Ashton (a Merome ff story)

[11] I'm sorry, Jerome

"Dad?" Jerome's weak voice called out.

I slowly opened my eyes. The punch that I had been waiting for so long was not coming. His fist hung in the air. His eyes widened at Jerome's voice. Sure enough, Jerome was awake, and a look of surprise and embarrassment was on his face as he stared at the both of us.

Everyone went silent. Rob was the first one to break it.

"Jerome! Oh thank god, you're awake!" He rushed to Jerome's side as he hugged Jerome. Jerome winced at the strength of his hug, and patted his shoulder weakly as he let go.

The man turned back, and stared at his son. Jerome reflected with a look of fear. My breathing went back to normal as Jerome locked eyes with me.

"Dad, did you just try to hit my friend?" He asked in disbelief. The man didn't answer. Jerome unplugged the IV and stumbled down the bed, but Adam stopped him.

"Jerome, don't. You just came back to consciousness," Adam warned. Jerome gave him a smile.

"Thanks, doc, but I'm fine now," he limped to us as Adam watched him from behind. Jerome walked past his dad. He came for me.

"J-Jerome? Are you okay?" I asked. Jerome nodded.

"How about you? What did my dad do to you?" His eyes skimmed through my arms and legs, and landed on my face as he checked for my injuries.

"I'm fine, Jerome. Check on your dad," I nudged at him. His dad turned around.

"Check on me? Check on ME?! You're the one who did this, you little bastard!" He roared. Jerome winced as he covered his ears like a five-year-old. He was afraid of his dad. I put Jerome behind him.

"You were the one who came for me first," I said with venom in my words. I placed my hand on Jerome's arm to ensure that he was still safe with me. His warmth travelled through my hand. He was alive, and I'm grateful for that.

"Me? That's it kid, I'm calling the police," he took out his phone.

"You need witnesses? There are tons," I glanced at the nurses. He gulped. Jerome trembled behind me.

"M-Mitch?" I looked behind.

"Yeah, Jerome?"

"Don't-"

And before he could finish his sentence, he was pulled forward forcefully by someone. He slipped past my grasp as his dad hauled him over his shoulder. The nurses tried to stop him as he reached the entrance of the room, but he only shoved them away. Jerome's screams echoed in my head as I chased after him.

His dad ran as Jerome sobbed. He threw Jerome at the backseat of his car, and drove away.

I tried chasing him, but they went further and further. Jerome slamming at the window was the last thing I see before he was gone in the dust that rolled up.

He was screaming and sobbing. His mouth formed two words repeatedly as tears rolled down his cheeks. Mitch help. He was hoping for me to save him, to hold him from his dad.

But I let him go.

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*rolls credits*

*sees title*

Whoops wrong book