Blame (Thiam TW)

Chapter 15: Rest and Refresh

"Like you did?"

"Right, did you trust me when you brought me back?"

"I barely trusted you even after you saved me with the ghost riders."

"Exactly," Theo nodded, "you don't have to accept an apology as a free pass for complete forgiveness."

"Okay," Liam nodded as he tried to let the guilt not get to him.

"Hey," Melissa slowly opened the door coming in, "I heard voices. How are you feeling?"

"Good," Liam nodded, looking at the woman, "thank you for everything."

"You're welcome," Melissa smiled, fighting back tears, "you meant a lot to Scott, and I am going to make sure I take care of you."

"Melissa, I'm sorry," Liam broke into tears now as the woman held him for a few moments.

"It wasn't your fault," she let go of him, going back to check his vitals.

"Can I go home?"

"How about you stay one night? Parrish hasn't left the outside of the door, and your friends can stay. We just want to make sure everything is okay with you."

"I guess I can."

"You don't like hospitals, do you? I figured with your father-" Melissa stopped her sentence.

"I just don't like being a patient at hospitals," Liam nodded.

Theo watched his head bow slightly as if he was remembering something.

"Can you do one night?"

Liam nodded.

"Hey about the rest of you go get something to eat while I talk to Liam for a moment," Melissa stared at them.

They all got the hint as the nurse handed them meal vouchers.

Liam stared at Theo as the chimera eventually let go of his hand.

"Li, we'll be back in twenty minutes," Theo promised.

"Okay," Liam nodded as he walked out the door.

"I'm sorry, Liam; I think your step-father will come around."

"I thought out of anyone my own parents would believe me."

"Claws," Melissa looked at him sternly as Liam began to dig into his own palms again, "they will come around Liam, but look at me. You need to let yourself heal, and you need to stop blaming yourself."

"It should have been me," Liam looked up at her, "he would be better to handle everything."

Melissa stared at him unsure of what to say. The broken boy in front of her just said it should have been him instead of her own son that died. What could she tell him?

"Everything happens for a reason, and it was Scott's time to go."

"What if it wasn't?"

"Liam, stop doing this to yourself," Melissa reached over and grabbed his hands before his claws could wreak more havoc across his arms.

"Maybe my dad was right; I just ruin everything."

Melissa stared at him, remembering him six years earlier, a twelve-year-old boy. She never mentioned it to Scott or anyone, but she knew Liam long before any of them. They were a few rooms over; she was doing his evaluation. It was ingrained in her memory; it was too close to what she was worried would happen with Scott and Rafael.

"I just ruin everything," a much younger Liam looked up at the nurse.

"Liam, right?"

The boy nodded.