Heart of Scales

6: Keep him

Ally

The last bell for dismissal rung and echoed repeatedly through the halls and students begin to pick up their bags and file their way towards the school's exit. Somewhere I'd been some hours ago.

Elise and I walked by one another in comfortable silence. Our usual routine right after school would be her coming to my house and doing homework with me. The day before she'd packed clothes to stay the night. This wasn't every day though. Usually it was around twice a week.

When the halls had become less rowdy with noise she angled her heads towards me in all seriousness. "Can you tell me what happened in there?"

I already knew what she'd meant by 'there' so I pondered her question and conjured a reply.

"Well... we went inside and, there were no lights." I began with furrowed brows. "And while we were searching for them, the door slammed closed and locked in on us." I expressed a deep frown as Elise continued to study me, engrossed. "I got frightened and hit him, causing us to slip and fall. I think Hayden hit his head on one of the shelves while we were falling. It's probably the reason why the things had fallen from it."

My heart rate sped up when I recalled what'd happened soon afterwards. I don't really want to mention that to her. Too personal.

She hummed in deep thought. "I'm pretty sure the door couldn't have slammed and then lock by itself."

I totally agree with her. Why do people find enjoyment in the suffering of other people? Someone from the outside must've of done it as a mere joke, and that alone angered me.

I stopped walking and raked both hands through my hair. "I got so scared and called for help but no one answered. I thought that if something bad happened to Hayden it'd be all my fault." I said, my voice coming out exasperated. I felt my throat clog up and my lips began to tremble.

Now's not the time to cry. I've already done that.

Elise quickly made her way over and wrapped her arms around me in a way of comfort.

I drew air into my lungs to suppress my overwhelming desire to let everything out.

"It's not your fault." She whispered, her voice coming out soft and soothing.

I nodded meekly, letting out a small sniffle. My arms hung limply by my sides.

"Poor Hayden." I murmured. "He didn't have to go through that."

Elise nodded in correspondence with my sympathy. I felt her lean the side of her face on my head, before beginning to gently rock us back and forth.

"He really cares about you. You know that right?"

I looked up at her.

She separated herself from me and the ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. "It took us so long to find you guys because we weren't sure which supply closet you'd two gone of to. After PE had come to an end we hunted for you guys but didn't come up with anything! Everywhere the teachers sent us, it wasn't the right one." I eyed the grave look making it's way on her face.

"We were only able to find you and Hayden because of the loud thumping noises sounding throughout the halls. We followed it until we were where you guys were. When we neared the door, we could make out Hayden's pleas resonating through it. They weren't necessarily loud, but they were there. When Merida opened the door, we immediately saw you guys. Hayden's face was all bloodied and he looked so tired..."

She paused, planting a palm on my shoulder. "... and he was holding you in his arms. He'd been pounding on the door because he wanted to help you. He didn't care about his well-being and was instead preoccupied with getting you the care he thought you needed."