The Nights We Felt Alive

Chapter 13- Ghost in the Back of this Room

TW MENTION OF ABUSE

Jack POV:

Alex stayed at my house that night, and for another night after that. He had to go back home after that night, but I could tell he didn't want that. I was so worried about him being home, he wasn't safe and he was so traumatized. He started to get intense nightmares while he was with me and he would wake up screaming a few times in the middle of the night. Or sometimes, I would just feel him tugging my arm crying. I was so worried, and I didn't know what I could do to help him. He was mentally exhausted from her and taking on new or past emotions with me. I did not want to do this to him again. I went to bed around one am, because we had a party at The Rockwell tonight and I practically crashed on my bed fully dressed when got home. I must have only been asleep for an hour before my phone starts to ring. My ringtone was the chorus from Anthem Part 2, and it was intentionally loud so I could never miss my calls. I groaned as I reached over to my phone and tiredly answered it.

"Hello?" I groaned, trying not to fall back asleep.

"J J Jack can you pick me up, I had a nightmare and I'm really scared and I need you," Alex whispered rather quickly.

"Yeah shhh it's okay, I will be right over I will be on the line the whole time okay?" I reassured him, while I grabbed my keys and wallet to get in my car and drive to his place.

"Mhm, I need you," Alex said, as his voice began to shake.

"I will be there in ten minutes baby, there is no traffic this early in the morning." I yawned, connected the call to my car's Bluetooth, and started to drive.

"I'm sorry for waking you up, I know you work late it was just instinct," Alex muttered.

"I want you to call me when you need help. You are my boyfriend and so much more," I told him.

"Mhm," He replied. It almost sounded like he was cut off, and I was right that was when I heard her voice on the line.

"Boyfriend? You are a fucking fag? I have been right about you since I started dating you, Alex. Get your ass out of my house you are so pathetic. I don't want you and your gay ass anywhere in my house. Get your shit and leave." She said sternly at Alex, on the verge of yelling at him. I realized it was my fault, I didn't know Alex was even in the same room with her and now I compromised his safety. I heard her hand slap against his face, and by the sound of the impact, I knew it was going to leave a mark. Alex began to cry, and I heard another noise but I couldn't tell what it was or if he was scrambling to his phone. It almost sounded like a loud thud, and then more rustling. I didn't know if I should speak, but god I wanted to.

"Jack," Alex cried.

"Baby, I'm here okay? I'm almost there grab what you can, if you can't get it all that's okay I will replace it." I said to him. I just wanted him safe, I wanted to protect him from everything.

"Mhm soon?" He said, while his voice was shaking so visibly I almost couldn't understand it.

"Yeah babe hold on, I am almost there I promise," I said while I was practically speeding to his house and I was fucking lucky no cops were out.

I got to his house in a matter of seconds, and ran to the door, and started banging on it while yelling Alex's name. He wasn't answering the call, and I was terrified. I banged harder, while almost putting myself into a pure state of panic. I heard footsteps approaching the door, and it opened but it was not who I wanted to see. It was her.

"Who the hell are you, and why the fuck are you at my house." She said to me in a harsh tone.

I was about to reply, but then I see Alex carrying two suitcases, a backpack, and two duffel bags down the stairs about to fall. I push her over, and instantly run to him and catch him before he gets a concussion.

"Jacky," Alex mutters, crying as he hugs me.

"Shhh, it's okay let's get you to my loft," I said as I picked him up along with some of his things.

"Is this your fucking boyfriend? Jack Barakat Alex? That is all you can do," She laughs.

"Leave him alone, he doesn't deserve you," I said as I helped him outside. All of a sudden, I saw a dog running after the two of us, and I looked at Alex in confusion.

"Can Baz come? Please? He is my best friend beside you." Alex frowned, giving me the saddest eyes that my heart could never say no to.

"Yeah, that is okay Baby, of course, he can." I smiled, and helped the two of them in the car, and loaded the trunk up with Alex's and now Baz's things. I started to drive us home, and I could tell he was pretty shaken up. It probably didn't help being hurt like that right after a nightmare too.

"Jack I am sorry for waking you," Alex sighed.

"Babe, it is okay please don't worry. I love you so so much, I am just glad I got you out of there. I know she slapped you, but I heard a thud on the phone... are you okay?" I asked with a slight sense of nervousness in my voice.

"I Uhm yeah, she pushed me. It was light, but I was near the edge and I couldn't keep balance and I didn't want Baz falling off the bed... so I did. And my bed is pretty high, so I probably bruised my ribs again." Alex said while he looked down at Baz who was peacefully laying on his lap.

"I'll look at it when we get back to my place okay?" I said as I held his hand while I drove.

He nodded, and eventually, we got back to my loft. I ended up carrying the luggage upstairs first and then carrying up Alex and Baz. He hurt so bad he couldn't walk, I felt bad for him. I put him on the couch, and let Baz lay in my bed.

"I'll get you some water, and ice okay?" I said to him.

"I'm hungry can you make me a sandwich too?" He asked me.

I nodded, and made him another sandwich, and then got him some water and ice for his face. I helped him drink some, and eat since he was pretty tired. I had to be up at six tomorrow, and I knew it was gonna be a long day once again but I would do this for Alex any day.

"I'm gonna take your shirt off now okay?" I said as I rubbed his hand while he sat up.

"Okay but I'm cold now," He shivered.

"I know, but I just have to wrap this okay?" I said to him as I yawned.

I took off his shirt gently and realized that they were bruised. I wrapped them for him, and he groaned as I wrapped them around his chest.

"Thank you," He muttered as he hugged me gently.

I nodded,  and picked him up and carried him to bed, and got him under the covers. I laid next to him, and he then fell asleep instantly on my chest. I smiled and glanced at the clock to see it was three am. Great, you have to be up in three hours Jack. I honestly was thinking of just staying home, he needed me tomorrow I might just call in.