Ginger Love Palace (Cashby)

Chapter Five 1/2

*Austin POV* (shush) | Feb 27, 2014 

There was blood. Blood, glass, and alcohol all pooled around him.

"Oh my god..." I whisper, afraid of what he's done. Was this because of me? It scares me to death that he could've died because of me. But why did he call me? Unless it was that damned Siri...

"Alan... are you conscious?" I ask. No reply, meaning he could very well be dead. I trek over to him, my feet getting soaked in alcohol and blood, stabbed by the shattered glass. I pick him up and haul him over my shoulder. He's lost so much blood.. Surely, this can't be only because of me, right? There has to be another reason... I hope.

I check his pulse to discover he still has one.

"Thank the lord!" I yell out, hugging the lifeless boy on my shoulder. I set him down on his couch, and pull out my phone. He needs a hospital, like now.

"Hello, 911. What is your emergency?" the lady on the line says.

"My best friend, h-he um, he's passed out, unconscious, and he's lost lots of blood, and he barely has a pulse, please send an a-ambulance," I say, as calm as I can make myself.

"Paramedics are on there way. You've done good by finding your friend," the lady says. I nod at the phone, a thing I've picked up from Alan, and hang up. I hope the ambulance gets here quick.. And these few minutes better not be his fucking last.

The ambulance arrives moments later, and they let me ride with them, only because I found him.

"How did you know he was in trouble?" one of the paramedics asks.

"Siri accidentally dialled my number, and I heard a bottle smash. He didn't answer me at all, but I heard him. I wanted to make sure he was okay, and I found him blacked out on the floor of his kitchen. Lots and lots of smashed bottles and a plethora of small pools of blood," I answer.

"Is Mr Ashby suicidal in any way?"

"No, he hasn't really ever had those thoughts or ever self harmed. Only recently he's been putting himself down," I say.

"Has anything happened recently?"

"His girlfriend cheated on him, and bullied him at school, and in the restaurant she works at."

"Do you think he should have therapy?"

"No," I say quickly, almost too quickly. Therapy would not help Alan, it would more crush him and turn him into a bundle of depression. It wouldn't be good for him.

The paramedic nods as we arrive at the hospital. They transport Alan to the emergency room, and I wait in the waiting room.

*7 HOURS LATER*

"Austin?" I hear my name. I look up to see a doctor talking to me.

"Yes, Doctor?"

"I'm Doctor Bruce. You may see Alan now. He might be sleeping, but he will be fine. Keep him away from alcohol, and all sharp objects. He's been asking for you. Also, he's had surgery on his stomach because he swallowed some glass that sliced his insides. Have him take it easy, alright?" Doctor Bruce says. I nod, and open the door that he's lead me to.

"A-Austin," Alan croaks.

"I'm here, Ginger Princess. I didn't go anywhere," I say, sitting in the chair next to his bed.

"Alan will be discharged either later today or tomorrow. You can have your alone time now," Doctor Bruce says, leaving the room.

"W-w-why?" I stutter out, tears beginning to leave my eyes.

"I felt bad..." he trails off. "I mean... my dad stopped by before what I did."

"Why would he step foot NEAR you after he left you?" I ask, my knuckles clenched in a fist. I hate that man, I really do.

"He said that my mom died... Heart failure," he whispers. "His last words before he left were 'You're on your own, never let me see you again, faggot.'" he says, beginning to cry. I hug him.

"You're not alone or own your own, I promise you that. You have me, Tino, Phil, Shay, and Aaron," I say. He can't be alone, and he won't be alone.

"Thank you," he says, hugging back.

"Anything for you, Princess," I chuckle.

"Can I tell you something?" Alan asks. I nod.

"Of course, you can tell me anything," I assure him.

"Austin.... I love you."