Help Me (sequel to Save Me)

Chapter 171

Trigger warning

Andy tries to get Remington to go home with him but the boy just keeps repeating that he'll know and giving himself panic attacks by frightening himself with what the stalker said, which he still won't tell anyone. He refuses hugs from his husband and his brother because he knows that if he hugs them he'll not be able to keep the words in. Abigail says she understands when Sebastian calls her and says Remington can't come to theray today, though is concerend after everything Sebastian tells her. She makes him promise that he'll call back if Remington keeps going downhill and keeps refusing help from either him or Andy.

The two older men sit in the dining room with cups of coffee, trying to work out what to do to help Remington. The boy has been sitting upstairs staring at the wall all day, repeating the same things whenever they talk to him. "He's just gonna keep getting worse," Andy says, stressed. "He's never been above thirty before."

"He needs to go home with you. I love having him around but he needs to be at home and he needs to see Abigail. She'll know how to help him."

Andy runs a hand through his hair. "I know. But he is so scared. I wish he would tell me what the stalker said." He picks up the coffee.

Sebastian nods and sighs. "I just don't know what to do, Andy. I'm gonna lose my temper if he doesn't snap out of this and I don't wanna do that."

"No, that can't happen."

"And I know you never snap at him, ever, so he needs to go home with you, where he's safe." He hears a noise behind him and sees Remington standing in the doorway, hididng in one of Andy's hoodies that the man brough over this morning.

He doesn't even try to smile. "Hi," the singer whispers, "can I-can I sit with you?"

Both Andy and Sebastian hear the vulnerable innocence, and it's Andy who answers. "Of course you can, sweetie. You okay? Would you like some tea?"

Remington pulls out a chair and sits in it. "No."

"No, you're not okay, or no, you don't want tea? Or no to both?"

"Both."

Andy hums in understanding. "How're you doing? Do you wanna talk about what's going on?"

The boy shakes his head. "He'll know," he mumbles.

"How's he gonna know, hon?"

One of Andy's hands strokes his cheek and he can't help but to lean into the touch. "He just will," he responds, not having a good answer other than that he's just paranoid.

"He has no way of knowing." It's meant to comfort Remington, but the words just make him feel stupid and like no one is taking his fear seriously.

"Oh," the younger whispers, sinking into the hoodie. "Sorry."

Andy shakes his head, realising how Remington interpreted his words and silently shouting at himself for it. "It's okay to be scared, Remington, that's not what I meant."

"Yes it is."

"No, honey, it's not at all what I meant."

Remington runs his fingers over the bandage on his arm. "Promise?"

"I promise." Andy assures.

An uneasy silence falls over them and Remington looks at his brother across the table, making eye contact for barely even two seconds before looking down at his sleeved hands. It is what you mean, he thinks, unable to stop himself. It's pathetic to be scared of him. I'm pathetic.

The dishwasher buzzes and the more Remington focusses on it, the louder it seems to get. Like it's threatening him, warning that if he tells anyone, the stalker will know. It's like everything in the room is warning him to keep his fucking mouth shut.

A phone ringing on the table makes the singer jump, the buzz of the dishwasher disappearing into nothing. Sebastian answers his phone, greeting Emerson and listening to the drummer speaking. Remington thinks he seems suddenly alert, and that makes him alert, too. What if something is wrong?

"You're there now?" Sebastian's question is agitated. He glances at Andy. "Fuck, okay. No, stay there. Do they have him? Okay. Stay there, Em, I'll come and get you. Yeah. It's a long story. I don't know half of it. Okay. I won't be long. Love you. Yep. See you in a bit. Okay. Love you. Bye." He puts the phone down.

It falls silent again.

The dishwasher gurgles alarmingly. Remington is trembling and he wishes Andy couldn't tell, but he can. Everytime.

The guitarist is shifty. "Emerson's at the police station," he says, afraid of how Remington will react. "He was attacked."