The Last Page

XI

HIS

I threw my rubber gloves as soon as I cut the fat red wire from the electric board.
I could hear her, and her every scream was peeling my skin.

There was this weird ball in my stomach, a shocked feeling. I felt like crying.
But I couldn't right now, this wasn't the time.
But I couldn't help it as I tried to break into the warehouse through the small crawl space.

Then it stopped.

I felt as if a part of me had died for a moment.
I hurried in, finding the back door, and then hurrying to her.

She was almost unconscious when I saw her.

And that's when I started crying.
My chest heaved up and down vigorously, I tried my best to choke it down but I couldn't.

I could see her blood covering her whole body. I wasn't even sure where it was flowing from in the dark.

It was because of me, because of me.

I hated myself for thinking it, but I regretted staying.
I shouldn't have stayed. How the fuck could I leave her alone.

For once, just for once I couldn't be selfish. A little bit.
This need in my chest, I yearned for her.
But I am not good for her. 

I saw her cheek bruised. There was a purple bruise on her cheekbone, I could see the wound on her head that was still flowing, her broken nose and especially her swollen foot. I crouched down and touched it, only to see a nail missing.

I covered my mouth, preventing my gasp.
My vision got blurrier. 

But I composed myself. I slowly untied her from the chair. She was unconscious,
I picked her up and escaped the backdoor.

Thankfully they had only kept her in the warehouse, there was no solid security here. It was easy to distract them by breaching security in his house.

She was so light in my arms, her colour had drained, and her lips were chapped.

She acted so tough, but she was so vulnerable in my arms. Shrunken, as if she had given up,

I slowly made my way into the woods and spotted my car, settling her into the passenger seat and securing a seatbelt around her.

And I drove to the nearest hospital.

After reaching the hospital, everything was a blur.
Blood everywhere, the cruel smell of sanitisers, her being pulled into the emergency ward. I could only follow her unconscious body as they moved her everywhere. 

I hadn't felt so lost in my life.
I planned everything, where I go, how I reach, and when I leave. Everything.
Even after that I had gotten almost killed around 100 times, and now seeing her in this state.

I am so stupid. 

I stumbled back, my back hit the cold wall. And my knees buckled. I slid down.

I don't know for how long. But until I came up with the fact that I had to leave. I had to.

So many years I had spent in agony, at least secured her.
At least there is no harm to her when I'm not here.

But fuck, I still didn't want to.
I still want her.
All of her.

I wanted to protect her. But I was incapable of it, I couldn't even take care of myself. She was a whole different person.

I sat outside her room, unable to move. How could I even look at her with wounds that I caused?
I shrunk further down the cold metal chair.

I heard someone walk down the long, endless and dead hallway and stand right beside me.
I looked up, only to see Elio. His lip had been busted. 

I sat back, surprised.
"What are you doin-" I was cut off, by his punch.

My head was thrown aside, I tasted my blood. Now I had a busted lip.
I got another blow, which sent me to the floor. He came closer and kicked me in the stomach.

I grunted.
I didn't know why he was doing this, but I was glad. 
I deserved it after today, much much more. 

I wish it had been me instead of her. 
This was my battle, my problem. She didn't deserve to be in the hospital. 

The unshed tears rushed back, 

He crouched down, beside me. Handing me a handkerchief he had dug up from his pocket.
"Don't keep a woman, if you can't protect her," he said, through gritted teeth.

"He could've killed her," he said, sitting down by me.

I let out a breath when he said that.
She could've been fucking killed.

a tear rolled down my cheek.

"she's strong though, didn't say a word," he added, I sat up. I was wiping the blood off my lips.

"now stop crying like a child," he said, snatching the handkerchief, pocketing it and leaving.

that's it, he left.

I rushed inside, entering her room.

I saw her eating soup. The nurse helping her.

Her leg was thickly bandaged, her head was wrapped, and her nose was taped down.

I sniffled. I rushed to her side, she looked at me surprised and smiled.

This foolish girl, she should slap me, tell me to get out and fuck off. Not smile at me like an angel.

I hugged her gently, making sure not to hurt or move her or any tubes that were connected to her. She smelled like the hospital. God, I hated that smell.

But it was okay now. She was safe. Except for the fact that I had to take her and get the fuck out of there as soon as possible.