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Hey guys! So fanfiction.net has a rule about real person fanfics and they have warned me about A Friend and asking me to remove it.
Even though I am annoyed by it, I have decided to no longer update the fic there but continue doing so here and AO3.
Chris, a widower, lived in Alma, Nebraska with his son Alex. And then Tom stumbled into their lives unexpectedly. Little did Chris and his son know that Tom was no ordinary friend. In fact, he was invisible and only they could see him.
Status: WIP
Chapters 1 - 13
Of course this was not the first time Liam had fainted in front of him. But this was definitely his fault. Tom was panicking as he watched Liam crumbled to the floor – no longer menacing over him. Then his world became mute as he watched Ellie and Chris running to the kitchen’s back door having heard Liam yelling with all his might. They had scrambled towards Liam and attempted to shake him awake but it was futile.
They still can’t see him.
Tom had slid down to the floor, with his back against the wall as he continued staring. He saw the horror plastered on the children’s faces. He saw the desperation in Chris’. Ellie was at a lost as she gaped at Chris – unsure of what to do.
When Liam didn’t respond, Chris hurriedly checked for a pulse as Ellie ran out of the kitchen to find a phone and called for an ambulance, hurriedly telling the operator what had happened.
Chris had lost count how long he had sat on the uncomfortable plastic chair at the A & E. Ellie had already left him, together with the children, insisting that Alex could stay over at her house. If need be, Chris would know where to find them. He was too numb to argue and had feebly given his consent. He could barely feel Ellie brushing her lips against his cheek.
The corridor was filled with people groaning in pain, some were screaming as they went through those double doors and some were wailing. He was the only one who remained silent and grim. Happiness won’t last forever. It never does. Chris shifted in his seat, feeling the back of the chair digging against his shoulder blades. Once in a while he’d check the clock, keeping track of the time.
“Kin of Mr Liam Hemsworth?”
Chris looked up, in the direction of the caller. He stood up, waving to the male nurse. “Kin of Mr Liam Hemsworth?” he repeated, looking over his horn-rimmed glasses.
“I’m his brother.”
“Your brother has Stage 4 cancer am I correct?”
Chris nodded grimly, his brows furrowing.
“He’s in critical condition, I’m afraid.”
“Is he going to be okay?” That was all Chris wanted to know – if his brother will be alright.
The nurse bit his lip, pausing for a fair bit before speaking, “We’re not sure. We’re doing all we can to help with the pain. But…. We can’t give you a definite answer now. All we can do now is to just pray for a miracle.”
“Okay.” That was all he could manage. A thousand and one thoughts ran through his mind as Chris plopped down to the chair again, not caring if he had rattled the entire bench – garnering glares from others on it. His fingertips were cold as he brought his hands to his face.
It took him quite a while to figure out where they went. Tom had sat on the floor of the kitchen helplessly, watching Chris haul his brother up to the stretcher with the paramedics. He had never known what true fear had felt like. It had gripped him mercilessly, digging its talons deep into his skin rendering him paralysed. He must have looked like a lost child. By the time he could move his limbs, he was all alone in the house. The horror on Liam’s face as well as Chris’ kept playing again and again in front of his eyes.
Tom wandered away from the house and the farm, his feet taking him nowhere in particular. He took shelter at a playground before remembering that Chris probably needed him. But… Ellie would be there right? Surely he wasn’t needed anymore. But he was Chris’ friend. He still has an obligation towards him. What if he told Chris what really happened? That he was the one who caused Liam to faint? What would be his fate then? Would he be turned away like how Liam had turned Zachary away all those years ago?
So many questions ringing in his ears. And it was up to him to have them answered.
By the time he willed himself to find the hospital and ultimately Chris and Liam, it was nightfall. Tears had been streaming down his face the entire time he walked. He wandered around the corridors aimlessly, avoiding collisions with people who looked past him. Tom couldn’t care less in the hospital had seen him – he just needed to find Chris and Liam. He had always hated the strong antiseptic smell hospitals have. He searched in every single ward he could find, looking out for a tall blonde wearing a plaid shirt with his hair tied in a ponytail. He cried till there were no more tears left of him.
