As soon as Blaine passed out Cooper completely lost it. He shook his brother roughly, eyes wide and filled with tears. 

“Blaine?” He gasped, voice cracking. 

“Honey, wake up,” Kurt gently tapped his fingers against Blaine’s too pale cheek. “Blaine!” 

“No, no, no,” Cooper pressed the now blood soaked pillow case against his still bleeding wound. “Finn! When is the ambulance getting here?”

“They’re close,” Finn’s voice was high pitched. 

“He’s not breathing,” Kurt sounding a little hysterical. He took Blaine’s chin in his hand and shook him slightly but the other boy just lay limp. 

“Go outside Finn.” Cooper snapped. “Wave down the ambulance.”

Grateful for something to do, Finn raced out the front door. 

They gently moved Blaine onto his back and Cooper pulled the sheet off of the guest bed, pressing the fabric to the wound. Kurt was sobbing softly, shaking Blaine’s shoulder. 

“Come on,” Cooper muttered, hearing the wail of sirens in the distance. “Please stay with us.” 

They could hear Finn speaking rapidly to someone outside, voice rising with each word. Three paramedics raced in and pulled them both away. Kurt sobbed harder as a kind woman reassured him and firmly held him back. 

“Let them do their job,” She tried to take him out of the bedroom. “Your friend will be okay.”

“He’s my boyfriend,” Kurt sobbed, eyes locked on Blaine’s unmoving body. 

Another man had a much harder time pulling out Cooper who kept trying to jump to his brother. The man had to physically hold him back in order to let the EMTs get to Blaine on the floor. 

The EMTs started talking quickly to each other, pressing an oxygen mask over Blaine’s face and moving him to the stretcher. They hurried him out of the room, pushing Kurt and Cooper out of the way. 

“I can drive,” Finn hurried up to them, still looking pale and shaken but more together than the others. “Get in the car. Let’s go.”

As soon as they got in the car Finn sped off behind the ambulance. Kurt’s eyes were locked on the flashing lights and he sat stiffly, leaning forward. His body was wracked by small shivers and he let out barely audible whimpers every so often.

Cooper buried his face in his hands and started sobbing harshly, unable to catch his breath. With a deep moan he doubled over even more and twisted his fingers in his hair. 

“Fuck!” His head snapped up and he stared intently at Kurt. “Was he dead? Kurt, was he dead?”

“Please don’t,” Kurt whimpered, sinking further down in the seat, eyes fixed on the ambulance that was pulling into the hospital. “Please Cooper…not now.” 

The older man jumped out of the car even before Finn slowed down. After a stumble he regained footing and sprinted to the ER, closely followed by Kurt and Finn. 

“My brother just went in,” He said breathlessly to the front desk.

“Okay sir,” The overweight, middle aged woman blinked at him and handed him a clipboard. “Fill out this paperwork.”

“You don’t understand,” Cooper slammed his fist down on the table. “My brother could be dead. You fucking tell me if he’s okay!”

“The doctors are still working on him,” The woman droned and waved the clipboard slightly. “Now fill out this paperwork.”

With a soft smile, Finn took the paper work and steered them over to some plastic chairs. Cooper’s foot bounced up and down and he glared darkly at the woman at the front desk. 

“What’s Blaine’s middle name?” Finn asked, chewing on the pen. 

“Alexander,” Kurt said hollowly, running his fingers through his hair. “You need to call your parents Cooper.”

“I don’t even know what’s happening,” Cooper whispered. “What am I going to tell them?”

Two police officers stepped into the room, whispered to the woman and turned towards them. One of the men was a severe, sharp looking young man with a crew cut who straightened up and walked over. 

“Are you here with Blaine Anderson?” He asked slowly. 

“Yes!” Cooper jumped up. “What’s the matter? Is something wrong? Where’s the doctor?”

“Son we need to talk about what happened,” He puffed out his chest a little and the older police man turned towards him with a glare. “You do understand that this is a rather suspicious event right?” 

“Excuse me?” Cooper took a step back, eyes narrowing. 

“Your brother was found tied to a bed, beaten and sliced open and you don’t seem worried about what happened?” He cocked his head to the side.

“I’m sorry are you suggesting that I had something to do with what happened?” Cooper straightened up.

“I’m just saying that things aren’t lining up.”

