Finding you

Chapter 23

They were cuddled up in the evening, watching Home Alone. It was already dark outside seeming it was December, and they were in a blanket with a bowl of popcorn between them.

Eddie interrupted the silence shared as he didn't feel too good, so he decided to go to the bathroom or lie down somewhere.

"I think you've eaten too much" Chris told him.
"Someone's got a tummy ache" Chris also said, in a mocking tone.

"Shut up" Eddie said, chucking.

Before he was about to leave the room, he turned around and figured fresh air would probably be better.

"Actually, Im getting my boots on and taking a walk. I'll be back in 5"

"Alright, don't get hit by a car. Love you" Chris told him, smiling whilst keeping his eyes on the film.

"See ya" Eddie planted a kiss on Chris's cheek and walked out the front door.

It was cold and chilly outside, and he send trails of smoke before him after every breath he took. He saw the Christmas lights glimmer in the darkness, and the reflection of stars beaming off from the car's bonnets as he trailed by.

He suddenly looked up at a row of houses he didn't recognise, and looked back, shuffling his body around in circles as he realised he was lost.

"Shit" he mumbled to himself, and jogged back to the path he tried and remembered he took, but he didn't pay enough attention to where he was going before-hand to memorise the path that was taken.

His heart sank and he knew Chris would be wondering where he was. He threw his sleeve to reveal his watch, which read 10:47pm.

"20 minutes!" He told himself. He was gone for too long and couldn't find his way back.
What would Chris be thinking?

He decided to keep running until his feet told him otherwise, until he ran into someone.

"Hey, watch it!" He stammered in the cold as he was interrupted finding his way back home.

"Sorry." The person said. They seemed annoyed and was about to storm off until they realised something.

"Eddie!" She shouted. It was her, it was Brooke. She could see that he was scared, as he just stood there.

Eddie didn't know what to do. He was frightened of her but he couldn't hide it. Out of rage, she pushed him against the wall and kicked his ribs, making him fall and violently cough.

She took hold of the collar of his shirt and slapped him, throwing his head back onto the icy concrete.

Tears streamed down Eddie's face but he didn't know what to say. He wanted to run away but he didn't know where. Either way, he was too weak to run away now.

She threw her hands around his neck and squeezed hard, but he could just manage to free himself before he could choke on nearly no air.

"Stop!"

But she didn't. She got up and kicked him until he was numb. On the parts where his body was showing, he was either covered in blood, bruises or scratches.

He managed to use his arms only to sit his torso up, but she got back down and hurt him again, until it suddenly stopped.

Eddie didn't dare open his eyes, he just wanted this to be all over.

"Yeah, I don't think that's a pretty good idea" the voice said as he grabbed Brooke and kneed her in the stomach, where she fell onto the concrete and hit her head.

It was Chris.

"Oh Eddie" He quietly said, with tears glossing his eyes as he knelt down to re assure him that he's okay and safe.

Eddie opened his eyes to reveal the only person in the world he wanted to be with.

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be, it's not your fault you got lost. I'll call the police and we'll take you back home."

He didn't know what to say, so he just lay there on Chris's chest and cried, and Chris did the same.

He couldn't bear to see Eddie so hurt and in pain, that it pained him aswell.

After everything was sorted and Brooke was arrested, they went back home and cleaned up, and resumed watching the movie on Christmas.