Cruel Laughter [Sequel To "Because He Lived."]

{Chapter 14} Numb

I sat curled up on the cold floor for what seemed like forever, listening to the quiet hum of bugs outside the window. I was numb now, not really feeling anything, but being vaguely aware to what was around me. I could feel myself being lifted off the group. I could tell that someone was speaking, but I couldn't make out the words. I that I was being moved, placed down on something, but I couldn't do or any anything. I didn't have any control over my body.

A voice came into focus a few seconds later, but I couldn't tell whose it was. "James... come on.. focus on me. Come on..."

Slowly the rest of my senses started to return. I could feel things now, and was slightly more aware of my surroundings. Somehow I had been moved from Alexander room to the couch in the living room. Someone was standing above me, examining me and trying to snap me out of my daze. However, I couldn't make them out. They were just on big blob of colors.

My vision was the lasts thing to return. I blinked a few times to try and clear the dryness away from my eyes, and finally I could see clearly. Standing over me was Alexander, worry strewn across his face. Alexanders face was painted red, which I didn't understand. He seemed to noticed my awareness and he breathed out a sigh of relief.

"James? How are you feeling...?"

I coughed a few times before responding. "Terrible... I'm sorry for worrying you..."

Alexander shook his head. "It's not your fault. No need to be sorry." His gaze trailed down my body for a second before he snapped it away and focused on something on the other side of the room.

It was then when I was suddenly aware of everything. I had forgotten that I had undressed before, so you can imagine my confusion and fear when I noticed that I was naked. I yelped in surprise and looked around for something to cover myself with. I grappled for a blanket on the edge of the couch and threw it over myself. Alexanders eyes were wide, and he was trying not to stare, but he was failing miserably.

"Sorry about t-that," Alexander commented, "I found you like this and I was too worried to dress you..."

"It's fine... just could you get me some
clothes to change in to?" I asked. Alexander nodded his head and he hurried away to his room.

A few minutes later he emerged with an outfit similar to what I had before. He handed it to me and turned around, giving me a signal to change. I slid off of the couch and unfolded the shirt he gave me.

"I didn't realize the extent of your injuries." Alexanders statement caught me off guard, but I nodded nonetheless. As I pulled the shirt over my head, he continued. "I'll have to treat some of those later, but you need some sleep first. So after you dress, you should go and get some sleep."

I nodded again, grabbing the pants and starting to pull them on. "Thank you, Alexander."

He smiled and shook his head. "It's not a problem."

I acknowledged his words with a grunt and pulled on my pants the rest of the way. I told him he could turn around and then fell back onto the couch.

Alexander shook his head, holding a hand out for me. "There is no way you are going to sleep on the couch tonight. I'm not that mean."

One of my eyebrows shot up in surprise as I took his hand, Alexander helping me off of the couch. "Oh. What about you?"

He smiled, but I could see that his face was flushed red. "I-uh guess I could sleep there too. Or on the couch. It's up to you."

I smiled a little, tilting my head to the side. "You can sleep with me."

"Really?" I definitely noticed how his face burned an even brighter red. But I was sure mine was equally as bad.

Despite the pounding in my chest, and the blush on my cheeks, I nodded. I turned around repositioning my hand in his and headed for his room. When we entered, I spared a short glance down at where I had made the mess earlier and noticed it all had been cleaned up. Alexander must have done it when I was asleep. I smiled a little and walked over to the bed, releasing Alexanders hand. Without another word, I hoped into bed--not literally--and pulled the covers over myself. Alexander stood there watching me for a few seconds before he made his way over to the other side of the bed and joined me in bed.

And when, an hour later, long after I had thought Alexander has fallen asleep, I heard a faint voice mutter something to me, I could have sworn that I had imagined it all. Still the three words seemed too real to be fake, and there was only one other person in the room.

So when I heard Alexanders voice mutter 'I love you', I was sure that in the darkness and coldness of the night, that I had imagined it all.

Even though I tried to convince myself it was a trick of the mind, the words still stuck and they kept me up. It wasn't until the sun started shining that I fell asleep, the words still echoing in my mind.

I love you.