Addicted to You

Chapter Two

Marley

Someone was shaking my shoulders rapidly. "Wake up! Wake up you brat!"

I forced my eyes open, staring straight into the furious face of Jeremy. I shot him a sheepish grin.

"If you weren't my best fighter I would snap your neck in half right now." Jeremy threatened as he latched his arm onto mine and hauled me to my feet. I bit my tongue to keep from crying out as pain bolted throughout my wrist.

"Why the fuck would you do that? Giving up?! I taught you to never give up!" Jeremy roared at me as we picked our way through the black forest.

I tripped over a fallen branch, cursing to myself at how clumsy I was being.

"But Antho-"

"No." he snapped, turning back to fix me with an infuriated glare,

"Anthony-nothing. What happened, happened. Anyone who is in this gang knows what the risks are and he happened to pay the price. I thought you were stronger than to let the death of some boy effect you this way."

Each word Jeremy spat at me was filled with anger and sorrow. I knew he was mourning Anthony just like I was, he just happened to take his sorrow and turn it into anger.

"I am strong," I told Jeremy as we neared our large house, "But it's okay to mourn for someone."

Jeremy stopped in his tracks and looked at me. His face looked rugged and unkept, he seemed to be older than he actually was. Wrinkles appeared above his forehead as he concentrated on what I said.

"Get inside, doc will patch you up." was all Jeremy said before he took a step back and walked away.

I ducked my head in shame as I limped inside our house. The large wooden door shut with a loud bang that echoed around the foyer.

"It's all my fault.." I muttered to myself in hatred.

"No, it's not." a familiar voice countered.

I looked up in alarm as Zane emerged from the other side of the hallway. He looked to be quite the mess as well. His t-shirt was torn and shredded revealing long gashes against his toned side. His hair was disheveled, his eyes black and blue from the punches he had encountered.

My heart ached at the sight of him.

"Zane." I choked out, stumbling forward into his outstretched arms.

He enveloped me in his warmth and despite the fact we both were a huge mess I rested my head against his chest, listening for the familiar soothing thump-thump of his heart.

"Let's get you cleaned up." I murmured, taking a step back from his embrace.

Zane says nothing but instead follows me to the long spiral staircase. I hop up the stairs and walk five doors down before opening my bedroom door.

My bedroom was simple and dark, just like myself. The walls were painted a blue-gray color that looked pretty nice against the dark cherrywood floors. I had a dresser, a bed that was covered in a thick white quilt and a night stand. It was all I ever needed.

"Sit." I instructed while leaning under my dresser and pulling out my medical kit.

Zane removes his shirt slowly, giving me a moment to awe over his 6-pack, before he sats down onto my bed. "Alright doc, fix me up." he jokes, but i still notice the usual light in his eyes was missing.

We stay in a comfortable silence as I clean and stitch up all of Zane's wounds. As a member of the Wolves we all had to have some sort of knowledge in the medical field. It came in handy a lot more than you would think, sadly.

"Are you okay?" his voice was soft.

"I'm fine."

"You're lying."

I ran my hand through my long matted hair, giving Zane a sigh. "I'm supposed to be fine."

Zane's eyes softened as he looked up at me.

It was strange, you would think that as a gang we were all heartless and cruel. Which we were, but if you were lucky you might find a family too. Anthony, Zane and Jeremy were the only three I formed a connection with. Zane seemed to be a dick to everyone, but to me he was kind.

I loved that about him.

"Your turn." Zane whispered. He pushed himself out of my bed and waited patiently as I sat down. His fingers touched my side as he gently peeled my shirt off. I flinched.

"I'm not going to hurt you." he promises.

I blinked in relief, "Thank you."

Zane stitched up my one nasty wound and then set to wrapping my swollen and battered wrist. Once both of us were stitched up I didn't hesitate to crawl into my bed.

Zane laid the covers over my body and placed a small kiss on the side of my head. "Goodnight Marley." his voice was barely audible.

I looked up at him warily as I watched him leave. He was leaving.. NO!

"Zane!" I shouted as his hand touched the doorknob.

He looked back to me.

"Stay." I breathed, my hands clutched the side of my comforter tightly.

His eyes hooded, he padded back towards my bed and crawled in beside me.

"Please don't leave." I whispered as he made himself comfortable.

Zane draped his arm over my waist, folding his hand over mine, "I'm not leaving." he told me.

Comforted at not being alone I decided to let myself drift asleep. Just as I was about to fall asleep I heard Zane whisper,

"You're too young to have to deal with what you have had too.

I'm so sorry Marley."