Fixing Broken Hearts

16

Warnings:
-Severe physical injuries

Clay's POV

I was too weak to get far away from home and ended up locking myself in a garage in our neighbourhood that was unlocked. Blood was literally pouring down my face and my whole shirt was covered in it.

I gasped for air but breathing was a lot harder because of an awful stinging pain in my chest. I could feel blood rolling down without a pause, the drops constantly dripping down on my shirt.

My vision was blurry, because blood filled my eyes at this point. I even had trouble swallowing after my throat started filling with it as well, but I couldn't tell what caused that.

My hands began to shake and even though I wasn't that religious anymore, in my mind, I started to pray for someone to help me. I couldn't even move anymore, had no way to go back home and didn't know where else to stay.

All I wanted was to go to Tristan's house because his parents treated me so nicely. However, there was no way for me to get to them, so the hopelessness got worse and worse and ended up making me sob.

Honestly, I couldn't stop thinking about using heroin, but I couldn't go home either. I felt so hopeless that I even wanted to text my dealer, but I was too afraid someone would figure out I was using. I wanted to be locked in my room when I got high and knew that would be soon.

With a deep feeling of hopelessness, I lifted my shirt up and pressed it against my nose. But when I realised within seconds that my shirt was fully soaked, I let go of it again and let the blood stream down onto my shirt instead of holding it.

'Clay!' Elliot exclaimed when he opened the door. He ran into the garage and knelt down next to me. 'My goodness... Clay, I'm so sorry for not helping you right away. I won't complain about myself right now, but I've been having some issues and froze.'

I chuckled softly and shook my head. 'I wasn't expecting you to help me, El. You can't take dad, no matter how much you would want to. I care about you and hope you're okay.'

The tears in his eyes revealed that he wasn't near okay, but tried to stay strong for me. He sat down next to me and gently pulled me closer, my head on his shoulder.

'I don't want to get all of my blood on you,' I stumbled, but Elliot didn't mind and pulled me even closer which allowed the blood to roll down onto his shirt as well.

'I don't know where to go to help you,' he whispered. 'Tristan's house is too far to bring you to and I have no clue what to tell them if I would call to ask for a ride.'

'It's okay, El,' I replied, an attempt to sound comforting. 'I'm too weak right now and prefer to be held by someone. I know we can't stay here, but just for a few minutes...'

Elliot nodded and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. 'Where are you hurt? Can I do anything to ease the pain?'

I shrugged and slowly raised my shirt. 'My ribs hurt an awful amount, but it's okay. I've gone through worse, I guess.'

Elliot sighed softly, but as he was about to speak up, the door to the garage opened again. I gasped and moved away from Elliot, looking straight into the owner's eyes. He seemed angry at first, but then slowly, his look began to turn to worried.

'Oh my...' he stumbled, speeding up to kneel down next to me. 'Oh honey, what happened to you?'

I glanced at Elliot and shrugged slightly. 'I was walking home and a group attacked me,' I lied, but I knew this was my best chance as there had been gangs before in our city.

'Dear, I'm so sorry. Have you been able to recognise anyone?' he asked, holding his hand under my severely bleeding nose.

'I didn't,' I answered. 'They had hoods on and such. They pushed me down and surrounded me so I had no time to even think about how they possibly looked.'

'That's okay, sweetheart. We can find a way to seek the assaulters, but we need to make sure you're okay first. Can I go to your parents? You live in this street, right?'

'Yeah... but they aren't at home. They were picked up by family to go to some dinner,' I said with a confident voice. Lying about my family became a habit at this point, something that was a daily thing.

'Is there anyone else you would like me to call or would you prefer me to bring you to the hospital?' he asked, but I shook my head right away.

'No, I'm okay. I would prefer to go to someone but it's fine if that would be too far,' I mumbled, looking at Elliot. 'Tris is free, right? Would they mind?'

'They wouldn't, Tris is preparing for soccer practice, but as long as his mom wants to be there for you, it's all good.'

'Do you have an address for me?' the man from our neighbourhood questioned with a sweet smile. 'And I'm going to get some napkins to clean the blood.'

~~~

I stepped out of the car, leaned forward while Elliot supported me with walking to the door. Elliot rang the bell and because he texted Tristan, the door opened within seconds for us.

His mother gasped when she saw me and immediately wrapped her arm around me. 'Oh my dear, lay down on the couch right now.'

I was helped inside and laid down on their couch. Tristan was staring at me with a look of horror and disbelief, like he didn't believe the excuse I made up.

'I'm going to get some ice and painkillers for you, my love,' Tristan's mother said with tears in her eyes. 'Don't move yourself, I'm here to take care of you.'

'Thank you,' I muttered, fighting against my tears again. She was honestly so sweet to me and it made me feel understood, loved and appreciated when my parents made me feel useless and hated.

I never even craved substances when I was here, because the substances were a way to escape from the pain that was caused me and the awful insecurity I had to feel all day long.

Elliot was looking at Tristan as he walked to the kitchen to prepare some drinks for us, his eyes seemed stuck on him. I smiled briefly, the look in his eyes being so full of love...

I loved to be here, not only because I loved it here, but I saw my brother experience something he likely hadn't experienced before.

1143 words