[fic] Slow Decay | Chapter Three
Title: Slow Decay
Pairing: Brian/Zacky; slight Brian/Jimmy
Rated: NC-17
Warnings: Mentions of Jimmy's death, AU, violence
Summary: Sometimes it's a little more complex than Until death do we part.
Disclaimer: Fake. Not Real. What a Shame. Disclaimed.
A/N: I KNOW I'M TERRIBLE FORGIVE ME. I've been trying really hard to write this but the inspiration just seems to slip out of my grasp when I got to write. However, today I started a new job. And on the bus ride to and from work I actually wrote just over 1000 words and completed this chapter. FINALLY. So the secret is I have to be on the bus to be inspired to write (thank god for iPhones and their notepads!). So I should get the other chapters out more quickly as I work A LOT this week. *grumbles about work*
Chapter Index
The afternoon was muggy, warning of a threatening storm. It was hardly noticed by the men sitting just outside a small coffee shop. It was getting more and more routine for Matt and Zacky to meet for coffee, sometimes it was just to hang out and other times the get together had more grim intentions. Such as today despite the fact that Zacky was insistent to avoid all the topics Matt wanted to talk about. Instead he preoccupied himself with reading the newspaper. Apparently there was a serial killer on the loose though they had no leads, let alone a connection between victims.
"Man, the cops around here suck." He commented offhandedly. Matt glanced up curiously, not sure if Zacky was bringing up what they were really here to discuss or just mentioning something he was reading about. When he didn't elaborate Matt sighed heavily.
"So that's how it's gunna be, huh?" he asked which caused Zacky to look away from the paper he was reading.
"What?"
"Zack, I'm not interested in what the newspaper says." Matt said pointedly, locking his gaze to Zacky's so the younger man couldn't look away. "We have to talk about Jimmy."
Zack stared at Matt for a few quiet moments, debating if he really wanted to discuss this. Yes, it was serious and on some levels very frightening. But at the same time Zack was really fucking happy and he didn't want to ruin that. He'd been living with Brian for two weeks now and despite the fact that his nightmares seemed much more intense they happened much less frequently. He didn't want to ruin that happiness. Maybe it was selfish of him, but he didn't care. It was his major character flaw and he was happy to ignore it if it meant he got to be close to the man he loved.
Matt cleared his throat when he felt Zacky was taking too long to agree with him. The smaller man sighed and set down the newspaper he was reading. "Alright fine, we'll discuss Jimmy." he said, staring steadily at Matt.
"Do you think he's really dead?"
The question was so out of place it took Zack by surprise and he just gaped at Matt. They had discussed so much, crazed fans bringing A Little Piece Of Heaven to fruition, mistake on the coroners behalf and Jimmy was just buried in someone else’s plot somehow, even accidental cremation. The police had long since given up searching for the missing body of their fallen brother, Matt just had a harder time than anyone else letting it go. But to suggest he wasn't really dead was just absurd.
"Matt, I don't think it's healthy to be talking about this anymore." Zacky said softly, reaching out and placing his hand on Matt's, "There's no evidence, there's nothing. He got misplaced--."
"What isn't healthy, Zacky, is living with someone you're harboring feelings for and trying to make him forget about his dead friend and lover."
"What the hell Matt!" Zack snapped, pulling his hand back, "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!"
Matt sighed, rubbing the top of his head with one of his hands, feeling the prickly stubble of his hair growing back in. "We all know Bri and Jim did shit. It was behind closed doors and no one said jack. It wasn't tearing us apart as friends or a band. Put this puppy love of yours is so painfully obvious sometimes. I just worry about you Z, I don't want to see you hurt."
"I'm not gunna get hurt. Brian and I are friends, that's it. I live with him and I refuse to tell him what's happening because I know what he's suffering. Nightmares, Matt. Used to be every night. Some days are better but a lot are bad. I'm not there to try and win him over or something, I'm there to make sure he's safe."
Zack had accepted Brian wouldn't love him and that kiss was misplaced affection because he had still been somewhere between asleep and awake. It hurt, but he wasn't that petty.
"I didn't know he was having nightmares." Matt said softly, looking somewhat apologetic for how he had snapped at Zacky.
"No one knew." Zacky replied, shrugging a bit. Now wasn't the time to be getting into fights with his friends. "I had my hunches, it wasn't until I asked him did I actually know."
"That's why you didn't want to tell him is it? God Zack, I'm sorry. I thought it was all because you had this stupid crush on him or something and were --."