Finally he decided to enter the Intensive Care Unit ward, peeking around from the entrance before taking a step forward. A number of medical staff bustled around him with their scrubs and medical masks, muttering medical jargons as they huddled together in front of the rooms.
“Stage 4…”
“When was he diagnosed?”
“More than a year ago.”
“Records of treatments?”
“None.”
“What’s the patient’s name again?”
“Hemsworth.”
Tom stilled at the mention of the last name. His steps increased its pace, his heart thumping against his chest. As the staff parted ways, muttering about Liam’s condition, Tom slowly approached the room.
Liam looked small and fragile in the bed. Wires and tubes were attached to his body and the machines surrounding his bed were beeping steadily, displaying his slow heartbeat, blood pressure and other things, Tom couldn’t comprehend.
Tears blurred his vision as the daunting truth started to descend upon him – he was the cause of this.
“Tom?”
The deep, cracked tone of Chris’ snapped him back to reality. Wide, frightened hues met with Chris’ swollen eyes. “Chris.” Tom shook his head, in an attempt to clear his head. He glanced at Liam. “Is he going to be okay?” He couldn’t hide the vulnerability in his hoarse tone.
Chris’ own eyes were glistened with moisture, threatening to spill if he blinked. He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Tom edged closer to him, not daring to make contact. “I wish I could help.”
Silence fell between them – allowing only the beeping from the machines keeping Liam alive to fill in the space.
Should I tell him?
“Alex told you?” Chris asked, finally breaking the silence.
Tom had half a mind to tell him that he had witnessed the whole thing – he had sat on the floor of the kitchen as they tried to shake him back to consciousness. He was staring at them the entire time and they couldn’t see him. And ultimately, he was the cause of it all.
Tom nodded mutely, folding his arms. It gave him a false sense of security and at this point of time, Tom would do anything to feel secure – even if it was false and temporary.
“He was sleeping in his room when Ellie came by,” Chris recounted, rubbing the back of his sore neck. “And we were at the backyard with the kids and we suddenly heard yelling from the kitchen.” All of them were startled when they heard Liam roaring lividly. Chris had squinted to see who he was screaming at but there was no one. And by the time he sees Liam crumbling down to the ground, he was already sprinting towards the house. “The doctors say he may be having hallucinations. At this stage, it’s possible and maybe….” Chris took in a deep breath before exhaling slowly. “Maybe he was having an episode – you know, like he always does.”
His lips were sealed as Chris told him of his perspective. Inside his head, there was a war waging on – should he tell or just leave it at that and blame it on “one of Liam’s episodes”? Gulping a huge lump in his throat Tom nervously glanced at Chris, then to Liam.
“Maybe,” he managed with eyes fluttering close. The moment his tongue had slipped, Tom knew he was going to regret this sooner or later. He had blatantly lied – something he has never done before. He always had a hard time comprehending why there is a need to lie and cover up the truth, but now he knew. Sometimes, lying was better. Perhaps what Chris doesn’t know, won’t hurt him. Chris still needs him. He couldn’t afford to be like Zachary all those years ago – have an unsolved case and be the pariah.
“Is he going to wake up soon?”
“I hope so.”
Tom willed himself to find the courage to stay calm. His gaze flickered to Chris. “You’re exhausted,” he remarked with brows knitting. “Go home, Chris.”
“No, I’m okay. I can stay by his side,” he insisted.
“No, you look like you’re going to faint any time soon and I don’t want that to happen,” Tom said firmly. I don’t want you to end up like Liam.
Chris was about to protest when Tom grabbed both sides of his jaw. “Listen to me,” he said desperately, locking their gaze. “Go home, Chris. I’ll be here. He’s in safe hands.” Tom gestured to the medical staff outside the room. “Please?”
Reluctantly, Chris agreed, nodding grimly. He went to Liam’s bedside, placing a hand on his brother’s forehead, breathing deeply as if to convince himself he could leave without regretting it thereafter.
Tom glanced away, to give them privacy.
