The Dance

Tears and Firt Aid

I stumbled to my apartment building, I felt like hell. After I had kneed him in the groin I took off running, tripping as I neared the end of the alleyway. Smacking my head on the edge of the building, Richard caught up to me and kicked me in my ribs while I was down and dazed.
Thank goodness some passerby's saw the event and stopped him. They helped me to a coffee shop unsure what they should do. I reassured them I was fine, that it was a random mugging. They seemed skeptical of the whole thing but left it alone.
I reached into my pocket to retrieve my keys only find out that they were missing. My heart sank, this day had gone to complete shit, I was drenched, in pain, smelled of god knows what, and now, now I was locked out of my apartment.
I pressed the heels of my palms into my eyes, trying to push the tears back in that were threatening to fall. I took a deep breath, how had he found me? I moved, leaving everything behind. I didn't just move cities, no, I moved all the way across the damn country and still here he was five years later. I didn't have social media, didn't have a working cell phone, I didn't have Internet. I had nothing that could be traced, and he still found me.
Turning I leaned against the door, and slid down down it as the first wave of tears fell. They stung my left cheek on the their slow descent, remind me of where he hit me. I leaned my head back against the door, staring up at ceiling trying in vain to will the tears away.
The ding of the elevator doors startled me, causing me to jump and searing pain jolted through my ribs. My heart leapt to my throat as time seemed to stop, what if he had followed me? What if he was coming back to claim what in his mind was his? I was on my feet in a flash, my mind reeling on fast I could make it to the stairs.
The doors slowly rolled open, there before me stood two soaking wet neighbors. Their eyes locked on me, I could see both their jaws go slack. Eyes wide with most likely horror at the atrocity that was me.
Sebastian was the first to move, in four large strides he was at me. His eyes looking wildly all over my face as he carefully touch my cheek. His brow knotted, I could see a flicker of sadness.
"What happened?" He breathed as his eyes met mine again.
"Jay..." Chris's words fell short, I felt another batch of unshed tears start to well up again.
"I was... I was jumped." Pulling the remains of my shirt closed, I glanced down at the floor.
"Come on, we'll take you upstairs and get you cleaned up." Sebastian was calm as he pulled me gently by the shoulders to the elevator. I didn't resist as the three of us got in the cab. Chris pressed the button for the next floor.
Once inside the apartment they seemed to work in tandem, Chris led me to the couch. Shushing me when I protested cause of my state. Sebastian grabbing warm wash clothes, sitting next to me, starting to clean my cheek as Chris rushed down the hall. He came back with a first aid kit, pulling out antiseptic wipes.
I didn't move, I didn't flinch when I felt the sting from the small toilette. I'd been through this stage so many times I had lost count. They continued to clean me up. Sebastian left this time, as Chris looked over the visible parts of me, checking for more scrapes and cuts.
When Sebastian returned he sat sat down on the coffee table in front of me. Slowly he placed his hand on my knee, I finally looked at him, my trance broken. I could see the concern on his face, I looked at Chris who sat next to me his face mirrored the dark hair man.
"I put fresh clothes in the bathroom, you're more the welcome to take a shower." He spoke softly.
"Why were you outside you door?" Chris asked, rubbing my shoulder gently.
"My keys must have fallen out of my pocket when he jumped me." My voice sounded weak and tired, taking me back.
"It's late, so why don't you crash here and you can have maintenance change the locks tomorrow." Chris responded, I let my eyes drift up to his face. His features were soft, his beard was starting to grey and I could see the crinkles at the edges of his eyes. He looked older then he did on the rooftop, like some how he had aged between this morning and this moment.
"Jay, you can't stay at your apartment tonight." I looked at Sebastian, his eyes were an intense blue, almost electric in a way, I could get lost in those eyes. Just like his friend his stubble had bits of grey on his chin and it mad him more handsome then he knew.
That's when it hit me, the emotions I had bottled up for the last five years, everything that had happened today. I broke down, the tears started fall and just wouldn't stop. I didn't deserve this kind of friendship, I didn't deserve them being so kind.
"Hey now." Sebastian said, pulling me into him. "It's okay."
"Why?" I stuttered, wiping the tears as fast as they fell.
"Why what?" He stroked the back of my head.
"Why, everything." I felt a hand close around mine, the warmth encasing my cold fingers. I looked up at Chris, a sad smile greeted me.
"Come on, I have the bath ready." I stood and followed him the bathroom. Harsh lights reflected off of white tile. The large tub filled to the brim, soft towels placed on the counter and set of clothes next to it.
"I don't deserve this." I stated to myself.
"Why do you say that?" Chris asked, still holding my hand, his thumb rubbing the back of my hand.
"Because I'm broken." My eyes never met his as I stepped into the bathroom, pulling the door shut behind me.