“Christ Cole,” The older police officer snapped. “I let you start with them because I thought you could handle it but clearly I was wrong. This isn’t some bad cop show, show some respect. Sorry boys, I’m Officer Richards.”

Cooper didn’t take the offered hand. 

“I don’t know what happened,” He said slowly. 

“Someone broke in,” Kurt interrupted. “We got to the house and found him like that. It must have been a robbery gone wrong…or something.”

The officer looked at them for a long time before nodding. 

“Is Blaine okay?” Finn whispered. 

“I’m not sure,” Officer Richards frowned. “We just wanted to find out what happened. We want to find whoever hurt Blaine.”

“We don’t know what happened,” Tears filled Cooper’s eyes. “Please…I don’t even know if my brother is alive.”

“I will go talk to the doctor and see if we can get someone out here to talk to you,” He smiled at them and shoved the younger officer lightly before they walked into the back room. 

With a huff, Cooper slumped down in the chair. He leaned back and closed his eyes, letting his legs stretch out.

“What are we going to tell people?” Kurt asked, slightly hysterical. “That a ghost possessed him and attacked with phantom weapons that caused actual wounds and nearly killed him.”

“Yeah…that doesn’t sound super realistic,” Finn muttered, scrubbing at his face. 

“Okay,” Cooper raised his hands and pulled both of them close. “Some guys broke into the house. They didn’t take anything but beat the shit out of Blaine. He took one of our cars without asking to get homework and they found him. We got worried and followed just as they fled. We didn’t see them. We didn’t hear anything. All we know is that Blaine is hurt and we’re terrified okay?” 

“I don’t…”

“Kurt. That is the story,” Cooper’s eyes flashed. “That is the story or we all wind up in a fucking mental institution okay?” 

The teenager nodded sharply, eyes wide. 

“I have to call my parents,” Cooper’s voice cracked and he closed his eyes tightly before standing and pulling out his cell phone. He walked to the corner of the waiting room and 
bounced from foot to foot while the phone rang. 

“Hi sweetheart!” His mother’s cheerful voice finally made the tears stream down his face. “How are you?”

“Mom,” He sobbed, leaning against a wall. “Something…something happened. Blaine…some guys broke into the house.”

“Honey what happened?” Tricia’s voice rose.

“He’s really hurt. The doctors are working on his now and I don’t know what’s happening. Christ mom…he could be…”

“Don’t say that,” Tricia’s voice was harsh. “We’re on our way. Keep me updated.”

The click of the phone made Cooper jump slightly and stare at it in disbelief. With a heavy sigh he collapsed into the chair next to Kurt. 

“She hung up.”

“She’s scared,” Kurt soothed softly. “They’re coming though right?”

“Yeah,” Cooper mumbled, eyes locked on the door.

After another twenty minutes of silence, a tired looking doctor walked through and nodded at them. 

“You are here for Blaine Anderson?” He asked with a slight accent. Kurt nodded frantically and grabbed Finn’s arm in a death grip. “I’m Dr. Savic.”

“Is Blaine okay?” Cooper asked breathlessly. 

“He lost a lot of blood. We had to remove his spleen and one of his kidneys. On the operating table he did flat line and was without oxygen for a few minutes. Although he is currently stable we don’t know if he will stay that way. Along with the deep side injury, he has a pretty bad concussion. If Blaine makes it through the night then we’ll be in the clear…but I’ll be honest I’m not sure if he will make it. I’m so sorry. We will do everything we can to help give Blaine a fighting chance.”

“Can we see him?” Kurt whispered, tears running down his face. 

The doctor smiled warmly and nodded. He led them through the busy ER and stopped in front of one of the rooms. 

“He’s going to look bad,” Dr. Savic warned before opening the door.

Blaine looked so small and pale in the bed. Bloody tubes trailed out from the pile of blankets and a breathing tube was taped onto his face.

“Oh God,” Kurt sobbed softly, running forward to stroke back his hair. 

“Christ,” Cooper swallowed heavily and stumbled forward. “Blaine, I am so sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Kurt whispered, shaking his head. 

“I was living there when this all started. I abandoned him to deal with it on his own and because I didn’t believe him, my little brother might die,” He sunk into the chair on Blaine’s side. 

“I gave him that concussion,” Finn stood to the side, staring down at his feet. 

“This was no one’s fault but that monster’s,” Kurt snapped. “He did all of this and Blaine fought him and won. We just have to be here for him when he wakes up.”

