Barely Alive (First Draft Edition)

Chapter 7- Bruises And Broomsticks

Chapter 7- Bruises And Broomsticks

Jasper and his brothers quietly walked up to Ella's back porch to see the lights on in the house. Jasper walked over to the back door and peeked in seeing two figures leave to kitchen. A moment went by until the lights went out. Slowly, he opened the door and motioned his brothers to follow him.

All four of them tiptoed in as Jasper sat the back pack on the counter. Just before he turned away his whole body stopped in shock. His brothers made a gulping noise as the pool of blood touched there feet. "Ella" Jasper croaked. His eyes filled with fear as he quickly fell on his knees and picked up Ella's bruised body.

"Ella" he cried. "Ella!" Ella's head was bleeding badly and her face was cut and bruised. Jasper put his ear to her chest and paused for a moment before he sighed in relief. "She's knocked out. Go and get a rag! Quick!"

Iggy raced around the kitchen finding a rag as Jasper propped Ella body in his arms. He and Quincey put there hands over the large gash in Ella's forehead to stop the blood as Axe began to clean up the blood on the floor.

Iggy handed Jasper a rag and helped to stop the bleeding. Axe left the room and came back with some bandage once again. He clearly has gotten use to finding the first aid kit in the house.

Jasper quickly wrapped up her head as Iggy washed the cloth. As soon as Ella's wound was covered up they washed the blood off her face and managed to get bandaids on the more serious cuts.

As soon as Ella was all secure Jasper smiled then whispered, "I'm going to put her in her bed. You guys go home, okay?"

"But-" Quincey wined. "No. It will be easy to be spotted with all of us. Just go okay." Iggy nodded and pushed his younger brothers away as Jasper picked up Ella's glasses and slid them onto her face then hoisted her small body onto his back.

As quietly as Jasper could, he took Ella upstairs avoiding her guardians. Jasper pushed open Ella's bedroom door and walked over to her bed and laid her down. Ella groaned as Jasper pulled the sheets over her bony body. After he was done tucking her in he stood up and looked at her. He smiled and placed her dirty teddy bear under her arm and kissed her bandaged forehead.

Just as he turned towards the door a loud creak for the hallway caused Jasper to hid behind the door just incased it opened, he counted to a minute before moving again. Jasper opened Ella's bedroom door and rushed down stairs to the back door without being noticed.

As the night air welcomed Jasper he turned and looked back at the house and croaked, "Ella."

...

Ella woke up trying to remember why her head hurt so much. She recalled asking her parents if she could have that broom she aways wanted, but they expression the answer in a violent fashion.

But she knew she didn't put bandage wrap around her head and go to bed. All she remember was passing out on the kitchen floor.

Ella sat up and turned towards her nightstand finding a Rice Krispe treat sitting there. After a moment of thinking she knew exactly how she got in her bedroom all patched up. She smiled and climbed out of bed ready to start another day.

As Ella got dressed all she could think of was how wonderful Jasper, Iggy, Quincey and even Axe are.

Quickly Ella rushed out of the house on,y eating an apple and the Rice Krispe treat for breakfast. Throughout the school day Ella ignored all the rude comments about her and kept a straight face. The time came when it was time for her class to practice riding broom sticks.

Ella was so happy this moment finally came. Her class mates crowed outside where a large pile of broomsticks at waiting for someone to ride them. A smile crept onto Ella's face as the teacher strictly explained the rules.