Chapter 19:
Shattered
“The
music world is rejoicing today as it had been made public that Nick Carter of
the Backstreet Boys has finally regained consciousness. Carter along with
fellow band members A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Brian
Littrell were critically injured in a motor vehicle accident almost two weeks
ago when their tour bus was sideswiped just outside of San Antonio, TX. Fans
everywhere have been showing their support for the band, sending cards and
letters, and gathering together to express their sympathies. The question now
that everyone wants answered is whether or not the Backstreet Boys will
continue as a group or go their separate ways…”
“Rumors
are flying that the Backstreet Boys have called it quits. An inside source says
that the members of the popular boy band have been leaning towards splitting up
in the wake of a terrible highway accident that almost claimed the lives of two
of them. The last to regain consciousness, Nick Carter, is said to suffer from
memory loss and may never be able to perform again due to a leg injury. We are
still waiting for an official statement on the matter…”
“The
overwhelming question on the minds of thousands of teenage girls right now is
whether the Backstreet Boys will choose to continue on together in the music
industry. A motor vehicle accident that almost claimed their lives almost two
weeks ago has left their fate up in the air. Local radio stations have been
flooded with calls looking for updates on the Boy’s conditions and Carson Daly
of MTV has said that that network has been bombarded with young girls looking
for answers. No one is saying yet what they may or may not do…”
* *
*
The
next day, Brian was granted permission to get out of bed. He waited anxiously
as the nurse got his wheelchair and helped him into it. His aches and pains had
subsided significantly, and he was ready to be out of his room. They were
careful not to disturb Kevin, who was sleeping, on their way out. Nick was
still in the ICU, but Dr. Hite said that if he continued doing as well as he
was, that he could be moved out as early as tomorrow afternoon.
When he
got there, Brian couldn’t believe the difference in Nick’s appearance as he was
carted into his room. Some of the color had retuned to his face, although he
was still ghastly pale. He still wore the bandage around his head, but the lack
of machines surrounding him made him look more like Nick, and not some
stranger.
“Nick?”
Brian called hesitantly. Nick stirred and opened his eyes.
“Brian!”
Nick said, a slow smile spreading over his features. Brian was surprised at how
young and vulnerable he looked. He was a good four inches taller, but Brian
felt so much bigger for some reason.
Brian
grinned. “Boy am I glad to hear your voice.”
“It’s
good to see you,” Nick said sincerely. His memories of the dream and the
crippling pain had almost faded away. “Where have you been?”
“Didn’t
they tell you?” Brian said with a flash of anger. A.J. had promised that he
would tell him why he wasn’t there.
“Who?”
Nick asked.
“Howie
and A.J.”
“Oh.
They may have,” Nick said uncomfortably. “They just came to see me.”
“They’ve
been here everyday,” Brian said, confused.
“Oh.
That’s right.”
Realization
struck him. “Right. Your head. They told me you’d be like Kevin.”
“What’s
the matter with Kevin?”
“Well,
he got his head banged around the same as you. I had to tell him what day it
was about six times yesterday.”
“What
day is it?”
“Wednesday.”
A
chuckle from the door interrupted them. They both turned towards the door.
“Will
you look at that. Frick and Frack together again! May God have mercy on our
souls. The terrible duo will be up to no good in no time for sure.”
“A.J.,
I thought you weren’t supposed to be on your crutches up here,” Brian scolded.
A.J.
scowled at him. “Not so loud! Do you wanna get me in trouble?”
“You
don’t have to get in it. It finds you.”
“Why
are you on crutches?” Nick asked.
“Accident.
Remember?”
“You
were in that?”
“Yup.
We all were,” Brian reminded him. “We were still on tour, remember?”
“Yes. I
do now.”
“Nick,
I just wanted to tell you that Brian here has been an absolute basket case
waiting for you to wake up. He was driving us, and not to mention himself,
absolutely batty. So praise God that you woke up.”
Nick
smiled, not entirely understanding.
“Well,
I’ll let you two be alone for awhile. See ya!” He turned around and hopped
slowly away.
“I
think that’s A.J.’s way of saying he missed you and
is glad you’re back,” Brian told him.
“Where
did I go?” Nick asked, baffled.
Brian
grinned. “You didn’t really go anywhere. But you were in a coma for over a
week.”
“That
long?”
“Yup.
Scared the shit out of me. I thought we were going to lose you.”
“Is
that why you were crying?” Nick asked him.
Brian
was startled. “What did you say?”
“You were
crying.”
“Yeah,
I was. Kinda embarrassing, isn’t it?” He wasn’t sure what to make of what Nick
was saying. Nick hadn’t seen him cry. Had the guys told him?
Nick
smiled. “You never cry.”
“Not
usually. I’m trying not to make a habit of it. What would the fans think?”
Nick
chuckled. “Yeah. Pansy.” He frowned a little, looking uncomfortable.
“What
is it?” Brian asked, concerned.
“I
don’t know,” Nick said slowly. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
“Where?”
“My
stomach. It just feels… I don’t know. Weird.”
“Do you
want me to get a doctor?”
“No, I
think it’s ok. It’s been acting up all day.”
“Are
you sure?”
He was
about to complain about Brian mothering him too much when a bolt of fire shot
through his belly. His eyes went wide and it was all he could do to keep from
crying out.
“Nick!”
Brian cried. “What’s wrong?”
“Stomach,”
he whispered. “Oh God, I feel like I’m on fire…”
“Hang
on, I’ll get someone.”
Nick
nodded, terrified. He did not want Brian to leave him. Brian could see the fear
in his eyes, and rather than leave his friend, he reached out with one hand and
gripped his hand while smacking the call button beside his bed with the other.
It wasn’t really necessary. The machines that Nick was still connected to
started to wail, alerting the nurses that something was wrong.
“Nick,
stay with me man. Come on Frack, look at me.”
Nick
tried to obey, but his body didn’t want to. Brian’s voice seemed to be getting
farther and farther away.
Brian
shook Nick’s arm, trying to get him to focus. His head had fallen back on the
pillow, and he was sweating profusely. Brian couldn’t get him to snap out of
it. In horror he watched as his best friend’s eyes fluttered closed, and hand
Brian held onto like a lifetime went limp. Dr. Hite rushed in, and hastily
moved Brian out of his way. Icy fear gripped his heart. He couldn’t lose him.
Not now, when he’d just gotten him back. He tried desperately to see over the
activity that was now centered around Nick’s bed. He wasn’t moving, but the
alarms were going wild. They looked like they were preparing to move him. An
orderly came to move Brian out of the way.
“What’s
happening?” he demanded. “Is he going to be ok?”
“I need
to move you out of the way, Mr. Littrell, let them do their job.”
“Nick!”
he yelled. “Talk to me!”
“They’re
taking him out of there, and back to the OR. Please stay calm, let them help
your friend.”
“Nick!”
***
