(Logan's POV)

I haven't been much help at the library today. I'm supposed to go to lunch in fifteen minutes, but I haven't even finished restocking the books from yesterday yet. Normally I would have finished restocking shelves and be at a desk an hour ago, but I was slow moving today. Mostly because Virgil has been texting me all morning. He actually wanted me to just come in late so he could talk at me all morning, but I have a schedule I like to keep to. Work at ten, lunch at noon, Patton comes in around four, and I check out at six.

Speaking of Patton, I didn't know how to feel about him lately. It was the strangest thing. Fluttery feelings in my stomach, quickened heart beats, and not to mention how much I've allowed him to influence me. I have a reason for everything I do and rarely do I change myself for someone, but somehow Patton gets to me. I always worked during lunch so I wouldn't ever have to work late and sometimes even got off early. Now I take a walk around the block and sit in the park near the fountain because Patton insists I should get more fresh air. I never wore my gem on the inside of my shirt so it wasn't a distraction for me or anyone around me, but Patton said that the first step to finding a soulmate is to acknowledge the fact that you have one. My daily work clothes were dress pants, nice shirt, tie, black shoes, and slicked back hair. It kept me professional. Patton made the comment that my main demographic is children, parents, and students; he said that there was no real point in looking professional when there was no one expecting me to. Now I wear dark jeans and leave my hair alone. I kept the tie and nice shirt and Patton agreed that it works.

It took me a while to realize how much I'd changed in such a short time and Roman and Virgil get some of the credit since they are the ones who pointed everything out. Needless to say something was off and I didn't have an explanation. I didn't figure out the answer to this mystery until a few days ago. I don't want to say I panicked, but I did seem to temporarily shut down. I don't have feelings like that. I never have. I wasn't expecting to until I found the person that this rock around my neck belongs to. I began dreading Patton's vists, yet I didn't want him to stop coming because I do enjoy his company. I hate the strangeness of the feelings, but I couldn't imagine never seeing Patton's smile and hearing his rather absurd puns.

Virgil insists that strange isn't bad, and new can be good. I don't know how wanting to throw up every time soulmates are brought up and not being able to put a filter on my words whenever Patton is brought up is a good thing, but this isn't my area of expertise.

I put away the last book I had and decided to neglect the desk for a while and took lunch ten minutes early. I wasn't necessarily hungry, but I have come to enjoy the walks at lunch.

I waved to Athena to let her know that I was on my way and she nodded back. She normally takes her lunch after me unless Zach is working and then we just take our lunch together, but Zach wasn't in today.

I took my usual route and ended up at the fountain. I took my usual seat and ate my usual lunch. Peanut butter and crofter's sandwich, apple, cheese stick, and water. I know it sounds like a school lunch, but it serves its purpose.

The park was filled with a group of art students sketching scenes today. A few joggers went by, but most runners had done their run in the morning. A few dog walkers and a few parents and children. It was a relaxing place to spend your lunch. I took some time to just take in the scenery since I had come early before heading back.

I got back to the library five minutes before my lunch was officially over and headed over to a desk and started going through the archives of books to make sure everything was as it should be. It didn't last long before Athena came to see me.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"Not much really, everything seems normal so far," I answered without taking my eyes off the computer screen.

"I mean with you smarty," I could almost hear her rolling her eyes, "You took lunch early, you never do that, and you've been weird all morning."

I considered telling her, but I didn't want the cluster of students in the library to call the police if she screamed. I was saved by a phone call that in hindsight I wish I hadn't gotten.

Patton's contact name glowed on the screen and I answered.

"Hello Patton."

I waited for him to reply, but he didn't. Roman did.

"Logan?" He asked.

"Roman?" I asked back. "What are you doing with Patton's phone?" I felt worry creeping up my throat and lacing my voice.

"I was given his phone and told to make calls, I told his parents and figured you were on the list of people who needed to know," he answered, but it didn't make me feel any better.

"What? What do I need to know? Where's Patton?" I asked again more forcefully this time.

