A/N: I separated the previous chapter into two, as I would rather two shorter chapters than one super long chapter. This is why there are so many more chapters. :)
Over the next two nights, Fourth remained in Paul's bedroom. By Monday, Fourth despondently attended classes and in the evening lay on the makeshift bed beside Paul's on the floor in a daze. It pained Paul to see his friend in his current state but he knew what he had to do to not only help his friend but also Gemini and Ken.
That evening, Paul continually glanced at the clock, his foot tapping against the table leg as he sat at his desk, study books opened in front of him. As the clock ticked, Paul could barely keep it together. The buzz of his phone startled him and the message read, "Is he still there?"
Paul turned his phone over to hide the screen and running both hands through his hair, slowly turned to face Fourth. It was absurd to think that he would be the one to instigate the course of events. But what was more absurd was not knowing how he was going to do it. He wanted to growl in frustration.
"Fourth." Paul said, getting his friends attention.
"It's time for me to leave. Right!" Fourth said, as he continued to stare up at the ceiling.
"Mmmm. I don't think you can keep running away from this." Paul told him.
Fourth let out a deep sigh, knowing his friend was right.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Paul asked.
Fourth didn't respond, instead he slowly got up and moving around the room, gathered his items. When he approached Paul, only then did he say, "It's okay. You've done enough. Thank you."
"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" Paul asked again.
"I'm sure. It's okay. I should tell Gemini he doesn't turn up when I see him next." There was no conviction in Fourth's voice, as though the chance of ever meeting Gemini again where now gone. A pain went through Paul's heart and as he walked Fourth to the door, on the verge of tears.
"Call me if you need me. Okay" Paul asked and Fourth nodded, as he too attempted to hold back his tears.
As Paul closed the door behind Fourth, he returned to his phone and called Ken.
"He's on his way to his room now. What do I do?"
"I'm not sure. I'll come to your room now. Wait for me." Ken hung up and Paul went back to his door and opening it saw Fourth enter the elevator and the doors close. No sooner had they closed, Ken left his room and came towards Paul.
"You did good." Ken comforted Paul, who in turn shook his head.
"I hate seeing him like this. Are you sure we've done the right thing by not telling him the truth." Paul asked as they entered his bedroom.
"Yes. It will be over soon. I promise." Ken wrapped his arms around Paul and pulled in in close to comfort him.
"And this is the last time he'll see Gemini." Paul asked.
"Yes. After tonight it should be over." Ken held Paul close to him.
Paul pulled back to look at Ken, "But what if this isn't the end. We don't know what's coming after this. How can you be sure it will be over."
Ken closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. He didn't know. He'd had the same argument with Gemini but Paul didn't need to know that.
Ken open his eyes and stared intently at Paul. Even if he didn't know what was going to happen next, his first priority was to protect Paul. "It's definitely going to be okay. Trust me."
Fourth paused at his door before pulling out his key from his pocket. The hesitation he experienced became a weight he could barely manage. With a deep exhale, Fourth unlocked his door and entered the room. With a glance towards the wall he couldn't see the key hook on the wall and immediately realised he was once again in Gemini's room. He then noticed the thin stream of light coming from beneath the bathroom door.
Fourth entered the bedroom and dropped his belongings on Gemini's bed and his bag at his feet. With an apprehensive glance around the room, Fourth sat at the foot of the bed shaking his legs in anxiousness. After a moment, Fourth realised there wasn't any sound coming from the bathroom and he wondered if Gemini was actually there; perhaps he had left the light on. Fourth rose and approaching the bathroom door his closed hand hovered near the door before he found the courage to knock.
Silence followed and Fourth knocked once more and this time also called Gemini's name but there was no response from the bathroom. Convinced the light had been left on, Fourth took the door handle and turning it, push the door open. It moved only a few inches before it came to a stop. Fourth put a little more force behind the door but found it didn't budge. As he looked down he caught the sight of something and crouching, Fourth reached into the room and found the object stopping the door from opening to be Gemini passed out on the floor.
"Gemini." Fourth called out and when there was no answer, Fourth called his name again, as fear and terror engulfed him.
