutes. No joke though, you call us if ANYTHING happens.”

Jimmy saluted me, “Aye aye captain.” I hugged Jimmy and turned to leave with Zacky and Johnny who unfortunately were my babysitters for the day.

Notes

Trying to decide whether to end this story soon, then begin a sequel or continue on with this same story. Thoughts?