“Hang in there, buddy,” Chris whispered. “Don’t you dare leave me when I’m gone.”
He could feel something different about himself. As soon as Chris left the room, Tom was left alone with his thoughts. He had since tuned out the beeping from the machines, Liam’s steady breathing through the oxygen mask.
Is this what guilt feel like? He had never felt like this before – it wasn’t his nature and Tom had decided to break it. He was forced to right? What if Chris flew into a rage when he told him the truth? He couldn’t risk that. One mistake was enough for today.
But, that’s not the only one today.
He had committed two mistakes within a space of 12 hours.
“You did what you had to.”
His heart all but leaped into his stomach.
“Ruby!”
She smiled gently at Tom before she approached him. Tom have forgotten how Ruby seemed to glide gracefully wherever she went. “How are you, my dear?” A soft hand was placed at the top of Tom’s head as if to assess if he was having fever.
“I’m okay,” he managed hoarsely, shaking his head whilst removing Ruby’s hands.
They settled into a comfortable sentence as Ruby’s attention was turned to Liam. “He’s exhausted,” she said before turning to Tom.
“I… I didn’t mean to...”
Ruby shushed him, crouching beside Tom. “I know,” she whispered, peering into Tom’s eyes. “You have always been reasonable but I think you’ve done enough.”
“Enough?”
Ruby nodded, patting his hand. "Enough," she repeated.
Confusion coloured his expression before panic bubbled over. “But my job isn’t done yet!” Tom squeaked. “No, no, this case can’t be unresolved, I still can finish it, I just –”
“Tom, wake up!” Ruby raised her voice slightly. “Look what you’ve done.” She gestured towards Liam before placing her hands on Tom’s shoulders. “This is too big for you. What do you think will happen when Liam wakes up? What if he remembers what happened? You're going to convince him to not tell Chris?” Ruby sighed exasperatedly. “He will definitely tell Chris. They're brothers. And need I remind you that Chris still thinks you’re a human being?”
Tom winced at the reminder. “Chris needs me.”
“You think I didn’t know that he stops seeing you when his friend, Ellie, comes by?” The remark was harsher than she had intended it to be. “Tom, you have to realise what that means!”
Again, Tom winced. “It was only today,” he insisted, “He could still see me! Like just now!” His face was flushed with eyes glistening. “Ruby, please don’t do this to me.”
“I’m not doing anything to you,” Ruby countered, willing herself to stay calm although she knew her patience was running out. “I’m just trying my best to help you see what you can’t. You haven’t been seeing things clearly.”
His brows knitted, “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean,” said Ruby impatiently. “I’ve already told you not to get emotionally attached to the family. I’ve already warned you that we are not like humans.”
A part of him wanted to protest – he wanted to tell Ruby that he had done nothing like what she has described but he knew, he would be lying.
“You may think you can control the situation. You may think if things are kept from Chris, it will be okay? Tom, you are handling adults – not children. They’re complex creatures.”
All he could hear were snippets from Ruby’s rant. Tom had long tuned out, staring at his hands and feet. “I’m not leaving them,” he said firmly. He wasn’t sure if that persistence was to convince himself or Ruby. But either way, he meant it. He wished this nagging feeling at the back of his head would stop.
“Tom, you can’t.”
“I’m not leaving them,” he repeated. “Nothing you say or do will change my mind.”
Ruby shook her head, almost too stunned to respond.
Chris, a widower, lived in Alma, Nebraska with his son Alex. And then Tom stumbled into their lives unexpectedly. Little did Chris and his son know that Tom was no ordinary friend. In fact, he was invisible and only they could see him.
A/N: Finally an update. Sorry for the long absence since school was kicking my butt. I am currently on summer holidays so expect regular updates! =D Enjoy.
Status: WIP
Chapters 1 - 12
Liam was never fond of thinking too much. Mulling over things and dwelling on them was very tiring to him and even though he has the habit of doing just that, he disliked it.
But he couldn't help himself.
