𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭 ~ 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧

𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Buzzing. Soft. Right by his ear that was covered in blood. His dull, blue eyes flutter open and he hopes to find clouds of the heaven he was gushed about to. To find the flawless angels. To find his relatives that could take care of him. But, all he finds is the dirty carpet of the place he called home and the bloodied blade and the cracked phone. A single tear cascades down his cheek.

The pain comes rushing back like a bullet train, flowing through his veins. The violent shaking comes back as he struggles to gasp down breaths. Everything hurt. Everything spun. How had it not worked?

Sebastian curls into a tight ball, chest growing tight, limbs shaking. His wrist hurt the most. His mind was fully shutting down, leaving no space for concentration, leaving no space for pain, fear. Sebastian digs his nails into his palms, tears streaming down his cheeks, lips quivering as they failed to bring in the oxygen he desperately needed to be able to calm down. Tension grew in his face and limbs.

How had this not worked? He passed out. He was sure that he cut deep enough. That he shed enough blood.

Sebastian snatches his phone and dials the first number in his contacts. The line cuts through almost instantly, a worried Letitia answering. "Seb? Is everything okay?"

"L-le-" he stammers out, clutching at his chest. "I-I can't—

"Breathe, Sebastian. It's okay. Your okay." Letitia says calmly, soothingly. "Your gonna be just fine. This has happened before."

Sebastian shakes his head even though the girl can't see him. "No-" Sebastian whimpers. "I'm not— I- I- did something... something stupid."

Letitia's breath gets caught in the back of her throat. "What?" She gulps.

"Pick me up— please."

****

It doesn't take Letitia long to arrive at Sebastian's home, slamming open the unlocked door and rushing to her shaking friends side. "Sebastian." She whispers softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay."

Sebastian turns to face her and all the fear comes straight back. He looked so drained. Too pale. He was covered in blood and bruises. Sebastian latches onto her, throwing his arms around her neck and pulling her close. "I'm sorry!" He howls. "I'm sorry!"

Letitia holds him close and looks at the scene around her, tears welling up in her eyes. "Sebastian." She whispers, pressing kisses to his temple. "Your dad... did he—"

Sebastian begins to sob, nodding, shaking. "I'm sorry!" He yells once more. "I'm sorry— I didn't mean to run from them! I didn't mean to make them mad!"

"Sebastian, listen to me. This is not your fault." Letitia says sternly. "You didn't want this. You didn't want any of this. Please. Don't blame yourself."

"I'm sorry." Sebastian whimpers. "I'm so sorry."

****

Letitia gazes over at the sleeping Sebastian, his wounds cleaned and the deep gash in his wrist stitched up. She was sat at her desk, Sebastian laying in her bed, going over some homework but couldn't seem to concentrate. All her attention was on her friend.

How could she have not seen the signs of the abuse? Sebastian was always covered in bruises, was always injured or in pain. He was quiet. Timid. Letitia felt so stupid and useless.