Desolation Row

“I’m telling you, it fucking happened” Frank shouted, slamming his fist against the hard wood of the coffee table. Various heads of customers turned to face the boys, scorned looks of shock and anger flashed across their faces as they stared at them; wondering what on earth had caused the rough looking teenager to shout like that. Patrick fidgeted nervously in his seat, his cheeks burned red as his eyes focused out of the coffee shop window and onto the high street; unable to look at the judging faces or Frank, whose frantic and fearful eyes tried to meet his. He quickly looked over at Pete, who sat unusually quiet in the corner. “Pete please, you know I wouldn’t make this up” he pleaded, watching as Pete looked up to face Patrick, then back at Frank. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “Frank, we both know what your saying is impossible, nobody can come back from the dead” He sighed, refusing to make eye contact with his friend.

Frank’s heart sank. A lump rose in his throat as he pleaded once for his friends to believe him. “I swear to you both it happened, guy’s please, I need you to believe me” He begged, running his hands through his hair as he slumped back in his chair, feeling helpless. His friends said nothing. Pete held his hands tightly in his lap, trying to stop them from shaking. He couldn’t deny that he felt guilty. He knew that Frank wasn’t lying; he too had experienced a frightening encounter of their dead friend. But he knew it was impossible; there was no way he was in the house that night.

******

His mind wandered back to the day Frank and Gerard had found Mikey. Dozens of police and ambulance cars surrounded the woods; lighting up the street with an almost enchanting blue glow as the sirens echoed through the town. For a while, they sat in the back of the ambulance, Gerard sobbing in Frank’s arms. “They... They’ll bring him back wont they Frank? I...I mean doctors are smart right? They can save him, they’ll save M...Mikey wont they” Gerard stammered, his arms wrapped tightly around Frank as he looked up into his face; searching for that reassuring smile that would bring him some sort of comfort. Frank said nothing, watching in silence as the paramedics quickly brought the body out of the woods. Tears streamed down his face as he held Gerard close to his chest, unable to let him see his baby brother like this. He tore his eyes away from the body bag and focusing up on the ceiling of the Ambulance, biting his trembling lip to silence his cries. “Everything will be ok Gerard” He whispered, trying to cover his emotions. Pete looked over at him, opening his mouth to say something, anything, which would try and ease his pain. Frank shook his head, how he felt, his breaking heart and the never ending pain which coursed through his veins no longer mattered to him. Gerard was much more important and right now, he was his priority. The paramedic slammed the door of the ambulance shut, it choked up the street before disappearing from view; taking Mikey back to Herts and Essex Hospital. Patrick sat in silence, shaking as Pete placed a blanket around his shoulder; his lip trembling as he forced back the tears. He remembered that from that moment on he promised himself to be strong for everyone; promising himself never to let them see him cry or lose it. Frank cupped Gerard’s face, staring into his bloodshot eyes, tears welling in his eyes as he looked into his lovers face. “Whatever happens, I promise I’ll protect you, you hear me? I’ll never let anyone hurt you again” Frank promised, kissing him gently on the lips as he lent his forehead against his; offering him a weak, reassuring smile.

********

Pete sighed, unable to look at Frank who was now close to tears. “Frank, are you sure you’re not using again?” Pete asked, the feeling of guilt stabbed at his chest as Frank stared at him wide eyed and in horror. “What? No! How could you say that Pete” He cried. His head turned, his hand curling into a fist as gave Patrick a scornful look. “You told him” he accused angrily. Patrick nodded, finally looking Frank square in the face. “Yeah I told him and you know what, I think he’s got a point. You clearly need help” He said calmly. Frank looked around, horrified at the accusations. He may have had a problem once upon a time. He would also admit that the things he put Patrick and Mikey through were disgusting, but he was clean now and had been for years. Frank felt his heart beginning to break; he had never felt so betrayed. “Pat... I wouldn’t do that, I... I’m clean, you’ve got to believe me” He stammered, reaching out for Patrick only for him to quickly move away from him. “I can’t help you unless you admit you have a problem” He said quietly, feeling Pete place a shaking hand on his leg from under the table. Frank jumped up from his seat, a tear trailing from his cheek as he struggled to control himself. “YOU KNOW WHAT? GO FUCK YOURSELF, BOTH OF YOU! I’M DONE WITH YOU” He roared, grabbing his coat as he stormed out of the coffee shop; slamming the door behind him. The boys sat there, dumbfounded by his reaction. “Were we too harsh?” Patrick asked uncertainly. Pete quickly shook his head, wrapping his arm around Patrick and pulling him close. “He’ll come around, like you said, he needs to help himself” Pete replied, unable to rid himself of the rising feeling of guilt which had clouded his head and heart. Patrick shrugged, looking into his eyes as he kissed him on the lips.

*******

Frank wandered through the darkening streets of Bishop’s Stortford, tears streaming down his face as he was faced with the sudden realisation that he was alone in the world. He wandered past a graveyard and without thinking, wandered inside. He kept walking, listening to the thunder clap above his head as the heavens opened and rain began to fall from the clouded skies. He finally reached a gravestone, collapsing to his knees as his eyes read it:

Here Lies Gerard Arthur Way

He held his head in his hands as he broke down, sobbing as the rain soaked through his jeans and Slipknot hoodie and onto his skin. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you Gee” He sobbed, his hand tracing the letters upon the cold stone. “I just miss you so much... I love you Gee... I always have and I always will” He whimpered, resting his head on his arm as he cried into his sodden clothes. At the thunder roared overhead, he didn’t hear the footsteps stop behind him. He didn’t notice the tall figure standing close behind him. The figure stood there, wearing nothing but a black skinny jeans and a coat with the hood pulled over its face, its dark brown eyes remained fixed on Frank as it spoke five words which would forever echo through his mind.

I love you too Frank

Frank spun round, his hand covering his mouth as he stared wide eyed at the figure. As it pulled back the hood, Frank immediately saw the poison red hair which he had grown to love, the pale skin and dark eyes of the man he had grown up with. The man who he had fallen deeply in love with and promised with all his heart to protect. Stood before him, the rain trailing down his pale white skin and a loving smile set beautifully upon his face was Gerard Way.

Notes

Gerard is alive! Find out what happens next week.

sorry its so late, I've been so busy this past week its scary.