the various chances

chapter thirty three

Jeremy

Without wasting any second I make a run out to my car and give the ignition, ready to tear down anything stopping me from reaching Lizzie. The ride was short but my nerves were on fucking fire. Haphazardly parking the car, I make a run up the stairs to the apartment.

Lizzie was sure out of her mind because who the fuck doesn't locks the main door of his or her apartment. Silently I push open the door and scan the house. It was empty for sure; no sign of living form yet the silence was haunting me. Gently locking the door behind me, I beeline towards the rooms.

I could tell Lizzie was here even when the silence answered otherwise. My boots were clicking on the carpeted floor. "Lizzie", I whisper pushing open the door of the room which I recall was hers. No response, no sign of Lizzie. Stepping out of the room after giving it a double check my hand was about to turn the door knob of the other room when I hear a soft sob behind me.

"Lizzie" -I turn to the direction of voice. It was bathroom which had the door slightly open. Nervous I gulp once and call out again, "Lizzie." The silence had stretched to a point that I'd trade anything to hear Lizzie reply me, even my own fucking soul. It was a dilemma whether or not should I push open the door and give it a check.

A second later I had opened the bathroom door and when it flew open my heart fell down to my stomach. The things in the bathroom were trashed; blood stains coated the broken mirror and the wall. The pieces from the mirror were in the basin and specks of blood were everywhere around the basin counter.

I followed the trail of blood which took me to Lizzie who was sitting down on the bathroom floor, knees curled up to the chest, hands wrapped around herself and eyes as lost as they could be. I gulp once, "Lizzie?" I whisper. My breath was caught in my throat at the sight in front of my eyes.

She doesn't bulges let alone blink an eye at me. I take a few careful steps and kneel in front of her which gave me a clear view of the damage done. Her cheeks and eyes puffy from all those dried tears, eyes glassy and tears at the corner of her eyes, I heard my heart burst to pieces.

There was blood on her hands, knuckles deeply bruised and nasty cuts all along her forearms with blood flowing out from some of them. I place a hand on her knee carefully enough and whisper, "Lizzie?" She blinks once, tears flow from her eyes and a loud sob is heard. "Hey, Hey, Lizzie, Talk to me" and grab her face in my hands.

"I..." -she sobs, more tears flowing out her eyes. "I failed" -she says and surprised me when in a second her arms were around my trunk and face on my chest. "I failed her, Jeremy. I failed her", her muffled sobs are heard.

Holding her across shoulders with one hand, I run my other hand in her hair and ask, "I don't get it. Who did you fail, my love?"

"Millie" -she whispers- "I failed Millie."

The tears coat my shirt. I hold her tighter and press her closer to my heart. "Lizzie, let me treat your wounds first", my chin rests atop her head. "I promise I won't stop you from anything, just let me treat your wounds. It hurts to see you bleeding, Please?"

"Jeremy?" I hum in response and run my hand on her upper back. Lizzie's sobs slow down and I feel her re-collect her breath. Her forehead resting on my shoulder I feel her shallow and slow breath on my chest. Thinking about her wounds still bleeding, impatiently I grab her face with both of my hands, "Breath, Lizzie. You are safe. I am here."

She closes her eyes for once and allows herself a long inhale of air. A second or two of adjustments later, I pick her up in my arms. Lizzie wraps her arms around and rests her face in the crook of my neck. I walk back to her room and help her sit on the bed. In the bathroom I manage to find the first aid box intact.