When Paths Cross

Have you ever just sat there and thought... damn I've been through a lot of shit. That's the kind of thinking you do in a hospital. Just sitting there dwelling on everything that just happened made me think how the hell did I get myself in this deep? Turning my head left and looking down the deserted hallway made me feel more alone then I already was. I could hear the faint sound of machines working from other peoples rooms and the nurses talking in a hushed tone. I look down at my white shirt that is now covered with god knows what and my "new" jeans now have a rip on the side from where I got stuck on the cars door. They don't even look anywhere near new now, they look like I walked a thousand miles in them, which it feels like I have.

I leaned back against the cold wall and extended my legs from the curled up position that I've been in for awhile. I closed my eyes and though back to when everything was simple. All I saw was darkness. Nothing in my life has been simple for awhile. If something was simple and calm, I knew something terrible was bound to happen, like the calm before a storm. That's what my Uncle Ray used to say. I can picture him now, laying on the hood of his old beat up Chevy staring up at the clouds.

**Flashback**

"Yah know Alex, if everything was always this nice and peaceful I would never wanna leave this place. But its just like I always say its like the calm......"

"The calm before the storm, I know." I interrupted. He sat up and looked at me giving the grin that had every girl in town falling for him. He was a charmer, I'll admit that but he wasn't the kind of guy that would get too serious with a girl. I never made a point to get close to his girlfriend cause I knew they wouldn't be there for long.

"Oh you know? Gettin to smart for old Uncle Ray huh?" He cocked his right eyebrow, then leaned towards me. "Think you know everything huh?"

"I never said I knew everything but...." I smiled up at him. Before I knew it he pounced towards me like a spider monkey all jacked up on mountain dew. I got up and started to run into the field where he parked. I could hear his heavy foot steps right behind me and his laugh. Oh that laugh could make me happy and smiling at any given time.

**End of flashback**

Then just like that everything good ended. I opened my heavy eyes and saw the doctor talking to Karen and I tried to listen but they were talking to quiet. I got up and headed towards them but my body froze when I heard the machine in the room beeping slowly. Slowly turning my head towards the sound, I stared into the dimly lighted room. I haven't seen him yet and I wanted to sad didn't want to at the same time. Honestly I was just terrified.

The others where downstairs in the cafeteria getting food, I stayed behind. I couldn't eat with all my nerves going crazy due to everything that happened. But I mostly stayed because I wanted to be alone with him but even after they left I never brought myself to it. So here I was only about 20 steps away from him. My heart was pounding so hard I thought the doctor and Karen could hear it. I took a deep breath and took a step forward.

Come on Alex here's your chance. You can do this.

I took another step and let out a long needed breath then looked at Karen and the doctor for the last time then did what needed to be done. I walked in.