BR   ...

BR   Oh, it's you

You jump. Damn it, you should’ve expected this. Even if she was half-conscious, she would’ve felt a presence. That’s just how perceptive she is.

BR   Why are you here?

MR   Uh. Well.

Feeling dumb all of a sudden, you put your hands in your jacket pockets. If you were outside, you'd kick a rock for good measure.

MR   Checkin’ somethin’.

BR   Checking something

BR   Here

MR   It's a bloody coincidence, okay?

MR   I've got lots'a business in places like this.

BR   I would hope you wouldn't o_o

You can feel a vein throb on the side of your head.

MR   Don't be daft!

MR   Getin' sodden ideas like that... I ain't a monster.

MR   Just... know people who go through it.

MR   Hell, I bet I know some'a the staff here know me real well at this point.

BR   On good terms?

MR   Don't get smart w' me.

MR   Not everyone's a boot-lickin' bobby. I got allies in all sorts'a places.

MR   But hey, speakin'a which...

MR   You look like shite.

MR   What've you been through to look all knackered?

MR   Tried to duke it out with a tornado or somethin'?

BR   ...

She stares at you, searching. Then, seemingly satisfied, she looks down.

BR   Nothing that bad

BR   Or strange

MR   'Not bad' doesn't land you in hospital.

BR   It isn't -

She starts coughing violently into her shoulder, causing the IV drip to shake. It sounds like someone is throttling her.

BR   ...

BR   It isn't anything you need to think about

BR   So, remind me again why I have your company?

You scoff, making strides toward the bed.

MR   Bullshit.

BR   What?

MR   Bullshit that it's not bad.

MR   You look like a bloody mess.

BR   It's not that bloody o_o

MR   It's a figure'a speech, you blue bellend!

MR   Shakin’ like a leaf, coughin’ up all kinds’a… just look at you!

MR   The fuck have you done to make you like this?

MR   A harsh word would put'ya down, for Christ's sake.

There's that lovely glare you're so used to seeing these days. What a treat, having it up close and personal.

BR   As you’ve said plenty and I’m still conscious, I think I’ll be fine

Then she averts her eyes again. Like the bedding or the sterile scenery is more worth her attention.

MR   Fuckin' hell.

MR   Yeah. You’re in a damn fine state, right?

You grab her by the arm. It's enough to make her jolt back and wince.

MR   That’s why you’re not even botherin’ to bat my hand away.

MR   Means you’re all better now.

MR   Hell, in your prime, even.

MR   Bet you could beat me now, eh, Brigadier?

MR   You're feelin' up to scuff?

BR   Let go of me

It’s that damn stubbornness keeping her from even trying to wrench her arm away. From fighting back. Well, two can play at that game.

MR   You know who you’re talking to?

MR   If I could afford it, I’d have spent most’a my life in beds like this.

MR   Beaten raw. Beaten real bloody.

MR   'nough to make the crime scenes you're used to look like playgrounds.

MR   I've been through the damn wringer.

BR   So what

MR   So, I know what the body can take.

MR   And unlike me, you can’t take a beatin’.

You jut a thumb at yourself.

BR   ...

BR   Yes

And when she finally responds, it's louder. Like she's been waiting to say it.

BR   I know exactly who you are

You throw her arm back, ignoring how she grits her teeth to stifle any cries of pain. A barbaric part of you hopes it left a bruise. Something she can look at and feel to remember this encounter.

You want it to hurt.

MR   You bloody goddamn self-righteous tosser.

MR   Don't act like you know all that's goin' on.

MR   You don't know what the hell I've been through.

MR   What I've had to do to survive.

BR   Survive?

Her smile is bitter, angry. Thank god. You were getting sick of that blank expression of hers.

BR   You could have lived a normal life, with everyone else

BR   Even with what happened -

MR   Yeah?

MR   You wanna talk about it?

MR   What the fuck do you know about that, huh?

BR   I know it was sudden, and we were all too young to -

MR   Don't fuckin' try to explain it to me.

MR   Just say what you're tryin' to say, you stuck-up tosser.

BR   ...

BR   You should've known better

You bark out a laugh.

MR   Oh, so it's all my fault, then?

MR   's that what it call comes down to?

BR   You were the one digging yourself a deeper and deeper hole

BR   Until all that was left was the mess you made

BR   The mess you're still in

BR   The mess people like me have to clean up

She doesn't get it. She doesn't get anything.

BR   So, maybe I don't understand what you've been through. Not at all

BR   But I know who you were

BR   And that person could've made the right decision

She's taunting you, sitting there all battered and broken. The world has already had its go at her. What could you add to it?

So, all you can do is match her glare. It's as if neither of you can muster the words you want to say.

BR   ...

Finally, she closes her eyes and leans back, her head resting on her pillow.

BR   Please go

You stay rooted to the spot.

BR   If you don't leave, I'm calling the nurse

MR   Pfeh.

MR   What's wrong? Don't got the stones to get rid'a me yourself?

BR   Are you seriously asking that while I'm bed-bound

MR   You said it wasn't that bad.

MR   C'mon. You're missin' a perfect chance.

You put your wrists out, primed to be cuffed.

MR   I'm right in front'a you, aren't I?!

MR   It's never been easier!

MR   Get what you want! Go on!

MR   Put it all to an end, for fuck's sake!

BR   ...

She looks out the window.

BR   Here, I'm obliged for nothing but recovery

BR   And...

BR   You haven't hurt me

MR   You don't think I would?

BR   No, you wouldn't hurt me

BR   Not here

Then, she looks at you and your outstretched wrists like you're the scum of the earth. Like you're not worth anything to her, not anymore.

BR   But once I'm out, and I see you again

BR   I will stop at nothing, absolutely nothing

BR   To make sure you are caught and tried justly for all you've done

BR   Everything

There's a sick taste in your throat. You turn around and spit into the garbage can on your way out.

MR   ...dunno why I bloody bothered.