as fragile as a dandelion

a new life

Two's POV

I crumbled to the ground. My back hit the wall and I slid down it and onto the concrete floor. I felt like I was underwater, August and Monica's voices sounded miles away. The world was spinning as I grabbed the trash can next next to me and threw up into it, again, and again, and again. My breathing quickened and I could feel an anxiety attack coming as I tried desperately to breathe.

I can't. No. I'm not pregnant. I can't have his kid. I can't have this baby. It's his. It's Gary's. I can't have the kid of my rapist, my abuser. I thought I escaped. I thought I was free of him forever. He ruined me enough already. Why me? WHY ME?! Leave me alone. Oh god, oh god, I can't.

My breathing quickened and my thoughts continued to race. Tears slid down my hot cheeks and my whole body shook with each sob I let out. I heaved into the trashcan, but nothing came out of my empty stomach. I felt August wrap himself around me but it didn't help any, I was too far gone. Trapped in my own head.

August's POV

Her body was quaking and thrashing as tears poured from her eyes and sobs escaped her mouth. Her eyes were clouded by pure fear and terror. I had never seen her so scared. It seemed like she didn't hear a word I was saying to her. I tried holding her to comfort her but it didn't seem to do much at all. My heart was shattering with each shake of her body. Neither of us had been prepared for the news.

How did this happen? How did Two get pregnant? She never told me anything happened. Oh god. Oh no. Was she raped? Oh no. Two. I'm so sorry. I didn't protect you. I promised. But I failed. Oh god this all my fault. If I had gone looking for you sooner... No Two. I'm so sorry.

I choked on a sob as I realized what had happened. Now I understood why Two was throwing up. It wasn't only from fear, it was from disgust. This was her rapist's child. And it was my fault for not protecting her. Oh my god. I buried my face in her hair as my tears finally spilled over.

Monica kneeled next to me and wrapped me in her small arms, whispering to me. "I know baby. Shhh. There's nothing you could've done. Nothing at all. This isn't your fault."

Harley and Jackson stumbled out the door, laughing drunkenly. Their faces fell as soon as they saw Two. I quickly wiped my tears and sniffed, they couldn't see me crying and breaking down. I had to be strong.

I stood up, cradling Two in my arms and she continued to sob into the front of my shirt. Jackson spoke up. "Everything alright boss?"

I shook my head grimly, my mouth set in a thin line. "Jackson you're the tech guy, get me any and every piece of info you can on the Scorpions as soon as you sober up. Every. Single. Piece."

Jackson nodded in understanding and sped off quickly (for drunk person) in the direction of the tech den.

Harley looked lost. "I'll grab Julian for ya boss."

I nodded in thanks. Julian jogged out, his usual smirk replaced by a concerned frown. "Woah, woah what's wrong August?"

Everyone else had gone so I finally let out the rest of the tears I had been holding in. "Oh fuck, Julian. I really fucked it up this time. It's my fucking fault."

Julian strode over to me, sitting me down in the chairs in the hall. He hugged me tightly, even though he'd never done it before, and I cried into his shirt.

"Hey A? What happened? I'm sure it wasn't your fault. We'll figure it out. Like always."

I shook my head. "Not this time JJ. Not this time. Two is fucking pregnant. Somebody at Rick's raped her. THEY FUCKING RAPED TWO, JULIAN!"

He gasped, pulling back from me, his mouth open. "Fuck." He whispered over and over again.

"Didn't she already go through enough, goddamnit? Why did you have to do this to her Rick? Why? Why can't you just leave Two alone? For once. Let her live." I shouted at the ceiling.

My sadness had been replaced with anger and fear.

What would happen to Two? How do we even handle this? Does she want to keep it? Can we even get rid of it? Is this gonna put her life in danger? Please no. I can't lose her.

I knew I was being selfish but I needed Two. I don't think I could live without her. Especially if she died from my own faults.

Julian's voice brought me out of the black hole that was my own thoughts. "August. We'll handle this. We can figure it out like we always do. But for now, I think Two and you both need to rest. You look exhausted and she's already asleep."

I peered down in surprise at the sleeping bundle in my lap. Her face was red and blotchy, her eyes were swollen, and her cheeks were damp with the hundreds of salty tears that had run down them. I stood up on shaky legs, holding her like a fragile doll. I wiped my own eyes on my shoulder as Julian patted my arm lightly, looking at me with sad brown eyes. I tried to give him a weak sad smile, before it faltered and I gave up.

I walked down the hallway to my room and office. The sounds of my steps echoed off the concrete walls, despite the long decorative rug I was walking on. I felt utterly alone. I couldn't imagine what Two was feeling and yet I felt the same. My stomach heaved as I tried to imagine how much pain she was in right now. And I couldn't even help her, I was powerless yet again.

This is no way for anyone to live. No one deserves this. Especially not Two. This life isn't right for her. I have to let her go. She can't be caught up in gang shit her entire life. She's had enough already. I have to stop being selfish and let her live.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest as I came to that realization. Then I felt another. It felt like someone had grabbed my heart in their fist and was squeezing it. I rushed to the bedroom, carefully placing Two on the bed. The pain was unbearable. I lost feeling in my legs and collapsed onto the floor. I clutched my chest, taking deep breaths.

What's happening? Why does it hurt? Come on breathe. I can't breathe. Oh god. It hurts so much. Please.

My felt stabbing pains in my entire body and I screamed. I clamped a hand over my mouth, trying not to wake Two. I grabbed a pillow from the floor next to me and screamed into it. It hurt so much. Everything was turning white with each pulse of pain. My deep breaths became shallower and shallower as it became harder to breathe. I could see Two's small hand hanging off the side of the bed. I reached up and that's when I figured out what was wrong with me.

I'm having a heart attack. Like Dad. Only I won't survive. I'm dying. I can't die. I can't leave Two here. She'll be alone. Well she'll have Monica. And Brian. And Cam. And Julian. She'll be okay. Maybe she can restart her life. Maybe this is for her own good.

I grabbed a receipt and pen that had fallen off the desk next to me. Powering through the pain as my nerves lit themselves on fire. I scribbled on the back of the receipt before my hand unraveled from the pen involuntarily. I was too weak to open my hand again. I looked at the ceiling as the world flashed bright white one last time and then slowly faded to black.

Live for me.

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Author's Note
Two chapters today! I want to start writing these notes on each chapter to make it seem more like it was written by me, an actual person, rather than a robot. Anyways, this chapter was super sad to write and definitely brought tears to my eyes. Are you guys worried about August? Do you think he'll live? Find out in the next chapter :)
See you next time guys, gals, and pals!