With clenched fists, Fourth started banging against the lower door attempting to wake Gemini but there continued to be no response from the bathroom. Fourth repeatedly called Gemini's name but in the end placed his shoulder against the door and with his foot against the opposite wall forced the door open enough for him to squeeze in.
Fourth stumbled in and over Gemini's unconscious body on the floor. As he kneeled beside Gemini, Fourth hadn't realised he was crying until he couldn't focus on Gemini's features clearly. With the back of his hand, Fourth wiped his face, then grabbed Gemini by the arm and shook him for a response.
There was a small, agonising moan from Gemini and Fourth knew he had to get him to a hospital immediately. With trembling hands, Fourth pulled out his phone from his back pocket and called the emergency number and reported the incident. Not sure if he could leave the room with Gemini or if he should wait, Fourth decided he would attempt to get Gemini downstairs. His phone tucked back in his pocket once more, Fourth squeezed his hands attempting to stop them from shaking. With all the courage he could muster, Fourth manoeuvred his arms under Gemini's and with a tremendous amount of effort, lifted Gemini up from the cold tiled floor. Fourth grunted as he did and Gemini regaining some consciousness and with barely a whisper, mouthed, 'Fourth'.
"Can you help me?" Fourth's voice broke as he continued to cry and struggled to get Gemini upright.
Gemini weakly made an attempt to hold onto Fourth but could barely do so.
After pulling and lifting Gemini to standing position. Fourth wrapped both his arms around Gemini's waist and pushing them both out of the bathroom, crashed into the wall opposite. Back against the wall, Gemini slumped against Fourth as Fourth held him tight, not to let him fall. With a glance towards the door, Fourth pushed his body against Gemini's to hold him upright, as he removed one arm from around Gemini and reached out to open the door.
The overstretch to do so was difficult but Fourth managed to unlock the door and open it. The light from the corridor streamed into the room and as Fourth turned back to Gemini he found he'd once more passed out. Sweat covered them both and Fourth turned and pulling Gemini's arm up and over his shoulder's attempted to carry Gemini from the room. At this point Gemini had completely succumbed to unconsciousness and Fourth knew he wasn't going to be able to do it on his own. As he pushed Gemini back against the door to support his weight, Fourth reached into his back pocket and pulling out his phone, and on the off chance, called Paul.
When Paul answered, a wave a relief washed over Fourth until he suddenly realised, he was in Gemini's timeline, therefore it was possible this Paul didn't know who he was.
When Paul answered, "Fourth, are you okay? Has something happened?" The wave of relief once more washed over Fourth.
"Paul. I think I know why Gemini disappeared. He's now in my timeline."
"What! How?" Paul asked, his voice rushed and surprised.
"I need your help. Can you come." Fourth pleaded.
"I'm on my way." Paul said but before he could hang up, Ken's voice sounded over the phone and he said to Fourth. "On the desk. Is there a brown paper bag?"
"What!" Fourth said, struggling to hold up Gemini as they slowly began to sink to the floor in the doorway.
"On the desk, Fourth. There should be a brown paper bag." Ken's voice was urgent and demanding.
Fourth glance back into the bedroom but couldn't see the bag.
"I don't see it. Why?" Fourth asked.
"You need to find it. It will save Gemini's life." Ken insisted.
Both Fourth and Gemini were now sinking further to the floor, and Fourth made every attempt to lift then both back up. With a deep breath and furious grunt, Fourth placed all his force into his legs and lifting them up again, he stumbled from the room as they both fell against the opposite wall. As he turned to face Gemini, in the bright light of the corridor, Fourth could now clearly see the pale, deathly features of Gemini's face, and it terrified him. Gently, Fourth lowered Gemini to the floor and placing his phone back into his pocket, watched Gemini's chest to ensure he still breathed. For the briefest of moments Fourth thought he was too late, until he saw Gemini's chest slowly rise and fall. Once certain Gemini wouldn't fall, Fourth stood and reentered the bedroom.
On the desk was the brown paper bag Ken mentioned and Fourth gave a puzzle look as he quickly snatched it up. But as he went to turn back he caught site of the bedroom and in frozen panic as he slowly looked back out into the corridor, now empty.