Jeremy put the key in the lock and turned it, trying to be quiet. But Elena unfortunately had a form of super hearing – that or he just had the worst luck ever. When he opened the door the light in the entrance hall went on and Jeremy looked up to find his sister descending the stairs.
He stopped short, hand on the doorknob and they stared at each other for a few seconds. Elena came to stand in front of him and reached up. Jeremy closed his eyes and took a deep breath as she softly traced one of numerous bruises already forming on his face.
Heaving a sigh, she took the backpack from his shoulder and backed away giving Jeremy the space to close the door. He sat down on the couch as Elena went into the kitchen to get the first aid kit and an ice pack. They didn't speak as she sat next to Jeremy, rummaging through the first aid kit for what she needed. Jeremy placed the ice pack on his face over a particularly nasty bruise.
"This time?" she whispered, cleaning a cut just under his left eye. It stung, but he didn't flinch - this wasn't the first time he was doing this.
Jeremy shook his head and shrugged. He didn't always know why this happened – sometimes the trigger was obvious, but not always.
"Did you get one in?" Elena asked, finishing up. She leaned back and watched as Jeremy stared off into space for a few minutes. She didn't say anything.
"One." He whispered, getting up and walking into the kitchen. He threw the ice pack into the sink and opened the fridge to grab a beer. He leaned back against the counter and took a long sip before continuing. "I think a broke a rib or two."
"But it stopped him." Elena walked over and wrapped her arms around her brother's waist and rested her head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. She was always amazed – he took beating after beating but he was always calm and controlled.
"Yeah." He gave his sister a hug. "I'll take him to the hospital tomorrow to get it strapped up."
Elena just shook her head and looked up at Jeremy. "Why?" she asked "Why do you go back to him after he does this?"
Jeremy moved away from the counter and walked away from Elena. "He doesn't do this because of anything I do, Elena. This has nothing to do with me."
"That doesn't make it right, Jer!" Elena's voice went up a notch or two. This wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation. Jeremy had lost count of how many times he'd had this conversation with numerous people over the years. But his answer was always the same: He could handle this – he knew what he was doing.
"You could get seriously hurt, Jer. He can do permanent damage – or even worse: KILL YOU one day."
Jeremy shook his head and leaned down to kiss his sister on the forehead, indicating that the conversation was over. She stood there with her arms folded across her chest, frowning.
"Good night, Elena." Jeremy whispered. "I'll see you in the morning."