Sophie And Lane

Chapter 12

Lane's POV

I sat on the toilet seat, tears flowing from my eyes.  I was sick, really sick.  I was running a fever of 103.8, my entire body hurt, and I had just thrown up.  I knew why too...at least 3 of my cuts were infected.  My forearm was swollen and angry.  The cuts that were infected has pus crusted around them.  I needed to tell my brothers, but then they would know.  I cried harder.

"Everything ok in there?"

My eyes went wide with fear.  Two-Bit was outside the bathroom, "um yeah," I whispered hoarsely in a very unconvincing tone.

"Laney, open the door," he called out.  I didn't move and a few seconds later, the door opened.  Damn Two-Bit picked the lock.  "You look awful, Kid," he felt my forehead, "you're burning up."  He looked real concerned.

He picked me up and carried me to the couch.  I whimpered as he bumped my infected arm.  After he set me down, he picked up the phone and called Darry.  I started crying all over again.  Two-Bit came back.  He sat down and put my head on his lap.  He held a cold compress to my face and neck after he laid a blanket over me.  "Two," I said through my tears, "I miss mommy and daddy."

He kissed my forehead, "I know, baby girl, I know.  Close your eyes, Darry's gonna be home soon." Two-Bit started humming 'Love Me Tender' by Elvis.  I closed my eyes.  I was so tired.

"Lane, Laney," my brother's voice startled me awake, "we need to get to urgent care."

My eyes fluttered, "So tired, Dare...5 more minutes." 

I felt myself being lifted and than cradled by big brother, "I know you're tired. Two, would you mind sitting in the back with her?"

"Course not." I heard him answer.  He sounded so far away.  My head swam.  I dozed on and off as we drove to urgent care.

Darry carried me in and we went back to the room right away.  The nurse said she needed me to change into a gown and asked my brother to step out.  I immediately started bawling again, "Elaine, honey, they can come in once you're dressed."

"It....it's not th...tha...that," I sobbed.  My stomach hurt and not from being sick, "Darry's gonna be so mad at me.  He's gonna hate me," I mumbled over and over again.

Darcy, the nurse, knelt down next to me, "honey is someone hurting you?  Do you feel safe in your home?"

"My brothers would never," I answered sharply.  Instead of going into detail, I took of my shirt, trying to avoid moving my left arm. 

I expected her to gasp or scream or grab a straight jacket, but instead she knelt in front of me and helped me into the gown.  Then she hugged me, I stiffened at first but than sunk into her, "are there cuts anywhere else?"

"My legs," I whispered.  I was shivering from the fever now and allowed Darcy to wrap me in a warm blanket.  She called Darry back in, he sat next to me and held my hand.  "Darry, I want Mommy and Daddy."

He stroked my hair, "I know you do, baby."

"Dare, I gotta tell ya something," I hesitated, "please don't be mad at me."  I felt so weak and sick, "I cut myself."

Darry furrowed his brow with confusion, "ok?"

I uncovered my left arm, "I cut myself.  That's why I'm sick."

Darry grabbed my arm for a closer look, "Laney?" He questioned as he gazed at my arm, "whaddya mean?"

"I cut myself.  On purpose, with my blade."

Darry's eyes filled with worry, "I don't understand."

Darcy stepped forward, "it's much more common than you think.  Especially for teen girls."  Darcy sat next to Darry.  "Has anything traumatic happened?"

"Our parents died about 4 months ago."  He look at me with an expression I had never seen before, "Why Laney? You coulda talked to any one of us."

I closed my eyes, "can we talk about this later?" I whimpered.  "I don't feel good." 
He wanted to more, but instead he held my hand and kissed my forehead. 

Darcy left and came back with the doctor.  He told me that I have a staph infection.  He gave me a heavy duty antibiotic shot and a filled out a prescription, "you need to stop cutting yourself.  What you're doing is not only extremely dangerous, but it can kill you."  He turned to Darry, "I'm going to give you some information on a few different treatment centers that specialize is self-destructive behavior."  Darry took the pamphlets wordlessly, "you two are free to leave when you're ready."