A Different Path

Chapter 34 - Expensive

Criticism spot! :)

Crutchie's POV

I was woken up by the bell, my body feeling as though it was on fire. I curled up a bit as though it'd help me feel better, hearing Jack shuffle from beside me. 

"Body aching bad?" He asked, and I nodded, keeping my eyes closed. "I'll go get you some breakfast, okay?" I then shook my head, surprising Jack.

"I'm not gonna be able to eat," I got out, feeling his worry radiate off him. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" He asked, pushing my hair from my face.

"That I'm not getting better." I finally opened my eyes to look at him, my eyes burning with tears. "I promise I'm trying, I really am," I continued, my voice shaking.

"Hey, stop being so hard on yourself. I know you're trying, and you're doing a great job. I promise." He smiled kindly at me, however I was unable to return it, still feeling upset. "I'm gonna get you food, and I'll just leave it on the nightstand. How does that sound?" I nodded, not wanting to talk. "I'll be right back. Just keep resting." 

After Jack had left I began to think, my usual feelings of uselessness and disappointment started to creep up on me, worse than normal. I turned so I was looking at the ceiling, realizing I was starting to slip back into my old thinking patterns. I remembered that I hadn't written in my journal since this had all happened, and I knew doing so would help me greatly. However, my journal wasn't here, so all I could do was continue staring at the ceiling. Out of nowhere someone knocked on the door, making me jump a little.

"Hey, it's Race, can I come in?" 

"Sure," I tried my best to be loud enough, slowly sitting myself up, despite how badly it hurt. Race walked over to me with a smile, sitting down on the bed.

"Doing any better?" He asked, and I shrugged.

"Dunno, I think what I did last night might've hurt me a little," Race smiled at me before glancing at the door, sighing.

"Walter is here to check up on you since he's way better at this stuff than I am. Is that alright?" I hesitated for a moment, wanting to scream no. Race could tell I was nervous, continuing to smile reassuringly. "I know he can be a total ass, it's why I'm not actually friends with him, but he can really help." Race whispered, and I took a deep breath, nodding. "I'll stay in the room with you two so you feel better about it, alright?"

"Thanks," I mumbled as Race stood up, preparing myself in case I had to stop a panic attack. Race looked down the hallway, motioning for Walter to come in. A few seconds passed before he walked into the room, already seeming annoyed of me. 

"How're you feeling?" He asked, standing beside the bed.

"Uh- I think I'm doing better," I mumbled, feeling far more nervous than I had expected to feel.

"You think?" He asked, lifting the back of my shirt to look at my cuts. He didn't do so gently, causing horrific, aching pain to shoot through me. "Either you feel better or you don't. Which is it." Race suddenly left and rushed into the hallway, and I realized Jack must be back, so he was telling him what was going on. Just as I had guessed, Race returned with Jack a few seconds later, not saying a word while Walter kept looking me over. Jack stood with Race on the right side of the room, not wanting to get in Walter's way. "You gonna fuckin' answer me?" Walter spat, moving on to the few cuts on my arms.

"Uhm," was all I got out, beginning to panic. It was clear Jack had noticed this and wanted to step in, but knew doing so would just upset Walter, so he held back.