Keep Quiet

Chapter 9

*Aiden's POV*

We finally settled down and she snuggled closer to me, unconsciously. This small act set my nerves alight. What the hell was this stupid girl doing to me? Without me knowing, my arm swung up around her and we were caught up in a warm embrace. It was the first time I'd done this type of touching but she seemed to be fine with it. Her eyes only fluttered once.

I listened closely outside for my "parent's". I wasn't sure what to think about Marni, claiming we were siblings. Although it's true my memories started at age 11. Was I starting to believe? I don't know how it feels to have a careful person related to me. My friend, Amber, had said I'm addicted to pain. Maybe I am. Sometimes my skin itches when my parents are away on trips. Is it because I need pain? That scares me. That really scares me.

I forgot the first time it happened.... I just don't remeber. It's like I've been expiriencing this my whole life... Aside from when my older brother was alive. After he died, everything was a blur.

Outside, I hear a car door slam. I jump up, instantly alert. The front door opens and closes noisely. I shake SaraBeth awake and I leave the bed, opening the sliding closet door. I pad back to the bed and pick up the confused Sara and place her on a box of packed clothing from the 8th grade. Then I grab an extra blanket from the top shelf and wrap it around her.

Then, I kneel down trying to think of what to say. She looks me in the eye and I'm prompt to hurry from footsteps coming upstairs.

"Don't open this door no matter what you hear and what you see through the cracks. Please?" I say and she nods uncertaintly. I step back and slid close the door. Just then my bedroom door opens and...

*SaraBeth's POV*

A long time ago. Before I was famous, I ran away. I ran away from the suffocating feeling that my mother left me. I ran away from the feeling off being a bird in a cage. I had only been outside as many times it could take to count on my fingers my whole life. Those times included the funeral for my father, moving, and meeting a boy with shaggy hair that got in his way. He was 9 and had a pretty voice...

Other than those times, I don't recall seeing the outside world. I was caged and forgotten by family members all because of my asthma. When I ran away, I was as happy as I could be. Sure there were tough times but I survived 3 months on the streets and only came back when I ran out of my meds and my friends couldn't get anymore. Because one of the two friends I had, Eli, had gotten brutally murdered. In front of me.

I heard Aiden yell out and my breath hitched. I was hearing the same scream from so long ago.... He groaned and I heard a male laugh. A sharp sound filled the air and I peeked through the cracks to see what it was. Then I jerked back from seeing the bloody bat that had just smashed into Aiden's leg. Aiden groaned once more... Pleasedontdie,pleasedontdie,pleasedontdie... Please don't die.

From seeing just that I was took back into that same time and place where Eli was killed...

I was 12 and he was 17 at the time. He had dreams of becoming a guitarist for a band. And he said I would be his singer. We were walking through the allyway and I was marveling over the guitar that Eli had brought to our hideout. It was a large cardboard box that was placed in the safest alley. Eli had always taken me to only that kind of place. A safe haven.

But of course others knew of this, and wanted it. I had remebered Eli pointing his gun at people to warn them away. Eli always had his gun. Though, I had never seen him shoot anyone.

Then all of a sudden, Dave popped out. Dave was somewhere around 56 years old and was hideously strong for his age. His muscles bulged and I heard that he took steroids. I took a step back, just as Eli pushed me behind him. Eli had always been tall and lanky and with me being small, I could see what was happening.

"When I say go, you run as fast as you can,"A few seconds passed and then Eli turned toward me and shouted,"Go!"

Confused, I took off and ran as fast as I could. I had thought Eli was besides me running and then I saw that he wasn't. I turned around just in time to see Dave bring down a gleaming silver bat. I screamed out as it hit Eli in the head... The bat was brought down again. Again and again... I felt my heart breaking and tears streamed down my face. I wanted to race back and stop Dave but I was motionless. I couldn't do anything.... Nothing.....

I was brought back to reality and heard Aiden scream once more and heard a thud... Everything was quiet... Then, heavy footsteps passed by the closet as the man left. Once again, I could do nothing. I stayed paralyzed in that very closet until a figure opened the clost door. Aiden stood there, bloodied and bruised.

"You can go to the bed... I'll just go clean up..."

I almost threw up at those hideous words. He wanted me to just sit there relaxed while he was in so much pain? Anger pounded through me.

"No, I'll help you."

"Really, you shouldn't..."

"I said I'll help you."

"I have aids..." He said and I glared at him. He shook his head,"Fine, I don't."

I gently grabbed ahold of his hand and he led me to his personal bathroom through a door I hadn't realized was there. I gently pushed him down onto the toilet seat. He winced and shivered. I found the first aid kit and marveled at the size. I opened it and began to clean up Aiden's wounds.

"You really don't have to do this,"I glared at him,"I mean, I clean myself up all the time. It's kinda natural..."

I stare into the mirror to see a very pissed off Sara. I sighed and began to talk.

"I have cancer,"I said.

Aiden looked at me shocked,"Really?"

"Yes, I don't have long to live."

"Oh my God,"Is all Aiden could say. Then,"Can I do anything to help? At all?"

"I'm kidding. I don't have cancer. I'm not going to die," I thought of my asthma attacks,"Yet. Anyways, did you hear what you said? You wanted to help. Cancer can be very painful. I know. You wanted to help me when I could be in serious pain. Like I want to help you. Do you understand?"

He nodded slowly,"I also understand that I'm very gullible."

I look at myself in the mirror,"Yeah, a bit."

That makes two of us.