Inner Monster

Burning feeling

Once we got a doctor in there.

He said it was the strangest thing he's saw.

They said they could put a type of medicine on it and bandaged it up.

They said that was all they could do.

Rider came and knelt beside me.

"I'm sorry."

"Rider, you didn't do anything."

"Yes, I did. You should probably stay away from me, for your sake."

"Rider, I like being around you, you made me feel more confident about myself."

I tried to hug him but he turned away.

"Well now I feel sad."

"I'm sorry. But if you hug me, it will only make things worse."

"But if you leave, I'll feel worse than I already do."

"I have to go. It's not safe for you."

I wrapped him in a hug.

He tried to pull away but he couldn't.

"Gabi. Stop. This will hurt after."

"Shh...it doesn't hurt me. I promise."

It stung a little, but he couldn't leave. I wouldn't let him.

"Are you sure it doesn't hurt?"

"I promise."

He wrapped his arms around me.

"Does it hurt?"

"Not at all."

"When I let go. Tell me if your arm still hurts."

He let go.

I smiled.

"It's better."

He smiled in relief.