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@Ravendipity @Saramitra_

Prompt: You run for an inn for resting mountaineers. It's a calm life, until you encounter a twist of fate.

It was going dark when you were running for an inn in the rain; all you wanted was a place to rest after hiking. All day you found The Three Shires Inn near

Scafell Pike.

You were dripping with sweat even though it was cold up the mountain, but you had to run because you and your friends were chased, and you had lost them, apart from that, it was a normal day.

You stumbled into the inn and went to the front desk, saying, "I need a room for the night, please."

The person at the desk smiled and gave you a room key. "I hope you sleep well."

You nodded, thanked her, and headed straight to your room.

As you entered your room, you collapsed on the bed and pulled out your phone, checking the group chat.

Sophia: Hey, are you guys okay?

Mike: I'm good. How are you?

Sophia: I'm good. What's happened to the others?

Chelsey: I'm okay.

You looked at your group chat and replied to see most of your friends were alright, but where was your best friend?

You texted asking.

Sophia: Hey, is Danny with any of you?

Mike: No, sorry.

Chesley: He was with me, but I lost him.

You sighed disappointed, but you texted back that it was okay.

After you finished texting, you put your phone down and closed your eyes.

Before you fell asleep, you wondered if Danny was okay.

What you didn't know was you wouldn't see him for 5 years.

2030

You woke up one morning and looked out the window. You felt like someone was watching you, but you told yourself you were paranoid.

In the kitchen, you began making your breakfast, and while cooking, you felt like you were being pulled towards the door.

You heard a knock at the door, so you went to see what was happening.

Opening the door, you saw a guy standing.

You couldn't see his face because of his hat and a mask. "Hey Soph, how are you?"

Your eyes widened. You convinced yourself he must be dead when he didn't return 4 years ago after your hiking trip the year before.

You shook with anticipation, but you were not sure, so you asked, "Danny, is that you?"

"Oh, so you recognise me?"

He took off his mask and hat. "Hey Sophia, I'm glad to see you're doing well."

You couldn't believe it; you were left wide-eyed and mouth hanging open, but there he was, same brown hair, blue eyes, and that smile.

"Hey Soph, what are you waiting for? Give me a hug."

You wanted to, but you couldn't move. It was like you were frozen, but you choked out, "Is it you?"

He put his hands on your shoulders. "Yeah, Soph, it's me."

Something inside you broke, but in a good way, and before you could stop yourself, you were hugging Danny and sobbing in happiness on his shoulder.

Even though it was cold outside, you felt warm in his embrace so much that if people across the street gave you weird looks, you wouldn't care.

Once you finished crying, you smiled and let Danny inside.

As you sat down on the settee, Danny wiped a few stray tears from your face. "You were really happy to see them, haha."

You playfully hit his arm, "Stop it, Danny. I think I'm allowed to wet your shoulder with my tears since I haven't seen you in 5 years."

Danny laughed, "Okay, I agree, but there's a reason I've been away and why I've returned."

You nodded, "Right, so what's the matter?"

"We need to reunite the group and go back to Scafell Pike; we have unfinished business."

You laugh, "Oh no, we can't go back there, and I haven't spoken to the others for a year."

"Well, I'm back now so I'll get in touch."

Suddenly Danny shouted, "Ahh!"

He doubled over clutching his stomach

"Danny, what's wrong?" you felt his forehead and realised it was hotter than the raidorated.

"There's a reason we need to go back to the Scafell Pike."

Your eyes winded, "What do you mean?"

Danny looked at you and the usual eye sparkle wasn't there. "I might not be here for much longer.

The words didn't seem real but you knew they were.

You stood up, and while holding your phone called your group chat.

"Hello."

"Mike, Chelsey,look who turned up." you said and you turned the camera to face Danny.

"Danny, your alive!" screamed Chelsey.

"Oh Dan, I'm glad to see you." said Mike and he seem to get choked up.

"Come on Mike, don't cry." Danny teased.

"I'm not crying your crying." said Mike and this cause the you, Danny and Chesley to laugh.

"Mike, your adorable." You said.

Mike turned off his camera. "Mike Danny wants to go back to Scafell Pike."

"Oh, really why that?" asked Chesley.

Danny sighed, "Mmm I need to tell you something but I prefer to do it in person."

"Okay at the weekend, let's meet up at the hotel near the mountain." said Chesley.

"Yeah sounds good." you said and you all said bye.

At the weekend you all meant at the hotel near Scafell Pike when you got there. You saw Danny waiting in his car.

You got out of your car and went up to his, knocking on the window you saw him cover his head with a hat.

You convinced yourself you were seeing things but they looked to be a lump on Danny's neck.

He smiled and got out of the car, "Hey Soph, how are you?"

