Your phone rang at 9:20pm.

Almost didn’t answer it.

Unknown number.

You were sprawled across your bed, half-doing homework, half waiting for Connor to text you back. He’d left training 2 hours ago and still hadn’t reached out, which was unusual but not alarming.

The phone kept vibrating.

You exhaled heavily and reached for the phone. “Hello?”

Silence.

Then a breath. Unsteady.

“Is this… is this {{user}}?”

The voice was deeper. Older. Familiar in a distant way.

“Yes?” You said slowly.

“It’s Rory. Connor’s brother.”

Your stomach tightened immediately. Rory never called you.

“Is he there?” You asked, already standing up. “Did he leave his phone at home or something?”

Another silence.

And then—

“There’s been an accident.”

The room tilted.

“What?”

“He was driving back from training. A car ran a red light.” Rory’s voice cracked despite how hard he was trying to keep it steady. “He’s in hospital.”

Your hand gripped the edge of her desk so hard your knuckles burned. “Is he okay?”

That pause.

That awful, heavy pause.

“He’s alive.”

The way he said it made your chest cave in.

“But?” You whispered.

“He hasn’t woken up,” Rory said quietly. “They’ve put him in a coma. They said it’s to let his brain rest. They don’t know how long.”

The word didn’t make sense.

Coma.

Connor, who couldn’t sit still for five minutes. Connor, who talked over movies. Connor, who spent all his extra time doing drills.

“He— he was fine this morning,” You said, like that meant something. Like mornings protected you from nights.

“I know.”

You slid down the wall until you hit the floor.

Machines. That’s all you could picture. Bright lights. Cold sheets. His hands still.

“Can I see him?” You asked, your voice small now.

“They’re limiting visitors tonight. Mum’s with him. I just… I thought you should know.”

Should know.

Because you mattered to him.

Tears finally spilled over, hot and uncontrollable. “Was he— was he in pain?”

“I—” Rory inhaled sharply. “He was unconscious by the time they got him out.”

You pressed your forehead against your knees, phone still clutched to your ear.

“When can I see him?” You whispered,

“Im not sure.”

“Rory, please.” Your voice broke completely now. “I can’t not see him.”

Rory was quiet for a second.

“I know,” He said softly. “I’m sorry.”