Disasterology

“Kellin…Kellin wake up.”
I opened my eyes and saw Andy nudging me. “You should go visit him and talk to him about this. He IS your boyfriend.”
The sickening feeling in my gut came back.

I got up from the chair and walked to where Vic’s room was. I looked inside and saw him on the hospital bed. He was humming a small song to himself.

I opened the door and walked inside.
“Hi, Vic…”
I sat next to him on the edge of the bed.

He ignored me and continued to hum. I bit down on my lip.
This is my fault…

♪ And what’s so good about picking up the pieces? ♪

He starts to sing out loud. I sighed.

♪ What if I don’t even want to… ♪

We both started at each other with wide eyes.

“H-How…how did you know…?”
“I don’t know…it…it just came to me…I just remember that it was one of my favorite songs to sing…”

The room became silent.

“Why…?”

I didn’t have to ask what he was talking about.

“Why would you just lead me on like that…? The old you wouldn’t have done this…”

“Exactly. I’m not the old Kellin. I barely remember anything, especially anything about us, but you miss him to death and I couldn’t do anything to help except let you do what you wanted to.”
A tear slid down his cheek.

“If it makes you feel better, I didn’t hate anything that we did. Also…I did remember some things about us…”

“…Like what?” “That time when we went to the doctor’s office to get our flu shots…”
He smiled slightly.

“You were so scared of needles that you brought Mr. Stuffykins and you nearly broke my hand from squeezing it so tight.” I smiled a little too. “Needles are scary…! Pointy injectors of death!”
He chuckled and wiped the tear away.

“I…I also…remembered our first time…”

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks quickly.
Vic held his hand in mine.

“Really…? You remembered that…?” I nodded. He sighed as his fingers gently rubbed against the ring on my finger.

I still don’t remember what it’s for…it just feels really important…

“You should go, Kellin. Visiting hours are gonna end soon.”
I nodded and stood up from the bed.

“I’ll come visit you tomorrow…” “You don’t have to. I’ll be fine.”
He didn’t look at me.

“Bye, Vic.”
I walked out and closed the door behind me.
----------

“Are you sure you’ll be okay by yourself, Kell?”
“Yeah…I just need some time to think…”

I got out of the car and waved goodbye to everyone before I walked into the house.

Strangely, my focus went straight to the locked room.
I have no idea where the key might be…so I’ll have to use the next best thing.

I got out my wallet and pulled out a gift card while I darted upstairs.

I have to know what’s in this room…

I slipped the card between the lock until I heard a ‘pop’. The door was unlocked and I didn’t hesitate to walk inside.

All that was in the room were a couple of plants and an old grand piano.

A piano…what’s it doing here…?
I only play guitar…unless…

I lifted the lid of the piano before I sat down.

It’s so old…but it’s so beautiful…

I placed my fingers on keys and started to play absentmindedly.

I guess I can play…

I closed my eyes and let the sound of the notes take over me.

Memories started to come back.

Vic and I were in this room...I was in tears as I hugged him tightly.
It was Christmas day and he got me this piano as a present.

He really did love me…

I continued to play the keys, a familiar song coming from them…
It’s weird…I was gonna play this song for Vic…why didn’t I do it…?

I stood up from the piano and was about to walk out until I tripped and landed on my elbow.

“Stupid…frickin’…damn rug!”
I glared at it, but found something horrifying.

Blood stains tainted the wood floor near the piano.

My head started to throb and I closed my eyes, trying to will the pain away. It didn’t work.

There was a man…with a knife…I was playing piano…and then he…

My eyes shot open, tears running down my cheeks.

No…I don’t want to remember…I don’t want to remember…

I closed the door behind me and ran into the bedroom.

What the hell happened in there…?!