He tightened his jaw and took Blaine’s hand in his. 

“Please,” Kurt leaned forward and whispered to Blaine. “Please don’t leave us.”

___________

Blaine made it through the night.

Four days later his hand finally twitched in Kurt’s and the next day he blinked awake. He woke up surrounded by doctors, his parents, Cooper and Kurt. At first he just looked around confused and tried to push people away.

“Blaine, can you move your feet and hands for me,” Dr. Savic said gently, smiling when he complied. “Okay, tell me your name.”

“B…Blaine,” He said hoarsely, wincing from the sore throat. 

“Very good,” The doctor grinned. “How do you feel?”

“I…I…” He whimpered softly and tears filled his eyes. “Where is he? Is he here? Oh…oh God he’s going to kill me!”

“No, no,” Kurt shoved through the group and took his hand. “He’s gone sweetie. You’re okay.”

“What?” Blaine’s eyes were wide and glazed. 

“You’re okay,” Kurt’s face split into a wide grin. 

Hazel eyes drifted blearily around the crowd surrounding him. Blaine’s breathing sped up and he tried to shift backwards away from the people. He twisted his hand out of Kurt’s and covered his face with trembling hands. 

“Sweetheart?” Kurt asked, throat tightening. 

“Please don’t,” He whispered hoarsely. “I want to be alone. Please…leave me alone.”

“It’s alright,” The doctor soothed, gently pulling Kurt aside so that he could approach Blaine. “You know that you’re safe right? No one can hurt you here.”

Trembling, Blaine shook his head and leaned towards Kurt. He was wrapped in a loose hug and Kurt gently rested his chin on his boyfriend’s head. 

“Okay, we can leave you alone for a bit,” The doctor smiled at him.. “I just want to know if you’re doing okay. Are you in pain right now?”

Blaine nodded shakily, tears filling his eyes.

“I’ll give you some medication okay?” He adjusted a machine near the bed. “You just rest and feel better.”

With a final smile, Dr. Savic left the room followed closely by their parents. As soon as the door shut, Blaine slumped against Kurt and closed his eyes tightly. 

“Blaine?” Cooper whispered. 

“He’s gone,” Blaine’s breath came out in a sob. “I can’t feel him anymore…I can’t believe it.” 

“He is,” Kurt’s arm tightened slightly. 

“I’m so sorry,” Tears began to stream down Blaine’s face. “I hurt you. I’m sorry…God, I’m so, so sorry. Please…please forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” Kurt kissed his temple. 

“It was never your fault Blaine,” Cooper took his hand and squeezed it. 

“It was,” His head fell back as the morphine began to kick in. “I let him in. If I wasn’t so…so weak…”

“Please don’t say that,” Kurt’s voice cracked and Blaine slumped further in his arms. He let out a whimper as the medication took over and lightly dig his nails into Kurt’s forearm before falling unconscious. 

“He’ll be okay,” Cooper assured Kurt. “He has to be.” 

Tricia and Charles stepped back in, eyes red rimmed and exhausted looking. With a soft sigh, Tricia reached over and rubbed Blaine’s leg through the blanket. 

“The doctor says he’ll have problems,” She whispered. “He is recommending a psychologist and intensive therapy. The police are still wanting to talk to him and…and I don’t know if he’s going to be alright.”

“What happened?” Charles looked at Cooper who stared back with wide eyes. “You said someone broke in. Did you see them? Did they take anything? Christ, what were they going to do to Blaine?” 

“I…” Cooper swallowed. “It’s all my fault.”

“No,” Tricia shook her head frantically. “You can’t blame yourself. This wasn’t your fault.”

“I was supposed to check in on Blaine,” Cooper’s eyes filled with tears. “He went home and I guess they were there. They drove off right as we got there and he was just bleeding everywhere.”

“But why did they choose Blaine?” 

“I don’t want to lie to you,” Cooper breathed, eyes wide. 

“I’m not accusing you of lying,” She took his hand. “I believe you. I just don’t want to think that he was nearly killed for no reason.” 

“It was a monster,” Kurt whispered. “What hurt Blaine wasn’t human.”

“You said it,” Charles shook his head. “Who could do that to a teenaged kid?”

Cooper’s anxious eyes sought out Kurt’s who shook his head slightly. The secret seemed to hover in the room and choked both of them. The Anderson’s wouldn’t understand the truth. No one would. 

So, they had to keep quiet.