"Don't worry about it." Zack said, cutting Matt off and waving his hand dismissively. "Things are finally getting better for him now. And yeah, you know, you’re right. I do have some sort of stupid crush on him but I've never let it interfere with anything, or at least I've tried not to let it." sighing Zack just shrugged it off.
It was quiet between the band mates for a few moments. Matt had started picking at a loose thread on his pants and Zack had returned his attention to the newspaper, slightly embarrassed that he had admitted to being in love with Brian on some level. He'd never said anything to anyone for as long as he'd had the feelings.
"Brian’s birthday is coming up soon.” Matt said in an attempt to break up the silence that was edging its way into the realm of uncomfortable and awkward. Zack glanced up and then nodded.
“It’s next week.” He confirmed. It was easier to talk about a happy topic, like birthdays and the both of them were more at ease.
“We should throw him a party.” Matt suggested, throwing Zacky one of his wide, dimpled smiles. “We can have it at my place, it’ll be a surprise.” He said, obviously already planning it in his head. There was no way Zacky could say no to the idea now. Instead he just laughed and nodded.
“Yeah, alright.” He agreed, “Who are we going to invite.”
“I dunno, us and Johnny. Let’s invite his family.” Matt said, making a mental list, “Just all our friends, it’ll be a blast.”
Zack grinned a bit at how well prepared Matt already was for a party. It definitely took some of the pressure off him. Matt caught the grin and simply returned the smile, all teeth and dimples.
"All you need to do is get him there when I say so, think you can do that?"
"Easy peasy." Zack replied a little cheekily. Matt laughed and nodded.
"Meeting adjourned then?" he asked, grabbing his now empty cup and moved to stand. Zack nodded his agreement and followed suit. They hugged briefly before going their separate ways.
---
It was silent in the house save for the low murmur of some old and obscure movie playing on the tv and the light pitter patter of rain on the windows. Zack was stretched out on the couch, tucked into the corner between the back rest and the arm. Brian was lying between his legs, using the arm of the couch as a pillow. Even the dogs were getting in on the cuddle time with Pinkly laying on Zack's thigh and Majesty and Ichabod squished together behind and spilling over Brian's legs. It had become habit for Zack to start running his fingers through Brian’s hair during moments like these, and he was doing so now. As a result Brian was in a half asleep state. When Zack had gotten home from hanging out with Matt they'd taken the dogs for a run then returned for dinner when it started to rain. Everyone was winding down since then.
"Brian...you awake?" Zack asked softly after he'd managed to draw his gaze away from the movie. When Brain didn't answer right away Zack could only assume he'd fallen asleep.
"Mmm, whatcha want?" Brian grumbled groggily a moment after, shifting a bit but not enough to disturb the dogs. Zack couldn't help but smile.
"I was wonderin' what you want for your birthday." He said softly, still running his fingers through Brian’s hair. When Brian didn't answer right away Zacky wondered if he'd gone back to sleep.
“I forgot it was coming up.” Was the eventual, sheepish reply. Zack couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head at Brian. Well at least now he didn’t feel so bad that it had been slipping his mind.
“Well think about it, okay? Or else you get to deal with whatever the fuck I feel like getting you.”
Brian snorted and returned his attention to the movie that was playing. Zack returned to running his fingers through Brian’s hair. It wasn’t long before Brian was starting to pass out again.
---
"Brian..."
Groggy, the guitarist tried to wave away whoever was calling him. Fuck them, he was warm.
"Brian, wake up!" the voice hissed more forcefully this time. Reluctantly Brian blinked his eyes open and looked up at his assailant. Jimmy was staring down him, lips twisted up in a smirk.
"Good morning starshine! The earth says hello!" he quipped with a snicker. Brian let out a yelp and fell off the couch, flailing about and wide awake now. Whenever Jimmy was in his dreams they always turned bad. Fast.
"Whoa, calm yourself gunslinger." Jimmy snickered as Brian looked around wide eyed, grasping at empty couch cushions.
"James, shut up!" he spat venomously, "Where's Zack? What did you do with Zack!"
"Zack isn't here you idiot," Jimmy snorted, tapping the side of his own head, "This is all in your head, remember?"
"You know, you became a right asshole after you died!" Brian snarled, scrambling to his feet to put some distance between himself and this nightmarish figment of his imagination. He had concluded a while ago that he must have hated himself to dream up these shitty situations every week.
