Just Hang In There

Chapter 4

(Mark)
I knew Nate and Sullivan were going to get me for saving Jacob. I don't know what they have against him but I was not going to let them hurt him anymore. I felt their gaze on my back and heard them whisper. I turned around but I was too late. Sullivan grabbed me and pinned me on the floor. I struggled to break free and I almost did until Nate threw a punch at me. I felt a burst of pain in my head. I felt dizzy.
"Give him a few more so he can learn his lesson," said Sullivan. I soon felt a few more hits. I never experienced pain like that. I fell back on the brink of consciousness but managed to keep my focus. I tried to shove Sullivan off me but he is such a big guy it was hard to. I felt one more hit on my cheek and the world went black.

(Jacob)
I vaguely remember being dragged out of the fountain barely breathing. I swore they were going to kill me. Some people may think drowning is peaceful but in reality it hurts like hell. My lungs were burning and I couldn't breath. I struggled until I couldn't move no longer. Luckily, someone dragged me out.
Than, I felt a pair of strong hands press against my chest. I wanted to wake but I physically couldn't. I tried to bring up the water, but it didn't work at first. Than, I felt more compressions. That seemed to work. I coughed up water, spitting it everywhere. I was also freezing. Being wet in the cold is uncomfortable. I remember looking up to see Mark, hold me in his arms. I was terrified. I thought he would throw me back in the water. I didn't know if he did or not but I remember my consciousness slip from under me.
I woke up sometime later. I sat up and leaned up against the fountain. Luckily, Sullivan and Nate were gone. Ian was nowhere in sight as well. A wave of : relief washed threw me. As I sat up, I saw Mark on the ground by my feet. He looked unconscious and in such a terrible state. His nose had dried blood crusted around it and he had a giant bruise by his eye and a lump on the side of his head. I didn't know what to do. He must of done something that made his companions pissed otherwise he would be on the floor.
I just sat up against the fountain and started to cry. I didn't know why but tears were flowing down my cheek. I buried my hands into my head and continued to cry. I couldn't help it.

(Mark)
I woke up still on the ground as I was when Nate knocked me out. I sat up and felt a wave a nausea rush over me. I laid back down letting my head rest in the grass. I looked over and saw Jacob. He was was awake and sitting up against the fountain, face buried in his hands. He must of been crying. His whole body was shaking. Getting over the nausea, I sat up.
"How you feeling?" I asked. He froze and didn't answer. I got up and stumbled over and sat down next to him. I wrapped my arm around his back. I heard him sniffle. "Hey, it's okay Nate and Sullivan are gone. They won't hurt you anymore." That seemed to grab his attention. He lifted his head and wiped tears off his cheek.
"Sorry I'm a total freak that can't control his own emotions," Jacob said. He looked tired and pale in his face and was shaking uncontrollably. I touched his bare arm. It was ice cold!
"Here, take my jacket," I said quickly taking it off and wrapping it around him. He tried to reject me.
"I can't take it," he said and started to stand up and walk away.
"Jacob, come back! I can help you," I yelled after him.
"Leave me alone," Jacob said.
"Please, I know-"
"I said I can handle it myself! I've been doing it for eighteen years now. No one likes the German accent freak so don't fake it. I have learned to keep myself locked out of the world and it has been better for me. My father is a drunk and my mother is never home! I spend everyday ignoring them and so far it has worked!" He yelled back at me. He covered his mouth at the last part knowing he said too much. He turned back around and ran into the building. I sat there frozen by his words. I felt a new feeling towards him. I needed to help him. Not because it was the right thing to do, but I was growing feelings towards him, and it was the right thing to do. I somehow understand what his life is like, and I know he needed someone to trust.
I started to stand up, using the edge of the fountain for support. I rubbed my nose to find blood on my hand. Shortly after, I felt the warmth of my blood trickle down my face and getting into my mouth. I used my shirt as blockage . I felt some of the blood run down my throat. It is such a disgusting taste blood is. I felt like I was about to gag. I quickly made my way back to the building. And ran into the bathroom. I grabbed a paper towel and held it up to my nose the stop the bleeding.
After I got cleaned up, I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked like a mess. There was lump on the side of my head and I had a black eye. "Serves me right," I mumbled to no one. Than, I started out the bathroom when I heard sniffles coming from one of the stalls. I immediately thought it was Jacob. "Jacob?" I whispered. I didn't get an answer. I quietly made my way to where the sniffling was. When I thought I was at the right stall, I pressed my ear against it. I heard someone mumbling to themselves. "Jacob?"
I was interrupted when the counselor popped her head into the bathroom. "Mark Steele, is that you?" She asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"Would you come with me please?"
"I have to-"
"I need you to come with me. I have no patients to argue," she said sternly. With a sigh I nodded and followed her.