Damaged

Four

My eyes popped open and I instantly moved my hands to my eyes, rubbing them. I sat up and stretched my arms. I slipped off the bed and looked at Emerson. He snored sweetly and softly, his stomach gently moving up and down. I was pretty tired from last night.

Last night.

I looked towards to the direction of Landon's bed. He wasn't there. I noticed there were people who have gone to the cafeteria. I slipped my jacket on, as winter was approaching.

I entered the cafeteria and saw Landon instantly. He sat at a table towards the front, a bowl of cereal in front of him, sitting on the table.

I grabbed a bowl myself and poured myself a bowl of cereal, too and started towards Landon. But I was shoved by a scruffy looking man. I was knocked back a little, making milk spill onto my pajamas. I looked down, and then at the man who just bumped into me.

The man looked towards another man, his fists up. He wasn't even paying attention to me, like nothing happened.

"Hey, ma-" I started, but my arm was being pulled back. Landon.

He pulled me to the table.

"Don't get in the middle." He said calmly and smoothly. He sat first, and I then followed his actions, placing my bowl on the table and sitting down.

I looked back towards the man who shoved me and the men he was looking at. He was smaller and had a goatee. Both had their fists up.

Were they going fight?

The scruffy man that shoved me took the first swing, but missed.

Everyone's attention turned to the two man. The man with the goatee gutted the bigger man in the stomach.

"This is bad." Landon said, and I turned to look at him, "we shouldn't be fighting." Landon kept his cool, though.

He was always so calm.

The two men moved towards the large entrance of the cafeteria, continuing to move their fists into one another.

I looked around. Cara was no where to be seen.

I looked towards the two men. And then I noticed Emerson walking in.

He walked into the cafeteria, still running his eyes.

"Emerson..." I mumbled.

Emerson stumbled into the two men, getting in between them. I stood up quickly, my eyes wide with fear.

I could hear the scruffy looking man say, "move, kid." And with that, he forcefully shoved Emerson out of the way, his elbow making contact with Emerson's jaw. Emerson fell back, landing on his back.

I quickly ran over to him.

"Emerson!" I stood above him, taking his hands. They shook slightly.

I saw the fear in his eyes, giving him a pitiful look.

"Emerson..." I said, helping him stand, "are you okay?"

He said nothing. He just stood next to me, slightly shaking.

I gently placed the ice on the bruised part of his jaw. He flinched as the coldness touched his skin.

He laid on his bed, his arms across his chest. Landon and I sat on either side of him.

I touched his arm. He was still shaking. I moved my hand to his, squeezing tightly.

I looked up at Landon and followed his eyes towards my hand on Emerson's, and then quickly looked back down at Emerson's innocent face.