Devour

Chapter 26 - Rose

"You need to report that woman-----look I know you can't really hear me, but you know I'm here, I know you do, you can hear me," I say, following Dax as he walks up the narrow dorm halls to his room. One single bed, one table with a lamp, one desk with study books. Four walls with no posters. Nothing to signify the boy who lives here.

"I'll find a way to get back to you," I say, strolling in in-front of him and sitting down on the narrow bed. He collects a box from outside his room before coming in. It's probably from Emma's parents. They like him a lot. There's a letter from Angel. She writes to him sometimes, updating him on the trial. She knows he did what he could and cared and that means something.

"Look, I know you think you know what you're doing but you don't----this isn't good---it won't last and in the end you'll be the one who gets punished---but you're a minor it's sexual abuse and you're letting it happen," I say, following him as he goes to get changed. He has a little bathroom and a wardrobe. He changes his shirt only not the jacket or pants. No time. As he does he unwraps the box and pulls it over to himself. It is from Emma's parents. Chocolates, homemade scones, and an assortment of teas with a nice mug. He smiles a little and sets it down, then rethinks that and gets a scone.

"See? Good people are still here for you. I know I died and your parents died and it sucks it really sucks but---we are here, and so are the good people who are still alive," I say, going back to the bed.

Dax shakes his head a little, and turns on the kettle to boil a cup of tea. Then while he waits for it, he lies down on the bed next to me.

"I'm just worried about you. And I hate it, cause I can't do anything, and you don't know I'm here," I say, sighing.

"I know you're here," he says, quietly, "Or I'm crazy, but I don't think I am. I think somehow you're here."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

"It's not your fault."

"I just feel like everything is my fault and I have to make it right."

"It's not your fault."

We lie there together, him not really knowing I'm there. I look over at him. His lips are bloody.

"Don't it's fine," I say, wiping his lips with my hand. Of course it has no effect on him. But my hands are left bloodied.

"Nothing is fine, but I'll do my best," he says, smiling a little but he looks past me. Because he doesn't know I'm there.

There is a knock at his door.

"Shit---I'm coming Em," he says, hopping up, and going to the door, where his sister stands, predictably.

"That's the same pair of pants you had on yesterday---what've you been doing?" she asks, disappointed.

"Whatever Sherlock," he says, pulling one of the scones and school bag to him before leaving, "Did you really get here early just to walk me to class?"

"Yeah, duh, I wanted to make sure you were up," she says, critically. He doesn't look like he slept, "Is that one of my mum's scones?"

"Yeah your mother likes feeding me," Dax says, shrugging.

"Glad you're eating it---do you want to study tonight?" Emma asks, "I'll come over, Denise doesn't mind walking me."

"No, be home, I'm---tired I stayed up late studying for this exam on---stuff---

"It's maths here's your three-by-five card that you get to have I wrote it out for you with helpful formulas."

"I know I say this a lot but I really do love you Emmy," he says, taking it from her.