"What?"
Alec looked at me, flustered and confused. "Why did I just say that?"
"So you didn't mean that just now?" I sighed, relieved. How the hell was I supposed to react to him saying, "I love you"? Am I supposed to say thatI love him too? Whoa, hold on,did I even feel that way? Suddenly feeling my face heat up, I lowered my head so he wouldn't see.
"No." he said, frowning. Was I happy about that? Or sad? Oh my god, if this was some cruel joke of his to screw with my head, I'll kill him! "It felt like someone else said that." he continued. "That...wasn't me."
I raised an eyebrow at him, but he just frowned some more and walked away. I hesitated for a second, then I reluctantly followed him. Ryder was still there and the other guy I had knocked out was now awake with a swollen cheek, glaring daggers at me. I gave him a bright, innocent smile. He kept on glaring.
"Is anyone hurt?" asked Ryder, looking mostly at me. He hardly even glanced at Alec. Hurray, people trust me.
I didn't say anything. Alec didn't say anything. Ryder stared at me.
"No." I lied, forcing my voice to stay steady.
He just looked at me, unconvinced.
"You know where to take those horns, right?" Ryder asked Alec. He nodded. Ryder turned to the other guard. "Stay on watch." he ordered. Then he grabbed my wrist and dragged me away.
"Where are we going?" I said calmly.
He didn't answer, so I just followed him. We eventually made it to my house. When we entered, I saw Luke lounging on the couch like he didn't have school to go to.
"Why aren't you at school?" I said, immediately realizing I shouldn't have said that.
"Like you should be talking." he countered. "Where were you?"
"She was fighting a monster." Ryder answered for me.
"Did you kill it?"asked Luke.
"No." I lied again. "Alec did."
"Alec stalks you." commented Luke. Maybe he was right. And maybe Alec had really meant it when he said he loved me. I mean, he wouldn't be stalking me and saving me or whatever unless he actually cared.
"Aw, look, Ryder!" exclaimed Luke. "I made Lilly blush!"
"Shut up." I complained, turning my head away. I was so tired. All this walking and standing and emotions is gonna reopen my wounds. And after all of Alec's hard work. Oh crap, I can't think like that. I don't like him.
Luke left the room, looking like he needed to get something. As soon as the couch was free, Ryder sat me down on it.
"You're hurt. I know it."
"Really? No kidding!"
He sighed. Suddenly his hand shot out, unzipping Alecs jacket.
"Your shirt is bloodstained, Lilly."
"That's monster blood."
He looked at the side of my shirt. It had a huge rip right there 'cause that was where the monster's horn had cut me. Ugh, he's gonna notice.
I don't know why, but I don't want anyone to know I'm hurt. I can take care of myself. I don't need anyone else's help. But apparently Ryder didn't think the same way.
We went up to the extra room, which happened to be the place we stored some of our parents' stuff that we had gotten from the old house. When we entered, I felt my throat close up.
"What's wrong?" asked Ryder quietly.
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak.Shrugging off Alec's jacket, I lay down on the bed, arms underneath my head. Luke came in with a first-aid kit. He left just as suddenly. I couldn't blame him. We all hated blood. Whether it was looking at it, smelling it or touching it, he hated blood. And so did I.
Ryder pushed my shirt up to a few inches below my chest, examining the work Alec had done. Taking out a knife, he carefully cut off the bandages.
"Holy shit." he said, momentarily forgetting that he shouldn't cuss in front of kids. He gave a low whistle. "I'm gonna put alcohol on it so it doesn't get infected."
He opened up the first-aid kit and took out a small bottle of alcohol and a clean cloth.
"Don't scream." he warned.
"I never scream." I bragged. He closed the window and pulled the curtains closed. He stuffed a towel under the door. Then he turned to me and poured a few drops onto the cloth. Gritting my teeth, I prepared to not scream.
White hot fire exploded across my side, making me gasp. I bit my tongue and I just barely supressed a cry of pain. It was like hand sanitizer entering a paper cut, but a million times worse. There was a gross, metallic taste in my mouth. It was probably blood. Oh, well, it'll heal.
Ryder had finished with my side wound, but he looked worried. "It needs stitches, Lilly."
Grabbing a pillow, I covered my face. "I don't care what it needs, just hurry up and do it."
I felt the weirdest sensation as he stitched myside with a needle and string. But I had no choice-it won't heal unless I stitch it. At least it won't leave any scars when it's all healed. Tying a gauze around it so the stitch wouldn't get out of place, he asked, "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
I wanted to say no so I wouldn't have to endure more pain, but I couldn't fool Ryder. "Yeah." I told him. "My shoulder." I rolled up my sleeve to show him. It was three short, and not even all that deep, cuts.
I ibnored more hard-to-ignore pain as he put some alcohol on my shoulder. Then, as usual, he wrapped a gauze around my shoulder too. By the time he finished, I felt like I was about to pass out. Black dots danced across my vision as I stared up at the ceiling. Maybe, if I had enough energy, I could ask for painkillers. But I couldn't. I was barely awake.
"Good job." I heard him say. He sounded far away, even though he was right next to me. He started to walk away."I know you killed the monster. If Alec had really killed it, he would be hurt, not you."
His words almost unheard, I answered quietly, "He saved me. I just got myself hurt."
He shook his head, once again unconvinced.
Being in here, in this room, felt like being trapped in a cage. Everything reminded me of my parents. The air was suffocating me.Getting up, I walked to my room and changed into clean clothes.
I can't stay here. I sneaked out my window, knowing Luke would kill me if he saw me trying to get out. I needed rest,but I couldn't rest here. Not in my room or this house. This house had no parents in it. I'd be back in a few hours, but for now, I needed to get away. Who knows how I had the energy; I just did.
As you should know, I hate running away.
But sometimes, even I can't handle things perfectly. So I'm running.
Hoping my mom and dad would be there when I got back. But I knew. I already knew.
They were never coming back. Not ever.
YOU ARE READING
