Let Love Bleed Red

Chapter 11

*Eoghan’s P.O.V.*

“Ash? Are you there?” I looked around the room. No one answered, it was silent. I ran out of the room to the front desk.

“The girl in room 394, Ash Grant, where is she?!” I was worried, anything could have happened, and she wasn’t strong enough to go home yet.

“Her father came to collect her, we tried to get her to stay but he insisted she be brought home. Are you a relative? Friend?” The nurse was nice enough and seemed keen to help.

“I’m her boyfriend, do you have an address for her, or anything? I need to see if she’s ok.” I was jittery, I couldn’t keep still because of my need to see her and hold her. The nurse smiled and gave me an address that was on some previous hospital documents. She had been here before, and with some pretty bad injuries..

“Do you want to get that lip seen to? It looks pretty bad.” Stupid people busting my lip, I’d probably have to get my snakebites done again. Damn.

“It’s ok, it’s not bad..”

I thanked the nurse for the address and sped out of the hospital. Ash’s house wasn’t too far and I got there in pretty good time. I knocked on the door of their house [ https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTXbOItkkmOAb2sO-yJvw4azKomkRV6XlDgrd9zE0lotB7ob_-f ] and waited. I didn’t hear anything for a minute or two, then there were footsteps coming towards the door.

The door swung open and a middle aged man was standing there. He looked drunk and his clothes were all wrinkled like they’d been slept in. I cleared my throat.

“Um.. Mr Grant? Is Ash home?” I hoped this wasn’t her dad, he looked like he could be the cause of her bruises. He was strong enough.

“Who are you? What do you want with my daughter?” His speech was slurred and his breath smelt bad. I wrinkled my nose and backed away a bit.

“I just came around to see her, see if she’s ok.” I peered in the door over his shoulder. I saw something move.

“Ash? You there?” Ash came out of the shadows, her cheeks tear stained. I saw the faint bluish tint of a new bruise forming on her cheek. I pushed my way past her dad. He grabbed my t-shirt and pushed me up against the door frame.

“How dare you barge in to my house! You get out and don’t come back! I bet you’re the one who did that to Ashley!” He pushed me roughly out the door and slammed it in my face. I stood on the doorstep, trying to decide whether or not I should knock again.

I heard a deep, raised voice. Her dad.

“You stay away from guys, only I’m aloud near you, you stupid whore!!” There was a small scream and a noise like a slap. Ash’s scream. Stupid bastard, he shouldn’t be doing this! She doesn’t deserve it!

I heard heavy footsteps blundering around, the smash of a beer bottle and the door swung open. I moved quickly to the side of the house, hoping he didn’t see me.

“Clean up that mess, you useless piece of scum. You better be here when I come home.” He stumbled out of the house, got in his car and drove away. I waited a few more moments to make sure he wasn’t going to see me, then went to the front door. I pushed it open.

Ash was curled up in a ball, broken glass all around her, sobbing. I moved over to her, keeling down, barely aware of the broken glass piercing my knees.

“Ash..” I didn’t want to touch her, in case I hurt her. She looked up, a frightened look in her eyes. My God, she was a mess. Two beatings in less than 24 hours…

“It’s ok Ash, it’s only me.” I put my arm around her shoulder.

“Eoghan..” her voice was barely a whisper. “I’m so sorry about him, he shouldn’t have treated you like that..” I put my finger on her lips and she flinched slightly. What had that monster done to her that made her so scared when I touched her..

“It’s ok baby, I’m fine. It’s you we have to worry about.. how badly did he hurt you..?” she shook her head slightly.

“I don’t want to talk about it..” she spoke softly. She stroked my lip, where it was all cut up. “What happened to you?”

“It’s nothing, I’m fine.” My injuries were nothing compared to hers. “We’re not going to be here when he gets back, I’ll take you to mine, ok?” I pulled out my phone and rang Lucy. I told her Ash’s address and told her to pick us up.

I held Ash in my arms, rocking her gently. The car pulled up about 15 minutes later and I picked Ash up bridal style. She whimpered softly and I kissed her head.

“It’s ok..” I walked out to the car with her in my arms. Lucy jumped out to open the door.

“Eoghan, bro, what’s going on? Me and Jason came as quick as we could..” She let out a small gasp when she saw Ash. I shook my head at her, warning her not to say anything.

“Lu, tell Jason to bring us back to our place. Please?” I put Ash in the back of the car and got in beside her, putting my arms around her. Lucy gave a small nod and got back in the passengers seat. Jason started the car and we drove away.

The car ride to our place was completely silent.