I rushed into his apartment, looking for any sign of Toby.
"Toby?" I called desperately.
I heard a whimpering from behind the bed.
"Gryphon," I said, racing over.
He was laying by Toby, and there was blood pooling on the floor between the two of them. I saw Gryphon had some cuts, but Toby was worse off. I rolled him onto his back and gasped. A gruesome gash ran from his shoulder to his fingers, and it was still bleeding. I got up and ran into the bathroom, grabbing everything from band-aids to surgical tape. I grabbed anything medical and hurried back out. I peeled off Toby's jacket and shirt and applied disinfectant to the wound, making sure it was cleaned out.
I then wrapped it and prayed it would work. I turned to Gryphon and did what I could for him, pulling out my phone afterwards. I dialed 911 and waited for the lady to answer. She asked a bunch of questions about the problem, how injured were they, when the break-in occurred, our address, etc. I answered as best I could, but it felt like I wasn't doing enough. She gave me instructions on what to do, but she didn't say anything about not moving them. I quickly got Toby and Gryphon up onto his bed. He groaned.
"Toby!" I said, propping his head up on the pillow. He moaned and opened his eyes. I've never been happier to see those hazel eyes. "Oh Toby, you're awake," I said happily, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing his forehead.
He smiled faintly and looked around.
"Where's Gryphon?" he asked suddenly, trying to get up.
I held him down and picked up Gryphon, setting him on Toby's lap. Toby looked so relieved, I couldn't help but grin. Gryphon yapped happily and started licking Toby's face.
"Gryphon, down," he said between licks.
Gryphon yipped and stopped, crawling back onto the bed. He smiled and looked up at me.
"What are you doing here? What if he had still been here? What if you had been hurt? What if-" he said seriously, but I cut him off. "What if you were dead?" I countered.
He sighed and pulled me into a hug with his good arm.
"I'm glad you came," he mumbled.
We stayed like that until we heard the sirens. I could've stayed like that forever, but nothing can last that long. We broke apart when we heard the police in the hallway. Paramedics rushed in, lifting Toby onto a stretcher.
"Wait," I said as they began to take him away. I held up Gryphon. "He's hurt too, and that guy there is my best friend. Can I come with?" I pleaded.
They said yes and led me out to the ambulance. I couldn't stop shaking all the way to the hospital. At least he was okay, but I still couldn't help thinking that he could've died. I broke down when I was in the visiting section. I felt like I literally cried a river in the hospital. I held Gryphon, tightly, holding on to the one thing that reminded me that he was okay.
Austin showed up, looking stressed. I could tell he was about to explode with questions and lectures, but when he saw me crying all of that went flying out the window. He sat down beside me and wrapped me in his arms, trying to sooth me. I leaned against his chest and started to calm down. I looked up into his blue eyes, hoping to find comfort, but all I found was a questioning look.
"Jacie, you really scared me," he said, holding me closer. I squeezed him back and looked him in the eye.
"I did what anyone would've done for a friend or family member. I was just so worried, I couldn't stand still. I found him, patched him up, and called the authorities. He turned out okay, and that's all that matters," I said proudly.
