Chapter Twenty Five

61 2 0
                                        

Riley

A huge scar laced the inside of Lucas' thigh, stretching from his kneecap to the top of his thigh.

I gasped. I couldn't help myself.

"Lucas," I asked. "What happened?"

Pulling the sweatpants on, Lucas turned to face me. He held his head high, as if he was trying to keep himself together. It wasn't working very well though. I could see his bottom lip quivering.

"I..." He stumbled over his words. "I tried to... commit suicide." His voice dropped lower and lower with each word he spoke. The last word was so quiet that I had to strain to hear it.

A tear dripped down my cheek.

"I'm so sorry!" Lucas cried out. "I know. I'm weak! It was all my fault. All my fault. I should've been stronger, but I couldn't. All of Fathers beatings and abuse got to my head." He fell to his knees and curled into the fetal position, where he bawled like a baby.

It broke my heart, seeing him like this. I dropped beside him.

"Baby," I brushed his hair out of his eyes and wrapped my arms around him as best I could.

We stayed like that for who knows how long, until Lucas calmed down enough to speak in coherent sentences.

"Let's go to bed," I suggested. He nodded in agreement.

He curled up next to me, cuddling into my side.

"I'm so sorry Riles," he snuffled. "I really am." He was kind of acting like a child. I mean, Lucas, I love you, but I already said that it was okay. It wasn't your fault. Please stop apologizing.

Instantly, I felt bad about those thoughts. Lucas was abused; he had spent a while completely alone, who no one to protect him. That was all about to change. I was here now. I'd always protect my baby.

It's a NightmareWhere stories live. Discover now