You shook his hand, "I'm good thank you Danny. How are you?"

He flashed his charming smile, "Oh you know I'm still here, haha."

You noticed his laugh seem forced and his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

You sighed, "Danny what's the lump on your neck?"

He looks horrified that you noticed and with a swallow he rubs his hands, "I have cancer and need surgery but if it doesn't go well then I won't have long."

"Oh that's why but you didn't tell us the whole truth Danny why not?"

His hands shook and he took a deep breath, but before he could say anything, Mike and Chelsey pulled up.

Mike got out of the car, "What's up you two?"

You shook your head, "Danny needs to tell you something else."

Chelsey looked, "What?"

Danny took his cap off and turned round pointing at the lump.

Mike and Chelsey had a look and their eyes winded.

Mike grabbed hold of Danny and pushed him against his car, "Why didn't you tell us the full story man?"

Danny put his head down in shame, "I'm sorry."

Chelsey got hold of Mike, "Leave him alone."

Mike sighed, "Come on then we will discuss this later."

You all made your way up the mountain and on the way Danny stopped and started with a coughing fit.

The rest of you were stood in shock but you managed to move and get Danny's water bottle.

Handing him the bottle he took a big drink.

While he was drinking his water time seem to go by slowly and at some point it seem like time would stop but after a while Danny stopped coughing.

Mike went up to Danny, "You okay Dan?" he asked and patted him on the back.

Dany nodded his eyes watery because of his coughing fit but he seem fine considering.

As you kept going up the mountain you came to the same two paths as last time.

"So does anyone know where the bear was?" you asked.

Chelsey nodded, "We took the right path last time."

You, Mike and Danny turned to look impressed by her memory.

"What, I'm more than just a pretty face you know." she said and posed making the three of you laugh.

You took the path that Chelsey suggested and it seem to be the right one apart just before you got to the top you saw a family of bears.

"Oh, sh** not again." said Danny

Mike smiled, "Don't worry Dan, I've got this."

Mike put his bag on the floor and found a box full of fish.

He went up to a tree and poured most of the contents out and grabbed the rest and gentry made a line of fish up to the bears and so they didn't notice him he laid on the ground playing dead.

You and the other hid in the bushes and you watched the bears make their way to the fish.

As soon as the bears got to the fish you quickly but quietly got to Mike and you ran to the top of the mountain.

At the top you all dropped your bags and went to look at the mountain view and it was beautiful.

The sun was high in the sky still making the low ground look radiant and the shine of the sun gave everything a gentle glow.

You all stood taking in the sights and everything was amazing and quiet until you heard a sniffle.

You turned around and you smiled when you saw Mike biting his lip.

You went up to him and held his hand, "Mike, it's okay." you said and wiped his face.

Mike looked at you and smiled but he also hugged you so you wrapped your arms around him.

"You okay Mike?" asked Danny and he went over to you and patted Mike on the shoulder.

Mike nodded, "I'm fine."

Chelsey rubbed his back, "You sure?"

Mike looked at her, "Yeah, I'm good."

You all decided to sit down and get your packed lunches out.

While eating Danny stopped suddenly and leaned over.

"Danny you okay?" asked Chelsey

He smiled but his whole face went white and he started coughing again but this time even with drinking water that didn't seen to help.

His coughing fit got worse and before he could get to the mountain edge he threw up.

You couldn't believe what you were seeing so you got up went towards Danny and like you though there was blood mixed in Danny's vomit.

You turned to Mike and Chelsey, "We have to get Danny to hospital!"

Mike nodded and rang for an ambulance but suddenly Mike went into another coughing fit and this time his nose started bleeding.

Chelsey went to Mike and told him that they should get an air ambulance.

While waiting for the Air Ambulance Danny went quiet and you made sure he was breathing he was but his breaths were shallow

Chelsey listened to his heart and sighed when it seen to be beating at a normal pase considering.

The Air Ambulance seem to be taking forever when Danny seen to be falling asleep.

"No Danny stay awake." you said and you got the rest of his water and poured a bit on his face.

You all sat in silence and waited for the Air Ambulance to come and when you heard a whirlwind sound and looked up when you saw the Air Ambulance, "About, bloody time." said Mike.

The workers got Danny in the Air ambulance and got him oxygen. They asked if anyone wanted to go with them so you said yes.

Mike and Chelsey went to the car and drove to the hospital.

As soon as you got to Hospital Danny was rushed inside and by the time you got in he had been rushed into surgery.

You sat in the waiting room and while you were waiting you though about what you would do if something happened to Danny.

The thoughts started running though your mind making your body shake and your eyes tear up but you wouldn't cry.

