Paper Butterflies

Chapter Nine

Ashton POV

               Gasping for breath I sat up quickly with my head spinning. I let out a choked sob before falling into hysterics. Panic bubbled in my chest as I cried; looking around it took me a moment to recognize the room.

I jumped a bit as the door swung open to reveal Scotts face. Just by seeing him, my breathing settled but I was still crying. Scott rushed to my side, climbing onto his bed and holding me in his arms.

               After several minutes I had stopped crying but kept my head resting on Scott’s chest.

“Can we talk about this?” Scott asked.

               “I don’t want to.” I told him quietly.

“You can’t ignore it, Ash.”

               “Yes, I can.” I mumbled. Scott sighed as he sat up and looked down at me, now lying on one of the pillows.

“I’m going to get you something to eat and then we’ll talk.” Scott told me before getting up and leaving the room.

               Closing my eyes everything that happened flashed through my eyes.

My father had come home drunk, just minutes after I had come home. The first thing he did was scream at me for hours about his dead wife, my mother. He screamed saying it was my entire fault and that I should be dead, not her. That night he spent hours viciously attacking me, my stomach, my face, all of it stung with agonizing pain. He left me lying on the floor of my room, barely able to move.

               When morning had come he came at me for not making his breakfast, I was still on the floor. He dragged me to the living room, and just as he was about to bring me into the kitchen my stomach growled. Still fueled with anger he grabbed my neck, slamming his fist into my stomach.

               And that’s when Scott burst through the door. I’d be lying if I said the look on his face didn’t scare me. The pure rage that created the whole of his face, his fists were clenched along with his jaw. I don’t even think he noticed. Then his eyes, they went from soft hazel to pitch black. I think that’s what got to me the most.

“I got you some soup.” Scott spoke as he came into the room. A frown came to his face as he noticed me jump at his entrance.

“Um, here.” He said as he sat it on the nightstand so he could help me sit up.

               “I’m fin-” I stopped short to let out a gasp as pain erupted in my stomach, ribs specifically.

“A few ribs were broken. You should be in a hospital but I was worried that man would find you. But we have a nurse to check on you.”

               I nodded. Scott placed the soup on my lap and after he gave me forceful look I began eating.

It took me awhile but I took my last bite, Scott sitting on the edge of the bed. “I don’t need you watching me eat.” I muttered.

               “I’m sorry, it’s just-”

“I know. You want to talk about…what happened.” I sighed, placing the now empty bowl of soup on the nightstand.

               “So, are you gonna talk to me?” He questioned, scooting closer to me.

I glanced down, fiddling with my thumbs.

               “Come on, Ash. Talk to me, tell me what’s happening. Do you know how painful it is for me to see you hurt like this and not know everything?” He asked as he cupped my face. “All you have to do is talk, I know it’s hard but it’s important.”