my "friend"

6

when I got home, Marco wouldn't stop crying. I gave him his pacifier, his strawberry cow, strawberry milk. but nothing was calming him down.

I tried tucking him in bed, talking to him, comforting him. I can't get Marco to calm down, how do you even calm down a teenager who acts like a toddler?!

I don't know what to do, he needs to tell me why he's cutting himself!
Eventually it was finally quiet, Marco fell asleep. I myself started to catch up on some sleep.

Then I woke up to Marco screaming and crying again.  I got out of bed and went into his room.
"Marco, it's ok. it's just a dream, you can wake up now", I patted his shoulder softly, but he started screaming more.
Marco threw his head against the wall with all his might. Then he started to whimper softly.

I looked at him in shock,  he never used to behave this way.  Something was wrong!
I said with concern, "Marco?"
He ignored me and continued to whimper softly. I looked at his arms.

There were bruises everywhere. His wrists were also bruised. There were also fresh cuts,  on both arms.

I tried picking him up again, but he started screaming, "don't touch me! please!".
I picked him up by his waist, trying to make sure he didn't  accidentally hit his head, "calm down Marco! What are these things doing to you? Why are you hurting yourself!?"

Marco started crying louder and it sounded horrible. I was trying hard to get him to stop crying when he suddenly started kicking his legs and swinging his arms around.

I was slowly about to give up on this boy,  until he suddenly started screaming bloody murder.

Marco kept hitting his head against the wall repeatedly.  He kept screaming nonstop until suddenly... he stopped.
His breathing calmed down and he stopped throwing punches against the wall.

when Marco suddenly stopped moving, he was breathing heavy and sweaty, he looked pale too.
"Marco? are you okay?"
When I reached for his cheek he slapped my hand away.
"Don't touch me! Don't fucking touch me! Please don't touch me anymore!"

he kept shouting and screaming hysterically.
I'm completely confused, I don't understand anything!  How could Marco do something so reckless?!

I need him to calm down, but nothing is working I can't get him to talk.
I sat there in silence, waiting for Marco to come to his senses. when he realized no one was touching him anymore, he cried and yelled, "why are you still sitting here? leave me alone!", and started hitting his head against the wall again.
it was getting harder and harder for me not to cry.

what am I supposed to do if he gets hurt again?!
Marco was screaming, he's going to kill himself if he keeps this up!
Suddenly Marco stopped thrashing around and started to pant heavily.
I said quietly, "Marco, you're alright, it's alright".
Marco sniffed and looked up at me.

Tears streamed down his cheeks. He looked so sad.
I sat next to him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. I said soothingly, "its ok, you're safe now."
Marco just looked at me, with a teary eyed gaze. I wiped his tears and caressed his hair.

he is finally calming down.
I pulled the blanket over him and he snuggled up to the crook of my neck. I gave Marco his pacifier and he sighed in contentment and fell asleep sucking on his pacifier.

I sighed with relief.