You must have been waiting a while when Mike and Chelsey ran in and sat down next to you.

"Soph, how is he?" asked Mike and you could feel the anxiety coming off him.

You shook your head. "I don't know. He's still in surgery."

Chelsey grabbed your hand. "It's going to be okay."

You nodded, "I hope so; I can't lose him again."

Time seemed to pass slowly, but after what seemed like forever, a surgeon came out to talk to you.

Before pulling his mask down, he gestured for you to go with him.

When you were in a more private room, he smiled, but his eyes seemed sad. "So we have done everything we could, and he is stable for now."

You sighed in relief.

Mike put his hands together. "Oh, thank goodness."

Chelsey smiled, her eyes tearing up a bit. "So can we see him?"

The surgeon nodded, "Yes, but he's asleep right now, and I'm warning you he might not wake up straight away."

You furrowed your eyes. "So when will he possibly wake up days?"

The surgeon shrugged. "Hard to say; it could be days, but it could be weeks, and I say this with a 95% chance it won't happen; he might not wake up."

You felt a sudden wave of nausea wash over you, but you smiled, "Right, well, let's hope he wakes up soon."

You thanked the guy and went straight to Danny's room.

While in Danny's room, it felt slightly eerie, and the beep of the machine he was hooked up to made you shudder.

You stood next to the bed and grabbed his hand. "Danny, please wake up. You can't leave me."

There was no response, so you squeezed his hand and sat down.

"Danny, sleep for now. I'll keep coming to check on you until you wake up."

So you did what you said.

The first full day of Danny not waking up, you felt good considering it made sense for Danny to still be asleep, so you did what you did the day before: sat next to his bed, held his hand, and talked to him.

The second day, you felt a bit more unrelaxed but convinced yourself that you were being silly.

The third day, you talked to him, "So Danny, it's been 3 days since your surgery, and even though you're not awake yet, I'm still here." You smiled but could feel tears threatening to push through, but you wouldn't cry.

After about a week of going every day and speaking to Danny, sometimes Mike and Chelsey would come and see you and Danny.

For 6 days you convinced yourself that everything was fine, but something had happened while you were there on the sixth day that totally freaked you out.

What had happened was Danny's machine started beeping, and a load of doctors and nurses rushed in, and to your horror, they had to restart his heart.

After that you asked the staff if you could stay overnight, and with a bit of persuading, they agreed.

You talked to the staff before lights out, and they said, "Thy and get some sleep."

So you did try, but you had a nightmare that Danny's heart stopped again, and this time they couldn't bring him back.

You woke up in a cold sweat and panting; terrified, you looked at the machine and slumped back in your chair and sighed with relief.

You didn't dare go back to sleep, so you talked to Danny, "Danny, please wake up; I can't lose you."

You swallowed a lump and leaned over, squeezing Danny's hand.

You sat like that for a while; you quickly glanced at the clock, and it was getting close to 4 am.

Maybe it was the fact you had been up most of the night, but this time you couldn't control yourself, and you stood up. "Danny, please wake up; I can't lose you."

Under your breath you said, "I love you."

Once those 3 words left your lips, the tears you had been holding back broke free.

You slumped back in your chair, pulled it towards the bed, and rested your head on the hospital covers while holding on to Danny's hand.

Your tears continued to soak the covers for what seemed like hours while you kept letting out small, painful sobs.

Your crying eventually subsided until your sobbing stopped and your tears were slowing down.

The light was coming through the hospital curtains, so you knew it was getting to late morning.

Quickly glancing at the clock, you chuckled when the time was 9 am.

You must have been exhausted from your crying jag because you fell asleep until lunch.

After waking up, you decided to go to the bathroom and get yourself something to eat.

Even though the machine didn't go off again, you decided to stay because your nightmare had really shaken you up.

At some point you thought you saw Danny move his hand, but when you squeezed his hand, he didn't respond.

Now you were expecting Danny to wake up one morning, but that didn't happen; it happened after another week of waiting.

This partial evening you were awake and slowly losing any hope of Danny waking up, and the nightmare had come back, but this time it scared you so much as soon as you woke up.

You stood up, got on the bed, not caring if you got told to get off in the morning, and laid next to Danny.

"Danny, please, wake up, please." You managed to choke out the sentence before your resolve crumbled and you became a mess of tears and sobs.

You hugged Danny tightly and continued to cry until your tears were soaking through his hospital gown.

You didn't know how long you lay there crying your heart out, and your tears continued to stream down your face like a river.

The strange thing was you didn't know exactly why you were crying; was it anger because you just wanted Danny to wake up or sadness because you loved him so much it hurt?

When your sobs subsided and your tears slowed down, you felt a hand brush against your cheek.

