Mike had run so fast, like the coward he was. He swished past Eddy just as he hastily opened the door. Eddy knew he needed to stop the monster's violent outburst, that he needed to halt the sound of the punches and silence the damaging words. He had to prevent the excuse of a man from killing Brett. Eddy needed to keep Brett safe.
Eddy wanted to go after Mike, trip him up. Make him hurt. All his plans immediately vanished from his mind, though, like morning dew in the sun, as Brett stumbled into the hallway. The poor man with the almost boyish face was clearly shaken. Terrified. His koala eyes were big, scared and swollen, his neck bruised where a hand had held it way too tightly, and a fresh cut was visible on his lip.
Eddy knew he would fall before he did. Even before he sunk together against the door, pale dainty hands holding onto the door handle. He could see his knees giving, how they shook, how his pale hands desperately tried to hold on to the frame. Eddy reached a hand out to him, wanting help.
"E…Eddy…" Brett squeaked as slowly slid down the door frame. His words were barely audible between choked sobs and uneven breaths. Tears were running down his face, leaving wet streaks, and one hand was shakily reached halfway out to Eddy. Halfway, as if unsure it would be safe.
Eddy caught him. Took his hand and helped him gently down to the floor. He sat down with him, his arms held tightly around the smaller frame. Both their t-shirts were slowly turning red with blood, and a moment later more red ran from the corner of Brett’s mouth. Eddy couldn't do anything but hold him as they waited for the ambulance, letting him cry and cough against his chest.
"The ambulance is coming, Brett, I called them," Eddy whispered, fighting to hide how scared he really was. How scared he was that it was too little too late. He let the small man rest against his chest, feeling a small fist grabbing a chunk of his shirt.
"Please don't leave," Brett whispered desperately, clinging to the safety of Eddy with all his frail body could muster.
"I'll stay with you the whole way, okay? I'll make sure you're taken care of, and that you're safe."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
YOU ARE READING
Neighbour
FanfictionThere was not a shred of doubt in Eddy's body that his neighbour was a professional musician. The sound was simply too crisp and clean for anything else to be an option. Besides, every time he saw him in the elevator, he had his violin case strapped...
