Echoes

Chapter 4- Don't Move

   04/02-03/18- Night time (Play Music)

Ashley's POV

   Gab was crying that night. The fact that the voices she's hearing are taking over her life which sometimes, she would reply to them. It's pretty creepy but I totally understand her condition. She is suffering from severe depression and an eating disorder. This is why I have snacks in my room all the time.

   That night she did something stupid. Or I mean, did something she's never done before. She came into my house with a yellow sweater, covering up her whole body. I did as well for it was raining hard. But this time, she had a different reason. She wasn't cold or anything. She was hiding something. Something no one in her house noticed, and I mean, no one.

   She rolled up her sleeve.
Shocked to see, I myself couldn't even bear to see it. Something of which will cause scars and not only to her, but to me. Cuts. She's been cutting herself. She called herself stupid for telling me. She told me she doesn't want me to worry. BUT NO. SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND AND IT'S MY JOB TO PROTECT HER WHETHER SHE LIKES IT OR NOT. "Why did you do it?" I asked gently. "I-I don't know. The p-pain was t-too much. I c-couldn't help myself." She said as she started crying harder. I got my first aid kit, knowing those wounds were still fresh. Placed Povidone-iodine and wrapped her arm with a gauze, then hugged her tight. A hug that no one else could give her, one that made her feel better. And one... that reminded her of her Mother.

   9:30pm

   I wrapped her in a blanket because she was shaking, I let her sleep beside me on my bed, and I just hugged her there. Keeping her warm and alas, she fell asleep. And after all the sleepless nights she's been having, I finally was able to put her to sleep. I thought to myself, maybe I shouldn't let her go to school tomorrow.

   3:29am

   Gab woke me up by shaking me. "Ashley, whatever you do, DON'T MOVE." I faced her as my eyes grew wide. We were facing each other and as I was about to talk, she cut me off. "What's hap-" she placed her hand on my mouth. "Shhh, they'll hear you." I had no idea what was going on, and it might be the voices in her head again. I hugged her tight and said "Everything will be alright. They won't hurt you." she looked away. "Hey, look at me. I'll be here to protect you, okay?" I told her while wiping the tears off her face. She hugged me and said: "Even if I go crazy I still can't believe you're the only one I trust and who understands me. I love you lil' shit." She chuckled and I said: "I love you too. Now, go back to sleep."

   The whole night I couldn't sleep thinking about what she heard or saw. I'm afraid to ask her. But I promised myself I will later. "DON'T MOVE." Those words I kept on thinking about last night. And hoping Gab would tell me.
  
   Finally, morning, but she isn't awake yet. I made breakfast for her because I felt bad for her last night. While cooking some bacon, a soft noise coming from upstairs caught my attention, a fall of something small. I walked up to my room and saw Gab awake, doing it again. I panicked and grabbed her and asked what happened. She wouldn't tell me once again, so I just hugged her because she was crying... and bleeding.