The Life Changing Trip

Chapter 10 - "Gavin! Don't use your arm!"

Chapter 10

Ouch. 

I looked around me frantically, remembering why I was sleeping on the floor. What time was it? Through the tiny window of the room, I could see the grey sky telling me the sun hasn't risen yet. Why was I up then? Oh, right: my back. 

I sat up, stretching my back that had stiffened from sleeping on the floor. I heard it faintly crack as I yawned, stretching my arms and flexing my neck too. I considered getting back to sleep, seeing as it was still too early to be awake and I'm guessing I had a big day ahead of me...

My thoughts were interupted by a faint groan. I jerked my head up to the bed, seeing Gavin in the same position I had put him there yesterday. I quickly stood up, rushing over to him.

"Is everything alright?" I whispered. For some reason, I couldn't speak louder. It's like the darkness was influencing my voice and the darker it was, the quiter I spoke.

Gavin took a while turning his head to face me before his eyes fluttered open slowly, "I'm fine."

"Okay..." I stared at Gavin and he was anything but fine. His bruises were very visible now, blue and purple patches covering almost every inch of his body. I had wrapped his assumingly-broken arm yesterday, not knowing what else to do. I made sure he didn't move it though.

"Do you want anything?" I asked. For some reason, I couldn't stop the guilt washing over me every time I looked at Gavin. It felt like all that he's gone through was my fault. If I hadn't been that persistent about finding out, he would've never said anything and would've never got into trouble with Richard.

"No," he said, averting his gaze to the ceiling.

"Okay," I felt coldness bite at the inside of my stomach at Gavin's bitter treatment. Not that I was expecting anything, but he didn't even thank me. Maybe he does think it's my fault...

I turned around and planned on going back to the corner of the room before Gavin's hand clasped around my wrist, causing me to gasp and turn around.

"Gavin! Don't use your arm!" 

Even in his battered state, he still rolled his eyes at me.

"Where are you going?" he asked, staring at me intently.

"Um...to sleep?"

"Where?"

I sighed, "Over there," I pointed to the spot in the floor I was sleeping on with my free hand. I was aware that he still had his fingers around my wrist and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't cool down the heat I felt from this simple touch.

"Why aren't you sleeping on the bed?" he asked, raising an eye-brow at me.

"Because you are?"

"You could've told me then!" he sounded angry, dropping my wrist and heaving himself off the bed. Well, he tried to get up but I didn't let him.

"You need it more than me! It's fine!" I said, pushing him down with a hand on his chest.

"Let me go, Eva," he said threateningly, but I still pushed him down with all my force, and since he was pretty much drained of all his energy, he couldn't exactly throw me off.

"Gavin, please. It's okay, just sleep here tonight? Please," I pleaded with my eyes. Gavin stared back at me, something I couldn't understand flickering through his eyes. When I felt him cave in, I added with a smile, "Besides, I like sleeping on the floor."

Gavin rested his head back onto the pillow, staring at the ceiling again. I just stood there, watching him. I honeslty didn't feel like going back to bed anymore. A strange feeling started welling up inside me as I watched the boy that got beaten up to tell me a little secret he wasn't supposed to share with me. 

After a few minutes, I decided to go back to my place so Gavin wouldn't feel weird about me just standing there and watching him. I hurried away, laying my back on the floor and resting my head on the pillow, trying to clear my thoughts.

"Eva?" Gavin murmered after a moment.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

The sincerity in his voice made my heart stop. I didn't know Gavin was capable of gratitude. He was surprising me each second, and with every surprise, I found myself growing fonder of him. And I wasn't sure if that was a good idea...

* *

The next time I woke up, it hurt too, but not because I slept on the floor, but because someone was yanking my arm roughly, it felt like they were pulling it out of its place.

"Hey!" I cried in pain as my eyes focused on who was pulling my arm out.

"Get out." I heard Gavin spit bitterly from behind, but I could tell his movement was restricted by one of Richard's dogs.

"What's happening?" I shot Gavin a panicked look, my eyes widened as I realised Dylan was dragging me out of the room.

"Where are you taking her?" Gavin said angrily, once again trying to pry himself free of the man's restraining grasp.

"None of your business," Dylan said firmly, dragging me out the room. My screams covered all the profanities Gavin was shouting at Dylan and his other bodyguard friend.

I didn't know where they were taking me, but when I found myself in the same room Gavin was in yesterday, my knees almost gave way. This is it, this is when they kill me. I looked around desperately trying to find a way out, but came up short. Dylan closed the door, leaving me shivering and shaking at what could happen to me. I tried not to remember Gavin's state when he was here, I tried shutting off the picture that was forcing its way into my mind; the broken, beaten up soul of Gavin. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that maybe I'd regain a little bit of courage.

The door creaked open slowly and I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw Richard stood there, a knife in his hand.

I stared at him in horror, what the hell did I do to deserve this?! I didn't get the time to say anything though, and even if I did, I wouldn't have been able to utter a word. Behind Richard, another bodyguard dragged a man that looked extremely familiar. He had him by the neck, shoving him inside the room. The man looked at me, wide-eyed and scared. The fear and worry were evident in his faded blue eyes. His greying hair was messed up, and it looked like he hadn't shaved for a long time. His glasses were cracked and behind them, his eyes screamed warnings.

I racked my brain trying to remember where I'd seen him before. It frustrated me so much that I couldn't put my finger on it, but then suddenly, it clicked. He was the man that was kicked on the floor back in that unfortunate room! 

"Now, Eva," Richard began, interupting my thoughts, "This is the person I wanted you to meet."

I stared at him in disbelief. He wanted me to meet one of his...victims? God knows who that person would be, but why would Richard want me to meet him? 

Richard seemed to catch my puzzled face because his face cracked into an ear-to-ear grin before he spoke in a sickly amused voice,

"Eva, meet your father."

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I know it's a very very short chapter but I am REALLY tired, i've been running around all day at work haha and im catching a cold so :( 

please comment and let me know what you think until now ahah, i'd appreciate it :) xo