FALLEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE.

(Belle's Pov)

When I found out I could go and see Sam, I didn't hesitate. Excitement as well as worry floated inside my stomach as I followed Daniel. Just as I was about to head into my room, he had suddenly stopped me, telling me Sam was asking for me. 

Therefore, I followed behind him, my stomach churning. 

I just hoped he wasn't hurt badly.

"Be quiet, B." Daniel mumbled, leading me to the storage room he was waiting inside for me in. I grew more anxious with every step I took.

"We don't want anybody getting suspicious." He murmured as we passed a guard. He was short and plump, his body leaning against the wall. Small sounds, which sounded like snores, left him. I held in a laugh.

"Sleeping on the job, great work, Jacob." I heard Daniel say. I grinned, mimicking his footsteps. 

"Alright, he's in there." He paused outside a door. The light was on, illuminating the sign hung on the door. 'Storage Closet', it read in bold letters. My heart grew heavy for a second, as Daniel reached out turn the door open. Swallowing, I followed him inside, closing the door behind him.

Instantly, my eyes landed on him. His head was bowed, staring at the ground. I didn't hesitate as I ran forward and wrapped my arms around him, his body startling in surprise.

"I'll be guarding the door." Daniel said, the sound of the door closing following. I didn't know I was crying until I heard myself sniffle. It was then his arms wrapped around me, tightly pulling me into him. His pressed his head into my stomach, inhaling sharply.

"A-Are you alright?" I whispered, not yet pulling back. I just felt the need to be close to him. He didn't say anything, but nodded his head. For some odd reason, I felt as if he was lying. Pulling back, I pursed my lips at him, using a free hand to wipe my watery face.

His head was still buried into my stomach.

"Sam," I called. My response was silence, not a single movement from him. Frowning slightly, I reached out to pull down his hood. He still didn't move. I tugged it off, exposing his grey hat to my eyes. It was cotton, on the verge of being worn out.

I slowly let a finger trail across the top of his bowed head, wishing I could pull it off. So I did. Hesitantly, I tugged it off, and still he didn't move. His head remained pressed into my stomach. Swallowing, I ran a hand through his blonde locks. They were beautiful.

"Did he get you?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. My heart paused in anticipation, awaiting his response. And after a few good seconds - I received silence. The frown deepened on my lips, and I found myself reaching out tug his chin up. But I failed too.

"Look at me, Sam." I softly said. He shook his head.

"Please. Don't close me out." I pleaded, sounding desperate. 

"I don't want you to seem me like this." He rasped, lowly. My heart jumped a little from hearing him suddenly speaking after a long silence. A little tug went off in my heart.

"What do you mean?" I heard myself ask. His reply was silence.

"Sam," I pressed, reaching out to tug up his chin. This time, my movement didn't fail. Our eyes locked, his eyes looking emotionless. A gasp left my lips as I let my eyes trail further across his face, an unfamiliar feeling tugging violently at my heart.

Red, purple bruises painted on both his cheeks. Dry blood dripped down his nose, and what looked like a scratch, placed above his eyebrow. My eyes widened at the sight, my mouth parting.