"Hey D, what are you doing?"
Dominic opened his eyes, was he back at home? But no one had called him that in a long time. It was a nickname from his childhood. He felt all of his seventeen years, thank you very much. Eric was there again. If he had been in control of his body he would have been ashamed to look at this version of Eric. When they were twelve and first met, it was because of Dominic protecting Eric in a school fight. It hadn't been to protect him really, he'd just wanted to get in on the fight. It was the the first time he'd felt guilty about lying, actually. He'd come out of the fight with a couple of bruises and scratches, but Eric had been beat on long before Dominic had even gotten there. He'd had a broken arm, and a nasty black eye. It had been hard to look at before, but this was worse. This was a grown Eric, who had a clearly broken arm, and a black eye. He was trying not to cry out in pain.
He could see some forms moving away, Jules looked back and gave him a wink before running off.
This Eric hissed in pain before continuing, "You were supposed to be on the lookout. What happened?"
"They got me too." the body said, "I couldn't help it. I'm really sorry E."
"What happened?"
"Took me from behind." Dominic knew there wasn't something right about his voice. And he knew his own voice well enough. He was lying.
He felt a headache start to form as he searched for what had happened. This body, he had been off buying something. A drug maybe? Or some sort of drink. The people he had been buying from had really been... Who?
He digs a little deeper, ignoring the searing pain in his head.
They had been the ones that he was supposed to be looking out for.
He had failed this. Just like he had failed Edward. Just like he had failed Aaron. And just like he had failed Eric. No! It had been Eric's fault. He hadn't done anything to the other guy, Eric had just gone and betrayed their friendship. It wasn't his fault! But this – this was much worse.
He was jogged back to his current situation by a strangled half scream. E had tried to get up, and put some pressure on his arm.
"Well, James and Colin should be here soon." E grimaces and his words become more spaced out, more painful. "Just be more aware next time, OK?"
This time it was E who fell unconscious. His arm was limp, and laying at the wrong angle. He could almost see the bone poking out of it if he looked close enough.
Dominic clenched his hands. Angry with his past self. Why had he lied? E would probably forgive him, because that's what he did. He-
He stop. He had clenched his hands. He raised an arm experimentally, and felt a massive grin on his face.
The grin slid when he noticed E on the ground again.
"Jules, Take me back. This isn't what I'm supposed to do. I shouldn't be here. I understand your message. I wont be such a dick when I get back, I promise."
Not good enough Dominic. Try harder.
Before he can think of a response, the world dissolves around him.
