**Chapter 18: Johnny's Dark Past**

As I sat beside Johnny's hospital bed, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered long after my parents had left. Their visit had been a reminder of everything I wanted to forget – the neglect, the abandonment, the constant feeling of being an afterthought. I glanced over at Johnny, who was still sleeping, his bruised face a stark contrast to his usual pale complexion. Dally, who had been quietly observing the scene, cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Vik, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, his voice low and serious. I nodded, getting up from my chair and following Dally out of the hospital room. We walked down the hall, the fluorescent lights overhead casting an eerie glow on the linoleum floor. The smell of antiseptic and stale air clung to my nostrils, a constant reminder of the hospital's sterile environment. "What's up, Dally?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Dally leaned against the wall, his eyes locked onto mine. "It's about Johnny," he said, his voice measured. "I know you two have gotten close, but you need to be careful around him." I raised an eyebrow, a shiver running down my spine. "What do you mean?" Dally's expression turned grim. "Johnny's got a past, Vik. A past that's not exactly... pleasant. He's been through some stuff, and it's left him with some scars. Emotional scars." I felt a pang of curiosity, mixed with concern. "What kind of scars?" I pressed, my voice laced with a sense of trepidation. Dally hesitated, his eyes flicking around the hallway before settling back on mine. "Let's just say that Johnny's not as innocent as he seems. He's been in some tough situations, and it's affected him. He's got a temper, Vik, and it's not always easy to control." I thought back to the way Johnny had fought off the Socs, his eyes flashing with a fierce intensity. I had seen that side of him before, but I had also seen the vulnerable side, the side that made me feel like I was the only person in the world. As Dally spoke, his words painted a picture of a troubled past, one that I couldn't quite grasp. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized that Johnny's calm exterior might be hiding more than just a few secrets. I walked back to Johnny's room, my mind racing with questions. What had Johnny been through? What had made him the way he was? I sat back down beside him, holding his hand in mine. "Johnny?" I whispered, my voice gentle. He stirred, his eyes fluttering open. "Hey, Vik," he whispered back, his voice hoarse. I smiled, squeezing his hand. "Hey, Johnny. I'm here." He smiled back, his eyes locking onto mine. And in that moment, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be – by Johnny's side, no matter what lay ahead. "Johnny, can I ask you something?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. He looked at me, his eyes cautious. "What is it, Vik?" I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "Dally told me about your past," I said, my voice gentle. "About your parents... and what you've been through." Johnny's expression changed, his eyes clouding over. For a moment, I thought he was going to shut me out, to push me away. But then, something seemed to shift inside him. "Vik, I..." he started, his voice cracking. I squeezed his hand, encouraging him to continue. "It's okay, Johnny. I'm here. I want to know." He took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with a mixture of pain and fear. "My parents... they weren't like yours, Vik," he said, his voice low. "They were... abusive. They hurt me, physically and emotionally. I was always walking on eggshells, never knowing when they'd blow up at me." I felt a pang of horror, my heart aching for Johnny. I had known that his parents were bad, but I had no idea it was that bad. "I'm so sorry, Johnny," I whispered, my voice filled with emotion. He looked at me, his eyes searching. "It's not your fault, Vik," he said, his voice gentle. "But... it's affected me. It's made me the way I am. Sometimes, I feel like I'm losing control, like I'm going to snap." I pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "You're not going to snap, Johnny," I whispered. "I'm here for you. I'll help you through it." As we hugged, I felt a connection between us deepen. I realized that Johnny's dark past was a part of him, but it didn't define him. He was more than just his scars, more than just his fears. And in that moment, I knew that I was willing to face whatever lay ahead, as long as Johnny was by my side. I pulled back, looking into his eyes. "I love you, Johnny," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. He looked at me, his eyes filled with surprise and emotion. "I love you too, Vik," he whispered back. As we sat there, holding hands and looking into each other's eyes, I knew that our relationship had reached a new level. We had faced our fears, and we had come out stronger on the other side. And I knew that no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together.