He saw what he saw and it shocked him to the core. He thought it was over. That part of his life was over. So why is it haunting him now? Or was he just hallucinating? It was a possibility. This cancer had been nothing but a nuisance – replaying memories from the past and making it all hurt. But... if they were images from the past, why was it interacting with the present?
Then it'd prove that he wasn't hallucinating.
Those questions tumbled and whirred around his mind ceaselessly, keeping him up at night. Despite slumber hooking its tendrils to pull him under, Liam didn't succumb to it. He laid awake the entire time, hating himself for thinking about the situation over and over again, without any definite answer to it.
And by the time he decided to get to the bottom of this, sun rays had peeked beneath the curtains, creeping into the room.
It had been a long month for all of them. So many changes and Ellie felt as if she hadn't heard or seen Chris for some time despite him dropping Alex at her house on and off. So when she was finally granted an off day from work, Ellie thought she would drop by with Luke instead of the other way round. Unbuckling her seat belt, the brunette clambered out of her battered car.
"Hey you," Ellie greeted Chris, who beamed at her with his brows knitted.
"Ellie, hey! This is out of the ordinary," Chris noted, gesturing at the fact that she was out of her car. Usually when she drops Luke off, she'd remain in the car before driving off almost immediately.
Ellie decided that Chris' wide beam was infectious because she could feel her own lips curling up pleasantly.
"Nah, I have an off day after like... eons. The pursuit of money is not a pleasant ride," she said, jamming her hands into the pockets of her jeans. "And I thought I'd come and see you and the boys." She winced slightly, "I'm not disturbing you aren't I?"
"Gosh no!" Chris quickly interjected, "I'm not onto anything now, so your company is welcomed." He gestured towards the house and Ellie followed his lead. "And I do agree. It's infuriating when money is everything."
He looked radiant somehow – as if there was no problem or burden he had to carry on his shoulders. Ellie noticed how easily he smiled too. Or perhaps she just caught him in a good mood.
"So all the corn harvested?" she asked, shrugging her shoulders towards the fields which are now bare.
"Yeah. Finished it all up a week ago and today my regular buyer took all of it." The wide smile was still plastered on his face as they climbed the short flight of stairs to reach the porch. "Which is why you see me smiling like a loon." Chris rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, signifying he now has a pocketful.
Ellie laughed, making a face. "Well then, if your pocket is loaded, you should do some treating, you know," Ellie teased again.
Grinning at her, "I can always treat you to pizza."
"Pizza?! That's it?" Ellie feigned being offended.
"Pizza is everything," Chris said, pretending to be adamant about it before laughing. "Be patient and the treating will come."
His good mood is infectious, Ellie thought. This was the Chris she had known when Coraline was still alive – happy and charming. There was a certain boyish quality to him when a smile is a permanent fixture on his handsome face. Somehow Ellie knew it was more than just money that had put him in this context.
Chris led her to the kitchen and grabbed the hot pot of coffee ready on the counter, "Coffee?"
"Yes, please." Ellie settled down on one of the chairs as Chris handed her a steaming mug. "How are your boys, Chris?"
Sky blue hues flicked towards the woman in front of him whilst still blowing his hot mug of coffee. Chris put it down with a lazy smile spread across his face crookedly. "My boys? Are you referring to Liam as my son now?" His tone was coloured with light amusement as he met Ellie's gaze.
She chuckled, shaking her head as she put down her own mug of coffee. "Might as well be," she teased, winking in the process. "You three look well," Ellie concluded.
"We are," Chris agreed before he took another gulp of coffee. I hope we stay this way.
They could hear the delighted squeals of Alex and Luke from the swing set outside.
"How is Liam though? Still against treatments?" Ellie asked carefully. She knew she was teetering on a tight rope here. Although she regretted her words the second she asked.
Chris took his time to mull over that question. His gaze was now trained on the two young boys playing on the swing set. "It's his life," Chris said, sotto voce. "I have no say." He took another mouthful of coffee, letting the bittersweet liquid quench his sudden thirst.
"I know," Ellie resigned, exhaling through her nostrils. Chris' words echoed through her, tugging heavily in her chest.