"Where you goin' Bri?" Jimmy sing songed in that lilting, slightly lisped voice.
"Away from you. Whenever you're around someone dies and I'm fucking tired if it James. I'm doing fine without you, you know!" Brian yelled, fleeing towards the kitchen to try and find something to defend himself against this monster his friend had turned into in his dreams.
"That breaks my heart, Brian." Jimmy said with a bit of a mock whimper and clutching where his heart had once been. Brian assumed he didn't have a heart anymore.
"Mine too Jimmy," Brian sighed miserably. He started digging through the cutlery drawers until he found one of the large butcher knives, "But you're dead and it's time to let go of you. Zack's been working so hard to keep me happy and fucking sane so I'm trying for him. You're not making it any easier on either of us."
Jimmy's lip curled up in a sneer at the mention of Zack. It seemed any time he came to see Brian that was all he talked about. Jimmy didn't take too kindly to being replaced.
"Your birthday is in a couple days." he said, trying to change the subject. He moved closer to Brian, a glint in his eyes. Predator stalking prey.
"I know that." Brian hissed, brandishing the knife towards Jimmy. "Stay back Jim."
"Or what? You'll stab me?" Jimmy burst into fits of laughter. He'd always sounded so maniacal but now it just scared the hell out of Brian instead of making him smile. "Go ahead sweetheart." He insisted, lip curling up into a devious little smirk.
Brian’s hand was shaking so bad he knew he'd never be able to get a good shot at even hitting jimmy. And it was fucking Jimmy for Christ’s sake. Asshole or not it was Jimmy and he couldn't fucking stab him.
"Brian, baby..." Jimmy’s voice had turned to a low, soothing purr as he slowly approached Brian. "I promise you're the one person I won’t hurt. I love you, you know that." He took hold of Brian’s wrist and slipped the butcher knife out of his hand, setting it on the counter. "Shhh baby. You're safe with me..." he cooed, wrapping his lanky arms tight around Brian’s middle.
Tears were flowing freely as Brian quaked in Jimmy’s grasp. He wasn't sure if it was from fright or joy. Maybe it was a bit of both.
"Jimmy...please."
"Hush baby. We'll be together soon and everything will be alright. Soon." Jimmy’s voice lowered to a soft murmur as his lips traveled across Brian’s jaw towards his neck. "I love you," he whispered, lips brushing against Brian’s neck.
Brian shivered as Jimmy began to kiss and lightly suck against his neck. Suddenly there was that slight tinge of pain as Jimmy lightly nipped him. Slowly the uncomfortable pang grew and it felt like Jimmy was trying to tear through his flesh. Letting out a terrified yelp Brian instantly reached for the knife Jimmy had put down and drove it into his side.
Jimmy let out a wild shriek and threw himself away from Brian. Brian was screaming right back at him...
"BRIAN!!" Zack was screaming desperately, shaking Brian away from the nightmare grasping him so tightly.
Brian’s eyes flew open with a gasp, like he'd been drowning and just broke the surface and was now desperately sucking air into empty lungs. Zack didn't care that Brian wasn't even fully aware of his surroundings, he wrapped his arms around Brian’s middle and clung to him with everything he had. Brian returned the frightened embrace. Both of them were quaking, afraid but of different things. They sat this way for 10 minutes, holding onto one another, trying to hold back the tears that were falling anyways and just using each other for support.
"Brian," Zacky croaked suddenly, sitting back and touching his neck gently, "Brian, you're bleeding." he held up blood slicked fingers. Brian’s eyes went wide, his hands flying to the gash on his neck.
"What the fuck." he whispered hoarsely. He jumped to his feet faster than Zack had ever seen him move and took off upstairs to inspect his injury in the bathroom.
Zack didn't move as fast but was soon upstairs, hovering in the bathroom doorway. Brian was tentatively touching the gash on his neck, shoulders shaking as he tried to hold himself together.
"What happened?" Zack finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He moved into the bathroom and grabbed a washcloth off the edge of the tub and dampened it in the sink.
"He bit me," Brian replied, his voice the same tentative whisper Zack had used.
"Who bit you?" Zack questioned, pressing the damp cloth to the wound.
"Jimmy," Brian’s voice cracked as he said the name, "Zack. Jimmy bit me. He's not dead, I know he's not," his body suddenly shook, racked with violent sobs, "He's not dead and he's...he’s…"
Zack barely caught Brian as he just collapsed. “Shhh Brian…I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
Pairing: Brian/Zacky; slight Brian/Jimmy
Rated: NC-17
Warnings: Mentions of Jimmy's death, AU, violence
Summary: Sometimes it's a little more complex than Until death do we part.
