Mental

Chapter 25- Crashing Down

Harry's P.O.V.

It's been a week since I brought her here.

Within this week I haven't seen her leave my room.

I haven't seen her laugh.

Or smile.

Or do anything really.

Besides lay there.

Her mother called me the next morning and with what sounded like the last bit of energy she had left she asked if I knew where Madeline was. She sounded so exhausted with the whole situation so it wasn't surprising when I told her I had her here and that she could stay. Her mother reluctantly said okay.

She told me about how expensive Long Branch was getting and how tired she was from keeping track of Madeline that she needed a break and I gladly took over for her.

I understand her frustration with the situation. I try and talk to Madeline but it's just emptiness that seems to look back at me. When I touch her, she flinches and then shuts down. Almost like she's going into hibernation.

She doesn't eat much, only drinks water when I give it to her and she hasn't showered in a week.

I ran the wash cloth under the sink and let it soak up the warm water before walking over to Madeline in the bed. I ran it over her face, and around her neck and arms. "Good Morning, how are you feeling?" I asked for the seventh day in a row. And just like all the other days I was met with a blank stare.

I was starting to regret breaking her out of there. From what I've seen she needs to be getting constant 24 hour help and supervision and I can do that for now but I'm not sure how much longer I can.

"Are you hungry for anything in particular? Or is toast again okay?" I questioned pulling back her stray hairs.

I watched as she let out a little sigh and rolled over onto her back, her eyes closing and opening softly. "How about we go sit outside for a bit, yeah?" I smiled lightly, reaching under her and sitting her up. She felt so fragile, like I could break her if I moved her too much.

I bent down and picked up the slippers she was wearing from the hospital and helped her up off the bed.

This is the most she's let me do all week. I couldn't help but feel a little bubble of happiness. We slowly walked over to my balcony and the fresh air immediately made me feel better, I could only hope it did the same for her. She walked over to the balcony and closed her eyes leaning against it.

I stepped back and sat in the chair behind her, giving her some space.

It was a nice warm morning, the smell of last nights rain still fresh in the air. I looked up to see the sky getting lighter as the sun was making it's way up.

This was nice, this is what she needed to make her feel better.

I smiled, lowering my head down and as I did I saw Madeline's legs shake before she started to fall. I quickly reached out and grabbed her, pulling her down onto my lap and holding her. "Hey, you alright?" I looked down at her, her grey eyes coming up to meet mine and I felt my heart shatter.

I remembered what Liam told me about those days he'd go over and visit Madeline when she wouldn't talk to me and how he said her eyes didn't sparkle anymore.

They looked so dull and lifeless.

I couldn't stop staring at them but it felt as if she wasn't even looking back at me, she was somewhere completely different. "It's okay, I'm going to take care of you." I whispered, my voice cracking as it caught in the back of my throat.