I can't escape this now (unless you show me how) TODDBLACK - NOT ME THE SERIES

10 - first-aid confessions

When Todd was younger, he had a bad habit of biting his nails that seemed to manifest whenever his mind was burdened with worries, be it during the intense preparations for his secondary school entrance exams or the final exams.

His mother, for a while, tolerated this nervous habit, believing it to be a mere byproduct of his academic pressures. However, a turning point arrived during a fancy business dinner when she got a closer look at Todd's hands. What she saw prompted a wave of nagging and scolding, but her efforts were in vain.

So, one day, she came home with a little bottle, and it seemed like there was something special inside it. A bitter-tasting nail polish. Todd hated it. As he got older, he managed to find a different outlet for his anxiety.

As he sat in the backseat of the car—Beam raced well above the speed limit—Black leaned against him; bleeding on his expensive suit. With his thumb firmly pressed against his lip, Todd could almost taste the acrid bitterness, etched into his memory. It offered only little comfort.

Only as the engine of the car died down, Todd looked up. Beam had taken them to a hotel not too far away from the hospital.

"Mr Todd, I think we should—"

"No." Todd said immediately, knowing what Beam wanted to say. "No hospitals. You can patch him back up, can't you?"

"I'm afraid I haven't treated anything this... severe. A few bruises and cuts, but..."

Todd groaned, but he knew that the few injuries he gained over the last year from fighting with Black and Black's stab wound, were two very differently sized shoes.

Todd fought with himself, over the years he made quite a few acquaintances, a good handful of them doctors. They'd all jump at the opportunity to help him—his family. But amongst all of them, there was only one that Todd had considered over all these years. Only one, that he let close.

"I call Prae."

Beam chewed on his lip, but didn't argue. "Do you want me to carry him?"

Todd glanced at Black slouching against him, fighting to keep his eyes open.

"I think I can manage. Just book us a room. We'll wait here."

Beam nodded, then left the car. Despite the loud noise the car door made as Beam slammed it shut, Black didn't react. His breathing was slow but somewhat steady. Todd began to chew on his thumb again, rethinking his decision to get involved in this mess.

When all efforts of Beam were in vain and a simple band-aid or cold patch weren't enough anymore, Todd called her.

He wiped out his phone and pressed on Prae's contact. It rang a couple of times, before he heard her heavy breath on the other end.

"What is it this time? Another concussion? I'm surprised you managed to keep yourself from trouble for over a month."

If it wasn't for Black literally bleeding out next to him, he would've loved to take the invitation for some banter.

"It's not me this time. I'll send you the address. He was stabbed and he lost quite a lot of blood. So hurry."

He was bombarded with questions but he didn't bother to answer any of them.

"I'll tell you everything once you're here."

Todd was about to hang up, but she caught his attention with her next words. "I'm not in Bangkok. I can't help you this time."

Todd grinded his teeth. That's exactly why he hated to rely on other people. Why he hated friendships. If Prae was his employee, he would have threatened to cut her salary or fire her. And while he did compensate Prae fairly well for her help (and to keep her mouth shut), it was never just a business relationship with them. Todd should've known better than to ask his ex-girlfriend for help in the first place. But it was too late now. Maybe their shared history was what led him to utter his next words.