Runner {bxb}

11: Sekiem Drrecio

"Who is Case'ie?"

"I am." Sam turns in my lap to see Case'ie sitting with a comforting arm around Aaron. "I helped with the escape."

"You aren't going to try and take me back? For what I did?.."

"You didn't do anything though. You're innocent?"

"No," he whispers. "I killed them. I killed them both..."

He starts shaking in my arms and crying again. "T-They were my b-best friends... Ordri'en a-and Drev'ik... They were l-lower ranked than me so they a-always got punished. They were in so much p-pain I-" he takes in a shaky breath as tears stream down his face.

"...I got a knife off of one of the guards to use for escape and-" his voice cracks as he speaks, his bottom lip quivering. I wrap my arms around him and slide my fingers in his hair, urging him on.

"They begged me to do it. To end their suffering. They were barely alive as it was... I-I refused, though. For as long as I could at least. But after the next round of torture they were put through... When they begged me again they couldn't see me. Their eyes had been gouged out. I was quick when I did it. And it b-broke me... The looks of relief as blood spilled from their throats. Their last words were thanking me-" he snaps and goes into hysterics, gripping onto my clothes as tight as he can.

"I'm sorry!" He near screams. "I didn't know what else to do! I had no way to save them and they were in so, so much pain!"

I pull his head against my chest and he continues sobbing into my shirt.

I look up to Aaron who looks terrified and unsure.

"Aaron, can you grab me two changes of clothes and a towel?" I ask, my voice gentle. I hate crying. It's awful and I don't like dealing with other people crying either but somehow, somehow this is different.

I'm going to take care of you, Sam, so don't worry.

Aaron nods and quickly fetches the items. I have to pull Sam off of me and he begs me to not let go. "It's okay Sammy..." I whisper. "I'm not going anywhere, I'm just changing. I won't even leave okay? I'll just change here."

Aaron and Case'ie politely turn away so I can change while Sam isn't in a state of mind to care. The moment I finish he reaches out for me.

I grab the towel, and gently begin drying him off with soft brushes of the fabric. I pat down his body before gently rubbing the towel over his hair. I toss the towel towards the bathroom when I finish and dress him in the soft cotton garments Aaron had grabbed for him.

I turn to Aaron. "You're probably exhausted, Aaron. I can take care of him from here and I'll call you if I need anything. Go rest, okay?..."

He seems to hesitate and prepare a retort but thinks better of it. He nods. "Will do." He turns to Case'ie. "You can come with me if you need somewhere to stay."

Case'ie's eyes light up and they nod enthusiastically. I turn my attention back to Sam after hearing the door shut.

I pull him back into my arms and he continues crying as I crawl into bed and pull the covers around him. "Hey... it's okay. You did the best thing you could do at the time. They were in a lot of pain. It's okay..."

He nods against my chest as if trying to convince himself as well.

Once he finally calms down I let out a deep breath of relief. "You feeling better?.."

He nods.

"Do you need any more medicine?.."

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry I don't think I can sleep until I-" he cuts himself off and shakes his head. "No, never mind."