Disclaimer: Fake. Not Real. What a Shame. Disclaimed.
A/N: I KNOW I'M TERRIBLE FORGIVE ME. I've been trying really hard to write this but the inspiration just seems to slip out of my grasp when I got to write. However, today I started a new job. And on the bus ride to and from work I actually wrote just over 1000 words and completed this chapter. FINALLY. So the secret is I have to be on the bus to be inspired to write (thank god for iPhones and their notepads!). So I should get the other chapters out more quickly as I work A LOT this week. *grumbles about work*
Chapter Index
The afternoon was muggy, warning of a threatening storm. It was hardly noticed by the men sitting just outside a small coffee shop. It was getting more and more routine for Matt and Zacky to meet for coffee, sometimes it was just to hang out and other times the get together had more grim intentions. Such as today despite the fact that Zacky was insistent to avoid all the topics Matt wanted to talk about. Instead he preoccupied himself with reading the newspaper. Apparently there was a serial killer on the loose though they had no leads, let alone a connection between victims.
"Man, the cops around here suck." He commented offhandedly. Matt glanced up curiously, not sure if Zacky was bringing up what they were really here to discuss or just mentioning something he was reading about. When he didn't elaborate Matt sighed heavily.
"So that's how it's gunna be, huh?" he asked which caused Zacky to look away from the paper he was reading.
"What?"
"Zack, I'm not interested in what the newspaper says." Matt said pointedly, locking his gaze to Zacky's so the younger man couldn't look away. "We have to talk about Jimmy."
Zack stared at Matt for a few quiet moments, debating if he really wanted to discuss this. Yes, it was serious and on some levels very frightening. But at the same time Zack was really fucking happy and he didn't want to ruin that. He'd been living with Brian for two weeks now and despite the fact that his nightmares seemed much more intense they happened much less frequently. He didn't want to ruin that happiness. Maybe it was selfish of him, but he didn't care. It was his major character flaw and he was happy to ignore it if it meant he got to be close to the man he loved.
Matt cleared his throat when he felt Zacky was taking too long to agree with him. The smaller man sighed and set down the newspaper he was reading. "Alright fine, we'll discuss Jimmy." he said, staring steadily at Matt.
"Do you think he's really dead?"
The question was so out of place it took Zack by surprise and he just gaped at Matt. They had discussed so much, crazed fans bringing A Little Piece Of Heaven to fruition, mistake on the coroners behalf and Jimmy was just buried in someone else’s plot somehow, even accidental cremation. The police had long since given up searching for the missing body of their fallen brother, Matt just had a harder time than anyone else letting it go. But to suggest he wasn't really dead was just absurd.
"Matt, I don't think it's healthy to be talking about this anymore." Zacky said softly, reaching out and placing his hand on Matt's, "There's no evidence, there's nothing. He got misplaced--."
"What isn't healthy, Zacky, is living with someone you're harboring feelings for and trying to make him forget about his dead friend and lover."
"What the hell Matt!" Zack snapped, pulling his hand back, "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!"
Matt sighed, rubbing the top of his head with one of his hands, feeling the prickly stubble of his hair growing back in. "We all know Bri and Jim did shit. It was behind closed doors and no one said jack. It wasn't tearing us apart as friends or a band. Put this puppy love of yours is so painfully obvious sometimes. I just worry about you Z, I don't want to see you hurt."
"I'm not gunna get hurt. Brian and I are friends, that's it. I live with him and I refuse to tell him what's happening because I know what he's suffering. Nightmares, Matt. Used to be every night. Some days are better but a lot are bad. I'm not there to try and win him over or something, I'm there to make sure he's safe."
Zack had accepted Brian wouldn't love him and that kiss was misplaced affection because he had still been somewhere between asleep and awake. It hurt, but he wasn't that petty.
"I didn't know he was having nightmares." Matt said softly, looking somewhat apologetic for how he had snapped at Zacky.
"No one knew." Zacky replied, shrugging a bit. Now wasn't the time to be getting into fights with his friends. "I had my hunches, it wasn't until I asked him did I actually know."
"That's why you didn't want to tell him is it? God Zack, I'm sorry. I thought it was all because you had this stupid crush on him or something and were --."
