Broken Boy and Broken Girl

Part 4

A damp, warm cloth sticks to your head, as a echoing voice filters through your mind, slowly getting clearer and clearer as the bright light shines through your closed eyelids. Suddenly, your eyes flash open and you sit up rapidly, gasping for breath as you take in your surroundings.
"Maggie calm down it's me, you're safe," a soothing familiar voice says, and you suddenly feel sick. You catch your breath, and close your eyes to stop the dizzy spell, before you awkwardly look up at Michael. His eyes burn with concern as he looks you over, checking for any damage. Neither of you say anything, but as soon as the tears spill down your cheeks, he's pulling you into his lap. "Shhh baby it's okay i got you okay you're safe, you're with me, i got you," he whispers as he strokes your hair. Leaning into him, you grab fistfuls of his shirt as the sobs rock your body.
"I'm so sorry," you whimper into his chest.
"What for?" He asks softly.
"I don't know. For this"
Michael chuckles, and presses a kiss to your temple.
"What set it off?" He asks quietly.
You pause.
"This girl. ...She's 7" you whisper. Michaels arms instantly wrap you in tighter. The tighter the hold, the safer you felt. Michaels arms have always been your safe haven.
"Tell me sweetie. The whole story" He says. Sighing, you tug back a bit to face Michael. His hand reaches up and cups your face, brushing the tears away with his thumb. His eyes scan your whole face, like he's searching for answers as he golden green eye's flicker from your lips to your eyes. The intensity makes your cheeks glow, your heart speeding up. The words get caught in your throat, and you look away.
"You were at the library," Michael starts. Dammit you think. He knows where you go when you're upset. It's one of the few places you go outside the house.
"I met someone," you say, the words foreign to you. Michaels arms stiffen around you, then relax again as he takes a deep breath. Guilt instantly overcomes you.
"Carry on," Michael nudges.
"He- he was telling me about his sister. She's 7. Loves to read books," you sigh. A unexpected smile tugs at Michaels mouth.
"Reminds me of someone i know," he says smoothly.
You glance at him, and suddenly feel a rush of love for him. He was the only person who knew the real you. The only person who had stuck by your side through your parents death, the constant terrors, even the day you ran away, he was still there. He was the only one who was there the day you woke up again, the only person who held you as your life flashed before you eyes every day, and he was the one who sacrificed his own body for yours. You glance down at the scar peaking over his shirt, the memory of your Aunty pulling the whip out replaying in your mind. A shiver slides down your spin as the image of Michael stepping in front of you, the sound of the volient instrument contacting his skin. The scream of pain that is permantly tattooed in your mind.
"Baby take your mind out of that" He instructs, snapping you out of your thoughts.
"Sorry" you mumble, your eyes dropping to your lap.
The thing about Michael was that he knew your every thought. He knew what you were thinking. He could tell when you mind was beginning to shut down and replay those nightmares that you'd lived. Michael never left, even when you'd shake and scream an cry unconsciously. Even when he was injured physically, he stayed. He helped you.
"C'mon, it's late and you need to sleep" he says, picking you up. Wrapping your arms around his neck, you let him carry you upstairs.

Michaels P.O.V.
I stood at the doorway, watching Maggie sleep, her hair spread out on the pillow as she sighed softly, tugging the duvet closer.
When i had walked into her house earlier, i had been angry. Upset. Heartbroken. But finding her unconscious on the floor covered in a cold sweat had hit me hard. I couldn't count how many times I'd woken her up in an episode, but the fear and sadness that i experienced every time never weakened. It was like i was losing her all over again. I'd watched the girl I love being broken over and over again. I'd try to help, but i was no good. I'd done all i could to save her, but i wasn't her prince charming. She belonged to someone who could erase the pain. As much as i wanted it to be me, i knew it never would be. Just the thought of her falling in love with another guy hurt, it hurt so damn much that i had to rest my fist on my heart to ease the pain.
Maggie murmured, and i pushed off the doorway, getting ready to run to her. I paused, holding my breath, but she just rolled over and snuggled down again.
I had instantly went into saving mode. I'd learnt over the years that i couldn't show her how scared i got when she had an episode, I'd trained myself to shut down those feelings so it wouldn't effect her when she recovered. When i got home, locked into the safety of my bedroom, then I'd let the feelings take over. I'd cry, I'd scream, I'd break things because i so wanted to save her, but i couldn't.
Maggie squirmed suddenly, breaking my thoughts. I watched her intently, and suddenly her body jerked.
"No please no" she whispered. She started shaking and she gasped for breath, one hand covering her face while the other dug into her throat. Her face when white and she froze, and my heart slammed against my chest. Please don't please don't i prayed. Suddenly her body sat bolt up right, her lips white and eyes closed when a piercing scream ripped through her chest. I knew that if i didn't stop her now, then she'd pass out from the lack of breath. I'd heard these screams before, it had woken me up when i was sleeping in the house next to her. She hadn't stopped screaming until I'd ran to her house, then she'd fainted.
I ran towards her, peeling her hands away from her neck. "Maggie come back to me. Please come back" i whispered urgently, my voice hardly audible from my chocked up throat. Her screaming didn't stop, the constant, death threatening scream slicing through me. Suddenly she grabbed my shoulders, her nails digging in painfully, then she gasped for breath. "Come back baby you're safe i got you" i said, my heart beating rapidly. Her eyes opened, and she blinked at me. I reached up and removed the hair from her eyes, brushing the sweat gathered on her forehead. "Hey sweetie" i croaked, trying my hardest to push all feelings down. Realisation filled her eyes as she released her grip on my shoulders.
"I'm sorry" she whispered quietly. I shook my head no. Her hands reached up and touched a red mark on her neck and winced. I took her hand in mine and kissed it, cradling it in my lap. She laid her head on my shoulder, and let out a shaky breath. I didn't say anything, i just lay back and pulled her down gently. Kissing the top of her head, i dipped my head down to her ear.
"I love you," i whispered. Closing my eyes, i squeezed the tears back. She knew i loved her, she just didn't know how much.