Broken Promises (#4 in the 'Outcast' series)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34:

Ashley's Point of View:

"Do you think we did the right thing?"

Mike looked at me, seeing the expression on my face. He returned the look, but didn't say anything. I felt bad about having to tell Andy's mom about his self-harming, but we didn't want him to keep hurting himself.

I ran a hand through my hair as I looked down.

"I think we made things worse..." I said, really feeling like we'd fucked up.

Mike shook his head. "No Ash. We gave him a chance to get some help."

"But what if we did fuck up?" I asked, looking at him with worry and slight alarm. "What if something happens and he does something 'cause we had to tell his mom so he could get help but he doesn't want help and we fucked everything up and now he's gonna go hurt himself again 'cause we fucked up-."

"Ashley, stop," Mike said, interrupting me, as I'd been freaking out and rambling again. "Just breathe for a sec. It's been roughly an hour and a half, so let's go over there and make sure everything's ok, yes?"

I just gave a nod, really feeling concerned for Andy and his mental health right now. I got up and followed Mike over to the door, going out after him and shutting the door behind me. I trailed along behind him as we went two houses down and he knocked on the door.

I looked around as we waited, unable to keep still. After a few seconds, the door opened and Andy's mom looked out, a bit of a surprised look on her face as she saw it was us again.

"Sorry," Mike said, making her look at him. "We just wann'ed to come 'round and make sure everything's ok with Andy. Ashley's worried we screwed up by telling you."

She looked to me as I looked back at her sadly before dropping my gaze to the ground beneath my feet.

"He wore himself out about half an hour ago," she said. "He's asleep at the moment."

Mike gave a nod, but I didn't respond, still feeling bad about the whole thing. Andy's mom moved aside, letting us in and closing the door once we were inside.

We followed her into the kitchen, sitting down at the table as she went about doing whatever it was she had to do.

"Is Andy's dad home at the moment?" Mike asked with a bit of a frown.

"He works late every so often," was the response he got.

Mike just gave a nod and Andy's mom sat down opposite us.

"Look boys, I appreciate that you told me what Andy's been doing to himself," she began, making me keep my gaze on the table and making Mike nod. "He's really going through a lot right now, so I'd appreciate it if you two stood by him, even if no-one else does."

"Of course ma'am," Mike said. "But the others won't give up on him."

She gave a nod and continued.

"If he wants to be by himself, let him," she said, making Mike nod again in understanding. "He's always seemed to tolerate everything better when he's had a bit of time to think; he gets overwhelmed very easy due to a few things. Just make sure you have someone keeping a watch on him though, even if he wants to be alone."

"You want us to make sure someone's watching him and he doesn't know?" Mike asked with a bit of confusion.

"I don't want to risk him making himself worse," she said in response. "He really seems to hate and blame himself for everything. He really puts himself down, so just make sure he's ok. If he doesn't want to talk, don't force him; he'll say something if he needs to. And please, don't mess with his routine. It'll put him out all day and make him feel worse about himself and everything."