Her eyes were trained on the blonde man opposite her as he took a seat. "It's Stage 4, Ellie. The cancer has spread to his vital organs. There's no way out now. Only to medicate his pain if he experienced it."
Shock gripped her being as Chris spoke of Liam's condition. "Stage..." she managed, not able to utter another word except for, "I.... I'm so sorry, Chris. I really am." Ellie reached across the table to squeeze his hand to give him comfort despite knowing it was futile.
"I am too."
They let silence settled in between them, both watching their sons having the time of their life, swinging up and down. Eventually she let go of his hand, reclining back to her seat. Ellie was grateful that she had bumped into Chris. Luke seemed happier and she has one thing less to worry about.
"I couldn't do it without Tom," Chris admitted out of the blue as he sipped his coffee.
When Ellie raised her eyebrows at him, Chris repeated, "Yeah, Tom, your ex, Luke's dad?"
"My ex?" Ellie cocked an eyebrow, giving Chris a questioning look. "Chris, unless this Tom is a ginger..." Chris promptly shook his head. "Because you know, Luke's dad is a ginger but his name was Ian. I don't have an ex named Tom. Luke's dad isn't a Tom."
This time, Chris' brows were the ones knitted. "But... he..." he closed his gaping mouth, frowning. Logic dictated his mind. How could Ellie and Tom? Neither are ginger have a kid with flaming red hair?!
"Isn't Tom, the name of Alex's imaginary friend?" Ellie prompted, suddenly interested to know the coincidence. Who is this Tom? Was he the one who made Chris happier?
Chris took a moment for the realisation to sink in. His eyes widened slightly before he averted Ellie's gaze. His mind raced, backtracking to the day he first met Tom. He did notice the coincidence but.... Chris shook his head, trying to get rid of the confusing thoughts. Tom did mention he was nothing to Ellie and Luke. Chris wondered what that meant. Was he truly just a stranger?
"So you don't know any Tom?" His gaze fleeted to the stool Tom usually sat in if he ever accepted any invitation to join for meal times.
Ellie shook her head, following his gaze towards the stool. "It's a common name but... no."
"Well then," Chris said thickly, unsure of how to go about this, "Then I must have been confused."
Narrowing her eyes with a cheeky smile hooked onto her lips, Ellie leaned forward. "Who is this helpful, mysterious Tom?"
Her teasing tone made Chris chuckle. "A friend," he answered casually before picking up the pot of coffee to fill his mug again. Just a friend.
"I'd love to meet him."
"You do?"
"You can't keep him to yourself you know! Good people have to be shared!"
"I thought only good food have to be shared!" Chris teased, cocking a brow at Ellie.
"Good people too," Ellie nodded. In truth she was much more curious to see what this Tom figure is like. Did Alex like him so much and perhaps named his imaginary friend Tom? He must have.
Little did they know, Tom had been in the kitchen and none of them had seen him sitting on his usual stool.
Despite his years of experience, Tom will never get used to being ignored – especially when it comes to people he has attached himself to.
He didn't see it coming of course. When he had waved to Chris, the blonde had glossed over him as if he hadn't seen him. He thought it was just a mistake. So he called Chris out, asking about his day when the woman, named Ellie, entered the kitchen as well. Realising Chris had a visitor, Tom kept himself quiet since Ellie couldn't see him. That was the 1st rule of being a friend. Never interrupt a social interaction between humans.
But today was different. Chris genuinely did not see him. Tom waved at him, even chirped about wanting coffee but got no reaction from him.
So he sat on his stool, listening to the conversation between the two. He noticed how Chris had smiled brightly to the woman and mentioned treating her to good food. He frowned at the unfamiliar twinge in his chest. He grew uneasy in his seat as the urge to make Chris stop talking to the woman became stronger.
He was about to leave the kitchen Chris mentioned his name to Ellie. His insides froze momentarily. Is this really happening?
Tom snorted at Chris' assumption of him being Ellie's ex and stifled a chuckle as Ellie debunked it. He didn't know why Chris insisted he was Luke's father. But then again, Chris doesn't know that imaginary friends can't procreate.
