Waiting For The Death Blow

4.

A black, spindly spider crawled up the bare wall, indulging in the darkest shadows where it resided in the deepest corner of the bitterly cold room.

The endless rain poured down, drearily. Audibly hitting the roof and windows, softly.

Although the night had fallen so dark, the yellow street lamps peered through the glass, Eerily illuminating Robert's dark, heavy eyes.

He sat, stiff and solemnly on his bed. His eyes fixated on the wooden floor, as if he was attempting to work something out. Yet, his brain was simply filled with the bleakest emptiness.

Silence hung heavy once the rain finally stopped and Robert knew that the sound of his own breathing wouldn't comfort him on that particular night...The night of the party.
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Simon's teeth clicked together, uncomfortably as he stood in the frozen weather, waiting for Laurence to pick up a few necessities from the corner shop.

Lol had promised that both boys would actually do 'something fun' today. Simon rolled his eyes at that. Nothing was ever fun with Lol. Infact, Simon thought he was quite a drag.

Simon chuckled, quietly to himself as he remembered the times Robert would roll his eyes or make snide comments towards Laurence behind his back.

Robert. Simon thought. He wondered where Robert got to after the party last night. He never saw him leave. Simon wondered why he should even bother caring about Robert. Then he realised, he truly did care deeply about Robert.

He sighed, slinking his hands into his coat pockets as Lol finally came out from the shop.

"Right. What should we do now?" Lol asked, Yet Simon simply shrugged. "I was thinking about going to see Robert actually..." He stated, staring to his feet. "Thought you two fell out?" Lol questioned. "I'm going to make amends." Simon replied, somewhat confidently. "I'll catch you later, yeah?" He shouted as he suddenly rushed off in the opposite direction, Leaving Laurence by himself and confused.
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A sudden knock at Robert's door arose him from his deathly slumber in a blanket heap on his sofa.
He groaned, groggily, as he sat upwards, rubbing his pounding skull.

Another sharp knock erupted. "Okay! I'm fucking coming!" Robert angrily growled, not taking time to comprehend who could possibly be at the door.

He stomped, bare foot, to his front door and swung it open. He was ready to tell someone to piss off for disturbing him, Yet his angered demeanor quickly became nervous shock as he set eyes on Simon, anxiously grinning.

"Simon?" Robert blurted, then, chewed on his lip, awkwardly. "Wha...What are you doing here?" Simon remained quiet for a moment before shyly admitting, "Wanted to see you." Robert's eyes widened slightly. "Do you- Want to come in?" He asked, slightly taken aback. Simon nodded and stepped into the warmth.

Robert poured them both a whiskey and sat down on the couch. "Lurgy catch you?" Simon smirked, taking a sip. Robert stiffened his posture quickly as he remembered he was makeupless and wearing a pair of striped pyjamas. "Only joking, mate." Simon reached out and patted Robert on the shoulder. Robert flinched, inhaling sharply at that gentle touch.

"Are you alright?" Simon asked, noticing Robert's fearful movements. "Yeah...I'm..." Robert thought for a moment. His eyes fluttered shut and suddenly he was back in that godforsaken place that he was last night, pinned to the bed, being pounded into with unholy intentions. The agony, the terror. It quickly filled Robert's mind once again.

His throat became bitterly dry and a warm tear rolled down his pale cheek. Simon shifted, uncomfortably in his seat as Robert's expression turned to something of soulless horror.

"He...hurt me..." Robert quietly choked out before his brain could process that he probably shouldn't tell Simon what happened. "W-who?" Simon asked, his tone shaky. "At the party last night...Steven...H-he lead me upstairs and..." Robert stopped and drew in a long, uneasy breath as his lip began to quiver. "He what?" Simon asked, almost terrified to hear the answer.

Robert glared to Simon. His usual bright eyes had faded to an empty grey. "He raped me..." Robert whispered so disconsolated that Simon could almost feel the dreaded emotion that Robert felt.
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Simon couldn't speak, almost unable to believe what his best friend just said. He didn't know what to ask- what to say. He was disgusted so deeply that he almost vomited in his mouth.

Whimpering sobs began to escape Robert's lips and Simon quickly grabbed him, pulling him in for a tight hug.

"Shh...Shhh...Robert, it's okay I'm here, I'm here." Simon comforted as he gently rocked Robert in his arms. Robert cried into Simon's shoulder, staining his shirt with hot tears.

"I've got you, Love, I've got you." Simon sighed and suddenly Robert pulled from the hug and flickered his sunken eyes. Simon inhaled and he simply couldn't do anything else but reach in and press a tender kiss to Robert's soft lips. Robert sobbed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Simon's waist.

"I love you so much, Robert. You know that don't you?" Simon whispered as he broke the kiss. "I never meant to hurt you. I'm sorry- I'm so sorry for all of this." He half-smiled with some sort of fractured happiness.

Robert wanted to smile in knowing that Simon had consoled in him once again. Yet an agonised expression remained on his face as he knew this love wasn't made to last.