Dylan (18+) [ON HOLD]

chapter five: B L U E

Gabby

. . .

I watch as the door clicks shut behind Derek and Doctor Munroe, the action like a weight lifted off of my chest.

Alone with Dylan, irrational as it is, I feel safer than if I had a million cops lining the entire hospital to watch over me.

"Dammit, Gabs," Dylan croaks, drawing my attention to him. "What happened?"

Tears well in my eyes as I look at him. Blonde hair mussed, blue eyes practically bloodshot from crying. What can I even say to that question? I take in a shuddering breath. "I don't know. I can't fucking remember and I hate it so much."

The statement comes out as an unintentional sob, ripping itself from my chest.

My heart monitor spikes, but neither of us pay it any attention as Dylan tugs me into his arms. His chair squeaks as he scoots closer, and I'm practically in his lap, but he doesn't complain. He wraps his arms around me, one hand cupping the back of my head like I'm an infant.

"Dyl," I sob, eyes falling shut as tears escape my eyes. "I don't... I was just at the bar, and I ordered a drink. And I was fine and going outside to call an Uber but I got dizzy. And I didn't see his face but this guy he just... he took me. He grabbed me, and walked us out of there and no one noticed anything! And then there were just these flashes... and, and, his eyes! They were blue and—And I just don't fucking know! I didn't even know there were two of them!"

The flashes of memory are only the times my conscious mind was awake, I assume. My eyes open into slits as I study my reddened fingertips. I'd fought them pretty hard, several broken nails serving as proof.

I recount these details to Dylan, just as I had to Detective Foley and the other officer who'd had to leave earlier.

"I'll get my DNA tested," Dylan murmurs. "So will the rest of the guys. If it gives you peace of mind when you look at me—at us, we'll do whatever it takes." He punctuates the sentence by giving me a firm kiss on my forehead.

I squeeze my eyes shut once more, feeling tears force themselves down my cheeks. "Of course I know it wasn't you. And Russ, weird as he is, just isn't like that. And Derek and Vi weren't even in town. I just need that clarity from other people," I murmur.

Dylan stiffens beneath me. "Like who? Did you meet someone at the bar? Was there someone who—"

"Dylan," I call his full name, effectively hushing him. "I can't remember enough for a sketch and ten percent of the world has blue eyes. Hell it could've been Jared from Subway, for all I know."

I watch Dylan's face, tears pooling in the corner's of his eyes as his lower lip trembles. "But—" he babbles, gripping me tighter as he places his head into the crook of my neck, gripping me just tight enough to remind me that my rib is broken.

"Hey, calm your tits. I'm the victim here," I sniffle, gulping down my tears, and pulling away from him.

"That's not fucking funny, Gabs."

I force a smile, wiping my face. "I know," I snort. "But, it makes me feel better."

The crying was cathartic, but I can't cry forever, and I can't hold onto Dylan forever. Better to push him away now than to get attached only to have to give him up later.

. . .

Once my doctor is certain that I'll be fine after having been nearly overdosed on Rohypnol, I'm released from the hospital, and allowed to go back to my apartment.

Dylan had hardly left my side since finding me in the ditch but had needed to leave for one of his games.

As a result, I'm being brought home by Levi, who in his gargantuan silence, does his best to provide me with comfort.

I smile down at the teddy bear clutched tightly in my hand.

It's blue all over, with a few white threads that stick out of its arms and belly, indicating that Levi may have ripped off the "it's a boy" t-shirt that it had likely worn at some point.

"Dyl told me you said his eyes were blue. I read that some survivors can end up with color aversion when they experience things like that. I wanted to give you a good blue memory as soon as possible," he'd said by way of explanation, gently easing the stuffed toy into my grasp.

I'd taken it without hesitation, and the two of us set off in silence to my apartment.

Levi, ever the dutiful security personnel checks that the apartment is secure before he leaves me alone to my silent apartment.

Luisa and Ben had to go to work, and so in my apartment, that without the decoration from the party felt a little bit blank, I was completely and utterly alone.

And as I inhale deeply, the scent of just pure cleanliness in my home, I'm thankful for the silence.

My bedroom is painted charcoal gray, just pale enough to not be considered black, and the light bulb next to my workstation is a bright white. Even brighter LED's surround me, lined around my bedroom's ceiling, and even beneath my bed.

Frowning at the brightness of it all, I use the little remote to change the white LED's to red, smiling brokenly at the unreasonably soothing effect it has.

At my workstation, my laptop sits open, screen on and pinging with notifications.

I sit in my chair, reveling in the comfort of familiarity that begins to surround me.

The pings from my laptop, whilst not constant are a rhythmic melody, and I feel my eyes widen as I look at what's occurred over the past twenty-four hours.

Fridays are my best days, since most people have just gotten paid, and being that school is nearly out, kids have a little more freedom with money, I've got multiple orders for customized shoes.

I smile as I set about preparing my workstation, a real and genuine smile this time. Getting back into my routine could be exactly what I need.

. . .

I seek validation and therefore hate reading comments because some people are judgmental as though I don't get an email every time you guys comment.

This is short... I'm not sure why it needed to be written.

Onnanothernote—we reached over 200 reads already! MY HEARTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! Thanks angels!♥♥♥

Next chapter on Wednesday, remember to stay safe.♥

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