Protecting Taylor

Chapter 7

"I'm okay!" I said pushing Taylor's hands away.
"Alex, just let her help." Adam said and rested his large hands on top my shoulders.
Taylor look up to him from in front of the chair I was sitting in. She looked exasperated. Meredith climbed onto me and put her paws on my chest. Her little face was in front of mine.
"See, Mer-Bear is worried about you." Taylor said.
I couldn't help but smile at the little cat.
Taylor cleaned the blood around my nose gently. I wanted to go home and do it myself, but Taylor insisted on helping me.
She smeared some stuff on the bruise forming around my eye and the side of my face.
"Here," Adam said placing an ice pack on the side of my face.
"Oh my god. Adam look at her neck." Taylor said worriedly.
Adam hissed at the sight of bruises around my neck. Taylor rubbed some of that gel on my neck too.
"It will help with the swelling and lighten the bruising. That stuff comes in handy when you're like me." She joked.
"Do you know what will happen to that man?" Adam asked.
"I'm not sure, maybe some jail time, possibly just a ticket and court super vision."
"But, he attacked you and you're a minor!" Taylor said.
"In the justice system I'm qualified as an officer so it doesn't matter how old I am. Besides, I don't want to take advantage of my age."
"I just hope he doesn't come around again." Adam said.
"I doubt he will. There will be a restraining order against him."
"That's good I guess." Taylor bit her lip.
"Well, everyone is okay at least." I try and brighten Taylor's mood.
"Everyone is not okay, Alex! Look at you!" Taylor cries.
"This is nothing! I've had so much worse, plus it doesn't even hurt that much." I put my hand on her shoulder as an attempt to comfort her. I'm really terrible at this kind of stuff. Taylor smiles slightly and puts her hand on top of mine.
"You're a good person." She tells me.
"Umm, I wouldn't go that far, but thanks."
"You did good tonight." Adam squeezes my shoulders.
"Just doing my job." I laugh slightly.
Taylor glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Oh god, it's already eleven." She said.
"If you guys are good for the night I'm going to head out."
"You can stay here if you want. I've got spare bedrooms. It's just late and you've been through a lot tonight."
I knew Adam would probably be staying tonight and I didn't want to ruin that for the two of them. Plus, I shouldn't get that close to Taylor anyways. It's just a job at the end of the day.
"I'm okay, but thanks anyway."
"Really? Are you sure because its honestly no problem."
"I'm sure. Thanks again for dinner, Adam."
"It was my pleasure." He nodded.
I picked Meredith up off my lap and put her back on the chair once I stood up. Taylor followed me to the door.
"Do you want a ride?" She asked.
"No, I like walking." I smiled.
"I'll send someone to walk with you."
"It's okay. Don't forget what I do for a living."
"Right. I know I just-I worry."
"It's okay. Have a good night."
"You too sweetie." She gave me a small smile and wrapped her arms around me for a hug. I patted her back until she finally pulled away.
"Be safe."
"I will!" I called as I closed the door.
People were still gathered around Taylor's apartment and I pushed through them. The night air felt good and relieving. Traffic was thick, but I kind of enjoyed listening to the commotion. The walk only lasted for a bit and I was soon back in my crappy apartment.
I looked at my face in the mirror that hung in my bathroom. The bruise was nasty and the finger print shaped bruises on my neck were quite obvious. Compared to past injuries, this didn't even compare. I've broken ribs, legs, arms ect. To people like Taylor and Adam a little blood and a few bruises was major.
I put on my silky pajamas and laid down in bed. Hopefully, I could sleep tonight. I haven't gotten much lately. Then again, I've always had trouble sleeping. Around one in the morning I finally did drift off.

Sweat was dripping down my forehead when my eyes shot open at three fifteen in the morning. My heart was pounding and my breathing was ragged. I saw my sister again in my dreams and of corse my father.
I thought about what Taylor said to me. About how I was a good person. If she knew how I failed my sister she would hate my guts. No matter how many lives I save it will never be enough to erase what I have done.
Taylor could never love the real me. Nobody could ever love the real me. I was a mistake made by God and my only purpose is to destroy. When this is all over I hope all I am to Taylor is a distant memory. That's all I deserve to be. She's too pure and good to belong in my life and world. I'm too destructive and tainted to be apart of her glamorous world.
I know I won't fall back a sleep tonight, so I just watch out the window and enjoy the view of the city.