i woke up in my bed; the lights were dim, and the sounds of the sirens from outside made my head feel like it was about to explode. everything that happened before i passed out didn't register in my mind as something that actually happened. i don't remember most of it, besides the fact that i was no longer alone.

i'm not alone.

i shot up in a panic, almost blacking out from the sudden impact. i reached for my gun, but it was missing. i though for sure i was going to die. how could i have been so fucking stupid to let my guard down like this? as i frantically searched for my missing gun, my heart pounded in my chest. the realization of my vulnerability engulfed me, and a surge of adrenaline fueled my determination to survive. i desperately scanned the room for any possible weapons or means of defense, praying that i could find something to protect myself with.

"calm down; you've been out for a while. here, drink some water; it'll help with the headache, at least i think it will." i felt my body relax upon realizing who was actually inside my house. i wasn't in danger, or at least i didn't think i was. they were covered in blood, but as far as i could tell, it wasn't mine.

"rory?"

"you remember me?" their eyes got wider, and their expression turned almost shocked.

"of course i remember you. you were friends with abby last year. i hated you."

"comforting." they slightly chuckled, "you barely knew me."

"i don't hate you anymore if that makes you feel better."

"the only reason you're alive right now is because of me. you overdosed."

"how'd you come to that conclusion?"

"the empty bottles of pills in your bathroom."

i looked away from them, "why are you here, rory?"

"the world's gone to shit and even though the government plans to kill anyone they so much as catch a glimpse of, they want me in particular. so i thought i could find somewhere to lay low for a while. i figured most buildings would be boarded up from the inside, so i didn't think too much of it when i decided to break into this fine establishment. sorry for trespassing."

"it's okay. why does the government want you so badly?"

"they think i killed maura healey, i didn't but i was there."

"is that her blood?" i pointed to the stains on their hands.

"no this is my mom's. they killed her a while ago, but i haven't been able to bring myself to wash it off yet." i felt a lump form in my throat; the pain and grief in their eyes were palpable, and i couldn't help but empathize with their unimaginable loss.

"i don't think you should be here." i didn't want to say that. i didn't want rory to feel like i didn't care, but i wasn't looking for company.

"elliott, you just overdosed; i'm not just gonna leave you." they tried to get closer to me, but i quickly moved back.

"no, i'm fucked up, and i know you are too, and i don't want to hurt you like that. you don't need to see me like this, so please, just leave. i think there's an empty apartment next door. you can borrow some wood-"

"elliott, respectfully shut the fuck up. i am not leaving you, okay?" rory's voice was filled with determination as they interrupted my attempt to push them away. i could see the concern in their eyes, and despite my protests, it was clear that they were not going to abandon me, no matter how much i wanted them to.

"you're making a mistake." i whispered, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and vulnerability. deep down, I knew that rory's unwavering support was exactly what i needed, even if I couldn't admit it in that moment.

"i know we've never really been the best of friends, but right now my only mistake would be leaving you here to kill yourself."