𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐓 𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 || 𝟏𝟖 +

3

She is 15 years old.

"Alex, you're going to crash the whole thing!" Killian grumbled as he carefully stacked the sheets over each other, his tongue poking out in concentration.

I folded my arms and plopped down on his bed, pouting. "Fine, you do it then! You always think you're better at everything!" I shot back.

He paused, looking at me with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "It's 'cause I am better," he said with a cheeky grin, sticking his tongue out at me.

I threw a pillow at him, which he expertly dodged. "Hey! Watch it!" he laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're just mad 'cause I can build the best pillow fort ever."

I rolled my eyes, unable to hide my smile. "Whatever, Killian. Just hurry up so we can play already!"

Killian glanced at me, his stern expression softening. "You know, this is serious business," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "Fortress building requires a delicate touch."

"Oh?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. "And here I thought we were just having fun."

"We are," he grinned, stepping back to admire his work. "But it's more fun when the fortress doesn't collapse."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Alright, master builder, show me how it's done."

He chuckled, his demeanour lightening as he added the finishing touches. Just as we were about to crawl inside our newly completed fortress, the door to his room flew open with a deafening bang. The sound of the crash made us both jump, the playful atmosphere evaporating in an instant.

His mother stumbled in, her eyes glassy and unfocused, the sharp smell of alcohol filling the room. "Killian!" she slurred, her voice harsh and menacing. "What did I tell you about making noise?"

Oh no, no, no...

I clenched my fingers until they were white. My heart skips a beat.

Killian's face went pale, and he immediately moved to stand in front of me, his body acting as a shield. "Mom, we were just playing," he said, his voice trembling.

"Playing?" she spat, her hand raised threateningly. "I'll show you playing."

The first slap was like a gunshot in the quiet room.

I watched, horrified, as Killian took the blow without flinching, his eyes squeezing shut.

I flinched.

"Stay in the room," he whispered urgently to me, his voice barely audible over the sound of his mother's rage. "Don't come out, no matter what."

I was frozen as I watched her grab Killian by the back of his shirt and drag him out of the room. The door slammed shut behind them, and I was left alone in the eerie silence that followed.

The muffled sounds of their struggle seeped through the walls, each thud and cry piercing through my heart. I wanted to help him, to run out and stop her, but my body refused to move. I was paralyzed, my mind racing with images of what was happening just beyond the door.

My mom never touched me... not like this...

Before I realised it, cold tears spilt down my cheeks as I sat in the corner of his room - listening to Killian cries echo and begging his mother to stop.

Minutes felt like hours as I sat there, tears streaming down my face and my mind felt numb. The sounds of the struggle eventually faded, replaced by a heavy silence. I waited, my breath hitching with each passing second, until finally, the door creaked open again.

Killian stumbled back into the room, his face bruised and swollen. He tried to offer me a reassuring smile, but it came out as a grimace. "It's over," he said, his voice hoarse. "She's passed out."

I rushed to his side, my hands shaking as I touched his bruised face. I touch him.

I wrapped my hands around his neck and embraced him, "Killian, I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice was broken.

"Please forgive me..." I cried, my tears falling freely now. "I couldn't do anything. I was so afraid."

Every second I looked at him, my heart broke.

Killian gently pulled me closer, his arms trembling around me. "Alex, it's not your fault," he murmured.

How many times had he endured this? I hugged him tightly, feeling the frailty of his small frame against mine. "I'm so sorry," I sobbed, wishing there was something, anything, I could do to make it better.

"I'm fine," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "It's not the first time."

"You don't deserve this!"

Killian gently pushed me back, his eyes fierce with a strength that belied his age. "Don't be sorry," he said firmly. "I can handle it."

"But..." I began, my voice trembling with concern as I reached out to touch his bruised face. "You shouldn't have to handle this."

He offered a faint smile, though his eyes betrayed the pain he was in. "I know," he admitted quietly. "But there's nothing I can do about it."

"I-I have to treat your wounds." I tug at his hand, "Come on, where do you keep your first-aid kits? My mommy always has them around my home."

Killian hesitated for a moment, then nodded silently. Together, we searched through the drawers until we found a small first-aid kit tucked away in a corner. I carefully cleaned his wounds, my hands steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. Each touch was gentle, and each bandage was applied with care.

I reached out and took his hand, his skin was so cold.

"You're doing more than you know." He whispered. "Thank you."

As I finished bandaging his injuries, I couldn't help but marvel at his resilience. Despite everything, he remained strong, comforting me even in his pain. Together, we sat in silence, the weight of the moment hanging heavily between us.

"Alex," he said finally, breaking the quiet. "Thank you for being here."

I squeezed his hand gently, feeling a rush of gratitude and affection for this brave boy who had faced so much yet still found the strength to offer comfort. "Always," I promised.

_________________________________

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠;) 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞.

(つ .•́ _ʖ •̀.)つ