Off One's Rocker - Lashton

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

-

"Is he dead?" Ashton asked peering over the top of an unconscious anorexic. He looked pale and lifeless and by a quick glance, you'd assume he'd have been dead.

"Not yet," Alex admitted as he pressed his fingers to the side of his neck to feel for a pulse, which luckily was there, but faints. "You saw a blade?" Alex asked still kneeling down beside the blonde, a stern look held upon his face yet his eyes seemed to be consumed by sadness.

Ashton nodded. "I think so, he pulled something shiny from his bag, it's the only thing I could think of."

The ageing man pulled a face of confusion. "In my notes, I never received any information about him self-harming." The grey-haired man was very precise with his patients, he knew everything there was to know about them before they got to the ward, and as he discovered new things he quickly adapted their life at the ward.

"Maybe I got it wrong?" Ashton suggested with a shrug. Alex knew he was very quick to jump to accusations, therefore, they usually ended up wrong. However, it never hurt to check.

"There's only one way to find out," he sighed, reaching towards Luke's wrist. Gently tugging the blondes sleeve up Alex revealed a slim pale wrist and prepared himself for the worst.

Ashton however, didn't take the sight too well. "They're fresh," he stated continuously gulping trying to keep the bile down. He was outraged and hurt upon seeing cut upon cut and scar upon scar on just his wrist.

"Less than a week?" Alex guessed tracing over the thick red lines worriedly. "He had been in a hospital though therefore I am confused as to why and how he'd got a blade and managed to harm himself without getting caught."

Next Alex hand lingered over the hem on Luke's top. Unsure if he wanted to see the damage to Luke's torso. He'd yet to see how skinny the boy truly was. Slowly and cautiously, the grey-haired man lifted up the baggy top, revealing a caved in stomach prominent protruding ribs. Fortunately no cuts neither scars.

Silently Alex sat and Ashton stood. The curly-haired boy only took a glance and grimaced, therefore, proceeded to watch Alex's expressions.

He was staring at Luke's body, worriedly. When reading about his weight, Alex worried yet seeing the damaged emancipated boy he could only expect the worse.

"What are you thinking?" Ashton asked still watching the older man.

"How sorry I am for him."

"What do you mean?"

"You know my work ethic, I like progress quick or else..." Alex paused watching the blonde boy stir slightly. When he settled Alex continued. "If he doesn't consume anything at dinner... God help him!"

"You could take it easy on him?" the curly-haired boy suggested pitying that he'd been placed with such a strict therapist under his conditions.

"No," Alex stated, watching Luke's face. His eyelashes resting upon his pale cheeks were beginning to flutter slightly indicating signs of awakening.

Alex wouldn't take it easy on Luke. If anything he was going to become stricter on the one patient determined Luke's state. Punishment would be severe.

"Could you go get a nurse please," the grey-haired man ordered with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Why?" Ashton queried.

"I want to check I have done no damage to Luke due to the fall he had was not gentle," Alex justified still studying Luke.

Nodding Ashton quickly asked one more question. "Which one?"