Only You (Slow Updates)

15

Alex’s POV

It was now morning. I had already texted Amber about me not coming to school. Also Amber and Noah dropped my car here since I had no vehicle to go home if I wanted to. Right now the doctor whose name I found out is Sebastian, is checking Ryan since he has woken up. I had also informed Miss Rose and Mr Brown about Ryan being conscious. They would be here in few minutes.

“Everything is good. The bruises are healing well. But he has to be careful with his fractures. Also he is very much underweight, he has to atleast increase 20 pounds. Don’t force him to eat more just encourage him to try and eat more. I’ll write some medicine it would help with the pain as well as the healing.” Doctor Sebastian said. I nodded and took the prescription that he has giving. “Also make him drink a lot of liquid in the starting.” With that doctor smiled at Ryan and me and left. I looked at Ryan.

“What’s going to happen now Alex?” He asked quietly. “What do you mean buddy?” I asked sitting on the bed facing him. “Will I have to go back to the house? Are they coming to get me? Do they know I’m in the hospital? Omg they are going to hurt me for this. I was not suppose to go to the hospital. They’ll hurt me.” Ryan rambled and kept saying they’ll hurt me. This is so painful to hear. I saw him stop breathing and quickly reached for his hand. “Hey hey, breath Ryan breath. In and out. Follow my voice okay. Breath in and breath out.” I guided him. I started doing the same with him and saw he was now breathing properly. “That’s it baby. In and out.”

Once he was able to breathe properly, I said. “You are never going to that house again. I’m never letting you go back to that house again. No one is going to hurt you. Okay.” I reassured him. “A police officer is gonna come here in an hour with Miss Rose. I’m sure you remember her right?” When he nodded I continued “Mr. Brown the officer is gonna ask you some questions. Your adoptive family is in the jail. I have filed the case against him and he wants to make sure that they get punished.” I told him. Ryan looked at me surprised as if he didn’t expect me to help him. I saw the tears gather in his eyes and hugged me as tightly as he could. “You saved me. Thank you thank you so much Alex.” I felt my eyes sting but will myself to not cry.

I let him cry it out. It would help him feel light. After few minutes he pulled away and wiped his eyes. I took the glass of water that I had filled and passed it to him. “Am I going back to orphanage?” Ryan asked sniffling a bit. I smiled warmly and said. “Hopefully no.” He looked at me confused and was going to ask something but stoped and looked at the door when it opened. Mr. Brown and Miss Rose entered. I stood up and shook hands with them. Ryan seemed a bit hesitant and scared. He looked at me with pleading eyes when officer Brown went towards him. I looked at him with reassuring eyes to help him understand that he is safe. “Hello kid. I see you are back to being a brave boy. I’m Officer Brown and you know Miss Rose right?” He asked in a comforting tone. I saw Ryan nod.

“That’s great. Now would you tell me if you know this lady here?” Officer asked pointing at me. Ryan looked at me and nodded. “Yes I know Alex we had met at the arcade on Friday. She was with her friends and we had competition. I had scored 10 twice. It was the best day of my life.” Ryan explained getting excited at the end. I grinned when I remember how happy and proud he was. “Really wow that’s great. Now do you remember what happened to you before coming to the hospital?” Officer asked. Ryan tensed at the question and he started breathing heavily. I quickly went towards him and took his hands in my hand. “It’s okay buddy. You are safe. Just breathe with me. In and out. Follow my voice love. Breathe in and out. In and out. Good job.” I said quietly following the same breathing exercise as before. When he was breathing normally he looked at me with pleading eyes.

I pulled him to my side carefully not hurt his injuries. “Remember what I told you. No one is going to hurt you. I won’t let them right?” Ryan nodded and took a deep breath. “That day, as usual Mr and Mrs Gilbert had given me the house chores like cleaning all the room and kitchen, laundry etc. I had completed everything like a good boy because if I’m bad they hurt me. When I finished my chores I went in my room. I don’t like to come out of it. But then I heard the front door slam open. I was scared to check who was there but I didn’t have to because Rocky came in my room. He was walking funny and his eyes were red. He kept saying things that made no sense. When I asked him if he wanted anything he got angry. And he had a bottle in the hand that he smashed on the floor. I got scared so I ran out of the room and hide in the bathroom. I had never seen Rocky so angry. He kept banging on the door but I didn’t open. After a around 20 minutes he stopped but I didn’t wanted to go out. When I didn’t hear anything for 15minutes I left the bathroom.”

“But that was a big mistake as sir and ma’am had arrived. And they didn’t look in the good mood. I heard them both fight about some money but when they saw me, they became more angry. I saw that they both had eyes red like Rocky. Sir shouted at me to give them dinner which I had not made. And so my punishment started. They beat. When that was over I went to my room. There I had hidden Alex’s phone that she had given me at the arcade. I was going to call her. To tell her to save me but when I had started the phone, Rocky saw me. And I got double beating. He took the phone and threw it at me. It broke. They threw me out after that. It was soo cold. It was cold and I was feeling sleepy. Then I woke up here.” Ryan answered everything.

I rubbed his back for comfortingly. Officer Brown looked the kid with sad eyes. I even saw Miss Rose wipe her eyes. “Well that’s all. If there is anything I’ll give you a call Miss Johnson.” Officer Brown said. I nodded and Mr. Brown left. Now only Miss Rose, I and Ryan are there. “Hey Ryan.” She smiled “Hello Miss Rose.” Ryan whispered softly. “I know you are tired but I want to ask you something Ryan but I have to ask Alex to go out for that. Are okay with it?” She said softly. I’m not okay with it. Ryan looked at me with anxious face. “it’s okay buddy. I’m just outside. Shout for me and I’ll come in. I promise.” I said. Ryan looked at me and then at Miss Rose and nodded. He was tense. I kissed his forehead and left the room.