Love and Chaos

TEN

Delilah

I turned the shower on in the large bathroom I had found myself in. The pain in my side had turned into a slight dull as the warm water fell over my back. I sighed as I inspected the wound, touching it to gauge how deep it was. 

The cut had been made with what I assumed to be a knife of some sort, judging by how smooth my skin had been sliced. The wound had already started to stitch itself closed, but it must of been a large laceration as a scar is all that remains as I pull my hand away. 

I breathe out of my nose slowly as I force my muscles to relax. I think back to my brother and how determined he was before his face disappeared. What was he determined to do? My mind reels with endless possibilities but I settle with one. He is determined to keep me safe. 

I blink my eyes as water starts to flow over my head over my face. I push my hair away from my skin as I look toward the back of the bathtub I was standing in. A clear bottle sat on top of a basket woven with what looks to be a type of leaf. Light purple liquid filled the bottle halfway.  grabbed it and popped the lid open, quickly taking whiff of the contents. 

It smelt like lavender and something musky, how a man would usually smell. I assume that this is body wash and squeeze a small amount into the palm of my hand. I rub my hands together, creating a bubbly lather and start to wash the blood that had stuck to my body off. My muscles fought in protest as fatigue started to embed itself across my body. 

I sigh in frustration as I begin to lose the strength to hold myself upright. I grip the edge of the bathtub as I slowly lowered myself to the bottom of it. Debating what to do, I see no other possible way out of this situation without Ryker's help. I sit still for awhile, letting the endless warm water wash away the soap still lingering on my skin. 

I muster the courage as I mentally prepare myself. I fill my lungs with air, readying myself to call for Ryker. 

"I need help." I speak softly. I did not need to yell as I instinctively knew that he would be listening, waiting for me. I pull my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around my legs, covering my intimate parts from sight. The sound of hurried feet fall upon my ears and I bury my head in between my arms, hoping to hide my embarrassment. 

The door slowly opens, and the smell of rain engulfs the room. 

"Delilah? Are you alright? I heard you." Ryker's voice whispers through the sound of the shower. I lift my head as my cheeks grow red. I look over my shoulder as I had faced my back to the door. I noticed that Ryker's eyes were shut tight, and I giggled a little. 

"I need help, I'm too exhausted to wash my hair. My head hurts with how heavy it is, so much blood." I whisper the last part as I realised that the reason behind the weight of my hair was due to the amount of blood that had showered over me. 

"Okay, I can get the doctor to come do it for you if you would prefer?" I hear Ryker suggest as he closes the door, stepping into the bathroom more. Fear permeates my brain at the thought of meeting someone new. I shake my head harshly, nearly giving myself whiplash before I realise he can't see me. 

"N-no! I don't want anybody else to see me like this." I hug my legs tighter to myself. I will never let another person see me so weak. I hear Ryker take a step closer to the bathtub. The sound of the shower soothing my fear. 

"Okay, okay. I can do it. Can I open my eyes? I can't wash your hair very well if I can't see. I promise not to look anywhere else but your hair." Ryker speaks softly as I watch him. He squats down slowly and I hum in response to his question. I watch as Ryker slowly opens his eyes, one at a time and I smile a little at his cautiousness. Blue meet my mismatched eyes and I can't help but get lost in his stare. I wonder if his mother had the same blue, or was it his father perhaps that passed their eyes to him?