Bad Blood (h.s.)

Part Eighty-Four

Part Eighty-Four

"You look distraught," Ruth points out, my body completely drained of everything.

"I'm tired, that's all," I assure her, setting the new orders onto the table. Harry barely let me leave this morning but I left without a second thought. His help made me feel more important but I still need space. He's practically suffocating me with his medical needs but I need him to just relax and realize I will not be there for him every single second of every day. My Port Angeles trip will help, surely helping him if I ever need to leave or if he needs to leave by himself.

"Well, I hope you are ready to stack and mark books," she tries, but all I can muster is a simple smile. We begin and I watch the hours pass slowly on the wall, my fingers working to press little read price stickers onto the books.

Ruth comes back and hands me a coffee, thanking me for staying late and finishing. Despite the permanently sticky fingers, I finish my work and look at the clock.

Almost 10 p.m. and the lights are slightly dimming in the backroom, my hands grabbing the mug of coffee and walking to the front. Ruth left a note saying she left and that I need to close, my hand tossing the paper into the trash. Upon locking the door, I hear the silent street, nothing moving in the distance and the moon high in the sky.

My feet walk along the sidewalk and I pass a music shop, completely empty. Turning my head back, my vision catches a black figure and I run into it, both of us falling onto the ground.

"I'm sorry. My head's somewhere else," I tell them, groaning as I stand up.

"No worries. I should have stopped," he says, the familiar voice ringing through my ears.

"Oh my God, Liam?" I say, his head perking up. He smiles and stands, giving me a hug and asking how I am.

"I'm good. How are you and your fiancée?" I ask, his lips curving into a full smile.

"Still going strong and planning our wedding. What are you doing here? I thought you moved to LA," he says, my head nodding, telling him about everything.

"I'm sorry about your mother. That's hard and I'm glad you got Harry back. He's been through too much," Liam acknowledges, my head nodding.

"I should probably go before he sends a search party," I sigh, Liam laughing.

"Yeah, I think you should. Keep in touch?" he asks, my head nodding and giving him another hug.

"Keep in touch," I confirm.

We part ways and I walk the rest of the way to the Hemingway. Seeing Liam made me realize how I forgot about his caring and consideration for me when my mom was in the hospital. He's so nice and I wish I had talked with him more.

Walking into the apartment building, the regular security guard is in his place, observing the area. The place is silent, scary almost. I scurry to the apartment and unlock the door, facing Harry who's sitting on the couch. His head hangs low and his eye is noticeably bloody. My hands drop everything and I run over to him, his body startled at my contact.

"Shh, calm down," I whisper, his hands shaking and gripping onto his shorts. He clings onto my hand once I extend it towards him and he looks up at me. His eye is purple and his lips are cut to a point where it looks extremely painful. My poor Harry.

"H-He came in here and knocked me to the ground. My reflexes weren't quick enough and- and he crushed my body under his. I-I was screaming and th-the officer... he came in and arrested him."