It Travels with Them

Chapter Six - To Many Secrets

P.O.V. MICHAEL

I lie in bed, listening to the deep rhythmic breathing of sleepers. I, on the other hand, couldn't sleep. The terror from earlier is still fresh in my brain. Don't get me wrong I've felt terror before but nothing like this. This type of terror, this gut wrenching, helpless kind of terror that leaves you feeling empty and cold.

I think I finally understand the saying, "You don't know what you got until you lose it," Or something like that. But in my case it's when you almost lose it... them, I mean. Alex almost died, they almost died because they're stupidly stubborn and incredibly brave. Bravery bordering on idiocy, though I can't judge too much. I've lost count of how many times I've done idiotic things... it's basically a daily thing with me.

Damn, why'd it have to been Alex. Of all the people I could've fallen for, it had to be Alex. They probably hate me anyway, I mean I can't blame them. I wasn't the nicest person, well... I was pretty fucking bad, and now... damnit.

Man, I'm an idiot.

I turn over in bed and see Alex, lying on their back, leg carefully nestled in-between pillows, and breathing peacefully. I came so close to losing them...

This won't happen again. I'm going to make up with them, it doesn't mean we won't fight but hopefully it might make things better. I'm pretty sure they won't except my feelings but hopefully they'll except my apology.

I plant my face into my pillow and groan quietly. Why does everything have to be so damn complicated?

After a little while I fall asleep but only for what feels like minutes because before I knew it, it's morning.

I sit up, rubbing my eyes. I glance around and see that Tyler and Dad have already packed up; everything would already be in the truck. I stand, stretching, and quickly change into the clothes sitting at the foot of my bed. I look over at Alex and see them just waking up. I hear them grunt in pain as they slide out of bed. I go to their side and offer my shoulder, begrudgingly, they take it and I start to help them get dress.

They needed some help with their cargo pants and I did my best not to stare. I still couldn't help but be fascinated by them. I grab their shirt and hand it to them, while still keeping a steadying arm around their shoulders. I let go as they strip off their shirt, I glance away but look back when I think they don't notice. Their body is lean, muscular, and tanned; then I notice something I hadn't seen before, two things actually. They have thick scars crisscrossing across their back, it looked as if they had been whipped. My stomach tightens but I don't say anything. The other thing I notice is a tattoo, it starts down below their waist and part of it is covered by their waistband. It's a depiction of burning roses, it creeps up their body and stops at around the rip cage.

"When did you get a tattoo!?"

They look up at me and smirk, "Well, I gotta have some secrets right?"

"You have altogether too many secrets," I grumble.