I was walking to get myself a cup of water since Jimin and Taehyung could not stop playing their video games, not getting tired of defeating each other. I did not understand why Taehyung had insisted on bringing me to Jimin's house or why he even wanted to see Jimin after we just dropped him with his sister to their house. The house was so huge and grand that I got lost in it, admiring its beauty, the pictures painting the walls and the artefacts put on the tables in the corridors; the lack of any personal picture frame surprising me slightly. I was wandering around when I heard a whimper of pain and the noise of things being smashed on the ground. I know I was intruding but when I peeked in the room I was glad I did not call for Jimin before doing so.
Books lying around, pens scattered, some clothes lying here and there, and in the middle of it all, I saw Erica struggling to stand, bleeding from her leg, shards of glasses stuck in her calf, whip marks on her arms and legs, tears streaming down her face, one hand covering her mouth and the other holding a first aid kit. She looked broken and judging from her usual strong personality, she would not have liked Jimin seeing her in this state so I entered the room closing the door behind me. At this moment all I wanted to do was protect her and comfort her. She tried to run to the washroom on seeing me, clearly not used to show her vulnerable side to anyone. I grabbed her arm trying to stop her from locking herself in the washroom but I regretted that act a moment later when she let out a small hiss. I sat her down on the bed making sure to make my actions as gentle as they can be. Taking the first aid box from her hand, I slowly started pulling out the shards from her leg.
Dabbing a piece of cotton in an antiseptic, I started cleaning the wounds carefully. I was focusing on cleaning the wound and was soon brought out of the bubble by a soft whimper. Her face scrunched up in pain, hand gripping the bed sheets so tight that her knuckles had turned white. I took her delicate hand in mine and consoled her, told her that it will be over soon, humming a small tune I started cleaning the dried up blood from her leg. I went outside and asked a maid to bring some ice for her. I made sure the bruising from the welts of the painful wounds on her hands will be minimum. She soon started drifting off to unconsciousness, I climbed in the bed with her and made her comfortable with the pillow. Bringing her closer to my body, I ran my fingers through her smooth hair comforting her as much as I can, still humming the soft tune. I heard a small 'thank you' being whispered and realized that she had relaxed completely and had drifted to sleep.
I got out of the bed careful so as to not wake her up. I bent down and started cleaning her room, putting her books and pens back on her desk, asking the maid to put her clothes back in her closet. I gently took her forearm and started covering the whip marks and welts that were easily visible using her concealer I found on her washroom sink when I went to put back the first aid kit. I took a paper from the stick-it note on her desk and wrote a small message saying that I'm going back home and that I've not told Jimin about today's incident. She was still whimpering in her sleep sometimes but I knew there was nothing I could do to stop it, to calm her completely.
I message Taehyung saying that I'm tired and that I'm going back to my place. He texted back immediately asking if I had bumped into Erica on my way to which I lied saying I had not seen her. I exit the house and start going back home. Entering my home, I put on my night wear and went to bed after being refreshed. I lay on my bed wondering about who might have hurt Erica so badly and soon enough I drifted to unconsciousness.
Erica's point of view:
I woke up to hushed whispers in my room. I opened my eyes, squinting slightly at the bright light hitting my eyes. I saw Jimin talking to one of the maids with a tray in his hands. He must have heard my shuffling for he cast his loving, warm gaze on me. He seemed to be in a much brighter mood than yesterday. He offered me the breakfast he was previously carrying and left the room, the maid following after him, but not before sending me a pitiful look. I sit up on my bed noticing that the blanket had covered the bandages Yoongi had wrapped around my legs. My room clean, my clothes changed from the pair of shorts and crop top I had worn to a comfortable pajamas, the welts and streaks on my arm covered by a concealer. I looked around to see a folded note on the bedside table, written in small neat handwriting was a name – 'Yoongi'. I opened the note to read further.
'Hey, I might have left when you woke up. I have wrapped up the cuts and covered the welts on your arms with the concealer I found in the bag on the counter in the washroom. I assumed you didn't want Jimin or Taehyung to see them, seeing as you didn't call for them to help and I'm sorry for going through your things when cleaning the room. I also asked the maid to change your clothes for you since they had some blood stains. I'll return them to you after cleaning. I understand that you might not want to tell me the cause of the injuries since we're practically strangers and I'm not forcing you to but please stay safe for Jimin. He needs you. Hope you get well soon. Take care. =) '
I got freshened up, concealed all the marks and wounds, and ate the breakfast kept waiting at my bedside table. Supporting myself using the walls, limping slightly, I went to Jimin's room only to find him with a gaming control in his hand, the game paused, his eyes downcast, and fresh tears rolling out of them, landing on the soft couch. I went to sit next to him and taking his hands in mine I made him face me. He looked guilty, he thinks he is responsible for whatever happened to me. I cupped his face with one hand and asked him to forget about everything and just focus on what I was saying.
"You know I have made a promise to mom, a promise to you and I will never break it. Jimin, I will protect you from him, no matter what. You don't have to think that you're weak for not protecting me or stopping me. You are the strongest brother I could have ever wished for. Everyone makes mistakes. It's fine if you make a stupid mistake, its father's fault for not seeing your talent. You don't have to blame yourself"
"I'm sorry.... I just ......I couldn't perfect my aim.....I have tried so many times....."
"Shhhh....you know how it upsets me...I don't want you to join his business but we don't have a choice, do we? I will not be able to support the both of us alone if we run away from here"
"But noona, you can support yourself...please run away...please. I'll be fine. I can take care of myself" Jimin insisted with tears falling from his eyes.
"I can't, Jimin, I won't. I promised to protect you and I'm not backing down from it. I'm not leaving you."
"Where did he hurt you this time?"
"Now, let's not talk about that and continue playing the game that has been paused instead" Jimin knowing that I will not tell him the answer to that question, reluctantly gave up on the topic and pressed the 'continue' button on the game console. The day went by with me and Jimin competing with each other over video games and cuddling each other for binge watching cheesy dramas.
"You cannot find peace by avoiding life" – Virginia Woolf
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A/N : Hope you're enjoying the story till now.....
