Once Upon A Life

I'll Protect You

Pov Cheryl

Mitch comes home today! I cant believe its been a whole week he's been in that hospital... I can't believe he attempted....alright...lets go through the check list. Got rid of all pencil sharpeners except one that I now keep in the back of the desk drawer in my room, check. Have all pocket knifes locked up in my room, check. Cleaned up the bathroom, check. Cleaned Mitch's room, check. Mitch's gift is on his bed, check. Now time to go pick up Mitch.

I stopped at the full length mirror before I left, my medium length, dirty blonde hair, with red in it by the bottom, was in place. My purple glasses sat on my nose, seeming fine. My purple shirt draped down with the glitter on the front, my ripped, light blue skinny-jeans fit just right, and my purple sneakers to match my shirt. The perfect outfit for a twenty two year old.

After checking to see if I looked okay I grabbed my car keys and went out the door. After locking the front door, I went up to my pure black, Ford, pickup truck. Mitch had insisted we buy it, he decided to name her shadow.

I climbed in to shadow, starting her up. I put in my favourite CD Mitch put together for me, of all my absolute favourite songs. Of course Taylor Swift was the first to play.

"Shake it off" I quietly sang along

Soon I arrived at the hospital, and got out of the truck. I walked into the large hospital.

I wonder if Mitch will act any different..

I walked up to the desk to see a short, stout woman with long black hair working behind it, she's been working all week so I've had the chance to talk to her.

"Um..Hey, I'm here to pick up Mitch" I quickly said

"Oh, well hello! And go ahead, dear. You know where he is."she said with her high pitched voice.

"Thanks.." I mumbled as I started walking to Mitch's room. I quickly arrived and knocked on the open door.

"Well lets go" Mitch said "I've been in here all week and I wanna go home"

I chuckled "sure Mitch"

As we walked out to the truck, nothing was said. And on the car ride home, we only sung along to the music. But once we arrived home, we went inside and sat down in the living room. Mitch on the sofa and me in the arm chair. We sat in silence as the minutes past by. I opened my mouth, about to say something but Mitch cut me off.

"You don't have to say it. I already know what you're going to say. You're going to say something like Mitch, I love you & I care about you so much. Why didn't you come and talk to me? I'm always here for you. What made you do it? Well, its simple. I didn't come talk to you because its impossible to tell people stuff! And I did it because whats the point of living if your already dead? The way people act around me..like they care, it just seems so fake to me.." He blurted out

I was absolutely stunned at what he said.

"Mitch, I.." I was cut off again by the younger boy

"Please, don't say anything" he chocked out as he looked down, unable to hide the tears.

I slowly stood up and sat beside this boy. Then I took him into my arms. He leaned into me and let out a sob. I held my baby brother in my arms for at least an hour. He eventually stopped crying and fell asleep, leaning against me. I picked up this little man and carried him to his room. I placed him on his neatly made bed, making sure he wasn't on top of his gift. I grabbed the wrapped box and placed it on his desk. Then I looked down at him, quietly snoring as he slept.

Its my job to protect him now. I can't let anything happen to him. Not again.

I decided to lay down on the other side of his bed, so I could be close to him and make sure everything was okay. I let my mind wonder as I lay beside this boy.

I very quietly whispered to the sleeping baby boy, beside me "I'll protect you. I promise."

Then I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.