Reject~A.F.I

Chapter One ~ The Chase

My legs are numb, my chest is burning but I can't stop, I mustn't stop. I pump my arms and dig deep - summoning every ounce energy in my body - the uneven ground daring me to slip and fall. I feel warm liquid trickling down my face, blood, sweat or tears, I don't have time to check, nor do I care right now. The long grass whips at my legs as I continue to run, not daring to look back. I see the metal fence up ahead, if I mess this up then it's over. I leap for it, my feet connect with the metal and I grip on tightly with my hands, scrambling to the top before flipping over and dropping down the other side. Pain rushes up through my feet into my shins, I grit my teeth and continue to push through the ever-growing pain my body is experiencing. The illuminated street lamps light my way home, the home stretch. I stop momentarily, but the shouts quickly snap me out of my daze and back to reality. One last push, my body is screaming at me to stop but that's not an option. Everything hurts, any adrenaline I had has now left my body and I am now conscious of every injury sustained. Finally I reach the door handle of my home and push the door open, quickly turning and shutting it - securing the lock. I was safe, I slumped against the door as I welcomed the warmth, I let it wash over my aching body as I attempted to catch my breath.

The hallway light flickered on and I looked up, only to meet the worried eyes of my mum. She stared at me, her mouth open, her blue eyes filling with tears,

"What happened?" she whispered as she rushed over to me. I tried to push past her,

"It's nothing, I'm fine" I lie, it's clear I'm not, but I don't want her to have to worry about me too, she has enough to deal with. She gently grabs my wrist and pulls me into a warm embrace, and instead of fighting it I collapse against her, finally allowing the tears to fall. She gently rubbed my back as she planted soft kisses on the top of my head.

"It's okay now," she whispered, "You're safe now, I've got you." she squeezed me slightly harder, the pressure hurting my battered body, but I didn't care. I finally looked up through watery eyes to see a single tear roll down my mother's cheek. I lifted my hand up and wiped it away.

"I'm sorry." I said, it was barely a whisper but she heard it.

"No, don't say that." my mum sobbed as yet more tears began to trickle down her cheeks.

She slowly released me from her hug, but remained holding my hand as she lead me into the bathroom, she shut the toilet seat and motioned for me to sit there. She began to fill the sink with warm water, her back was to me but her sniffing was still audible - seeing your parents cry is the worst feeling ever, and being the cause of their sadness is even worse - I stood up to walk over to her but froze when I caught my reflection in the mirror. My brown curls damp with sweat, my fringe plastered to me forehead with dry blood, the source; a slit just above my right eyebrow. My left eye ever so slightly closed as a bruise had began to form around it. A dry trail of blood running down from my nose and a purple bruise on my right cheekbone. I stood there staring at my face in shock, it's never been this bad before. And all too quickly the tears begin to fall again, I crumple back down onto the toilet seat. My mum beside me again, gently running her fingers through my knotted hair as she dabbed my face with a damp flannel, attempting to bring my face back to normal, or as close as possible.

Once I was clean all I could think about was sleep. I hobbled up the stairs to my room and slowly got changed for bed. As I took off my top I couldn't help but stare at the bruise covering the left side of my ribs, I winced as I bent to take off my socks. I climbed into my warm bed and finally I could rest. A knock came at my door, then came my mum holding a hot water bottle. She delicately placed it under the duvet cover careful not to hurt me, before perching by my side on the wonky wooden chair. She sat there holding my hand, and I knew that I was safe. I may be a seventeen year-old boy, but that doesn't mean I'm too old for my mum, you can never outgrow your parents love.

"Thank you." I whispered as my eyes began to droop shut, she didn't say anything, she just kissed my head and sat back down giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. My body grew heavier and I allowed the darkness to embrace me like an old friend.

~So, I was kinda getting bored of my Mortal Instruments fanfic so I thought I'd attempt a 5sos one instead, seeing as they're basically taking over my life anyway. I've already written the next chapter, so hopefully I'll actually continue this one. Please  let me know what you think of this so far, I really appreciate it. And also go read ashtonsaussiedimples

5sos fanfics, they're bloody brilliant, especially her new one safety pin! :)