Patton's told me on multiple occasions how he wishes he could be a character in a book, or movie, or even video game. I never agreed because normally fictional worlds are usually terrible, but I've never wished to be in another world more than I did right now. I wished I could just put down the story, hit pause on the movie, and hit reset on a video game and start over.

"Patton's hurt Logan, he's really hurt and I don't know how it's going to go," Roman said softly. I almost dropped the phone, I wanted to run away, but I just froze as Roman continued. "Some lunatic came to the day care with a gun to try and take a kid, and Patton ran in to get her." He stopped. Waiting to see if I answered, but I couldn't. I couldn't find any words. "Logan, I tried to stop him. I even ran in after him. I'm sorry, I should have done more. I..." he stopped again.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I tried again. "W-why?" Was all I got out.

I heard Roman take a deep breath over the phone, "It's Patton," his voice cracked, "one of his kids was in danger. Can you imagine him doing anything different?" I couldn't. The kids at that daycare mean everything to Patton. He wouldn't leave one of them, but part of me wish he had.

"Where is he? When was the last time you saw him?" I cleared my throat.

"He's on his way to the hospital in an ambulance." Another deep breath. "He.." Roman stopped again.

"Roman please, how bad is it?" I begged.

"He got down the stairs with Mia and then collapsed. He seemed to be holding his side, but I couldn't see much before the paramedics took him away. I'm on my way to pick up Virgil and then we're going to the hospital. Will you be there?" Roman asked, but I didn't answer. I was still trying to process everything and just hung up the phone. Being shot in the side is bad. It's really bad, but it's not a death sentence. If the paramedics got there right away they might be able to save him. I walked out the door of the library and started to call for a cab. Athena had chased after me.

"What's going on? What's wrong? Where are you going?" She stepped in front of me to block my path.

"Athena I'm sorry, but you're going to have to handle the library by yourself. I have to go."

"That didn't answer any of my questions." She crosses her arms.

"I have to get to the hospital. It's Patton." Her face fell and I felt a lump grow in my throat and it began to hurt. "I have to go. Please." I pushed past her.

"Oh god, tell him my prayers are with him," I heard her say behind me. I nodded without looking back and got into the car that had pulled up.

(Virgil's POV)

Roman and I were on our way to the hospital. Neither of us had spoken in a while. I'd hear Roman sniff and he'd occasionally wipe at his eyes as he drove. When he picked me up I hadn't even had time to register what was happening as he drug me to his car. It wasn't until we were on our way that I even noticed the smears of reddish brown on his arms and how parts of his red T-shirt were darker than others. Of course I freaked out on him, but he said he was fine and that we were going to see Patton. I didn't see how seeing Patton lined up with bloodstains until Roman said he was in the hospital.

"Roman, what happened?" I asked gently. It was obvious that Roman was not in the best shape, but I was going to implode if I didn't know what was happening soon. Roman glanced sideways at me and didn't answer for a moment.

"I was walking him back to the daycare center," he stopped, I waited, "Something seems off to Patton right away and then we found out that some psycho dad had broke in," Roman seemed to spit out the end of his sentence; like it had a bad taste or something. "When Patton found out there was still a little girl inside he went in. I tried—" he choked out and stopped. "I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't hear it. I went in with him..." he stopped again and I drew in a sharp breath. He went in with Patton? It could easily have been Patton driving me to the hospital to see Roman. Roman could be the one dying. I got a sick feeling in my stomach. "Virge I'm sorry, but I couldn't let him go in alone.." I swallowed hard and nodded, "We found someone inside.. he was bleeding out and Patton told me to stay with him while he went to look for Mia," Roman shook his head like he was trying to get rid of the entire thing from his mind. "I-i listened. I waited. I hated it, but I waited. When the police got there I ran. I got to the stairs to try and find Patton and then..." he stopped. "Patton was coming down the stairs as the police went up. He was holding Mia and he shoved her into my arms... when I got her she was soaked with blood and I was worried it was her. I didn't even notice how pale Patton was until he was on the floor. It was awful Virge," he looked at me, more pain in his eyes than I ever wanted to see. "To see him like that. To be frozen as you watch him be lifted into an ambulance. To hold a child covered in your friend's blood. To be covered in your friend's blood..." he looked a down at himself.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. Roman shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I just need you to be here. Patton has to make it. He has to."

