What's Wrong With Us?

A

"You're so much cooler than you think," Macky murmured, her voice trembling as she gently cradled Arch's head in her lap. "I'm proud of you, always, every fucking single moment."

"Don't lie to me, Macky... I'm not cool or someone to be proud of like him. I'm not an academic brainiac or a good son for our parents..." Arch's voice was hoarse and broken, each word punctuated by his ragged sniffles.

He stared up at the old, rusted chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, their faded glow casting long shadows, as he avoided her worried gaze.

"What? Don't be ridiculous, Archie! You're brilliant, you hear me? You're my genius friend," Macky exclaimed, her voice hardening. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts, and immediately grabbed her phone.

With a sense of urgency, she dialed the number for the nearest hospital, located just beyond the forest, her fingers trembling slightly as she pressed the call button.

Arch placed his injured wrist, still wrapped in Macky's blood-stained tank top, over his chest, his other hand resting on top to try and soothe the sharp pain. "But-but I tried to leave you again, even though I promised I wouldn't... I'm not a good friend. I'm just a dirty, horrible, selfish fucking friend-"

"Hey, no! Don't say that!" Macky interjected immediately, her voice trembling with concern and disapproval.

The distant ringing of the ambulance call added an urgent backdrop to her words. Arch flinched at her sharp tone, tears welling up in his eyes again as he pressed his wrist against his chest, instinctively trying to shield himself from the overwhelming pain and fear.

"B-but it's true, Mickey! I always think of myself more than you-my only friend who truly loves me and stands by me through my darkest times... You deserve so much better than this. I shouldn't be here. I should be dead," he cried out, his voice cracking and his body shaking uncontrollably.

"Hey, stop it!" Macky exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air before focusing intently on the emergency operator on her phone.

"I shouldn't be here, Mickey... I should have died months ago. I shouldn't have called you, shouldn't have bothered you. I should have let myself die today, but instead, I'm just... just ruining your life," Arch whispered, his voice barely audible over the static of Macky's urgent conversation.

Each word dripped with self-loathing, reflecting his deep internal turmoil as he listened to her talking with the operator, feeling increasingly like a burden.

Suddenly, Macky ended the call and gently lifted Arch from her lap, her strong arms providing the support he so desperately needed. Arch initially stiffened in surprise, but as Macky began to navigate the path out of the forest, he gradually relaxed against her.

His body, once tense with distress, began to soften as he rested his head on her shoulder. The steady rhythm of her steps and the warmth of her embrace offered him a fleeting moment of solace, allowing him to sigh deeply in relief.

"Mack-Mackenzie..." he murmured softly, his voice barely a whisper. With trembling strength, he carefully wrapped his arms around her neck, seeking the comfort of her presence.

As his vision blurred and his consciousness wavered, he allowed himself to sink into the welcoming embrace of unconsciousness.

★・・・・・・・・・ ・・・・・・★

As Arch gradually regained consciousness, the stark, bright lights of the hospital room became sharper, piercing through his groggy state. The steady, rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor and the hushed, anxious murmurs of people grew clearer. He felt a sharp, throbbing ache in his arm where the IV had been inserted and a dull, persistent discomfort in his wrist.

When he attempted to sit up, a wave of dizziness and weakness washed over him, making him sway slightly. To his relief and surprise, Kiefer and Kamaria were at his side, their faces etched with concern. They gently guided him back down.

"Whoa, whoa... Take it easy. You're still injured," Kief mumbled softly, his hand resting gently on Arch's shoulder, offering a comforting presence.

Arch managed a weak but genuine smile, glancing at Kief and Ria, who responded with reassuring smiles of their own. His eyes then shifted to the right, where he saw Celestia quietly sobbing, her handkerchief dabbing at her tears, trying maintain composure.

Behind her, Macky appeared frazzled and anxious, her conversation with a doctor revealing the depth of her concern, while Abena stood beside her.

Arch's gaze moved forward, where he spotted Loxley surrounded by an assortment of balloons, flowers, and a variety of foods. Ox, ever the opportunist, was already sampling some of the offerings.

The contrast between the vibrant decorations and the tension in the room highlighted the mixed emotions of the gathering.

"It's been three days..." Celest choked out, her voice trembling with concern and sadness. She gently placed her hands over Arch's, offering a reassuring touch.

"Three...?"

"Yeah..." Ria interjected casually, though her eyes betrayed a hint of sympathy. "The whole class came by yesterday and left a bunch of stuff." She gestured toward the front of the room, where Ox was busy sampling the assortment of food.

When Ox caught their gazes, they paused, their face lighting up with a broad, sincere smile, their cheeks hollowing as they grinned.

★・・・・・・・・・ ・・・・・・★

Moments later, as the doctor left the room, Macky and Abena approached Arch's bedside. "The doctor said you can go back in two days," Abena said seriously, her hands resting gently on the edge of the bed.

Ox, who had been observing quietly, decided to lighten the mood. "This is such a wild way to get some rest!" They joked, eliciting soft chuckles from the group.

After a brief pause, his tone softened as they added, "But seriously, I'm really glad you're still with us," giving Arch's feet a gentle tap. Their warm smile was met with nods of agreement from the others.

Abena excused herself and quietly stepped out of the room. Before leaving, she paused to glance at the group through the observation mirror on the door. Her expression was one of thoughtful contentment as she observed the laughter and playful banter, all directed at lifting Arch's spirits.

A warm smile spread across her face, touched by the sight of her sister, Ria, finally finding genuine friends who truly cared. It was a heartening moment, a glimpse of the supportive friends that had formed around Arch in his time of need.

Death might seem like an easy escape from life's trials, but it is anything but simple.

Choosing this path forces us to confront the profound depths of our existence and question whether we seek death itself or merely relief from our burdens.

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A U T U M N G I R L W R I T E [2024]