"Don't worry about it." Zack said, cutting Matt off and waving his hand dismissively. "Things are finally getting better for him now. And yeah, you know, you’re right. I do have some sort of stupid crush on him but I've never let it interfere with anything, or at least I've tried not to let it." sighing Zack just shrugged it off.
It was quiet between the band mates for a few moments. Matt had started picking at a loose thread on his pants and Zack had returned his attention to the newspaper, slightly embarrassed that he had admitted to being in love with Brian on some level. He'd never said anything to anyone for as long as he'd had the feelings.
"Brian’s birthday is coming up soon.” Matt said in an attempt to break up the silence that was edging its way into the realm of uncomfortable and awkward. Zack glanced up and then nodded.
“It’s next week.” He confirmed. It was easier to talk about a happy topic, like birthdays and the both of them were more at ease.
“We should throw him a party.” Matt suggested, throwing Zacky one of his wide, dimpled smiles. “We can have it at my place, it’ll be a surprise.” He said, obviously already planning it in his head. There was no way Zacky could say no to the idea now. Instead he just laughed and nodded.
“Yeah, alright.” He agreed, “Who are we going to invite.”
“I dunno, us and Johnny. Let’s invite his family.” Matt said, making a mental list, “Just all our friends, it’ll be a blast.”
Zack grinned a bit at how well prepared Matt already was for a party. It definitely took some of the pressure off him. Matt caught the grin and simply returned the smile, all teeth and dimples.
"All you need to do is get him there when I say so, think you can do that?"
"Easy peasy." Zack replied a little cheekily. Matt laughed and nodded.
"Meeting adjourned then?" he asked, grabbing his now empty cup and moved to stand. Zack nodded his agreement and followed suit. They hugged briefly before going their separate ways.
---
It was silent in the house save for the low murmur of some old and obscure movie playing on the tv and the light pitter patter of rain on the windows. Zack was stretched out on the couch, tucked into the corner between the back rest and the arm. Brian was lying between his legs, using the arm of the couch as a pillow. Even the dogs were getting in on the cuddle time with Pinkly laying on Zack's thigh and Majesty and Ichabod squished together behind and spilling over Brian's legs. It had become habit for Zack to start running his fingers through Brian’s hair during moments like these, and he was doing so now. As a result Brian was in a half asleep state. When Zack had gotten home from hanging out with Matt they'd taken the dogs for a run then returned for dinner when it started to rain. Everyone was winding down since then.
"Brian...you awake?" Zack asked softly after he'd managed to draw his gaze away from the movie. When Brain didn't answer right away Zack could only assume he'd fallen asleep.
"Mmm, whatcha want?" Brian grumbled groggily a moment after, shifting a bit but not enough to disturb the dogs. Zack couldn't help but smile.
"I was wonderin' what you want for your birthday." He said softly, still running his fingers through Brian’s hair. When Brian didn't answer right away Zacky wondered if he'd gone back to sleep.
“I forgot it was coming up.” Was the eventual, sheepish reply. Zack couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head at Brian. Well at least now he didn’t feel so bad that it had been slipping his mind.
“Well think about it, okay? Or else you get to deal with whatever the fuck I feel like getting you.”
Brian snorted and returned his attention to the movie that was playing. Zack returned to running his fingers through Brian’s hair. It wasn’t long before Brian was starting to pass out again.
---
"Brian..."
Groggy, the guitarist tried to wave away whoever was calling him. Fuck them, he was warm.
"Brian, wake up!" the voice hissed more forcefully this time. Reluctantly Brian blinked his eyes open and looked up at his assailant. Jimmy was staring down him, lips twisted up in a smirk.
"Good morning starshine! The earth says hello!" he quipped with a snicker. Brian let out a yelp and fell off the couch, flailing about and wide awake now. Whenever Jimmy was in his dreams they always turned bad. Fast.
"Whoa, calm yourself gunslinger." Jimmy snickered as Brian looked around wide eyed, grasping at empty couch cushions.
"James, shut up!" he spat venomously, "Where's Zack? What did you do with Zack!"
"Zack isn't here you idiot," Jimmy snorted, tapping the side of his own head, "This is all in your head, remember?"
"You know, you became a right asshole after you died!" Brian snarled, scrambling to his feet to put some distance between himself and this nightmarish figment of his imagination. He had concluded a while ago that he must have hated himself to dream up these shitty situations every week.
