Never Forget You {l.s. AU}

4.

(The room is only big enough for 10 people) (The story is only in Louis' pov.)

Louis*

I make my way back the moment Niall comes back with Dr. Schnell. I greet him as Liam lays the small boy on my bed scooting away from him, hesitantly. Dr. Schnell looks at us and asks, "Do you want to stay here while I check him?" Liam and Niall nod and I sigh before saying, "Yes, we need to know how to take care of him."

"Well then. Can you please close the door so that the elder men don't eavesdrop." Liam does as said as the doctor wets a cotton ball with cleaning spirit and holds his hands delicately while cleaning his entire body. He definitely had fatigue and looked way to pale.

The doctor takes almost 15 minutes to clean his entire body, thats when I remember, "Doctor, he was limping when I asked him to stand up for me before calling you here. He had a really bad limp." His immediate response came, "Well, while I cleaned his legs, the bruises didn't explain, this limp you are telling me about. There are no deep cuts or swellings, so there are no fractures and dismembering." My immediate thought made my blood run cold, I voice it out, "Can you, uh.... Do you have.." I whisper to him, "The rape kit or something?"

"Do you intend...?" He replied, eyes widened. I nod and Liam and Niall who were hugging each other's side looked at me for answers, I just shake my head and let it be. The doctor asks me to bring his other bag from the office amd to let Liam and Niall go away from the room/tent.

I get Liam and Niall out and before they could ask things, I run away to the office and get the other case before making my way back to the barracks. The doctor was cleaning his genitals and the marks and bruises around his thighs and butt region. The doctor thanks me before saying, "I hope its not that. It would be a shame on us. His hair was definitely force fully cut because the cuts on his face and the ears indicate that he had long hair." I sigh and gulp as the doctor asks me to turn him on his front so that the kit could be used properly. I do as told and wait for more instructions.

***

"Just make him feel at home and talk to him, but don't force it out. He might be a little weary, that's all. Nothing to worry about, just feed him and medicate him properly and those scabs need to be reopened by next week for it to heal. And only soft pillows and no combs. I shall ne leaving now. But if anything happens, call me here, okay Louis. I mean 94983" the doctor says before leaving us alone in the tent.

I get Liam and Niall inside and explain that he would be asleep for atleast the rest of the afternoon, so they need not worry and not to go near him while the IV drips run. If they finish they should call him or the doctor. They agree and go back to their own work.

I decide this afternoon, I would definitely go to the mess room and have lunch maybe. So I go over to the wash area to take a shower before eating, the smell of sweat, dirt and puke masking me. So I shower before dressing in my uniform and going over to the mess room. There were a few people there and Niall and Liam had already had food so today I could eat a little too. I grab the plate and the single bowl on it. There was curry, porridge and bread. I take two breads and a little vegetable from the curry, a single piece of meat in it and fill the small bowl half with the wheat porridge. I eat in silence as the sounds of people chattering and metal spoons against metal plates hit my ears. I try distracting myself from these thoughts that are eating me alive, thoughts ofthe little girl this morning, and the thoughts of this boy that laid in my bed unconscious. The mess alarm rings meaning all soldiers to resume work. I quickly finish the porridge and vegetables before placing the plates in the sink, the breads in my pocket for later consumption.

I go back to the border stretch, digging patiently in the scorching afternoon. The thoughts of that little girl from this morning distracting me. Brown curly hair framed her round face, her small lips in a pretty dimpled smile. Her cute button noise and her heavy English accent. Her pale milky skin that showed from her short sleeved dress. The little beauty spot on her cheek right above her chin, in the perfect spot to be remembered. Eyes, what was the colour of her eyes?

I stop thinking and look around seeing no one around anymore. And the dark surrounding me. I didn't even hear the alarm for finishing work ring. I make my way back to the barracks, stumbling over the dirt and almost falling into another ditch. At last I make it to my room and see Niall and Liam playing card games with the other boys. I walk over to my bed and see the young lad fidgeting in his sleep. I brush my hands over his head and he opens his eyes wide and looks at me stunned, a gasp leaving his mouth. I pull my hand away as he flutters his eyes closed and opens them again. He tries to sit up and I help him and see that the IV had been removed and a note with some medicines was left on the bedside table. I pick it up after giving the boy some water from the pot near my bed. He drinks it up and I almost miss the way he smiles a little before it disappears. I read the note from the doctor that said the same things he said in the morning.

I sit on my bed, across him. He says, "Why is my.. Uh.. Butt wet and sticky?"

I scrunch my nose before whispering, "That must be the ointment the doctor has given. He applied it this afternoon while you were completely gone. Does it hurt now?" He nods before sighing and a few tears left his eyes. I wipe them off and then he says in the most silent and honey like voice he has ever spoken in before,

"My name is Zain."

( Thanks to all of you who are reading this short shitty story. I love you lots!!

-M! 💖)