Chapter Three
Benjamin
I lifted Charlotte's limp body into my arms as gently as I could, one wrapped around her back and the other under legs. She lay unmoving and pale against my chest. "Lizzie, I need your help!" I called urgently down the hall.
Lizzie and Henry turned at the urgency in my voice. When they met us in the doorway, her eyes swept over Charlotte with a practiced assessment.
"What happened?" she asked, already pressing two fingers to Charlotte's neck to check her pulse.
She gestured for us to follow, moving swiftly down the hall. The room she led us to had a worn but plush couch in muted green tones sitting atop an ornate rug. I laid Charlotte's unconscious form down as gently as possible against the soft cushions.
Lizzie knelt immediately, pressing her ear to Charlotte's chest then rolling her onto her side. Her eyes scanned Charlotte's face with concern, taking in her too-pale complexion.
I handed Lizzie the flask I found, and she noted in frustration, "Aunt Ari, of course."
She pinched Charlotte's arm while feeling for her pulse. "Henry, the trash can," Lizzie said curtly.
Shaking Charlotte's shoulders, Lizzie called her name forcefully. When Charlotte began to stir with a soft groan, Lizzie instructed me, "Hold her hair, Ben."
Charlotte opened her eyes disoriented, then she gagged. I held her hair back, rubbing soft circles on her back as she retched violently into the trash can.
When the heaving subsided, Lizzie checked Charlotte's eyes and responses. "Breathe slowly now," she soothed. But when Charlotte's eyelids drooped, Lizzie said firmly, "You have to stay awake, Lot."
"But I'm sleepy," Charlotte murmured, voice raw. "What happened?"
"You'll be alright, but no sleeping yet," Lizzie replied, tone softening as she saw Charlotte's pale, shaken state. "Keep talking to us."
"I'll check on Anna," Henry said before leaving.
When he left, Charlotte's brown eyes widened curiously. "He's British?" She asked as though she hadn't heard him speak before.
Lizzie smiled softly. "Yes, but no sleeping." She gently squeezed Charlotte's hand as her eyes began to droop again.
"Do you need anything?" I asked.
Her voice was raspy as she instinctively touched her dry throat. "Water..."
"I'll get it," Lizzie offered. "And have words with Aunt Ari."
"Lizzie, please, it wasn't her fault," Charlotte protested weakly.
"Lottie, you're seventeen. It's her responsibility," Lizzie explained gently but firmly.
As Lizzie left, I sat beside Charlotte, gently brushing her hair back. "None of this is on you," I whispered.
"I don't want to talk about it," she said, the pain in her voice obvious despite her intoxication. It was strange hearing her speak when she hadn't spoken consistently for a full week.
She looked me in the eyes for a brief moment. Our faces were so close that I could feel her warm breath on my face.
"Charlotte, you're safe here," I replied softly.
Before we could speak further, Lizzie and Anna arrived. Charlotte's eyes widened at her mom, instinctively trying to sit straighter though still weak.
Anna met Charlotte's pleading gaze as she asked, "May we have a moment?" There was a moment of hesitation before Lizzie and I nodded reluctantly.
YOU ARE READING
breathe
Teen Fiction[BOOK 2 OF FEARLESS] *mature content* "Why are you sugaring me up?" he asked with a raised brow. "I'm your sugar mommy," she teased. "Minus giving you money. I'm broke as hell." "Do you need money? I can give you some," he offered. She shook her hea...
