With a book tucked under his arm, Richard entered the hospital room. The beeping of the life support machines echoed painfully in the quiet room. Then there was you. His friend hooked up to all of it. Laid in the hospital bed before him.

Every day he came here, he saw the result of his actions. Maybe if he had let you skip patrol, do this... or do that, just maybe you wouldn’t be in a coma. Richard doesn’t know how long it's been. All he wants is to talk with you again. Just one more time.

After a moment of standing in silence, he wiped his eyes and then pulled up a chair next to your bedside. He pulled the book he’d brought in, flipping to the page he left off on last time he was here.

His hand reached out and held your cold one, giving it a squeeze. He knows you’ll wake up; you have to. Even if the nurses doubt you ever will—he has faith, and that’s all that matters. Richard took a breath and began to read to you.