RUN

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟜𝟝: 𝕆𝕟𝕖 𝕤𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕥𝕙

"I brought you water." Thiago's voice doesn't do anything to me as a stray tear rolls from the corner of my eye, making a wet trail down my cheek.

I don't speak, I don't move, I don't fucking breath. I can't. Everything hurts, and I'm not so sure anymore it's the physical pain that's the worst.

"Olive... You have to eat something." he sighs, no doubt looking at the sandwich he brought me this morning. And yesterday.

His tone makes me want to strangle him. He doesn't get to tell me to eat. He doesn't get to pretend like he actually cares if I'll end up starving. Because if he really cared, he would have done something to stop his coworker from beating the shit out of me.

I say nothing.

"I know the last thing you want is talk to me, and I won't force you to, but you do have to at least drink." Thiago continues, taking a few steps towards me.

I look up at him, hatred shimmering in my eyes. "Fuck you."

My voice comes out raspy, proving his point. But I couldn't give a shit. Lying on the cold floor, as piteous as it is, is the only thing I'm capable of doing. My stomach is in every possible shade of blue-purple-black, just like my left shoulder. I can't even imagine how my face looks like.

Thiago doesn't flinch by my tone. His eyes dart to my hands. "You shouldn't hold your side like that, it'll only make it worse."

"Then keep Elsher out of here." I manage to grit out. I know he's right, but why would I try to make it feel better if the one who did this will just do it again, make it worse by himself? This is straight up pointless.

He crouches down, his hands resting on his knees as he looks at me for a moment, searching my face. I don't know what he finds, but whatever it is, I wish he hadn't. He sits down. "I can't do that."

I don't answer. Of course he can't keep him away. He's the reason I'm here, he's the one who planned all of this. Just because he brings me food doesn't make him friendly. I'm not stupid enough to think that, and at least he doesn't treat me like one by pretending to be.

"I wish they had listened to me." he sighs, his eyes settling on my face. His stare makes my splitted brow pulse. "It wasn't supposed to be like this."

It goes against everything my body tells me, but I push myself up. I gasp as pain shoots through my veins, but it's less painful than being caged by his eyes. I don't want to listen to him.

"This is your doing." I mutter, pushing myself back against the wall. It isn't much, but those few feet between us make my mind relax. I don't trust him more than I trust Elsher. "Even if it's not your fist."

"Your nose is bleeding." God, I almost laugh from his words. My entire face bleeds. I don't look at him as I take the crumpled pieces of toilet paper he offers me.

"Why are you still here?" I press it to my nose. I fight the urge to hiss in pain, biting the inside of my cheek instead.

"If I'm here, Elsher will wait." is his response. It's as simple as that, and it makes me narrow my eyes. Nothing is that simple.

"You know what?" I shake my head, dropping my hands to my lap. "Humor me. Why are you acting like that?"

"Unlike some people here," he starts slowly, his fingers running through his hair. "I don't enjoy seeing you like that. And like I've said before, it was never the plan."

"Yes, you did say that." I say, my voice breaking as I'm reminded of how dry my throat really is. I contemplate reaching for the bottle of water he brought with him, but decide against it. I'll drink when he'll leave. "What was your plan?"