"Where you goin' Bri?" Jimmy sing songed in that lilting, slightly lisped voice.
"Away from you. Whenever you're around someone dies and I'm fucking tired if it James. I'm doing fine without you, you know!" Brian yelled, fleeing towards the kitchen to try and find something to defend himself against this monster his friend had turned into in his dreams.
"That breaks my heart, Brian." Jimmy said with a bit of a mock whimper and clutching where his heart had once been. Brian assumed he didn't have a heart anymore.
"Mine too Jimmy," Brian sighed miserably. He started digging through the cutlery drawers until he found one of the large butcher knives, "But you're dead and it's time to let go of you. Zack's been working so hard to keep me happy and fucking sane so I'm trying for him. You're not making it any easier on either of us."
Jimmy's lip curled up in a sneer at the mention of Zack. It seemed any time he came to see Brian that was all he talked about. Jimmy didn't take too kindly to being replaced.
"Your birthday is in a couple days." he said, trying to change the subject. He moved closer to Brian, a glint in his eyes. Predator stalking prey.
"I know that." Brian hissed, brandishing the knife towards Jimmy. "Stay back Jim."
"Or what? You'll stab me?" Jimmy burst into fits of laughter. He'd always sounded so maniacal but now it just scared the hell out of Brian instead of making him smile. "Go ahead sweetheart." He insisted, lip curling up into a devious little smirk.
Brian’s hand was shaking so bad he knew he'd never be able to get a good shot at even hitting jimmy. And it was fucking Jimmy for Christ’s sake. Asshole or not it was Jimmy and he couldn't fucking stab him.
"Brian, baby..." Jimmy’s voice had turned to a low, soothing purr as he slowly approached Brian. "I promise you're the one person I won’t hurt. I love you, you know that." He took hold of Brian’s wrist and slipped the butcher knife out of his hand, setting it on the counter. "Shhh baby. You're safe with me..." he cooed, wrapping his lanky arms tight around Brian’s middle.
Tears were flowing freely as Brian quaked in Jimmy’s grasp. He wasn't sure if it was from fright or joy. Maybe it was a bit of both.
"Jimmy...please."
"Hush baby. We'll be together soon and everything will be alright. Soon." Jimmy’s voice lowered to a soft murmur as his lips traveled across Brian’s jaw towards his neck. "I love you," he whispered, lips brushing against Brian’s neck.
Brian shivered as Jimmy began to kiss and lightly suck against his neck. Suddenly there was that slight tinge of pain as Jimmy lightly nipped him. Slowly the uncomfortable pang grew and it felt like Jimmy was trying to tear through his flesh. Letting out a terrified yelp Brian instantly reached for the knife Jimmy had put down and drove it into his side.
Jimmy let out a wild shriek and threw himself away from Brian. Brian was screaming right back at him...
"BRIAN!!" Zack was screaming desperately, shaking Brian away from the nightmare grasping him so tightly.
Brian’s eyes flew open with a gasp, like he'd been drowning and just broke the surface and was now desperately sucking air into empty lungs. Zack didn't care that Brian wasn't even fully aware of his surroundings, he wrapped his arms around Brian’s middle and clung to him with everything he had. Brian returned the frightened embrace. Both of them were quaking, afraid but of different things. They sat this way for 10 minutes, holding onto one another, trying to hold back the tears that were falling anyways and just using each other for support.
"Brian," Zacky croaked suddenly, sitting back and touching his neck gently, "Brian, you're bleeding." he held up blood slicked fingers. Brian’s eyes went wide, his hands flying to the gash on his neck.
"What the fuck." he whispered hoarsely. He jumped to his feet faster than Zack had ever seen him move and took off upstairs to inspect his injury in the bathroom.
Zack didn't move as fast but was soon upstairs, hovering in the bathroom doorway. Brian was tentatively touching the gash on his neck, shoulders shaking as he tried to hold himself together.
"What happened?" Zack finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He moved into the bathroom and grabbed a washcloth off the edge of the tub and dampened it in the sink.
"He bit me," Brian replied, his voice the same tentative whisper Zack had used.
"Who bit you?" Zack questioned, pressing the damp cloth to the wound.
"Jimmy," Brian’s voice cracked as he said the name, "Zack. Jimmy bit me. He's not dead, I know he's not," his body suddenly shook, racked with violent sobs, "He's not dead and he's...he’s…"
Zack barely caught Brian as he just collapsed. “Shhh Brian…I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”