when we collided [e.s.]

Twenty One

When I wake, it's pitch black. My phone is buzzing on my bedside table. "Ugh," I groan, picking it up.
"Hello?" I ask sleepily, not bothering even looking who it is.

"Hi."

It's Ed.

"Hi. Are you okay? Why are you calling? Are you hurt, do you need me?" I ask, opening my eyes at the sound of Ed's angelic voice.
"Aud, I'm fine. I just... I can't sleep."

I sigh, and try to stay awake as I think of a way to deliver myself properly.

My alarm clock reads 4:29 am. I groan.

"Ed, it's... we can't," I sigh, frowning at my own words. I hear him grow impatient even from over the phone.

"I'm not going to give up on us just because some guy is threatening you. If anything we should be closer together," Ed explains, trying to show me the hazards of being apart.

"I don't want this, trust me, I don't. But we both know that when Ian gets angry, he does things... he could have killed you that night," I try to remind him of his past injuries.

"It was barely a scratch-"

"You almost broke ribs! You had to walk around with a stomach brace for weeks!"

"Audrey, it's fine! He was high, and drunk, i'm sure he'll be less of a threat when he's sober," Ed argues.

I take a deep breath and try not to let tears slip for both of our sakes.

"Ed, when I found you that night I thought you we're dead," I begin, my voice in an unintentional whimper. "You were coughing up blood, and throwing up, and I honestly was so afraid that I was going to lose you that I made a pact to myself that night that I wouldn't ever let you involve yourself in any more danger. That hasn't changed," I continue, biting my nails.

Ed sighs, softening for me because he knows that I hit home this time. For the both of us.

"I'm coming over."

The line goes dead.