You were surprised, but you looked, and Danny was awake. "There, there," he said, his voice deep.

You were stunned. You were starting to accept that he wouldn't wake up and you were going to lose him, but here he was awake and wiping the tears still falling down your face.

You were frozen for a whole minute until Danny said, "Soph, you're not seeing things. I am awake."

After hearing those words, your tears and sobs started up again, but this time they were happy. You hugged Danny, clutching his hospital gown as your tears of joy soaked through to his chest.

This time your sobs subsided a lot faster than before, and once again you felt Danny rub his hand against your cheek, wiping away your remaining tears.

Once your tears were completely stopped, you got up and shouted for the nurse.

After the nurse and doctor spoke to Danny, they left and said they would be back later.

You phoned Mike and Chelsey, telling them that Danny was awake. Chelsey cheered, and Mike, being the softhearted guy he was, started crying in relief.

Mike choked out through a sob that he would be there later, and Chelsey, who was also getting emotional, said the same thing.

You felt more tears burn your eyes because your friends had been as scared as you, but you didn't want to cry again.

After saying, See you later, you put the phone down and sighed.

Danny tapped the side of his bed, wanting you to get back on, but he realised he should call the nurse and see if he could sit in the chair.

Pressing the button, a nurse came in. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Danny smiled. "I feel fine. May I sit in the chair?"

The nurse held up a hand. Let me check your vitals first."

Danny nodded and watched the nurse see how his vitals were.

Smiling, the nurse said, "This once you may sit in the chair for a couple of hours, but if you start to feel worse, get back in bed." I'm trusting you."

Danny smiled, "Yeah, I will."

The nurse nodded and made sure Danny could transfer out of his bed into the chair.

Once the nurse had him safely seated, she left, and Danny tapped his knee for you to sit down.

"Hey, Soph, I heard you say, I love you, the other night."

You smiled, but your eyes widened. "I do as a friend; you're my best friend, Danny. I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

Your lips quivered slightly, and you blinked back tears that were wanting to fall, but you didn't want to cry again."

Dann smiled widely and winked, "You're my best friend too, Sophia; I love you."

You felt your lip quiver more, so you bit it to stop yourself from crying, "Danny, I had a nightmare that your heart stopped and they couldn't wake you up again."

You leaned against him, hugging him tightly. "I was so scared I was going to lose you."

"It hurts to even think about it," you said, choking back a sob that was trying to get out.

You tried pushing the sobs that were threatening to jump out down, but Danny put a hand on your face and made you look at him. "Sophia, I'm here. I'm awake. I promise I'm not going anywhere."

He looked in your eyes and could see the tears of fear, and as a single tear fell down your cheek, he wiped it away. "You don't have to be scared; I'm not going anywhere for a while."

Those words broke the resolve you had over your tears, and as they started running down your face, he pressed your head into his chest and hugged you tightly. As you cried the last of your tears, you didn't think one could cry this much in the day, but this was your third time since 3 am, and it was only 11 am.

You let yourself cry in his chest for an hour, but then your sobs started to go quiet and your tears started slowing down.

Once you had stopped crying altogether, Danny wiped the remaining tears from your face.

"Do you feel better?" he asked.

You nodded, "Yeah, thanks for letting me cry in your chest again."

He nodded, "Remember, Soph, you're my best friend; any time you want to use me as a human handkerchief, you can do it."

He laughed when you playfully slapped him, "Hey, no teasing."

He smirked and said, "I didn't know you could cry so much."

You hit his chest softly, "Stop teasing you; it was your fault."

He nodded, "I know, but I don't mind; it's better than you holding it in."

"Right, well, I'm going to the ladies room and to clear myself up before Mike and Chesley get here."

That afternoon Mike and Chelsey came to the hospital, and though you thought you had cried all the tears a person could in the day, you teared up twice while they were there.

Mike started sobbing in happiness, which made your eyes burn with tears, but this time you didn't feel like crying, so you quickly wiped them away.

Before they left at the end of visiting hours, Chelsey started crying, and this made you tear up more, and you felt yourself choke up, but you managed to clear your throat and say goodbye.

It wasn't till later that evening that you found yourself crying again.

It was 10 pm, and you lay on the bed next to Danny.

Maybe it was the fact you had only slept for a few hours in almost 48 hours.

But you started to sniffle, and a few tears made their way down your face. There wasn't any reason really, apart from being tired and relieved.

You felt Danny rock you against his chest. "It's okay, Soph."

You felt your tears trickle down your face until you could barely keep your eyes open. Danny wiped the few tears that were still trickling down your face until they stopped. "I love you, Soph," he said.

You smiled and whispered back, "I love you two."

You closed your eyes, and a remaining tear fell down your cheek as you dozed off.