The confusion was riddled all over Chris face and Tom could tell he would probably bring this up the next time they see one another...
If they actually do. That thought weighed heavily in Tom's chest. Usually when friends stop seeing them it means....
Was it selfish of him that he didn't want this friendship to end?
Perhaps he was.
Liam swung his legs off the bed, grunting as he went. The throbbing at the back of his neck was driving him up the wall as he plundered down the stairs.
"Chris?"
There was no answer. The house seemed deserted. At a distance, Liam could hear the squeaks of the swings and high-pitched laughter. Must be Alex and his friend, Liam thought as he made his way towards the kitchen. Perhaps caffeine could make the pounding stop.
There was a pot of coffee on the counter as he moved towards it.
“Good morning, Liam.”
That was all it took to snap the strained tight tension on Liam’s nerves. He turned sharply to the cheerful voice, his face sullen.
“You don’t look too – “
The concern was cut off without warning as Liam’s fingers grabbed a handful of Tom’s shirt, dragging him off the chair and slammed him against the wall – rattling it.
"Who are you exactly?!" Liam demanded, with voice like iron. His bloodshot eyes had made him look lunatic, almost demonic.
Tom’s cerulean hues widened at his question. “What – what do – do you mean?” he stuttered, clearly frightened. “I’m Tom. Your friend. Remember?”
“I know your fucking name,” Liam spat. His face was flushed as he breathed heavily through his nose. “Who the fuck are you? How do you know Zachary?!”
His insides froze. His entire body went numb. Tom stared at Liam with glassy eyes before the other man clamped his fingers around his neck and rose him higher. He saw Zachary yesterday! Then why didn’t he say anything? Why?!
Tom struggled against Liam’s strength. “Let me go, Liam.”
“Not until you explain to me,” he snarled back defiantly. He tightened his grasp around Tom’s neck.
“If you know Zachary very well,” Tom said steadily, willing himself to stay calm, “You should know that we don’t feel physical pain. Nor do we breathe.”
The mention of Zach and the careful reminder rendered Liam’s arms to drop to his sides. His eyes darted to Tom’s neck, seeing no finger marks on his skin. It was his turn to have his eyes widened. “Who are you?” he whispered again, barely making a sound. Horror had replaced the anger in his eyes.
What he had feared was all true. What he had mulled over last night was…. All true. Iciness had spread from the tip of his fingers and across his limbs. He was numb. This can’t be true. Once was enough. The taunting calls from his past were ringing in his ears.
Liam you’re seeing ghosts!
Liam you need help.
Maybe your house is haunted, that’s why you’re seeing things.
Liam, there’s no one there! Stop acting crazy.
And they grew louder as each second passes by.
“I’m your friend,” Tom insisted. “I’m your friend. Chris’ and Alex’s as well. Zach is my colleague and friend too.”
“No. You’re not.” He held out a hand as if to put a considerable distance between them.
“Liam, please. Just because…”
“You’re imaginary,” Liam whispered again as he stumbled back. He felt faint all of a sudden.
“I’m your friend,” Tom insisted, this time, determined.
“Don’t come near me.” Liam desperately stumbled back, wanting to get as far away from Tom as possible.
“DON’T FUCKING COME NEAR ME!” he yelled with all his might.
And it was as if all of his strength that had kept him upright all this time had left him.
Because all Liam remembered thereafter was a dark, endless void.
Yeah, I think he would. Because I remember being in primary school and I remember I got bullied by kids and I was like “I’ll go get my big brother, I’ll go get him” and my big brother would come.
Liam Hemsworth, on whether he reckons Chris would volunteer for him in The Hunger Games. (via hardylevitt)
This chapter... while not heart wrenching... make my heart ache when Liam and Chris were bantering like brothers. Aaahhh I just have brother feels now. T_T
I know! I love it when they banter too. Although I kinda made Liam into a sassy queen. Hah!
As someone who has been reading your fics, I must say you're improving a whole lot and reading your stories forces me to revel in the characters' minds often. You put so much thought in A Friend. It's amazing.
*brb I am crying*
Thank you
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