Wingless {Clifford A.U}

Chapter Thirteen

*TRIGGER WARNING PLEASE READ AT OWN RISK*

One. Two. Three. Four.

Four cuts so far, it didn't hurt, she didn't feel anything. Blood dripped from her wrist to the cloth, or comforter, but she didn't care about the stains the blood would leave. Nothing mattered anymore. She slid the blade down her wrist again, creating a fifth. Maybe she'd bleed to death, no one would know, it sounded like a better plan, than waiting and suffering longer than she had to. She wanted this, to die like this, to bleed until there was no life left in her. It sounded nice to her, forget about all her worries.

Deeper, cut deeper, do it and it will all be over. Voices, the voices that were from her nightmares taunted her.

Nobody wants you around anyway, they won't care when you're gone. Life will go on. They hissed. They were right.

She switched wrists now, doing the same on her right, but she went deeper. She was shaking, more anxiety probably. She lost herself this time, it was like she was watching a distant dream, and not her reality. It seemed so unreal. The pain was dull, but didn't bother her. No one knew what she was doing, no one would care, at least that's what she assumed until a familiar voice broke her from her trance.

"Stop it!" he said and she turned around gasping.

"M-Michael you're back." she stuttered, it came as a shock, she thought she lost him.

He rushed over to her and looked at her bleeding wrists. The only words that came to his mind was "Why?" He felt like this was his fault, he was so selfish for leaving.

She couldn't stop crying now, she dropped the blade on the floor. She couldn't speak without choking out another sob. He picked up the cloth and pressed it to her wrists. "Shh, don't cry. Everything is okay." He said soaking up the blood that was everywhere, it stained her sheets and her clothes. The cuts were deep, thankfully not deep enough to kill her.

"I t-thought you l-left me." She stuttered. He looked up at her, his green eyes meeting her gray ones.

"I'm not going to leave you." He said. "Bandages?" He asked.

"B-bottom drawer." She mumbled and he walked over to her dresser and pulled out the box of bandages that she kept in there for this specific purpose.

He sat back down beside her and removed the cloth from her wrists, carefully wiping away the blood. He noticed the bruises on her wrists as well, he didn't think she caused them. He'd ask her afterwards. He wrapped the bandages around her wrists covering each of the cuts and bruises.

"I'm sorry." he said and she looked at him.

"What?"

"I'm sorry for leaving you without an explanation in class and I'm sorry for making you feel like I was controlling your life." He said and she looked down.

"I'm supposed to be the one apologizing, not you. I shouldn't have gotten angry, and I shouldn't have told you to leave. I'm sorry." She said as he finished wrapping her wrists.

"You had bruises on your wrists." he said quietly, changing the subject.

"I know." she mumbled.

"They weren't there this morning." he said and she couldn't suppress her sobs.

"I should've listened to you." She said, her body shaking.

"What happened?" He said and she shook her head. "Astrid you need to tell me." he said in a serious tone.

"Ashton threatened me. Backed me against the counter and dug his nails into my wrists. I over heard a phone call between him and another girl. I said I was going to tell Lauren and he told me he'd kill me if I did. I've never been so afraid of anyone before. I don't think I can do this." She said, covering her face with her hands.

It took a few moments for Michael to process this. He didn't know what to say, he was trying to avoid this. He knew what Ashton was capable of, and now the one person he actually gives a damn for is in danger. All. Because. Of. Ashton. He had to calm himself down. He was angry, with Ashton, with himself, but he had to stay calm for her sake.

"I don't know what to do Michael. I just don't." She whispered.

"Listen to me," he said, removing her hands off her face so she was looking at him. "I know you're scared, but doing this to yourself isn't the answer. I know what he is capable of. I've seen it, and I'm not going to see it happen again." He said, she stayed silent for a moment taking his words in.

"What do you mean?" she asked, not catching on and he sighed.

"Ashton killed me." he said. She looked at him with a shocked expression and covered her mouth with her hand.

"O-oh my god." she whispered.

"I don't know why he did it, but he's the reason, because of him my life was taken from me. I was stabbed and choked to death. I didn't want to see the same thing happen to you." He said.

She was speechless. This guy that she had spent so much time around, that her best friend was in love with was the one who murdered Michael. It came as a shock at first, but knowing from the threat he delivered, it didn't surprise her, though now she knows for sure that it was not a bluff, and that scared her most.

"Oh my god." She said running her hands through her hair. "Oh my god, this is bad. This is really, really bad." She said. She felt like she was having trouble breathing and she could feel her heart racing. She was going to have another panic attack if he didn't calm her down. He grabbed her hand and held it tightly.

"Calm down before you have a panic attack. Just breathe." He said. She focused on what he was saying and breathed slowly, taking deep breaths until she was half way calmed down. "I'm not going to let him hurt you, not while I'm around. I promise, and I've told you before I never break my promises."

A/N: So I think this is kinda crappy, and short, but I was having some trouble with it just a little but it's here and I hope you at least halfway enjoyed it *laughs nervously* hehe. Please vote and comment, love all my readers so much. Thanks.

-Xx E.J