The next few minutes were in silence as we got to the hospital. Logan was already in the lobby and seemed ready to start a fight with the poor desk lady.

"Sir, the doctors are with him now, but even if he makes it we can't accept visitors outside of direct family," she said for probably not the first time.

"How long?" Logan asked while pacing in front of the desk.

"I'm afraid I don't know.  It depends how much damage was done," she looked genuinely sorry to not be able to help Logan.  I went to his side with Roman close behind me.

"Hey Logan.  How are you doing?" I grabbed his arm in attempt to make him stand still.  His eyes seemed to be swimming with so many emotions they were hard to read.  The pendant around his neck was a red so dark it looked black and my heart had dropped for a moment.

"It depends.  How is Patton doing?" He said and continued pacing.  "I assume you've told him?" He jerked his head towards Roman.

"Yeah.." I said slowly, afraid he would be upset, but Logan didn't seem to have much of a reaction.

"Logan... I'm so sorry," Roman looked as pained as Logan.

"It's not your fault.  It's Mia's father that's the problem.  I'm assuming they caught him," Logan talked quickly like he was trying to distract himself from the fact that there was an 'if' on Patton's life.

Roman nodded slowly, "The police found him unconscious upstairs with a bat nearby.  They say it looks like Patton did good."

Logan stopped pacing.  He looked at Roman and every emotion that had been fighting in Logan's expression submitted to helplessness.  There was no more anger, or confusion, or dread.  He just looked lost.

I walked to the lady at the desk.  "So we can't see Patton?" She shook her head remorsefully.

"Boys, I truly am sorry, but we can't let you in until Mr. Ambers or his family checks you in."

I thanked her and went to sit down in the waiting area.  Ambers, I hadn't even known Patton's last name, and now we're waiting to find out if we'll even ever seen him again.  I told Roman and Logan to come sit down and they did.

We waited.  We waited for what seemed like forever, though in reality it had only been about an hour and a half when a couple came into the lobby in a fret.

"Where is my son?" The lady cried.  She was short with ginger hair that was streaked with white.  Logan's attention snapped to them.  The lady was in line with her husband to get to the desk and seemed to be crying.  Logan got up and approached them.  I stayed in my seat, but tried to listen from the short distance.

"Mrs. Ambers?" Logan tapped her shoulder.

"What? Who are you?" She looked up at Logan and wiped her eyes.

"I'm Logan Seach."

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" She snapped at him, but then softened and apologized, "I'm sorry dear, it's just I've had a very bad day.  It's my son he's somewhere in there," she gestured behind the desk to the rest of the hospital, "and I just really need to be with him," she sniffed and started crying again.

"I know.  I'm sort of in the same boat metaphorically.  Though, he's not my son," Logan frowned.  "I don't know if you know, but he's in there because he's incredible brave."

"What does bravery mean if he doesn't make it out?" She cried.

"It means the life of a little girl." Logan said.  Mrs. Ambers looked at him. He had calmed down  quite a bit and was trying to help Patton's mom as she dealt with her son's life in the balance.  "I just wanted you to know that you did a remarkable job raising your son."

Mrs. Ambers laughed dryly, "Maybe I shouldn't have done such a good job.  Then we wouldn't be in the boat huh?" She talked with the desk lady for a while and Logan stood patiently. When she had finished with the lady there was a fresh layer of tears running across her face.  She wiped them away and turned back to Logan.  She seemed to try and run an analysis on Logan, "How do you know my son?" She asked.

"We're his friends," Logan pointed to me and Roman, "Roman was actually with him at the time," he said, but Mrs. Ambers didn't seem interested.

"But how does he know you?  I didn't ask about them." She seemed to have a fire to that her son didn't have.  She didn't seem to be rude, just trying to have a clear purpose with what she said. 

