Asylum

Resting

"Amber!" Jake. He found me.

I fall to the floor breathing heavy. My eyes filled with tears. I layed on the cold hard ground sobbing.

"Stop... stop... stop..." I whispered repeatedly, my mouth shaking, shivering. My whole body trembling in fear and exhaustion.

Jake kneels beside me and takes me into his arms.

"What happened?! " He sounded so worried.

He pulled me closer to his face and hugged me tighter in his arms. I look at him. His eyes stared into mine the same way we did before. He took his hand, and wiped my cheeks. I look at his hands and it had blood. His expression turned sideways. Already worried, now he is also afraid.

"D-Did an animal attack you? You have claw marks all over." He said as he stared at the scratches on my body.

I kept quiet. Suddenly, tears start to fall.

"Don't. Leave me. Save yourself, please." I said panting.

"No, Amber. We will not leave you alone here to die." You can hear the rage in his voice. I suddenly realized how caring this guy was.

He picked me up and started running back to the cabin. He wrapped his bulky arms around me as he jogged with ease. I closed my eyes as i let my body loose. A slight smile showed on my face.

He lays me back down on the bed I was earlier.

"What happened to her?!" Kim runs to the bedside.

"I'll take care of her. Pack your bags. We're leaving at sunrise."  His voice laced with rage and fear.

"What-"

"Now, Kim!" He yells as he takes a towel and soaks it in water.

Kim steps out of the room and closes the door behind her.

He starts to clean up the blood all over me.

"You don't have-"

"I want to." His voice was expressionless.

I kept quiet and just closed my eyes.

He didn't say a word until after he finished.

"Go to sleep. We're gonna be up early tomorrow. The van is just a few miles from here. We'll get you home soon." He said as he put the towel back into the bloody water.

I opened my eyes and turned my head his way.

"I don't want to sleep."

"You need to." His fierce eyes stared into my tired eyes. He starts to walk to the door.

"I'm scared." He stops. My voice was trembling. "Actually, I'm terrified. I can't take all of this." My eyes start to tear up again.

He walks to me slowly and the lays down beside me. He pulls a blanket over us. He then pulls me close to him. He wraps his arms around me.

"Everything's going to be fine. I'll keep you safe." His eyes turned calm.

For once, I actually felt... safe. I close my eyes as I rested my head on his broad chest.

He kisses my forehead. "Goodnight," he said as he rests his chin over my head, "you'll be fine. I promise."

-------------------------------------------

"Wake up, Amber." Kim gently put her hand on my shoulder.

I open my eyes.

"You ready to go?" She smiles.

I sit up and look around. I look back at her and give her a nod.

Kim walks me to the kitchen. Jake was standing by the table tightening his backpack. I help Kim put on hers. Jake looks at me. He gives a half smile. I just look away.

"You guys ready?" Jake said tightening the last strap.

We all walk out through the back door.

"Here we go." Jake said, walking in front of us.