They are the Walking Dead, Next in Line to Lay in That Bed

The white paneled floor glides me through the florescent hallways that never seem to end. My heart beat gains speed with my feet as I turn another corner.
“This way!” my uncle cries as he dodges people, almost tripping over a young girl in a wheel chair. I try my best to keep his pace, running into people with balloons and an old lady. My brain feels numb, the only order it gives me is “follow your uncles footsteps” and I obey. I’m not sure but I think I hear an angry shout from a nurse “Slow down! No Running!” but it doesn’t matter. We’re here. My uncle runs into the small hospital room and embraces my weeping aunt. My heart drops, I know the feeling of da ja vu all to well. It sinks as I stare. All that’s left of my family is in this room. My little brother lay unconscious on the hospital bed, a gash in his head and his only arm in a cast.

I want to shout his name aloud, to prove I’m still strong enough to speak “Ryan!” I want to run up and sit by his side. But I find my brain won’t give me any more orders. My feet are frozen, pleading to become part of the cold tile floor. After what feels like hours my brain gives me one instruction “Deep breaths Nicole”. My uncle’s voice takes the place of my abandoned brain. I’m handed a small Styrofoam cup of tap water and told to sit. I don’t obey. I don’t drink. I watch my limp little brother, feeling almost as helpless as he is.
The precious life that is Ryan will turn out to be no more then a piece in the game. I don’t need to look over at the small hospital bedside table to know the kiss of death is awaiting my attention. But I do anyway. My eyes lock on the rose, and my stomach turns. I grip my mouth trying not to throw up. I feel the arms of my uncle grab me, its then I realized I went faint. “Nicole, we should get you home”
“No” I say to my guardians. I don’t want to leave Ryan. The hospital became no more the coffin my loved ones were brought to. The slaughterhouse that they sleep peacefully in before…No. I won’t leave. If he dares to touch Ryan he will have to go through me. The thought brings me to my knees again.
“Nicole!”
I don’t know why they try. I love them so much for taking care of my brother and I, but their no better off then he is. They are the walking dead. Next in line to lie in that bed, beside the single rose. They must know that. I want to scream at them for being so stupid. For sticking by me. I want them to get on a plane and leave. But I need them. I don’t want to be alone with this. My eyes break with tears as I fall weeping.

I don’t want to be alone with him.

The thought eats at me constantly. I know they will pay for my selfish need for their company with their lives. But without Ryan my purpose for living is gone. Will he risk that? In his sick game will he allow it to end or will he let me end it with my life?

He saved me twice from myself, and once from an accident. No, it won’t be that easy. My shaking hands lift myself off the floor and I take my seat by my little brothers bed, my eyes locked on the rose. I sit frozen, I wonder if I’m even breathing. my icy hands shake.
I sit in shock, waiting for the hunter to claim his kill.