"We met at the library.  I work there.  He brought the kids there and we've been friends ever since," Logan answered.

"Oh so you're library boy," Mrs. Ambers said.  Logan flushed.

"Library boy?" He gulped.

"Yes of course," she said and started walking towards us while Logan followed behind her. "When he came up to visit he barely spoke.  He spent the entire time typing away on his phone.  Whenever we asked who was so important he just said someone from the library," she smiled softly, but there was an obvious layer of pain and sadness behind it.  "I'm glad to me you library boy.  Logan, right?" She extended her hand to shake Logan's.

"Yes ma'am.  Nice to meet you as well Mrs. Ambers," Logan took her hand. 

"Sarah.  Mrs. Ambers is my mother-in-law," she said.

"Sarah," Logan corrected.  He shifted to shake Mr. Amber's hand. "And..."

"Mikah," Mr. Ambers said as he shook Logan's hand.

"And now we wait," Sarah sighed.  Logan nodded.  All three of them sank in their seats.

About a half hour later a doctor came out and approached Mrs. and Mr. Ambers.

"I don't want to say he's stable.   It was looking pretty bad and to be honest I didn't think he would make it for a while there."  Sarah stifled a sob as the doctor went on,  "Three broken ribs and his right lung was severely damaged.  He lost a lot of blood and not to mention the trauma his body went through.  But we've done all we can, he's in a medically induced coma and we just have to hope his body heals itself with the help of the machines breathing for him until we can put him under surgery again to complete the process and get him to full recovery."

"Can we see him?" Mikah asked.  The doctor nodded.

"What about us?" Roman spoke up for the first time in hours.  The doctor looked at Mr. and Mrs. Ambers.  They nodded.

"Alright, everyone follow me," we did. 

We all followed him into a room, but Logan froze at the door.  Sarah sat down in the chair on one side of her son and Mikah stood behind her.  She grabbed Patton's hand and began crying again.  Roman took to the corner of the room and stayed standing.  I sat on the other side of Patton.  Logan stayed in the doorway not looking away from Patton and a look of loss across his face.

As for Patton.  He didn't look like Patton.  He was under blankets up to his waist and had a hospital gown on.  His glasses were off and his eyes were closed.  A mask covered the bottom half of his face and there were tubes in his mouth and nose going down his throat.  IV needles were in his arm and he had a heart rate monitor hooked up to him. Any life that this young man had in him seemed drained.  He was so pale part of me didn't believe he was still alive.  Part of me thought this was a shell of what used to be Patton and the doctors were just letting us say our good byes.  The only sign of life in him was the beeping machine next to him and the machine operated rise and fall of his chest.

Sarah continued to cry and a few tears fell from Mikah's face as he held onto his wife.  Roman was completely still in the corner and Logan slipped out of the room.  I gave Patton's hand a squeeze before going to check on Logan.

The Logan in the hall looked about as different from the Logan I know as the Patton in that room looked like the lively ball of sunshine I knew.  He was on the floor with his back to the wall.  His arms were wrapped around his knees which were pulled to his chest.  His glasses were in one of his hands and his face was buried into his arms.  He looked... broken... and scared.

I sat down next to Logan.  He looked at me; everything in me hurt.  So many times had I been on the opposite end of this.  So many times had I cried as Logan sat with me, so many times had Logan helped me get a grip on reality as my anxiety kicked up.  I wasn't sure what to do. 

"It'll be ok.  He'll be ok Logan," I wasn't sure how much he believed me, I wasn't even sure if I believed me.  I put a hand on his shoulder and at that he crumbled.  I felt him shaking as tears ran down his face and sobs racked his body.

Seeing him like that was the last thing I ever wanted to see.  It was so far from who my best friend is that it scared me.  I wanted to run, to wake up from this nightmare that was surrounding me and the people I loved.  But I couldn't.  This is the reality we're stuck in, and the reality we'll be stuck in until Patton pulls us out of it.

And so we wait.

So good news: he's not dead!... yet.... NO SPOILERS!  It much happiness in this chapter... just 3625 words of sadness...